The One At Helios

Rigo had just finished his class when he received text messages from his dad, two sisters and his soon-to-be stepmom. His dad and fiancé have returned from their six-month trip to Ireland. They’re both marine biologists working on a research of self-pollinating plants living in the vast oceans that can help cure various chronic conditions. He can’t recall the last time he spoke to his dad. Despite living under the same roof, they just stopped talking at one point. Sometimes Rigo tends to ponder about it.

Was he being too childish?

They were expecting him at dinner, but he chose to be at Helios. To run his heart out and forget about his worries at home. He knew this would lead to another conflict between him and his dad, but he couldn’t care less. He’d rather be in the tracks tonight yet he couldn’t help but feel sorry for his sisters.

How can they forget what day it is today?

Rigo pulled back his tears as Vance handed him his helmet. “4k din ‘yan ah. Ipanalo mo,” the latter told him. Rigo just smiled in return and nodded his head.

When he arrived at Helios, he was greeted by the familiar atmosphere. It was just another busy night on the roads of hell, as most of people his age group likes to call it. People rushing in all directions, placing bets and registering for the game. Every Thursday, a wealthy individual sponsors the race, making it a ‘big thing’ for most racegoers. He hadn’t had jitters in quite a while yet he’s experience one right now, and the person responsible for it? Bren. He was taken aback to find him in the bleachers with one of his buddies, Kylo, who was also competing in the race tonight. He wanted to ask him what he was doing here knowing fully how much he despises the thought of him racing. Many times he had called Rigo’s Balerion a ‘monstrous thing’, a ‘danger to human lives’, and a ‘hazard to the environment’, and yet here he is ready to watch him race.

“Hindi ko alam kung madidistract ka o maiinspired,” Arya teasingly said as she lined up her motorcycle on the track next to Rigo’s. “Kahit ako nagulat when I saw him here. Sabi ni Kylo si Bren lang daw ang willing samahan siya tonight. The rest of their friends are busy.”

Rigo glanced back at the bleachers and saw Bren talking to the people sitting next to him. “I honestly have no idea why he’s here. When I told him about this being one of my hobbies, he scolded me for like an hour. Saying how dangerous it was blah blah. I’m aware of that but I told him I’ve been racing for quite a while now and that there’s no need to get all whiny and worked up about it. Still, he didn’t approve.”

“Well then, maybe Kylo is good at persuading.”

“Maybe.”

When Rigo’s eyes finally met Bren’s, he winked at him before putting on his helmet.

Meanwhile Bren on the other side, he clasped his hands inside the pocket of his hoodie when he heard the starter pistol. His heart was beating fast as hundreds of people erupted in thundering applause and deafening cheers. He noticed many people cheering for Rigo. He didn’t understand why at first, but as he continued to watch him on the track, he became mesmerized. He had never seen him race before, and he used to ignore his stories since he despised the thought of him racing, so seeing him now was astounding for him. He wasn’t completely ignorant of racing since, as much as he dislikes hearing Rigo’s stories about it, he did learn a few things. When Rigo maneuvered for a counter steer, he felt his soul leave his body because he was only using one hand. It also appeared as if Rigo was mocking the person next to him on the race, who also happened to be a friend of his. The thing Bren noticed with Rigo is that he constantly upshifts after losing a gear, which worked fine for him because he was leading the race. He had so many tricks up his sleeves and Bren couldn’t quite wrap his head around it. The experience of watching Rigo was both thrilling and exciting. This is the same person who is a pro-swimmer, someone whose pace can range under 1:15 per 100m above and around water and here he is at the race track, going full stick, counter steering vigorously and smartly using the rear break to keep himself safe no matter how fast he goes.

And in the end, he won. He won two games, and Bren knew, no matter how ludicrous it sounded, that Rigo needed this race tonight.