Play The Game (COMPLETED)

Chapter 11

But I knew that Jax wouldn't drop the topic, so in the end, ako na lang iyong gumamit ng bookstand niya. Binilisan ko na lang iyong pagha-highlight at pagsusulat ko ng notes para mamaya, magmememorize na lang din ako.

"Jax," I called when I'd been going back and forth pero hindi ko makita iyong sagot. He looked at me, his eyes questioning. Minsan, tamad talaga magsalita. "Question... sabi sa Family Code, essential requisite sa marriage iyong marriage license, but what if nagkaroon ng sunog tapos nawalan na sa record 'yung copy nung license? Void na ba 'yung marriage?" I asked. Ganito kasi 'yung mga tanong sa classroom. Minsan 'di mo aakalain na itatanong. Nakaka-lito.

"No," he replied quickly, as if he could still remember every lesson when he was in first year. "Check Article 34, nandun 'yung exceptional circumstances. If they have already been living as husband and wife for at least five years, marriage license becomes immaterial. Hindi magiging void. General exception. But read the article; baka may nalimutan ako."

Muntik ng umawang iyong labi ko. He could still remember the article number like it was written at the back of his hand! Ako nga kahit situation lang na puro letter names, nahihilo na ako. Ang talino talaga ng future ko.

I smiled. "Thank you," I said, feeling really grateful na may Jax na sasagot sa akin kapag sobrang confused na ako sa mga binabasa ko.

* * *

It was almost time for class nang bumalik kami sa school. Mas mauuna iyong class niya kasi dalawa iyon. I walked him to his class.

"Good luck sa class," I said, smiling because I just wanted to make his day better like he did with mine. Buong araw lang talaga kaming nag-aral, pero ewan, sobrang saya ko talaga.

"When's your dismissal?" he asked.

"4:30."

"6:30 ako," sabi niya.

"It's okay. I'll wait," sabi ko.

"You sure?" he asked as if the thought of me waiting didn't sit well with him,

I nodded. "Sus. Two hours lang naman. Compare mo naman 'yun sa four years na pinaghintay mo ko," I teased, which resulted to the end of his ears turning red. Sobrang halata kasi sobrang puti din nito, e! Minsan nga papaarawan ko 'to para magka-kulay naman.

"Kulit," mahina niyang sabi pero narinig ko naman. May sasabihin pa yata siya pero nakita namin na paparating na 'yung prof niya. "I'll text you later."

I nodded. "Alright. Good luck sa class. Make me proud," I said, winking at him, which earned me another blush. Tsk. Cute mo talaga!

Naka-silip ako sa glass sa pinto hanggang maka-upo si Jax. Sa tabi ng lalaki siya naupo. 'Yun siguro 'yung Yago na sinasabi niya. Buti na lang 'di sila seatmates ni Chinita... Although 'di ko naman aawayin si Jax. 'Di naman ako ganon kababaw.

After I was satisfied with seeing him in action, I finally went to my classroom. Papasok na sana ako sa loob nang mapa-tigil ako dahil nakita ko si Iñigo at Maven na nag-uusap. That was... unexpected. Those two were an unlikely pair. Masyadong full of sunshine si Iñigo compared mo kay Maven na full of darkness.

"Hi, Abby," bati ko nang makita ko si Abby. She's too quiet din, but she seemed okay naman. She's better than my other classmates na mukhang ayaw sa akin kahit hindi pa naman nila ako nakaka-usap. Ewan ko ba sa mga 'yun.

She just looked at me before she went inside the classroom kahit na mukhang seryoso iyong pinag-uusapan nila Maven at Iñigo. A few seconds later, lumabas si Iñigo. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang may makita akong pasa sa gilid ng labi niya.

"Ano'ng nangyari sa 'yo?!" I worriedly asked.

He smiled, but winced. "I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

"It just looks worse than it feels," sabi niya.

"Papasok ka ng ganyan?"

He shrugged. "Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry," sabi niya tapos nagsimula siyang maglakad palayo, but I couldn't let him go. He's been so nice to me, and he saved my ass a lot of times already.

"Wait!" sabi ko habang humahabol sa kanya. "I'm gonna fix you up," I said, dragging him back inside the classroom habang wala pang tao. Nakita ko na nasa isang sulok si Abby at Maven, but they're the least of my worries right now.

"Wag kang gumalaw," sabi ko kay Iñigo habang nilalagyan ko ng concealer 'yung pasa niya sa mukha. "I'm not gonna ask anymore kung san mo 'to nakuha..." I said, although I had an idea that this was frat related. It's his business, not mine. "But I hope you'll take care of yourself."

He smiled. I frowned.

"Wag ngang gagalaw, ang kulit," sabi ko nang makita ulit 'yung purple spot sa mukha niya.

"Thanks, Ms. Arellano," he said.

"Tss. Next time, bahala ka na sa buhay mo."

"May recit daw mamaya. Gusto mo malaman 'yung tinanong sa kabilang class?" he offered. I appreciated the thought, but Jax said that in the end, ako lang din naman iyong mahihirapan kung puro shortcut ang gagawin ko dito. Ako rin iyong magsa-suffer sa BAR exam kung ganito ang gagawin ko sa law school. He's right. I'd rather suffer now, than suffer later.

I shook my head. "Tinuruan na ako ni Jax," I said, beaming. I was confident today. Feeling ko, masasagot ko kahit ano pa itanong ni Judge Soriano sa akin.

Iñigo's lips parted. "Kayo na?"

I smiled. "Konti pa," I replied. Four years niya akong pinaghintay... paghihintayin ko siya kahit four days man lang.