Embrace Of Night

CHAPTER 8

Makalipas ang limang minuto ay naayos na rin sa wakas ang linya, kararating lang din nina Eya at Les, ang tagal daw kasi mag maneho ng bus.

Nagsimula na nga ang tugtog at sumayaw ang lahat, hindi ako makasabay dahil may mga part na masyadong mabilis. Bahala na.

Sobrang init at hingal na hingal ako nang matapos kaming sumayaw. Alas dose na nang tanghali at magkakasama kaming pumunta nina Eya, Les at Mila sa cafeteria para mag lunch.

“Hoy, Van! Diba kasali ka sa Chess?” tanong ni Eya kahit puno pa ang bibig nito ng fried chicken.

Tumango ako bilang sagot.

“Good luck!”

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay naghiwalay na kami, magkakasama silang pumunta sa field dahil manonood daw sila ng Volleyball. Gusto ko rin sana sumama kaya lang ay malapit na mag 1 o'clock.

Nagtungo na ako sports development center kung saan magaganap ang ibang mga laro tulad ng chess at billiard. Marami na rin ang tao sa loob.

Hinanap ko agad kung saan room ako naka schedule hanggang sa makarating ako ng 2nd floor at nakita ang pangalan ko sa room 12.

Pumasok na ako sa loob at sinalubong agad ako ng organizer na administrator ng university namin. Tinanong ang pangalan ko nito.

“Vanessa Castro po from 11 GAS.”

“Ah, ikaw na sunod.” Saad ni Sir Mark at binigyan ako ng upuan.

“Thank you po.”

Natapos maglaro ang dalawa sa harapan ko at pumalakpak pa ang manonood na nasa bintana.

“Nice one, Donald!”

Kaya pala pamilyar ang nanalo kasi nasa kabilang section lang namin. Matalino rin ito, ang alam ko kasi, siya ang topnotcher sa section nila. Hindi ko aakalain na marunong ito magchess and worst sumali pa.

Kinabahan tuloy ako.

“The undefeated champion, Donald, emerges victorious once again, securing his fourth consecutive win!” The organizer announced. “Now, let's welcome the next challenger, Vanessa from 11 Gas.” He added.

“He has won four times in a row! He's a chess god," exclaimed the crowd in awe of Donald's incredible feat. His unmatched skills and strategic brilliance on the chessboard have solidified his reputation as a true master of the game.

Ako na ata ang pang limang matatalo niya. But, I'll try to do my best. Tumingin ito sa akin at ngumiti, “Good luck.”

Napakunot noo naman ako dahil sa pag-ngiti niya, bigla kasing pumasok sa isip ko ang Santiago na 'yon. Nakakainis.

Taking advantage of the white pieces, I made my first move by maneuvering one of my pawns. As the game progressed, time ticked away, and before long, only a handful of pieces remained on the board, signaling the intensity of our battle.

On my side, I have a horse, rook, bishop, king, and two pawns. On his side, he has a king, three pawns, a horse, and a bishop.

Donald is now rubbing his temples in frustration, while my mind is racing as I realize that with just one wrong move from him, it will be checkmate.

He made a move with his horse, which happened to be exactly what I had intended.

“Checkmate.”

“Vanessa win, next round.”

The match is a best-of-two, meaning the first player to score two points will be declared the winner. Now that we're in the second round, my nerves are even more heightened. This time, I have the black pieces, adding to the pressure and excitement of the game.