Chapter Three | Start the Game
Chess' Pov
I was busy talking with Kuya Red when all of a sudden, Dad called me. I stood up and followed him through the other side of the house, kung saan sina Tito hance at Tito Ryan nakatayo rin. Tito Hance is actually Rude's dad. The three of them have been childhood friends at close na close 'tong sina Tito Ryan, Tito Hance at si Daddy. We stopped on a Garden which has a big fountain and a bench. It is already evening that's why the only thing seeable is the light that came from the other side of the garden.
"Son, your Tito Hance has something to ask." Sabinalang ni Daddy nang nakaupo na ako sa bench ng bahay nila Tito Ryan.
Lumapit si Tito Hance sa akin atsaka hinawakan ang mga kamay ko "What is it Tito?" I asked, well, I don't know him really well but he is so just like Rude. Their eyes, nose and lips are so alike. Parang old version ni Rude.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked me, I turn around to look at my Dad laughing. I glared at him for a second. Baka anu-ano nag pinagsasabi nito sa mga kaibigan niya naku.
"No, wala po." Nahihiya kong sinabi sa kaniya. This is quite personal to me and the tension kept rising up.
"Then, would you mind dating Rude?" he pleaded. I was shocked; my mouth gaped at what he was trying to ask of me. Jusko.
Date Rude? You're kidding me?
"What?"
"Your Tito Hance said, Would you date Rude?" ulit naman ni Tito Ryan.
"What? I like him but no, I don't want to date him. We're just friends. And if I would, I'm not yet ready. I know I've known him since first year pero that is not enough." Pagmamaktol ko pa habang tina-try kong itahan sarili ko mentally (which I think I'm good at) because I know any minute soon I am going to burst out.
"Chess, it'll only take you a year to date him."
"Dad, this is so unfair. I'm sorry, I've got to go." I said then I tried to calm myself para 'di lumaabs ang luha ko. What in a year? Is this some kind of joke? Ano 'to?
I hurriedly went inside the living room then told kuya Red that I'm leaving.
"Mauna na ako, bye."
"Go home safely." Paalala ni kuya sakin at saka uminom ng wine niya.
I went home without looking at Rude.
. . .
That night my Dad wants me to apologize to Rude. What the hell? I didn't even do anything. Sa totoo lang, I didn't even managed to stick my tongue out in front of him. Tsk, Di niya nga alam kung ba't ako umiyak nun eh. He didn't even bother looking at me! At ako pa talaga magso-sorry knowing that I'm being pressured to date a rude boy?
But look at me! Waiting for him at starbucks for almost an hour. I checked my time, it's already six in the evening, Aish. Ba't ang tagal niya? I already ordered three coffees in here and two plates of Cheese cakes and one of Red Velvet. Tito Hance actually gave me Rude's number so I tried dialing it and gets what? He does not answer my phone calls! He's so rude!
"Ang tagal naman nun." I was about to go out of the coffee shop nang mag ring ang phone ko, I was so excited to see who owns the number but an unknown number lang pala.
At dahil, Dad said na never answer even a stranger's call. I followed his rules.
It took me fifteen minutes later to finally anser the phone call because it keeps on bugging me for a million times.
"Hello?"
Isang "Putangena." Ang narinig ko mula sa kabilang linya. It was a familiar voice.
"Who's this?" tanong ko naman.
"It's Rude tanga, Kanina pa ako tumatawag." he cursed at me?
"Sorry ha?" I said sarcastically. "I've been waiting for you here at Starbucks for almost an hour and you're not answering my calls." I checked the number I dialed and the number he used to call me
I came to a sudden realization that it looks like mali yung natawagan ko.
"And by the way, asan ka?" I asked him. He just tsked at me. The same hard tsk he often use when he's pissed.
"I'm inside the mall. Just wait there. I'm coming." he ordered and I did as he says.
I waited until he finally showed up inside wearing a leather jacket and white jean. He didn't bother looking at me; instead, he went straight to the counter and ordered one frappe and a slice of chocolate cake. He went to my table and drank his frappe. I just looked at him while drinking. Then he stopped,
"So what is it that you needed?" he asked me straight-forwardly. I looked at him closer, gosh. Ang gwapo niya nuh? He's so charming yet bad boyish look.
I blinked a few times when I realized he asked something pala. "May sinabi ka ba?"
"Sabi ko, F*ck you." he said as he show me a dirty finger.
"HUY, that's bad." Sabi kosa kaniya atsaka hinawakan ang middle finger niya para ibaba niya ang kamay nito.
"Tsk. F*ck you?" he sarcastically replied.
"Ulitin mo na kase." I mean it! He's so hard to deal with. Di niya ba alam na madaming nasasaktan sa attitude niya? tsk.
"What do you want from me?" he said rudely, again the coldness of his voice and the way he said things so rude sent shiver down my spine.
Aba! parang di lang kami magkakilala ah?
"Eh... Anu nga yun?" I ignored what he said.
Suddenly Rude looked at me straight in the eyes. We looked at each other for several minutes. Then, my tears came falling down.
"I'm out of here." he stood up then left me here. He went outside and I stood up and followed. I tried to wipe my tears away while following him.
Sht, why am I so weak?
I followed him but lost him with just a blink of an eye. I don't know where he went, right? or left? I don't know but I need to find him.
Why is he so Rude? He acts like a bitch (pardon my use of words) and crude when he's infront of me. All he ever did is to tsk and act so rude; he indeed stayed true to his name. Ganyan na ba siya ka-suplado? It looks like ang laki ng galit niya sa mundo.
I was too absorbed with my thoughts, and parang paa ko na mismo ang naglalakad without it's operator—my mind— which is busy sa kakaisip. Until I reached an open parking lot which has a lot of parked cars, I got confused all of a sudden trying to find Rude and there I saw him, sitting on the cold pavement. He was smoking.
When I reached unto him, he faced me and blew his smokes in front of me. I coughed so hard. I have asthma since I was fourteen and my doctor advised me to stay away from smokes and dusts. Especially cigarette smokes. But still, Di ko magawang lumayo sa kanya. I still need to say sorry. But you know what? I can't get out from this bad guy, this rude guy who only gives me pain. It looks like he's a magnet, And I'm an object attached to him.
I don't know why but, I hate his attitude. But this has brought me to him.
I think I just need to rest...
. . .
"Hey!" I felt a hard slap on my forehead, I woke up and saw darkness reigning over the place. It looks so dark already and few cars were parked on the almost empty parking lot. Then I saw Rude looking at me.
"Thank God, you're awake. It's already late." He said. I realized that I was lying on top of his lap.
"Sana iniwan mo nalang ako." I said not looking at him. Biglang bumuhos ang ulan and it made us both wet.
Rude held me by the hand at tumakbo kami para magpapara ng taxi. Luckily, merong available kaya't sumakay na kami at umuwi na.
It was almost midnight when we got home. Dad is very worried to see us wet. Pareho kaming basang-basa ng ulan. Then Rude decide to stay at our house for the night.
Rude's Pov:
Andito ako ngayon sa guest room nina Tito Andrew. I didn't even told Tito why we went home so late, Of course! I don't want to get scolded.
"Rude? Are you sure you can sleep there comfortably?" asked Chess, he was in his pajamas.
"Thanks Chess. Goodnight." I was hesitant to thank him first but it would sound so rude of me so I had no choice but to thank him and say goodnight.
"Okay, goodnight." he then left the room.
I tried being so rude at him but why won't he stop caring for me? He's the only person who cared for me. For the record, I think? Ever since Mom went away my dad blamed everything to me. Only Mom cared for me, but she just vanished the day I woke up.
My phone rang all of a sudden. It's my Dad. I answered it and asked him with "What do you want?"
"You? you, where on earth are you young man?" Anger is very evident on the tone of his voice.
"I'm in a place you'll never find." It even aggravated him.
"What's wrong with you Grey?"
"Wala." I laughed sarcastically.
"So where are you?" he reiterated.
"You won't believe me when I say this." I paused for a second to hear his reaction but I rolled my eyes when I heard nothing, just pure static. "Im at Chess'." I said. Then I heard Dad chuckled on the other line.
"Good going son. Soon, you'll make your father proud."
"So eto pala ang gusto mo? I can just make you proud by just dating this kid? Yung walang kwentang Chess?"
"Of course son, he's the real bet. I can assure you that. Just date him in a year and I'll give you what you want."
"tsk, Yeah. Whatever."
"Haha, I promise you that son. You'll see someone you want to."
"Mom?" Dad stayed silent for a minute.
"Dad? Is it Mom?" I repeated.
"Dad! please, don't make things too hard for me."
"I don't know Grey, make your Dad proud and you'll have the answer." then he ended his call.
Do I have to start my game?