The Steal Game

Chapter One: Caught in Action

-chapter one-
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NANG MARINIG ang paparating na kabayo ay tumalon ako mula sa kinauupuang sanga. I straightened my clothes and fixed my hair. The rays that touched the forest were warm, the leaves hiding me from the heat of high noon. With a final bite of my apple, I stepped forward. It didn't take long before the wagon appeared from the outward woods.

The forest was an entryway to the nearest lord's mansion. Ito lang ang tanging daanan papasok at may ikalawang gate pa na kailangang mapasukan bago tuluyang makatapak sa lupain niya. Konting tao lang ang pinapahintulutan na makapasok. If the visitor comes from the lower circle, it's expected that they're shut out without explanation. After all, hindi naman bago sa amin ang deep hatred ng aroganteng may-ari sa mga mahihirap. How ungrateful, actually. He wouldn't have his lavished life and high-quality fruits without the sweat of his laborers.

Fucking rich assholes if you ask me.

Palapit na ang dalawang kabayo at hindi pa rin ako umaalis sa gitna ng daan. One of the riders gestured for me to step aside. I answered his confusion with my confidence to stand in front of them as if I own this very land. Habang papalapit sila'y tumutunog din ang mga kristal na naroroon sa bags.

"Step aside!" the man hollered, annoyance brewing on his face.

Hindi ko siya sinunod.

Walang nagawa ang dalawa kung hindi ang huminto o baka sumagot pa sila sa District Leader na binangga nila ang isa sa mga trabahante ni Sir Parkinson. Siguro. Ata.

The horses' front hooves slightly rose as they suddenly halted. The man atop the white horse scowled at me. I grimaced. Pangit na nga ng mukha, mas pinapangit pa.

"Anong kailangan mo, bata?! May kailangan kaming i-deliver kay Sir Parkinson." He spat out, an arrogant tone on his voice.

Anger boiled inside me as well. Ano daw ang tinawag ng putanginang 'to sa'kin? Bata? Ako?

Even if all I want to do is push him off the horse and ruin that ugly face of his, I offered them a fake polite smile. "I'm Sir Parkinson's personal attendant. Inutusan akong hintayin kayo dito para sa mga alahas." I shrugged, lowering my voice. "He is very particular with his guests. Ayaw niyang may makapasok na kung sino-sino sa lupain niya."

The man scoffed, insulted. "Arrogant lords. Sinabi nga sa'min na may kukuha ng cart. Ikaw pala 'yon." he glanced around. "Wala kang kabayo?"

May nakikita ka ba? Bobo.

"The Great Sir chased me out before I could bring one. He loves punishing people beneath his status."

He mustn't have noticed the pure sarcasm in my voice because he nodded solemnly. Nakarelate din ata si Kuya sa ginawa kong pagda-drama, although it was mainly just me talking trash about my "boss" daw.

Fortunately, his sympathy prevented any further interrogation. Bumaba siya mula sa kabayong sinasakyan at nilapitan ang kasama. He unstrapped his companion's horse, uncaring about my curious look and the other man's disappointed shake of the head.

"Leavin' the horse to her?" tanong nito.

Sumimangot ang lalaki. "What do you suggest? Ipahatak ang mabigat na 'to sa kaniya?"

I awkwardly smiled when the second man's piercing gaze settled on me. Wala na siyang ibang nagawa kung hindi ang bumuntong-hininga at umirap. Inabala niya na lang ang sarili sa pagtitig at pag-alam kung ilan ang dahon na mayroon ang malapit na puno.

"Here," he handed the horse's rein to me. "Just take her to deliver the jewels. Aalis na kami."

Bago pa ako nakapagpasalamat ay umangkas na siya sa kasama. The two gave me one final nod before leaving the woods. Ako na lang ang naiwan doon, hawak-hawak ang renda ng kabayo na dala ang mamahaling alahas ni Parkinson.