Hardest to Lose (Villaraza Series #4)

12 | Selfish

12 | Selfish

"Does Markus have a girlfriend?"

"I don't know," Gio replied, eyes not leaving my queen on the board. "If you mean seryosohan na syota, wala. Pero kung laro-laro, hindi ko alam kung ilan." He moved his rook opposite to my bishop. "Look who's buying me lunch today."

I scoffed and advanced my pawn. "You always lose because you're arrogant."

He chuckled, mimicking those anime characters with high-pitch voice. "No, feel ko mananalo ako ngayon." Hinawakan niya ang kabayo at kinain ang isang pawn ko. "Bakit bigla ka palang interesado?"

"Wala naman." Tumikhim ako. "Just curious when will he grow up."

"He's always petty. I don't think he'll outgrow that anytime soon."

Hindi na ako umimik at mas inilaan ang buong atensyon sa nilalaro. I wanted to ask more but I didn't want him to raise suspicion against me. He knew how I hated Markus. And this sudden curiosity I had was so out of the blue.

So Markus was in love all these years if he was telling the truth. He got this penchant for telling lies just so he could see someone's reaction so I wasn't sure.

But if it was true, who was that unlucky girl?

"Ikaw."

My jaw fell and stared at Gio.

He tilted his head with a 'what-the-hell-are-you-waiting-for' look. "Ikaw na sabi ko."

I blinked and let out an awkward laugh. "Ah, yeah. Sorry."

What was I thinking?

"Ano na pala desisyon mo? Tatakbo ka?" untag sa akin ni Gio nang halos ilang minuto na kaming tahimik.

"I'm not really sure. Pinag-iisipan ko pa."

He hummed and put her chin on his palm. "Dapat talaga pag-isipan mo. Mahirap kurso natin. Kakainin no'n time mo. Pero p'wede naman kung magaling kang mag-manage ng time."

Ate Anya hadn't contacted me from that day we talked. She was really giving me enough time to think this through. I had met some of the members of the party she was endorsing and they were all encouraging me to agree. Iyong magiging bise-presidente ko, kung papayag ako, ay nasa ikaltlong taon na.

"'Wag kang mag-alala," Gio said. "Tutulungan ka namin sa pangangampanya kung pumayag ka."

"Really?" Ngumisi ako. "Bilib na bilib ka talaga sa'kin, "no?"

"Siyempre naman! Barkada kita. Alam ko kung anong kaya mong gawin!"

Tumawa ako, namamaga ang puso sa tuwa.

I had really great friends.

Nagtagal pa ang pag-uusap namin tungkol sa pulitika sa college namin. Nagsabi rin siya ng mga suhestiyon na kailangang gawin para mas mapaganda ang pamamalakad. The current administration had been notorious in ignoring the student body's grievances and most of us were just waiting for the next elections so we could get rid of them.

It was the next Monday when I finally decided with that offer.

"Great! That's really great!" Ate Anya couldn't hide her happiness on the other line. "Salamat at pumayag ka. We'll support you all the way, Iñara. You got the whole party."