Gambit of Hearts: Chasing Black UNO

Chapter 45

Chapter 45

IT'S BEEN FOUR days since Zean vanished. Apat na araw nang hindi nakikita o nakakausap ni Matthew ang dalaga. And it's also been four days since Matthew felt alive.

Simula nang umalis sila Rin, hindi na sila bumalik pa sa unibersidad. Ganoon na rin si Keave. The teachers have been looking for them because of their straight absences. Bukas na rin magsisimula ang unang araw ng U-vent Clash – at una doon ang laro nila Matthew at sa gabi naman, ang laro nila Zean – kaya hinahanap sila ng mga guro.

For the past four days, he felt terrible. Dark circles are visible from Matthew's eyes and there are also bags forming under it. A proof that he hasn't been sleeping well. Ginugol nya kasi ang bawat oras nya sa pagtawag sa telepono ng dalaga – nagbabasakali na baka, makontak nya na.

But unfortunately, Zean's trace vanished.

Matthew's mind was flying. He was thinking about where he could find or contact Zean. God knows that he would offer anything in exchange for Zean's presence. His Akihiro. His Aki.

Kaya naman kahit napupuno ng ingay ang paligid ni Matthew dahil sa hiyawan ng mga estudyante na naglalaro ng mga practice games, hindi pa rin ito naging sagabal sa kanya at tila ba tumatagos lang sa tenga nya ang ingay na nagmumula sa buong unibersidad.

"Is that Ferrer?"

Matulis pa sa kutsilyo, ang mga katagang iyon ay kaagad na pumasok sa tenga ni Matthew dahilan para mabilis syang mapaangat ng tingin.

He followed where his friend Denvee was pointing and he was right, it was indeed Keave. He was talking with one of the Coaches in East Valley. Without thinking twice, Timothy immediately went to where Keave was.

Hindi kaagad nakagalaw si Matthew at patuloy lang na sinundan ng tingin ang pinsan nya hanggang sa tuluyan itong makalapit kay Keave. He watched them silently from afar and the conversation of Keave and the coach took more than ten minutes before he saw him face Timothy.

Matthew then unknowingly stood up when he saw Keave and his cousin Timothy walked away. Saan sila pupunta?

"Den, tol! Patulong naman saglit! Fuck! I shouldn't be doing this because I'm an athlete as well!"

Napabaling si Matthew sa gilid at bumungad naman sa kanya si Hank at Felix na may dala-dalang mga karton.

Felix groaned, "Shut up, Hank. Napakareklamador mo! Kanina ka pa!"

Sandali na nya munang tinitigan ang tatlo bago sya muling bumaling sa kanila ni Keave at bago pa man sya makapag-isip, namalayan na nya lamang ang sarili nya na palihim na sinusundan ang dalawa hanggang sa marating nya ang gymnasium ng unibersidad.

Matthew tip-toed and was careful not to make a noise as he hid behind the huge blue cart. Hindi sya kalayuan sa dalawa kaya naman naririnig nya pa rin ang pinag-uusapan nila. He peeked through the lid of the cart,

"Don't worry, maglalaro pa rin naman ako bukas. I'll attend the game."

"Alam mong hindi iyan ang sadya ko sa'yo, tol."

Matthew watched Keave look away, avoiding Timothy's gaze, making his cousin click his tounge in both frustration and pain.

"Tol naman...sabihin mo naman sa'kin. Pumunta ako kahapon sa bahay nila,  sabi ng guard sa'kin umalis na daw, matagal na. Tinanong ko kung saan sila pumunta pero hindi din nito alam. Hindi din sumasagot si Coreen sa tawag ko. Walang araw na hindi ako pumunta doon pero wala. I've been trying, Keave." Puno ng pakikiusap ang boses ng pinsan nya.

Habang salubong ang kilay, nanatili si Matthew na nakatago at patuloy na nakinig sa usapan ng dalawa. Ilang minutong katahimikan na muna ang lumipas bago muling narinig ni Matthew si Timothy na magsalita.