Gambit of Hearts: Chasing Black UNO

Chapter 46

Chapter 46

MATTHEW'S heart ached as he stared at his phone. Zean had vanished and he doesn't knew where she was. He would even drive anywhere, hoping that he might see Zean around the city but no, he never saw any trace of her. He tried calling her again, but just like before, the line couldn't be reached. Each time he heard the automated voice, a wave of despair would washed over him.

"Where are you, Akihiro? I am really worried." mahinang sambit nya habang nakatitig sa telepono nya.

Sandali na muna syang nanatili sa ganoong posisyon bago sya nagtipa ng mensahe.

To: Aki <3

May kasalanan ba ako sa'yo? Akihiro naman..Kung meron sorry na, oh. Huwag mo naman iparamdam sa'kin 'to. Ayoko ng ganito Akihiro. Gustong-gusto na kitang makita. Sige na, kahit isang reply lang...Please.

Still, there was no reply from her. He tried to wait for another ten minutes but to his disappointment, he did not received a reply from Zean. Kaya naman bagsak ang balikat nyang tumayo tsaka walang gana na kinuha ang mga gamit nya.

Ngayon magsisimula ang unang laro nila pero wala syang gana. He felt lifeless. Kahit pagpunta sa paaralan, tinatamad sya.

Kung hindi lang sya ang kapitan sa team, baka nagmumukmok lang sya ngayon sa kuwarto nya.

But he isn't just a captain, he was also a leader. Kaya kahit labag man sa kalooban nya, pinilit nya pa rin ang sarili nyang kumilos.

Bago sya tuluyang bumaba, inabot nya ang anklet na ibinigay sa kanay ni Zean noon. His smile was mixed with both happiness and pain, "Aki, give me strength, okay? Tulungan mo akong maglaro." he whispered.

He gripped the anklet with enough force, na para bang doon sya kumukuha ng lakas bago sya tuluyang bumaba. When he reached their kitchen, his mother immediately looked at him with worried eyes.

"Anak, okay ka lang ba? Hindi ka ba nakakatulog ng maayos? The dark circles in your eyes is getting worse." Sinuri sya ng ginang, "Ano ba ang pinag-aabalahan mo gabi-gabi?"

Matthew's lips formed into a thin smile, "I'm just stressed, Mom. That's it.." he lied.

His father sighed, "You should have rested early last night. Your game is today, right?"

He nodded without looking at them, "Hmm.."

Nagpakawala ng buntong-hininga ang ginang bago hinilod ang balikat ng binata, "Anak, huwag kang magpakastress. Magpahinga ka minsan, okay?"

Pilit na ngumiti si Matthew at kapagkuwan ay tumango, "Yes, Mom. Thanks." tugon nya na ikinangiti nalang din ng ginang.

Pagkatapos nun, hindi na umimik si Matthew at tahimik lang na kumain. His sister, on the other hand, was just silently observing him.

Kayla couldn't count on her fingers how many times she have seen her brother stay up late. And he was always on his phone. Kayla could only sigh at his behaviour. She can tell that he's hiding something.

Pagkatapos kumain, kaagad na ring nagpaalam si Matthew at kaagad na tinungo ang unibersidad ng walang gana. The U-Vent clash and the big football game he had been looking forward to, seemed meaningless now. 

Ang daming mga tao sa buong unibersidad. May mga bumabati at tumatawag pa sa kanya pero ni isa parang wala syang narinig hanggang sa marating nya ang field. As he stared at the wide area in front of him, he felt a deep, hollow pain in his chest. He couldn't imagine running around the field, pretending everything was okay, when his world was falling apart.