A Game with Kismet | Suarez II

Chapter 4

"Mga kabataan talaga ngayon, naku! Wala nang pinipiling lugar."

We were tossed out of the library in a snap. Kung bakit kasama ata sa qualifications ng mga staffs sa registrar at library ang pagiging masungit. Palibhasa, matandang dalaga at walang asawa ang librarian namin, nagme-menopause na siguro siya.

"Isang linggo akong ban sa library dahil sa 'yo," mahina kong usal, not intentionally wanting him to hear me.

Nasa harapan pa rin kami ng library, nakaharap sa field kung saan naglalaro ang sepak takraw players. Ang taas ng sikat ng araw; kitang-kita 'yon sa kintab ng berdeng Bermuda grass.

"It was not my fault," the guy beside me uttered. Inaantok pa rin ang hitsura niya; parang pugad ng ibon ang buhok. His eyes are close to crimson, mukhang hindi natulog kagabi.

"Kung hindi ka nag-assume, tahimik sana akong nagbabasa sa loob," ani ko.

"If you didn't loom your face that close to mine, I wouldn't freak out."

Muntik ko nang sabihin na ginawa ko 'yon para takpan ang mukha niya at hindi siya makita ng librarian pero baka iba ang isipin niya. It was solely to have his book. Dapat ata ay hinayaan ko na lang na makita siya, hindi sana ako nadamay.

We stayed at the front of the library. It might be because we were both hoping the librarian will let us in, pero committed talaga siya sa pagiging masungit niya.

Finally, after a minute, I took a step forward to leave Suarez. But only when he spoke, did I realize something.

"That's my book."

Napatingin ako sa yakap kong libro. Nakalagay sa harapan no'n ang pangalan niya. I pinned it on his chest like I don't need it.

"Hindi ko naman inaangkin."

Napilitin siyang sapuhin ang libro dahil binitawan ko na. "No thank you for using it awhile ago? Lucky you, I have notes and highlights."

"Ang pangit ng sulat mo. Mukhang kinalahig ng sampung dinosaur—manok." Anak ng—manok lang dapat ang sasabihin ko pero naalala ko iyong dinosaur na drawing niya.

"You're an ungrateful creature."

"Thank you."

Why am I even talking to him? I feel indebted; sandali ko lang naman hiniram ang libro niya. Never have I ever learned how to end a conversation. I walked away without saying goodbye but he called me again.

"Videl."

Pambihira. Hindi ko naman kailangan lumingon.

"Ano? Dedede ka ba?"

Nalakad siya papalapit sa akin hawak ang libro at payong niya. "I want to have a fair game with you, sa Science quiz bee."

"Akala mo ba mandaraya ako?"

"No. However, I am already sure I will perfect it. It will be boring to have an incompetent opponent."

Ang yabang. Anong gusto niyang sabihin ko. "Good for you?"

Initsa niya ang libro niya sa akin. "Sa 'yo muna." I was forged to catch it; masiyadong malakas ang hagis niya kaya muntik pang tumama sa mukha ko.

"At anong plano mo? Magbait-baitan para mabitag ako?"

"It's not my hobby to waste my time on irrelevant people," he said. "I don't want you to think I had an advantage over you just because of the resources I own.

"Equal opportunities: fair game. I want to win that way."

"Talaga ba?"

In fairness naman sa kaniya, he can use the money and fame he has to pass, but he aims more than just that. I cannot question his grades and performance, I can see him achieving that through action. No cards are used; no shortcuts. And that's why I hate him to the bones. He can ace things effortlessly—sadyang gago lang.