ELLE
We're on our way to the park. Para tumambay ulit. 10 minutes walk lang naman mula sa school namin kaya lagi kaming tambay doon after class.
"Ano'ng religion mo, Gretelle?" Guenn asked randomly.
"Born Again Christian" sagot ko.
Kinuha ko 'yong folding umbrella ko kasi medyo mainit pa ang araw. 4:00 kasi kami pinauwi dahil naka-7 days leave 'yong teacher namin sa last period.
"Ah, parehas pala kayo ni Jay." Lumapit si Guenn at Julie saakin para makipayong.
"Oh? Born Again din siya?"
"Good choice, beh." I darted her a curious glance. Pinagsasabi nito ni Julie? Haha
"I mean, goods 'yon. Parehas kayo religion ng crush--"
I immediately covered her mouth with my palms.
Nanlaki ang mata ni Guenn na tumingin saakin. "Crush mo si Jay?"
"No, she's kidding." Siniko ko si Julie para manahimik.
"Ikaw Gretelle, ha?" Inaasar na nila tuloy akong dalawa ngayon.
Ilang araw ang lumipas, mas lalo akong inaasar asar sakaniya. Oh no, it's not going to end well.
"Congrats, Gretelle. Ang taas ng score mo." Guenn hugged me tightly. I also congratulate her, she also got high score.
"Siyempre, inspired 'yan eih." Sabat ni Julie.
"Oo nga eih, gan'to ata kapag inspired." Oops nadulas hehe.
"Ayy. Elle, ha? Sino 'yan?" Shemsss narinig ng mga boys.
As much as I want to deny it, they will just keep teasing me to him.
***
"Can I sit here? Ang init sa harap eih." Umupo ako sa tabi ni Guenn kung saan nakatutok 'yong electric fan.
Nagbayad ako ng maayos tapos hindi umaabot ang hangin ng electric fan sa harap. That's not fair.
Umupo si Jay malapit saamin at tumabi siya doon sa isa naming kaklase na babae. They're playing something in his phone.
"Ano 'yan?" Lumapit ako sakanilang dalawa. "Oh, you know how to play chess?" Tanong ko kay Jay. Wala yatang hindi kayang gawin 'tong lalaking 'to eih. Apaka genius.
Sa phone sila naglalaro ng chess kasi hindi ko dala 'yong chess board ko.
Pinanood ko lang silang maglaro dalawa. "Hala ka... " Sakit sa heart. Nag-blunder ng piece si Sarah, 'yong opponent ni Jay.
"Bakit? Mali ba ginawa ko? 'Di kasi ako marunong maglaro eih. Hula hula lang." Tanong ni Sarah. She has no chance to win against him. Napaka lamang na ni Jay.
"Kayo nalang maglaro."
"Laro tayo, isang game?" I asked him.
He said yes at ni-reset niya na 'yong board.
The game is going well. We're having a little chit chats, but I can barely hear him talk. Apaka hina ng boses niya.
Nasa end game na kami. All I have is 1 rook, 1 bishop, and 4 pawns. While he has 1 rook, 1 knight and 5 pawns.
I'm doomed.
What should I do? Nakatingin saamin ang pinakamagaling mag-chess sa buong klase, si Guenn.
I don't know what to do anymore so I pushed a pawn. And that was the worst decision I've ever made in my life. I blundered my rook.
After that, I resigned. I asked him for a rematch but he refused.
