Tamed: The 8th Hiñago (HS#01)

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Unalike

Some days, later.

Namamansin naman na siya. Hindi nga lang katulad ng dati. Madalang siyang sumagot at parang sini-seenzone ako sa personal.

I went back to our kiosk, yung madalas naming tambayan nina Rahim kapag walang assignments na gagawin. Nandoon nga sila.

"Birthday ni Bry mamaya. May kain sa kanila," ngisi ni Brett. Basta pagkain talaga, memorize kung sinong may birthday.

"Tara," aya agad ni Jaq. Jaq then moved his knight, creating a beautiful fork.

"Atay mo, Jaq." paalala ni Rahim. He then moved his queen elsewhere from the board. Siniguro niya ang reyna niya kahit mamamatay ang rook niya.

One thing, when Rahim plays chess is that he never loses his queen. That is significant. His queen just sits there like a display with a knight or a bishop guarding it. Hindi kailan man nangyari na nawala sa paningin niya ang reyna niya.

"Your queen is hard to kill, boss," reklamo ni Jaq. "Tips naman diyan."

"I treat the queen as my Queen. My girlfriend."

"You mean, ex-girlfriend." Jaq corrected.

Umirap si Rahim. "Ex-girlfriend? Hindi ko matandaan na pumayag ako na makipag-break siya sa akin." He smiled as he remisnisced that time.

Tigas rin talaga ng bungo nitong si Rahim. Rinig na rinig ko pa nga nuong nag-break sila. Pambihira. Halos isang taon na ah? Siya pa rin?

I began to reflect why Denise said no. Maybe Hani is right, I'm not Rahim. I'll never be like Rahim. Rahim can stand without his Queen for a long time. While me? I don't trust my self. Maybe Denise is also right. Maaring gusto ko siya ngayon pero maaring hindi na rin bukas.

But how would I know if I wouldn't try?

Cause right now, it feels so real. It feels like it would last. But then how would it last? During my past relationships, hindi nagtagal ang lahat ng iyon. Paano ko masisiguro na masu-sustain ko ang status namin kung sakaling maging kami?

But then, I was also single for a year now. And half of that year, hindi ako sigurado kung gusto ko ba talaga si Denise o nahihiwagaan lang ako sa kanya. I wasn't sure if I just perceived her as a challenge that I needed to accomplish. Atleast recently, medyo napapatunayan ko na nga na gusto ko siya, gustong gusto dahil nagseselos na 'ko.

"Master," Brett tapped my shoulder. "Busy ka mamaya?"

Pag si Brett talaga nag-aaya hindi ko alam kung kakabahan ba ako o mae-excite.

"Inom?"

Tumawa siya. "Oo..."

Later that night I just found myself with them, drinking at the SouthWest District. Nandito kaming lahat maliban kay Rahim na hindi ata pinayagan, o kaya naman, hindi nagpaalam kaya hindi pinayagan. At baka tinatamad lumabas. Inaatake ng pagiging mapag-isa.

I was wearing a white cap with rings as a design, a gray sweater, and black tattered jeans. Typically for a night out.

Maingay ang lugar, lalo na at may banda na tumutugtog. Marami rin kaming kaibigan na nandito pero ayun nga kaming apat lang talaga nina Brett, Jaq, at Bryan.

"Si Boss, Master?" Tanong ni Brett. Tumungga siya ng isang shot.

I just shrugged and replied. "Tinatamad yon."

"Bigyan mo ng energy paminsan-minsan kase." Iling ni Jaq. "Lagi mo na lang iniiwan sa bahay yung asawa mong yon," biro niya pa.

"Tangina..." Natungga ko ang baso dahil sa sinabi niya.