Checkmated by the Queen (Athlete Series # 4)

Chapter Twenty Nine

Chapter Twenty Nine

Riri's Spot

"Ri! Tara na! We're going to be late! Graduation natin, inday, dali!" Ruby shouted.

"Teka lang nga! Matatapos na! I'm just putting on my earrings!" I shouted back then took a look at myself through the life-sized mirror.

"Sa kotse na lang kita hihintayin, nasa school na raw sila Tita Lyca!" Aniya pa.

"Alright!" Kinuha ko ang baguette bag na dadalhin tsaka lumabas sa aking kwarto. Sinigurado ko muna na walang naiwang nakasaksak dito sa condo ni Ruby bago ko iyong inilock.

Few days prior to our graduation, I decided to stay here with Ruby in her newly purchased condominium. She decided to separate from her parents which is in fact a good thing to enhance her independence. I just stayed here at her condo to accompany her and to submit and pass the requirements for my business.

Throughout the years I've been single, I found my desire in having my own bakery. Mommy has the skills in baking pastries so during our vacation, she taught me. I was in the middle of decorating my cupcake when I realized that I love what I was doing.

"Tara na," I hopped in the shotgun seat.

"Hulas na ba make-up?" Tanong niya bago iniliko ang sasakyan.

"Nagsetting spray ka ba?" Tanong ko pabalik habang hinahanap ang kaniyang make-up sa pouch na basa compartment ng kaniyang kotse.

"Huhu, need ko na magretouch. Malapit na tayo," nakangusong sabi niya.

"Pull off. Ako na ang magmamaneho para makapagretouch ka. Magsetting spray ka, ha, Ruby nang hindi na gumalaw 'yang make-up mo," pangaral ko na animo'y matanda na.

We switched positions, I was driving her car while she was retouching.

"Ri, how's Sage kaya?" She asked out of nowhere.

"Dunno," I shortly replied.

After that day in the hospital, we never talked again. Madalang din kaming nagkikita dahil magkasalungat ang aming mga iskedyul. Sa t'wing magkakasalubong naman sa daan ay tanging tanguan at ngitian lang ang nangyayari sa amin. Honestly, it felt awkward. We went from strangers to lovers to friends with past to just schoolmates.

After our third year as college students, I found out that he transferred to another University where he's near her mother's place. That's the last thing I heard about him.

"Hindi pa rin kayo nagkakausap?"

"Hindi na."

I guess we both focused on finding ourselves when we lost communication.

"Love mo pa rin?" Natawa na lamang ako sa sunod na tanong ni Ruby at hindi na iyon sinagot pa.

"Ewan ko sa 'yo, bilisan mo na. Malapit na tayo sa parking," tugon ko.

Nakarating kami sa parking lot ng paaralan at inayos ko muna ang aking damit bago bumaba. Our dress code should be white so I chose to wear a white modern Filipiniana dress that is above the ankle. To make sure I am comfortable, and my ear piercings are visible, I tied my hair into a ponytail.

Bago kami pumasok mismo sa loob ay isinuot na namin ang cap, gown, pati sash.

"Picture tayo, Ri! Omg, ang ganda-ganda natin!" Ruby giggles as she pulls out her phone to take pictures of us.

"Witwiw! Kagaganda naman ng mga dalaginding na 'yan," anang boses.

"Daddy!" Nakangiti kong sabi at lumapit sa kaniya. Lumapit din si Ruby para bumeso kay Daddy.