The Last Rule

Chapter 19 - Thirty Laps

Saturday morning. Ugh. Monday may pasok na, and I had absolutely no idea what to do with my day. No game today, my brothers were heading off to their apartments, and Papa was summoned to the mansion again. My life felt suddenly... boring.

I woke up later than usual, still recovering from yesterday. The rain had soaked us when Bret and I were on the way back, and I was still a little stiff from the cold. But I was okay now, lying in bed, trying to ignore the faint sound of chaos outside. For sure, the players were up to something again.

And speaking of players, Dos? Silent. No messages, no pings, nothing. Ni isang 'hey', wala. I even turned on my active status, just to... see him online. Not that I was waiting, of course. I wasn't. Really. Probably he was busy with... whoever his girlfriend was.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto and Bret was there, holding a bowl of champorado.

"Nagluto si Mama" he said, smiling apologetically. Kahapon palang super guilty na siya dahil daw naulanan kami. As if siya yung reason kung bakit umulan.

I waved him off. "Okay na ako," I said, taking the bowl anyway.

I'm planning to go out today para lang bumili ng highlighter, the one thing I forgot during school supplies shopping. But my problem was, I had no ride. My brothers and the other players were off, Papa wasn't around, and the only person here other than Bret who can drive is no other than... Dos.

"May pinabili si Coach sa akin, juice, canned pineapple. Sumabay ka na para maituro mo rin." And he sounded... serious. Grim, even. Not his usual teasing, smiley self.

"Uh... no." I said. "Bawal muna ako sa single motor, I still feel a little under the weather," I reasoned out. 

"Gagamitin ko yung sasakyan ni Ate," he said, and just like that, my protest died in my throat. Uhmm, okay? 

Fine. Whatever.

I waited at the gate, arms crossed. Dos pulled up in his sister's car, alone. Just him. Kami lang dalawa? Great.

I hovered near the door, debating if i should sit on the shotgun or backseat? Shotgun looked... risky. Backseat? Awkward.

He must have read my mind. He got out and opened the passenger door for me. My jaw literally dropped. Walang hesitation. Walang awkwardness. Just him, insisting I sit there. I climbed in, muttering,

"Tell your girlfriend na inutusan ka lang ng Coach mo to do this." Baka kasi mag-away pa sila ng girlfriend niya, sugurin pa ako. No way! I don't want to get involved in that kind of drama.

He raised an eyebrow. "Anong sinasabi mo?"

"Baka isipin niya na you're cheating with me.," I said. Acting innocent pa, huh?

"Hindi ako nagchi-cheat, at hindi ka kabit," he said calmly.

I blinked. Calm. Too calm. Irritatingly calm. But he's right. Hindi naman ako side-chick niya. This is not a flirty interaction.

"I know, I'm just saying. Baka may makakita at mag-isip ng kung anu-ano," I said.

"Wala akong girlfriend." What? I want to laugh but I didn't. Is he denying now?

"You don't have to deny-"

"Hindi ko alam saan mo nakuha chismis pero wala akong girlfriend," he said, his grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel. Then silence. "Kaya ba hindi ka nagcha-chat kasi akala mo may girlfriend ako?"

"Excuse me?! Ikaw ang hindi nagcha-chat!" I shot back.

"Kaya ka nagkakaganyan, kasi akala mo kabit kita." he said while nodding. "Ako nga ang kabit dito eh." he accused.