Fate's Forbidden Game (San Lorenzo University Series #1)

Kabanata 11

"Why would I do that?" I asked Dad, my voice barely a whisper. "That's so cruel! Lalayuan ko 'yong walang kasalanan sa akin?!"

"Why? Can't you handle it? Are you falling in love with that guy?!" His voice was sharp, laced with barely concealed anger. "Sisigawan mo pa ako?!"

I closed my eyes, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me. "N-No! But he's a good friend of mine."

He was practically the only one who understood me.

"Do as I say, Amari. If you don't want to study in the province for college, then sundin mo ako. Don't try to fool me, you know me. May isa akong salita."

"I can't!" I finally snapped, my voice rising in defiance.

"You can't stay away from him, or you can't study in the province? It seems like you're falling in love with that guy, huh?"

"No. It's just. . . he's the only one who understands me here."

"You're so stubborn! Mana ka sa Mommy mo! Ice won't do you any good. He'll just play with you. He'll hurt you, Amari. You'll end up heartbroken and alone."

"I'm just protecting you!" he added.

"Protecting me from what?" I asked, my voice laced with frustration.

He's not like that. Kuya Ice isn't like that! I wanted to scream, to shout at Dad that he was wrong, but the words caught in my throat. Kung may prumoprotekta man sa akin, si Kuya Ice 'yon. He's saving me from my cruel family.

I was so tired of being told what to do, of being treated like a child.

I just wanted to be with Kuya Ice, to be myself around him, without fear of judgment or disapproval.

But I also knew that defying Dad would mean losing him, and that was a price I couldn't afford to pay. Nasanay na akong may Kuya Ice sa paligid ko. Nasanay na akong may umaalalay sa akin.

Maiintindihan ako ni Kuya Ice.

So I swallowed my pride and my tears, ang bigat para sa aking iwasan ang isang taong walang ibang ginawa sa aking masama.

Walang ibang may alam, hindi rin alam ni Kuya itong magiging pag-iwas ko.

"May mga mata ako sa paligid, Amari. One wrong move, sa probinsya ka mag-aaral."

Hindi ako sumagot. Bumaba ba ako ng sasakyan at dumiretso sa loob. Noong Huwebes pa namin pinagtatalunan ito ni Daddy, at noong mga nakaraang araw, nakakausap ko pa si Kuya Ice.

Naka linya na ang mga estudayante. Lahat excited sa Intrams, samantalang ako lumilipad ang utak ko.

I'm wearing our designated color - Blue t-shirt for non-players na Grade 10 students.

Kalat ang estudyante. Hindi ko muna nagawang hanapin mga kaibigan ko.

The program started. May sepak takraw at volleyball games dito sa ground. Finally, nakita ko na mga kaibigan kong may bitbit na mga pagkain.

"Nood tayo badminton sa loob! Next nyan basketball!"

Hinila na agad nila ako papasok ng gym kahit 'di pa ako nakakasagot.

Badminton and basketball.

Nakahanap kami ng magandang pwesto. Napagbigyan din dahil nga raw President ako kaya ang iba'y pinapadaan agad kami, kahit nakapila naman kami nang maayos.

Badminton game started, hindi ko maiwasang hindi maipagkumpara ang galawan nila sa kung papaano maglaro si Kuya Ice.

"Mas magaling siya."