My Rival, My Angel (ON HOLD)

Chapter Two - Let the Games Begin

Halos kokonti na lang ang natitira sa Opan tournament na sinalihan ko. Cool! Sarah was still on the list at pareho pa kami ng standings. I’m still undefeated and it makes me more nervous. Hindi ko dapat pinapagod yung utak ko. I’ll try to finish every match as early as possible.

“Hey! GianMatteo, tied pa pala yung standings natin. Hala! Natatakot tuloy ako.” ~ Sarah

“You don’t need to be afraid. Di ko nga akalain na magiging ganito yung results. Good luck na lang sa atin. Sana tayong dalawa yung magharap sa finals.”

And God heard me. Kami ngang dalawa ang magtutuos para sa gold medal.

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 “Gian, May the best player wins. Good luck sa atin!” Nakipagkamay sya sa akin and I know kinakabahan rin sya kasi sobrang lamig ng kamay nya.

“Sayo rin. Good luck.”

I can hear every second that the chess clock produces.  Annoying clock sound.

What a horrible tactic. Never kong nakita yung chess-opening nyang yun sa nakakalaban ko sa computer. She’s the best so far sa lahat ng nakalaban ko, considering na halos 20+ na yung nakalaban ko kanina. I will not let my guard down. I shouldn’t

“Check” Finally, nakahanap din ako ng butas. I think I can destroy her defenses.

She thinks so easily. It’s like five seconds of looking at my chess pieces, then 10 seconds of estimating her moves, and 15 seconds of looking at the chess clock. She smiled and moves a piece.

Queen huh? I didn’t know what she’s thinking pero alam kong sinisira nya ang mental composure ko. She will let the queen down, at bishop ko lang ang magiging kapalit. What the!!! What will I do? Is this a bait or something? Breathe Matteo, breathe..... I’ll take the queen. And I’ll start my attacks.

As soon as I hit the clock, she stood up and started her game. I’m totally confused about what’s happening and I think I’m following her game plan.

“Check-mate” Nagulat sya ng nagsalita ako. Tinitigan lang nya ako na parang nagtatanong.

“Check-mate? Wala naman ah?” She’s still looking at the chess pieces.

“Three Moves mo na lang and I’ll be dead. Check-mate ako.” Napakamot-ulo na lang ako kasi sobrang galing nya, di ko akalain.

“Three Moves? I think you calculated it right pero pag nadepensahan mo nang maayos ang King mo sa susunod kong move, it will be exactly 19 moves pa bago kita macheck-mate, pero babagsak pa din yung time mo. I’m sorry GianMatteo, looks like I got the gold. Woah! Natalo kita! (smiles) I can’t believe it. Sinwerte ako.”

Damn it kiddo. Nahulog ako sa bitag nya! She’s too awesome. Grabe Matteo, stay cool, congratulate her and smile. Every player should have sportsmanship right. Stay Calm and smile.

“Congrats Sarah. Sobra mong galing. Master na kita. Pero I’ll make sure na matatalo kita pero hindi pa lang ngayon.” I meant what I said. Magpapractice ako para matalo ko sya.

“Okay! Challenge accepted. Pero promise wag mo naman masyadong gagalingan kasi hindi naman talaga ako chess-player. Chamba lang siguro tong nangyari.”

Siguro nga, hindi lang para sa akin ngayon. Pero sobrang galing nya talaga.

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It is the end of the school year and I’m happy sa nangyari sa akin. Sobrang biinigyan ako ng maraming masasandalan lalung-lalo na si Sarah na hindi nagsasawang makinig sa mga kwento ko at di naiirita sa mga tanong ko sa Science. Yun talaga ang kahinaan ko e.

“Class III-A, thank you sa pagiging active ng section ninyo sa buong taon. Ngayon, masasabi ko talagang isa kayo sa pinakapaborito kong batch a hinawakan ko. To the class officers, thank you sa tulong nyo and especially sa President. Sarah, continue to inspire everyone. Ang laki ng naitulong mo sa klase natin. Anyway, I will now announce the top 10 of your class. Sana hanggang makagraduate kayo e tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang sipag nyo ha?”

“Yes Ma’am!”

Everyone told me that I’ll be one of the top 10 kasi maganda raw ang results ng exams ko. Actually palagi akong pangalwa o minsan nagkakapareho pa nga ang results ng quiz namin at major exam ni Sarah lalo na sa Math pero di na ako mag-eexpect, mahirap na.

“ Second honor, Gian Matteo Guidicelli . Wow! Ang galing mo ha, keep it up!        ..... First Honor, syempre alam na ninyo, si Sarah Asher Geronimo. Congrats ha! Dismissed na tayo kasi may meeting pa sa faculty room. Congratulations ulit sa lahat!.”

~~

“Matteo uy! Congrats. Ang astig lang no? Second ka agad. Hala ka magagalit sayo yung top 2 dati. Ingat ka” My other seatmate told me.

“Sarah, congrats (smiles)”

“Congrats din Gian Matteo”

I don’t know what’s wrong with me or maybe there’s something wrong with girl’s nature pero it’s been six months na since nang lumipat ako. close naman ako sa iba at may barkada na akong maituturing pero di ko alam kung bakit parang hindi pa rin kami friends ni Sarah kahit everyday naman kaming nag-uusap.

Everyday nga kaming nag-uusap pero puro tungkol lang sa studies.

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Author’s Note:

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~PopstarDiaries <3