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Judge only remembered Akello as the boy whom his father brought in their abode one Saturday morning. Akello was ungracefully thin, as he appeared lanky, wearing his worn out white tee and faded jeans. Judge wouldn't recognise him to be years older than him. He was fourteen yet he was inches taller than the twenty year old Akello infront of him.
"He's a bright young man! Ibang-iba kay Alejandro! Akello will be a great help with the company soon! I can feel it." Masayang tugon ng matandang Argon sa hapag ng unang gabi silang nagsalo kasama si Akello.
"Akello will live with us," Judge heard her father said, it then followed with a loud hearty laugh. "Come young man, this is your new home."
Akello was aloof. He was very distant. For a year, he can't recall a moment that he heard Akello's voice. Judge never once heard it, except that day.
"Hey," Judge greeted.
It was one of the rare moment that they were in the same car. Akello was looking over the window, staring at the pouring rain, wearing the uniform of one of the prestige colleges in the country. Judge remembered his father praising Akello for acing the entrance exam, ranking number one among thousands aspirants.
On the other hand, Judge sitting next to him, clearing his throat intentionally getting Akello's attention. Eventually as expected, Akello turned to him. With his creased forhead and sharp eyes, Akello's face was unreadible. Hindi alam ni Judge kung naiinis ba ito sa pagtawag niya at dapat na siyang tumigil o kung magpapatuloy na siya dahil lumingon ito sa kaniya.
Judge chose the latter.
"Let's hang out sometimes," Judge continued.
With an awkward curve on his lips, he waited and hopeful for Akello's positive respond. But when Akello didn't say anything and chose the silence, that's when the stiff ambience crept through them. Judge laughed hard, trying to get rid of all of it.
"I mean it's been quite a year, yet we haven't really talked that much. Let's play basketball or something. I guess it will be fun."
"I don't play basketball," Akello said that without blinking, even proceeded to look at the window again.
That was awkward.
"How about board games? Chess perhaps! I saw you and dad playing chess the other day, maybe we could do that. I maybe no match for you but I'm a pretty competetive person myself-"
"I'm not trying to compete with you."
Judge stilled. He was confused but when he got the idea, he immediately shook his head, hopeful to clear things with Akello. "No that's not what I mean. What I'm trying to say is we could be friends, you know."
"Don't force yourself," Akello sighed, giving off a deep air from his lungs.
"Let's cut this crap. I know you hate me. I got your dad's attention and you've been thirsty for it, ever since. Hate me, it's okay."
