Play The Game (COMPLETED)

Chapter 13

#PTG13 Chapter 13

"You know, before, may nabasa akong blog na sabi, 'if you love yourself, don't go to law school?'" I said while my head was resting on the table in front of me. Tomorrow's the first day of the midterm week, but I still wasn't confident. I have read the book thrice now, and have memorized all the requisites of the crime, but still, kinakabahan pa rin ako.

Jax's eyes never left his book. Kanina pa medyo naka-kunot iyong noo niya. Kanina ko pa rin siya gustong kulitin, pero kanina ko pa rin pinipigilan iyong sarili ko dahil mukhang sobrang hirap ng pinag-aaralan niya.

Kung nahihirapan na ako ngayon, baka patay na ako kapag nagsecond year ako.

"Simula nung nag-aral ako dito, araw-araw akong stressed. Naka-develop na ako ng takot sa index card. Alam mo 'yun? Nilalabas pa lang iyong stack ng prof ko, napapa-dasal na agad ako deep inside," I continued. I knew he was listening. Dati kasi, akala ko 'di na siya nakikinig sa akin kaya nainis ako sa kanya. But then, he recalled everything I said. As in literal na inulit niya lahat ng sinabi ko just to prove his point na nakikinig naman talaga siya. After that, shut up na ako sa kanya. Talino talaga ng manliligaw ko, e.

"Tapos last week, confident ako na okay naman 'yung grade ko sa recit tapos pagkakita ko, 78 lang 'yung average ko for the whole midterm... Nakaka-lungkot lang kasi alam mo 'yun? You exert maximum effort just to get minimum results?"

Akala ko patuloy lang si Jax sa pag-aaral, but I was quite taken aback when he put his highlighter down to look at me.

"You can still stop."

I frowned. "Nagrarant lang naman ako."

He shrugged. "No one's forcing you to stay. Kung hindi mo na gusto, pwede ka namang umalis. Kung nahihirapan ka, pwede ka namang tumigil. You don't have to stay if you're not happy."

Umiling ako. "I'm happy... it's just tiring."

"You rest when you're tired. You only stop when you're done," he said. "But do you really want this?"

Hindi agad ako naka-sagot. I knew I wanted this... but the hardship wasn't a joke. Minsan, naiisip kong magdrop na lang dahil sa sobrang hirap... but then, nasasayangan ako sa mga nagawa ko na. I was still torn about it.

"Ikaw ba, gusto mo talaga?"

He nodded. "I want to make a change."

I smiled. "What kind of lawyer do you want to be?"

"Criminal lawyer," he said. "But it's too dangerous. Ayokong madamay sila Mama."

I bit my lower lip. I love how he loves he family. Jax knows his priority. He's so responsible. Kahit sobrang pagod na 'yan, basta nasa bahay iyong parents nila, he'd make sure na may kasabay silang kumain. Lalo na ngayon na nasa Cavite si Joey, parang double time si Jax sa pagiging anak.

I yawned again. God, I was so sleepy. Feeling ko may maleta na sa ilalim ng mga mata ko. Forever na yata silang nandun.

Jax extended his hand to brush the stray hair from my face. He was looking at me softly while he was doing that. Mabilis akong napa-ngiti. He's so soft. He's my soft boy.

"Take a nap. I'll wake you up later."

"Okay lang? Baka sabihin mo, pinapunta na nga kita dito, tinulugan pa kita..." I said, then I yawned. I was only able to sleep for 3 hours last night tapos dire-diretso iyong ginawa kong pag-aaral. I had to make sure na kabisado ko down to letters iyong articles. Because the thing with law, may maka-limutan ka lang na isang salita, it would change the entirety of the provision. Kaya swerte talaga 'yung mga may eidetic memory.