Play The Game (COMPLETED)

Chapter 24

#PTG24 Chapter 24

To say that my relationship with my parents has been more strained would be the understatement of the century. I thought I already made myself clear the last time that we talked... but they were really pushing it. They really wanted me to marry that guy whom I barely knew! I didn't want a re-run of their marriage! Hindi ako magpapakasal sa taong 'di ko gusto!

"Magpapalit na siguro ako ng number," I said out of the blue. Nasa school kami ni Jax. It was his enrollment. Sinamahan ko siya. I could feel the next semester coming nearer and nearer, but I thought it would be a nice distraction from everything that was happening. At least kapag nagsimula na iyong school, magiging busy na ako. It was tiring thinking about my parents. Ayoko talaga ng ganito na may galit sa dibdib ko. Ang bigat. Nakaka-pagod.

Jax turned to look at me. "Still not talking to them?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Not until they promise me they'd drop that idea."

Hindi na nagsalita pa si Jax pagkatapos nun. I was actually glad that I told him about that idea of marrying me off to some guy. At least ngayon, may nakaka-usap na ako tungkol dito. Ayoko rin kasi na baka dumating iyong araw na pag-awayan pa namin ni Jax iyon. I didn't like fighting with him—iyong seryosong away? Ayoko nun. Ayoko na galit siya sa 'kin. It bothers me a lot.

I remained silent, too, during the entire enrollment process. Nang matapos kami, akala ko sa bahay na ulit kami didiretso. Tinutukso na nga ni Yaya si Jax na baka daw gusto niya na rin magdala ng mga damit niya dahil halos sa bahay na siya naka-tira—joke's on Yaya dahil may mga gamit na talaga si Jax sa kwarto ko. Akala lang talaga nila maaga pumupunta si Jax, pero madalas na sa kwarto ko siya natutulog... o baka naman alam nila, hindi na lang nila sinasabi?

"San tayo pupunta?" I asked when we're not taking the usual route.

"Mall."

"May bibilhin ka?"

"Wala."

"Bakit tayo pupunta dun?"

"To distract you," he said. I raised a brow. "You've been sad for a while now. I need to see you smile again."

I wrinkled my nose, but I couldn't fight the smile that was threatening to appear. Tumagilid ako para makita ko iyong mukha niya. I was tempted to trace the contour of his face, but I knew that that would distract him from driving. Damn his face. I could literally stare at it for days and not get bored.

"Ano'ng gagawin natin?"

He shrugged. "Anything. Up to you."

"Talaga? Kahit ano'ng gusto ko?"

He nodded, and then reached for my hand and kissed my knuckle. "Yes. You're the boss," sabi niya. Hindi ako naka-tiis kaya lumapit ako hanggang sa mahalikan ko iyong pisngi niya.

"You're the best!" I said, repeatedly kissing his cheek until his laughter reverberated.

* * *

Pagdating namin sa mall, naglakad-lakad lang kami. I really had no idea kung ano ang gagawin namin. To be honest, ngayon na lang yata talaga ako naka-balik sa mall. Buong taon, school, bahay, or coffee shop lang talaga ang mga pinupuntahan ko.

Shit. I didn't have a life.

"May problema?" Jax asked when my eyes widened upon the realization na sa law school na lang pala talaga umiikot ang buhay ko. I couldn't even remember the last time I talked to my friends! I missed all their birthdays! Epal kasi 'yung mga class ko! Laging sumasabay sa birthdays nila.