Every Game

Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Confused

Hindi natin kayang pigilan kung ano ang paparating sa ating buhay. Scary. It can either be a tragedy or something favorable to us. But you know what is scarier? It doesn't go as it is. Sometimes, it is in disguised. Just like a tragedy that can be favorable to us or something favorable to us that turns out to be the tragedy.

But after all... Life must go on.

I admit it. He already has a room inside my heart. We've shared deep memories that is hard to forget or can't be forgotten at all. This is something out of my grasp, something I can't stop. But just like life, after he left, I must keep going on.

Nakatingin ako sa reflection ko sa salamin, nakangiti habang pinagmamasdan ang ginawa kong pagtirintas sa ilang bahagi ng buhok ko. I don't usually do this. But I want to serve a new look for today.

"Let us make this ending a memorable one."

This game won't assure us a happy ending, especially for Rocky. But I can make him happy while taking the ending. I can make him remember all these happy things and let it overpowers what the ending has for him. Something more worth to remember than the ending.

Pumasok sa kwarto ko si Kael. Pinagmasdan ko siya sa reflection sa salamin hanggang sa makaupo siya sa kama ko at nag indian sit habang nakatingin sa akin. Pumupungay pa ang mga mata nito at halatang kagigising lang.

"You're going out with him?" he asked, yawning.

Humarap ako sa kanya. Naalala ko kung ano ang nangyari kagabi. Hindi ko na siya nakausap matapos makaalis ni Rocky dahil nakatulog ito agad dala na rin siguro ng pagkapagod sa pag-iyak.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at umupo sa kanyang tabi.

Humarap naman ito sa akin. "Are you playing today?"

"You can lose someone's presence but not the memories." Hinawakan ko ang kanyang mga kamay at kinulong sa palad ko. "Isipin mo na lang, Kael. When you let him go, he will finally have the freedom. Parang kalapating pakakawalan mo sa ere. He's been through a lot. He needs time to regain himself. You can save Rocky by letting him go."

"Just like a dove, will he come back?"

"Just like life, we will never know." Hinaplos ko ang kanyang mukha. "Don't ever let him see your tears again. He doesn't want see anyone crying for him. Things get harder for him. Don't cry again."

"Really?" Lumukot na naman ang mukha nito na parang naiiyak. "D-Did I make him felt bad for crying last night? Did it bother him so much?"

"Sshhh..." I caressed his face. "Huwag ka nang umiyak."

Kumunot ang kanyang noo.

"Y-You're crying..." he mumbled.

Napahawak ako sa pisngi ko nang wala sa oras. Mabilis na pinunasan ko ang luha ro'n.

"Basta. Don't cry in front of him. Okay?"

"Fine," he said, nodding his head. "So... Are you going out today?"

"Yeah. Stay here with Dad."

"Okay..." Tumitig ito sa akin. "Do everything to make my friend happy, Ate Mad."

Natigilan ako. Ang akala ko ay magpupumilit itong sumama.

Tumango ako. "For you, I will."

"Can you hug him for me?" he requested.

"Sure."

"And kiss?" He grinned. "Please?"

"Ah? O-Okay..." I chuckled.