The Ruthless Game

Chapter 27

Chapter 27: "Sometimes your heart needs more time to accept what your mind already knows."

Addie was leaving. I saw GP's post about her farewell party. It was last night. Tumingin ako kay Dylan na nakatutok ang atensiyon sa pinapanood na documentary pero halata naman na tagusan ang tingin niya doon. 

I cleared my throat. "Aalis na pala si Addie, love?"

Napansin ko na hindi siya agad nakakibo. "Yeah," he answered above whisper after a while.

"Your teammates were all present at her farewell party. Bakit hindi ka nagpunta? Kagabi lang pala ito."

He cleared his throat. "I wasn't in the mood. Besides," ginagap niya ang kamay ko. "I wanted to spend more time with you."

Ngumiti lang ako at sumiksik sa kanya. Niyakap ko ang braso niya at dinampian ito ng halik. Kahit wala siyang sinasabi ay nararamdaman ko na malaki ang nagbago. He had not been himself lately. Napapadalas din ang paninigarilyo niya at madalas ay nakatingin lang siya sa kawalan, laging malalim ang iniisip. I knew she was the reason behind it and that hurt. A damn lot. 

"Love, when are we going to visit nanay at tatay? It's been so long since we last visited them," he said while driving. 

We were on our way to our favorite restaurant. Bigla na lang siyang nagyaya dahil matagal na daw kaming hindi nakakapag-date. Nasorpresa pa ako dahil may dala siyang flowers and chocolates. When I asked him why, he simply said it had been a long time since he gave me flowers and chocolates. 

Nakapag-pa-reserve na siya kaya may table na agad para sa amin at iginiya na kami doon. Ipinaghila pa niya ako ng upuan. Paupo na sana ako ng may tumawag sa kanya. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa handbag ko. Of all places, bakit dito pa nila napiling mag-dinner? 

"Hi!" alanganin ang ngiti na bati niya sa amin. 

"Addie." 

Lumapit siya at nagbeso sa amin. Kung pwede lang na hilahin ko palayo si Dylan ay ginawa ko na. 

"Uhm, by the way, this is Sean, my boyfriend. Sean, this is Dylan and his g-girlfriend."

"Hi! Nice meeting you."

Tinanggap ko ang pakikipag-kamay niya. Tumingin ako kay Dylan. Mataman ang tingin niya kay Addie. I didn't know what came over me, but I found myself inviting them to our table. Napatingin sa akin si Dylan. Kita ko ang pagtutol sa mga mata niya pero hindi niya isinaboses. 

"So, how long have you been together?" I asked.

Halatang asiwa si Addie sa tanong ko. It was Sean who answered my question. "Just a couple of weeks ago. What about you and Dylan?"

"3 years and going strong." I gave emphasis to last two words as I glanced at Addie who seemed uneasy. "Right, love?" baling ko pa na may matamis na ngiti sa kanya.

He smiled. "Of course."

"Wow. Three years. What's the secret? I want to know because I want Addie and I to last forever," he said, looking at Addie.

"The secret? Love, faith, and trust." Tumango tango si Sean. "Alam mo, maraming temptation sa paligid kaya parang basketball din yan eh. Dapat marunong kang mambakod para walang makalusot. Right, Addie?" baling ko sa kanya.

"Huh?" She looked stunned. "Y-yes, of course."

Dylan cleared his throat. Tumingin ako sa kanya.