Checkmate (Varsity Series #2)

Chapter 4

Andrew got home before seven in the evening. He stared at the small blue green gate their house had. Makikita ang hindi kalakihan ngunit gawa sa bato nilang bahay. May pintura iyong asul na hindi gaanong katingkaran.

Their house was simple. Mayroon lamang iyong dalawang kuwarto: isa para sa kaniya at isa para sa kaniyang ama. The house also has its comfort room and a small kitchen.

He took a deep breath as he entered the gate. The cold breeze was hitting his arm as he walked.

Pagkapasok ay naabutan niya ang kaniyang ama na naghahanda ng pagkain sa maliit ngunit malinis nilang pabilog na lamesang gawa lamang sa kahoy.

"I'm home." His baritone voice echoed in the whole place.

His late 40's father looked at him wearing his amused face. He still can't believe that his man has grown that handsome.

He smiled. "Mabuti at nakauwi ka nang mas maaga. Tama lang pala ang paghahain ko ng pagkain," sabi niya. "Oh, siya, ibaba mo na iyang mga gamit mo para makapagsimula na tayong kumain."

Tumango si Andrew ngunit lumapit muna sa kaniyang Ama para magmano. Pagkatapos ay ibinaba niya ang kaniyang bag sa itim na maliit na sopa.

Nang maiayos ang bag at ang kaniyang dalang chess mat na nakasabit sa balikat ay naupo na rin siya sa sopa. Sa likuran niya ay ang maliit na bintana. Kung susukatin ang taas noon ay hanggang balikat niya. Hindi ganoong kataas dahil hindi rin naman ganoon kalaki ang kanilang bahay.

Nagsimula silang kumain. Ang pagkaing nakahain sa lamesa ay kanin, pritong manok, at mayroong sawsawang ketchup. Mayroon ding puting pitcher na gawa sa plastic. May laman itong tubig, at mayroon din silang tig-isang babasaging transparent na baso.

May nakahanda na ring plato para sa kanilang dalawa. Nakapatong dito ang kutsara at tinidor.

The smell of the fried chickens his father cooked made his tummy growled.

Napatingin sa kaniya ang kaniyang ama na si Gregory. Nagtama ang kanilang mata at saka parehong natawa.

Yes, Andrew was smiling if he was with his Dad. He was his inspiration.

"Mukhang napapagod ka masiyado sa pag-aaral at paglalaro ng chess, ah? Kumakain ka pa ba?"

Andrew grimaced. "It's not like what you think, dad. It's just that your fried chicken smells good. Pati tuloy mga alaga ko sa tiyan ay nagutom." He then laughed.

Napangingiting umiling na lamang ang kaniyang ama.

That's how they bond with each other. Andrew was busy in school and training to be the best chess player while his dad was busy with his simple business at the supermarket. He was selling groceries. May sarili na silang puwesto sa palengke at sapat na ang kinikita ng kaniyang ama para makakain sila araw-araw at makabayad sa tuition fee niya.

Pagkatapos kumain ay nagpaalam na si Andrew para maglinis ng katawan. Pagod ang utak niya; ang isipan ay okupado sa mga bagay na konektado sa chess at sa pag-aaral niya.

Tho he thinks he was the best among the rest when it comes to chess, he still knows to himself that he still has a lot of things to know. He was still raw so he kept on practicing for the national competition.

Pagkatapos maligo ay nahiga siya sa kaniyang maliit na kama. Mayroon itong puting kubrikama at mayroong dalawang unan na mayroong pundang puti.

Binalot niya ang kaniyang sarili ng kaniyang puti ring kumot. Saka siya tumingin sa kisame at nag-isip.

"I will get that gold medal. I will do everything to have it."

After murmuring, he fell asleep.

He woke up early the next day. Nasanay na siyang pumasok nang maaga at sanay na siyang dumiretso kaagad sa practice room.

He played with himself for the first five games. He moved his piece and he moved a piece for his opponent which is him as well. In simple words, he competed with himself.

Saka lamang siya nagkaroon ng katunggali nang dumating ang iba niyang kasama.

An hour had passed and they were done playing.

"Hi, babe!"

Nagulat na lang siya nang paglabas niya ng pinto ay ang pagpulupot ng kamay ni Serenity ang sumalubong sa sa kaniya.

Walang nagbago sa seryoso niyang ekspresyon. Nagpatuloy siya sa paglalakad habang sumasabay naman sa kaniya si Serenity.

"Kumain ka na?"

"Hmm," tango niya. "Kanina bago umalis sa bahay." He then took her arm off him.

Marami nang estudyante dahil sampung minuto na lamang at magsisimula na ang klase. Ayaw niyang maging headline ng balita dahil sa kalandian ni Serenity.

"Hmm. Gano'n? Aayain sana kitang kumain." She pouted.

"You can eat alone, Serenity. You have your own mouth."

"Eh, gusto kita kasabay kumain, eh. Hindi ka ba talaga nagugutom? Puwede mo naman akong kainin— I mean, puwede mo naman akong sabayan kumain."

Nailing na lamang si Andrew. He couldn't take her behavior anymore. Binilisan niya na lamang ang paglalakad para makapunta sa classroom niya.

Ang daming sinasabi ni Serenity habang sinusundan siya pero hindi niya ito pinansin. All he wanted was to arrive in his classroom. That way, he'd be free from her.

Nang makarating sila sa tapat ng silid-aralan ay saka lamang niya nilingon si Serenity na nakanguso lamang at tila hinihingal pa.

"Ano bang problema mo sa akin at pinahabol mo ako hanggang dito? Hmp!"

Andrew's lips parted. Kaunti na lamang at tataas na sana ang gilid ng labi niya.

"Go to your classroom," he uttered in a serious tone.

"But— won't you take me to my classroom?"

Andrew averted his gaze. He's starting to be antipathetic.

"No one told you to come here with me, Serenity. That was your choice, okay? Now, go to your classroom. I won't be joining you."

He was about to enter his classroom when his teacher entered the scene. She was wearing her usual blue blouse and a mocha pencil skirt. She was five foot six and her body was fine: not skinny, not fat.

"Good morning, Ms," Andrew greeted while Serenity just bowed her head.

Tumango rin ang guro ni Andrew para sa unang subject.

"Hmm, Mr. Andrew, our dean told me to tell you to meet him at 7:30 in the morning at his office. You may now go, don't worry, you'll be excused."

Andrew nodded, still not showing a smile. "Thank you, Ms. I'll go now."

Tumango pa si Andrew at saka umikot para maglakad paalis papuntang office ng kanilang dean.