Checkmate (Varsity Series #2)

Chapter 5

"Good morning! Take a seat, Mr. Alleje."

The baritone voice of his dean enveloped the whole place. The office's walls were painted white. The mahogany table was placed at the bottom side of the office.

Kapag pumasok sa pinto, iyon kaagad ang makikita. Dumiretso si Andrew matapos isarado ang pintong gawa rin sa mahogany.

Naupo siya sa puting monoblock na nasa tapat ngunit kaliwang parte ng kaniyang dean.

"Good morning, dean," tango ni Andrew sa nakasuot ng itim na suit at puting damit para sa panloob. "Pinatawag n'yo raw po ako?"

Nakangiting tumango ang dean. "Hmm. Yes. I'd like to ask first how are you?" Sumandal siya sa kaniyang itim na swivel chair. Ang tungki ng ilong niya ay naidepina nang bahagya niyang iangat ang kaniyang paningin.

"I'm okay, dean, at least." Kiming ngiti ang ibinigay ni Andrew.

"That's good. So, as I was saying, I called you here to say that. . ." Nag-iwas siya ng tingin kay Andrew at saka pinaikot ang signpen sa kanang lamay. Umayos na rin siya pagkakaupo; tinanggal niya ang likuran sa pagkakasandal sa upuan.

"There's a complication about your last match- I mean doon sa interschool."

Mabilis ang naging pagtaas ng tingin ni Andrew sa kaniyang dean na ngayon ay nakatingin na rin sa kaniya. Unti-unting tumaas ang kaniyang kilay at saka iyon nangunot.

It caught his attention.

"What do you mean, dean?"

The dean heaved a deep sigh. He looked at Andrew who is now in fisted hands.

"Someone told me that you violated a rule so you have to compete with the one whom you competed in the finals."

"What the hell, dean? I followed all the rules!" Andrew couldn't take his anger. He knew to himself that he never break any rule.

His eyes were in rage. His hands who were fisted earlier are now shaking. His jaw has been shaken by grit.

Gusto niyang magwala pero nasa loob siya ng opisina ng kaniyang dean at nirerespeto niya ito.

"Yes, I know that, Andrew. I know you well so I know you can't do that, but we can't do anything." Even Mr. Alejandro, Andrew's dean was in melancholy. He was looking at Andrew with his eyes full of sympathy.

"Can we talk to them? Hindi totoo ang sinasabi nila, dean. I can't do that because I did not practice this hard just to cheat! I've worked hard for it, dean!"

Malalim na napabuntonghininga ang kaniyang dean. Naiiling siyang ipinatong ang dalawang kamay sa lamesang mayroong babasaging salamin.

"Believe me, Andrew. Kinausap ko na sila pero wala na akong magagawa. They are in a higher position, Andrew. Besides, the decision was made already."

Andrew's jaw dropped. He couldn't utter a word. He's speechless.

"I'm sorry, Andrew, but you have to compete again," his dean uttered in an apologetic tone.

Nailing na lamang si Andrew. He knew to himself that he hasn't done anything that would disqualify him or like what happened that he need to compete again.

He's feeling scornful but he cannot do anything. He's badly mad. Kung nasa bahay lamang siya ay baka nabasag na ang mga bagay na nasa paligid niya.

"Alright, dean. I'll compete again. I'm sure I'll still win." Hindi pa rin nawawala ang mataas na tingin sa sarili ni Andrew. Likas na ito sa kaniya.

Mr. Alejandro smiled. "Alright. That's good, then. Anyway, iyon lang ang gusto kong sabihin sa 'yo. If you do not have questions, you can go back to your classroom and attend your class."

Hindi pa rin nagsi-sink in sa utak ni Andrew na kailangan niyang lumaban ulit. He shook his head as he stood up.

"I don't have any more questions, dean. Thank you for informing me. I'll go back to my class now." He bowed his head.

Lumabas na si Andrew sa office. He took his way down to the stairway and he was about to go to his classroom when a girl approached him.

Pumulupot ang kamay nito sa braso ni Andrew kaya nagulat ito. Natigil siya sa paglalakad.

"Hi, babe!" Here comes Serenity. Sinundan niya kanina si Andrew at inabangang lumabas mula sa opisina.

He laid his eyes at her with a serious look. Tinanggal niya ang kamay nitong nakasabit sa kaniyang braso nang hindi nagbabago ang tingin. Kung nakasusunog ang nagngangalit na mata ay tusta na ang babae.

"'Wag ka ngayon umarangkada, Serenity. I am not in the mood for your flirty acts."

Napanguso na lamang si Serenity. Pinagkrus nito ang kaniyang kamay at saka nilabanan ang nakatatakot na tingin ni Andrew.

"What happened, babe? Why are you so cold?"

"Aren't you used by it? I am always cold towards you, Serenity."

"Hmp! Alam ko naman pero bakit parang iba ngayon? Napasobra naman yata ang kalamigan mo? Natulog ka ba sa ref n'yo?"

Nailing na lamang si Andrew. Malalim siyang napabuntonghininga at saka nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. He didn't want to waste his time for her. Isa pa, ayaw niyang may masabi pang masasamang salita sa babae.

However, Serenity insisted. Hinabol niya si Andrew at saka hinawakan ang braso nito. Natigil siyang muli sa paglalakad. "Babe, ano ba? Kausapin mo naman ako, please. What happened?"

Matinding pagpipigil ang ginagawa niya ngayon. Baka masaktan niya si Serenity nang wala sa oras. Kanina pa niya gustong magwala pero kailangan niyang pigilan. Wala siya sa bahay nila, nasa public place siya at hindi niya gustong masira ang pangalan niya.

"Last warning, Serenity. Something happened, okay? Don't talk to me. Baka kung anong magawa ko sa iyo at mawala sa isip ko na babae ka."

Natulala si Serenity. Ilang segundo pa bago siya nabalik sa ulirat. Palaging seryoso si Andrew sa kaniya kapag kausap niya ito pero iba ang lebel ng pagkaseryoso nito ngayon. Nakaramdam siya bigla ng panlalamig.

"A-Anong puwede kong gawin para makatulong?"

Andrew looked at her eyes. "Leave me alone, Serenity. That's the best thing you can do."

"B-But I can't do that, Andrew! You know that I love you!"

"But I don't love you for fucking sake! I wanna credit you from my life, Serenity."

Namilog ang labi ni Serenity. Hindi niya maipaliwanag ang sakit sa unti-unting umusbong sa kaniyang dibdib. Totoong may nararamdaman siya para sa lalaki kaya ganoon na lamang ang nararamdaman niya ngayon.

Her heart was beating rapidly. The only word she uttered is, "Ha?"

Andrew snorted. He heaved a deep sigh.

"Study first before flirting."

Saka niya tuluyang iniwang mag-isa si Serenity. Tumuloy na siya patungo sa kaniyang classroom.