The Ruthless Game

Chapter 34

Chapter 34: "Two tears later, she sits in front of her ex-lover. He doesn't say a word. And her heart doesn't ache for him anymore. Her hair is longer than it's ever been. She looks even more beautiful than the day he left her, and at that moment, he panics. He can never have her back. He can just watch her be beautiful and be in love with someone else." -The day the tables turn

It was the best scene for me; seeing her so carefree, happy, and laughing her heart out without a care in the world. My eyes closed as I listened and savoured the sound of her laugh which has always been music to my ear. She used to laugh like that with me. Used to.

"Aren't they so sweet?"

I opened my eyes and gave the person who stood beside me, a sideways glance. Vash rested his elbows on the railings as he leaned in, looking down at the two people who seem like they were lost in their own world. 

A world where I wanted so bad to be a part of but couldn't. The thought made me take a sharp breath so I turned my back, leaned against the railing, and took a stick of cigarette to smoke. 

They closed the Sweet Refuge today for tito Ambet's birthday celebration. Pumunta lang ako dito sa ikalawang palapag dahil nakita ko siyang lumabas. I saw how she hugged him tightly the moment he got out of his car as she missed him so much. That made me choke up, but I chose to stay and watch them like the fool that I am.

"Selos ka? May kurot ba sa puso?" nakangising tanong niya. 

"What?" kunot ang noong baling ko sa kanya. 

He laughed. "My bad. Wrong choice of word, man. Inggit hindi selos."

Umiwas ako ng tingin at humithit sa sigarilyo. "No."

Vash smirked then suddenly yelled. "Hey lovebirds!"

I was astounded when he suddenly called their attention, but I tried to be nonchalant. Humithit ako ng sigarilyo, tumingala at ibinuga ang usok. 

"What!" DJ yelled back. 

"Stop all the sweetshit! Someone's jealous here!" 

I looked harshly at him. "What the f*ck are you saying!" I hissed. 

He just laughed at my reaction. "Kanina pa ako selos na selos, Sandy! Akin lang si DJ!"

I looked down and was met by a pair of beautiful brown eyes. I swallowed. Our eyes were locked for a moment until she looked away. I took a deep breath, pushed Vash who wouldn't stop laughing even if DJ had given him the finger. 

"Hey, wait up!" he said.

The party went on until almost midnight. We were the only ones left at Sweet Refuge, on the veranda which was on the second floor, still drinking and having so much fun. 

"Popsh! Happy, happy birshday! I love you!" 

Tito Ambet hugged Tamara back, who was obviously drunk. "I love you, too, anak. Tama na ang pag-inom. Kawawa naman ang asawa mo at siguradung bubuhatin ka na naman pauwi."

"Don't worry, pa. I won't let her drink anymore," said Shin.

He nodded. "Ikaw na ang bahala sa kanya at sa mga kaibigan niyo." Bumaling siya sa amin. "Mauuna na akong umuwi sa inyo. Salamat sa inyong lahat at sobra ninyong napasaya ang kaarawan ko."

We greeted him once again before he left. While we were drinking, we thought of playing a game called 'Name that person' to pass the time. Sa isang pahabang mesa kami umupo.