Checkmate, Alas

Chapter 21: Thailand

The day before the tournament has finally come. We're now at the airport waiting for our flight to be called. Maaga pa naman kami ng ilang minuto, at may hinihintay pa rin yata kami dahil kanina pa may kausap si Coach Evans sa phone niya.

Dahil hindi naman malamig sa Thailand I decided to wear a white sleeveless na pinatungan ko ng denim jacket tyaka black pants. And of course, a white sketchers.

"Have you eaten your breakfast?"

Ngumuso ako sa katabi kong nagtanong. He's wearing a white shirt na may print, tinanong niya talaga ako kung anong kulay daw ng susuotin ko para same kami, he's also wearing a black hoodie and a ripped jeans and a white rubber shoes. Korni nga niya eh.

Isang linggo na yata 'tong panliligaw niya at hindi pa ako nasanay. He'll always ask me if I already ate.

"Yes."

"Are you hungry right now?"

I sighed heavily before facing him. He's just looking at me innocently.

"Kumain na ako. Hindi pa ako gutom at mukhang ikaw ang dapat kumain." I said. "Kabado ka ba?"

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at pinaglaruan ang kamay niya.

"Ako kaba? Hindi, ah."

Nagkibit-balikat ako, "Okay."

"Yuan!"

Napalingon ako ng marinig ko tinawag ang pangalan ko. My eyes widened when I saw Alexa! She's with her family because I saw them from afar.

Agad akong tumayo at lumapit sa kaniya.

"Saan kayo?" I asked after hugging her.

"We're on our way to Japan!" excited na sabi niya.

Kumaway at ngumiti lang ako sa pamilya niya na nasa malayo. Mukhang flight na nila.

"Ingat kayo."

"Ikaw din." she winked at me and then waved her hands. Tumakbo na siya papunta sa family niya.

We're okay. We already talked and I made it clear na hindi ko siya pinagbintangan. Binalik ko rin yung atm card niya and her reaction after it was priceless.

"Gosh! I acted so matapang 'non sa cafe but after realizing na binigay ko sa inyo 'yung black atm ko, I cried so hard!"

Napakamot ako ng batok ko habang natatawa sa kaniya.

"Sorry again."

She smiled widely. "Apology accepted!"

Pero si Nathalie naman 'yung hindi ko ma-contact after 'non. I told her that I fixed things with Alexa on phohe. Tahimik lang siya at biglang binaba 'yung tawag. When I asked Hana about her whereabouts, wala rin siyang alam dahil walang na-kwento si Nathalie sa kaniya.

Bumalik na ako kayla Nine na kausap na ngayon si Coach Evans. Nakaupo na si Coach sa tabi ni Nine. 'Yung pwesto ko kanina.

"She said she's here already."

Kumunot ang noo ko, "Sino ba 'yan, Sir?"

"Janine." he answered.

My eyes widened a bit. So Janine will come with us huh. This trip is not boring after all.

Minutes later Janine arrived with her luggage behind her. She's so excited and she looks like a kid. Pagkalapit niya sa akin ay niyakap niya ako kaagad.

"I'm so glad Coach Evans agrees na sumama ako!" she said after hugging me.

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. "I thought you're in province? Saw your ig story."