Checkmate, Alas

Chapter 22: Better Luck Next Time

"It's okay, better luck next time." I pat his shoulder and smiled.

We are now sitting at the bench, katatapos lang ng tournament. Nagkamali siya ng isang move and I saw it, I'm watching his match intently. His opponent was smart so he took advantage of it.

He's still sad based on his expression. I also know that he's a bit disappointed.

"Kung ikaw sana 'yung nilaban may pag-asa tayo."

"Nine," I called to make him look at me and he did, "Magaling ka okay? Baka hindi mo lang talaga pagkakataon ngayon pero next time mananalo ka rin."

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin. I sighed at hinatak siya para yakapin. Sinubsob niya ang mukha niya sa leeg ko and I can feel him crying. It's my first time to see Nine's weak side. Sumasakit din tuloy 'yung puso ko para sa kaniya.

"Yuan--" Janine didn't continue what she's about to say to me when she saw our position.

"Okay lang 'yan?" she mouthed. I nodded and she motioned na pupunta lang siya kay Coach.

Mahina kong tinapik-tapik ang likod ni Nine. Tahimik lang siyang umiyak. We stayed on that position for about ten minutes not minding the chaotic surroundings.

"Are you okay na?"

Hindi siya umimik at nanatili pa rin sa posisyon niya.

Maya-maya ay umayos na siya ng upo at kita ko ang pamumula ng mga mata niya pero pilit din siyang ngumiti pagkatapos 'non. Wala na ding bakas ng luha sa pisngi niya.

"I'm okay now. Thank you, Yuan."

I smiled. "No worries."

Sumakay kami sa SUV na sinakyan namin kahapon para makabalik sa hotel. Bukas pa ang flight namin ng hapon pauwing Pilipinas. Maaga pa at maganda sanang maglibot dito sa Thailand but I know that Nine wasn't in the mood for that.

"Ano hindi ka talaga sasama?" Janine asked me for the third time.

Nagbihis siya ulit dahil balak niyang mamili ng pasalubong at maghahanap daw siya ng mga BL actors. She's kinda hooked with Thai BL series and she admitted that it was one of the reason why she insisted to come here with us in Thailand.

"Nine need me."

Nakasandal ang ulo ko sa headboard ng kama habang pinapanood ang bawat kilos niya. I'm wearing a white hoodie and gray sweatpants.

She rolled her eyes. "Ikaw na may jowa."

My eyes widened because of what she said. Pano niya nalaman? Wala pa naman kaming pinagsasabihan ni Nine and I didn't post anything on my social media account.

She noticed my sudden shock so she gave me a malicious smile.

"I saw you too at the balcony last night. I kinda overhead your conversation. Pero hindi lahat!" she sounded defensive sa huli niyang sinabi.

Umirap lang ako. "Oo na sige na umalis kana."

Lumapit siya akin and she kissed me on my cheeks.

"Message me lang if may ipapabili ka."

"Sure, thank you. Ingat ka."

Kumaway lang siya at lumabas na ng kwarto dala-dala ng sling bag niya. Ako naman ay nanatili pa sa kama ng ilang sandali at tumitig sa kawalan bago napagpasiyahan na puntahan si Nine.

When I opened the door I was shocked to find Nine standing there. He's pouting with matching paawa effect. I showed him that I was disgusted with his looks.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

Instead of answering, hinawakan niya ako sa magkabilang balikat at inagawan ang kamay ko na nakahawak sa door knob. The next  thing I knew he locked the door!