When the Pen Bleeds

CHECKMATE

" Checkmate " He uttered as he diagonally moved the bishop two spaces near the king.

Applauses from the audience filled the four corners of the room. He quickly stand up from where he was and didn't even bother to accept the handshake of his defeated opponent.

I slowly shook my head when I noticed that he's already walking towards my position.

" You should have accept his handshake Keith. Kaya ka nasasabihang suplado at mayabang e" He just gave me a grin and removed his rimless eyeglasses, enough for me to see his hazel eyes with tinges of green more clearly.

" Yan talaga ang salubong mo sa akin Kyna? You should congratulate me first." He asked in disbelief.

I placed my right hand on his shoulder. " No need " I replied and gently pushed his shoulder as if I'm teasing him.

He is indeed a proud guy but it didn't became a hindrance for me to love him. Sa katunayan nga mag-aanim na buwan na rin kami kahit hindi siya yung tipikal na lalaking napakasweet at showy.

We are still in the middle of conversation when Ms. Diaz, our Chemistry teacher appeared in front of us. Wearing her thick eyeglasses, perfectly bun hair, skirt that are way too long from the usual teacher's uniform and her signature furrowed eyebrows whenever you meet her, you can easily say that she's the teacher that every students will not dream of.

" Mr. Reyes. I need to talk to you in Science Lab. Follow me." She commanded with a monotonous tone just like when she's delivering her discussion in class.

He flashed a slight smile and immediately followed Ms. Diaz.

" What did Ma'am tell you?" tanong ko pagkaupo niya sa tabi ko dito sa isa sa bench sa garden ng campus.

He just stayed silent and fixed his stare to the blooming roses in front of us.

" Uy ano?" Tanong ko ulit.

" Just stop Kyna. I'm tired." He replied with an irritated tone and left me with confusion.

Since I know that something's not right with his actions, I decided to went in SciLab and asked Ms. Diaz.

" Hindi ko alam kung kailangan mo pang malaman to pero sige dahil girlfriend ka naman ni Mr. Reyes, gusto ko lang sabihin sayo na bagsak lang naman siya sa klase ko at wala akong balak na ipasa siya hangga't di niya nacocomply ang mga sinabi ko sakanya until next week."

" Pero ma'am he's an athlete here in our school. Ibig sabihin maintain lang ang grades niya." pangugumbinsi ko kay ma'am.

Marahan niyang inalis ang salamin niya at saka ako binigyan ng matatalim na tingin. "Not in my case miss. This is my subject so I have my own rules."

I heaved a long sigh. " He can't do it ma'am. He has a competition next week so probably, he needs to prepare for it. "

Tinaasan niya lang ako ng kilay na para bang wala siyang pakialam sa sinabi ko at saka ginalaw ang kanyang kamay hudyat para paalisin niya ako sa silid na ito.

" Ako na lang po ang gagawa para sa boyfriend ko Ma'am. " Lalong mukhang nag-init ang ulo ni Ms. Diaz dahil sa sinabi ko.

She's currently massaging her temples and made closer steps towards me.

" At bakit mo naman gagawin yon?"

" 'Cause he's my boyfriend ma'am." I replied firmly. She shouldn't be like this. She's being unfair to his student. But if that what she wants then I'll carry the responsibilities for Keith.

" Well, these are quite many - scratch that. These are really too many miss. Sobrang dami niyang namiss na activities dahil sa kakalaro niya ng chess. Pero mukhang desido ka na so fine, I'll send you all the works that needs to be finished. 'Pag hindi mo to natapos at naipasa next week then I guess your boyfriend will be left behind in this school. Hindi muna siya magcocollege 'cause basically uulit siya ng grade 12. "