Ghosting Madness

Chapter 08

08: Under Checkmate
"Time to step-up the boardgame.
It's my time to strike back."

He cleared his throat after I made him drop his jaw. He's staring intently at me, puzzled on what I've said and done so, I matched it with the same dull stares I had whenever I look at faceless strangers.

Unluckily, I can see through his expressions.

"Killing isn't done on public places, Joshel. Killers are supposed to create perfect crime scenes to escape verdict, yet you're about to prick my neck with that silly fork... here where there are too many witnesses around."

I gulped when he didn't even falter intimidating me.

I was overwhelmed, a bit.

"Sorry," I acted like I'm in debt of his advice, then added, "I admit...I am a frustrated murderer."

I gently put back the fork on his cake before taking the seat in front.

"So you're really gonna kill me? With a fork? Such a shame, I'm expecting you'll kill me with love," mapagbiro niyang tugon. Kung hindi lang nakita ng babae sa kabilang table ang ginawa ko, baka matagal ko na siyang ginawang kwek-kwek.

"Ikaw yata ang naka-drugs sa'ting dalawa. Nakakamamatay mag-assume."

"Oh well, realities hit hard than expectations," he then went mocking my words.

"Don't worry. Hindi pa ako handang makulong. Ayokong dungisan ang kamay ko para lang mawala ka sa paningin ko."

He scoffed with the idea and drank from his black coffee. "After three years, finally naging matapang ka nang magsalita. I actually liked this version of yours."

Kasi kailangan.

Kasi dapat.

I remained still and silent. He asked for my order (if I want some) but I declined right away. I'm not here to eat and kill my precious time.

"Buti pala nakarati—"

"Nasaan na ang kaibigan ko?" I cut him off and asked directly.

"Geez, easy. Take your time."

"No, I won't." With that, I got from my bag the reason why he kept on pestering my life. I humbly pushed four hundred bills and 33 pesos, which I got from my pay, towards his coffee cup.

He stared at it like some random puzzle.

"Ayan, bayad na ako sa utang ko sa'yo. Now, tell me you didn't asked her for a date."

"What?"

"You asked for her number, right?" I asked, not to mention he got mine, too. "I don't even need to guess what comes next."

Dating.

"And?" He raised his brow.

"Surely, I don't want that to happen."

Halos malaglag siya sa kinauupuan niya dahil sa lakas ng tawa niya. Hiyang-hiya at gulong-gulo ang isip ko, tang ina. Kinailangan pa siyang puntahan ng isang crew para patigilin sa pag-e-eskandalo.

"Are you a comedienne now?" he asked, while containing the laughter inside his tummy.

I glared at him.

He tapped his fingers on the table, whistling. "We came here for a little tea time. Then she left minutes after you called, saying she has another plate to work with. Sayang, hindi kayo nagkita," he explained.