Fall Play

Prologue

"I heard hindi man lang tumagal ng sampung segundo ang laban."

Hindi ko binigyan ng pansin ang sinabi nya.  Prente pa rin akong nakaupo at naka- dekwatro ang paa.

Uminom na lamang ako ng wine.

"Sa lahat na lang ng bagay ay magaling at nangunguna ka. You are indestructible. No one can match your ability when it comes to your fighting skills. Masyado ka ring matalino, that no one can ever read what's on your mind- no one can predict your next move.  But I think you can be defeated."

I tightened my grip on my glass of wine.

No one can defeat me.

I looked at him dangerously.

Nakangisi naman sya sa akin.
"You are busy strengthening your mind and body. But not your heart."

Umangat ang gilid ng labi ko.

Masyadong nahahalata na gusto nyang makuha ang posisyon ko. Eager sya na mapatalsik ako sa posisyon ko. Gusto nyang humanap ng mga bagay na hindi ko kayang gawin. Pero sa tuwing naghahamon sya ay lagi naman syang natatalo. Pinipilit nya masyadong abutin kung nasaan at kung anong meron ako. Naiingit. Dahil lagi na lang syang pangalawa.

"You know you can't beat me. You're just wasting your time."

"I'm not wasting my time here. Because this time you'll lose and you'll surrender your position. I think it's time for you to rest." Tumayo ito mula sa inuupuan nyang sofa sa harapan ko. "in peace." Dugtong nya.

Ibinaba ko ang hawak kong glass wine sa table sa harapan ko at doon ko itinuon ang aking tingin.

"What is it this time?" I seriously asked.

I heard him chuckle.
"Fall play."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko.

"We are not going to play physically. Walang sakitan. Walang violence."

Kunot noo ko syang tinignan.

Napangisi sya.
"I find a girl who will be the target. Kung kanino sya unang mahulog. Sya ang panalo. The harder she fall, the better. Thrilling isn't it?"

Napailing-iling ako.
"You're insane."

"Not sure that you can win?"he asked mocking me.

"Rules." I asked.

"No rules."

"Then how are we going to know if she already fall?"

"Once she said the magic word."

Tumaas ang kilay ko. Asking what is the magic word. This is getting interesting.

"Once she said I love you."

Umangat ang gilid ng labi ko. This is new.

"This is the target."

Ipinakita nya sa akin ang picture ng isang babae sa phone nya.

She looks familiar.

"The game starts now." He said as if he's going to win this battle.

This will not be easy for me. He know my weak point. And he's using it to bring me down .

But I'm still going to win this game.

I'll win this fall play.