GAMES & GAMBLES

CHAPTER XVIII: A Person to Vent and a Place to Go

Jael suggested to play inside the mall instead of just going home. He thought that the trip is too much of a waste if they would not enjoy one bit. He asked Jin out of his consideration and conscience. Jin however nonchalantly agreed. "Sure" Jin said. Both spent the hour playing inside the mall; however, it looks like Jin is the only one who's enjoying it. Jin noticed it. Jael wasn't as cheerful and outgoing compared before so Jin concluded that Jael is still feeling sad. He saw Jael smiling as he tell stories to his father so he thought that maybe it was just a façade. They spent another hour playing inside but Jin thought that he's the only one having fun so he suggested to do one thing before leaving. He wanted to try 'tusok-tusok' with Jael once again. "I enjoyed eating kwekkwek last time." Jin said. "Can we eat there again?" he continued. "Oo naman." Jael replied. Jael was delighted to know that Jin enjoyed what they did before but he can't really show it at the moment. They got to the stall but the vendor is still cooking, Jin suddenly felt an awkward silence between them so he kept talking and talking but one thing slipped in his mouth. "Uy, did you know why I was here?" Jin asked out of nowhere because he has nothing else to talk about. Jael realized that he never knew why so he asked. "No... bakit pala?". "It was because my parents sent me here alone as a punishment." Jin answered. "Punishment?" Jael asked. "Yea, haha. Apparently, they don't like how I live my previous days so they sent me here alone to study on my own." Both is immersed in the conversation while eating. "Well I do understand why they did it... they think it's not good. Well true, but good isn't always fun." Jin continued. Jin continued talking about him which is unusual because he rarely do so, but Jael was feeling empathetic towards him. He kept on listening to Jin's rants and what he hates about what has happened. Both did not realize that the dusk is near but Jael was still immersed into what Jin is talking about. "Can we go somewhere else first before going home?" Jin suggested. Jael doesn't have any plan for the day so he agreed. Jin took Jael somewhere in the deserted highlands near Tagaytay and it's already dark. "This place is where I go when I want to feel alone." Jin said as they both got out of the car. "Look at everywhere, the lights, the cold breeze, the silence, everything I find here is peaceful." Jin continued. Jael however, was stunned by the view that he's looking at the moment. "Can you sit with me there?" Jin invited Jael so they can have a better look. "I go here when I want to say something." Jin continued. "I feel like everybody is listening, but no one would react violently, no one would disagree." Jin kept on talking. "I can even shout when I want to." He continued. Jin stood up, went near the edge, and then he shouted "I fucking hate how does my parents does not understand what I feel!" "Why do they have to fucking send me all the way here!?" "Why did they think that this is the best way to discipline me!?" then he took a deep breath after. He went back beside Jael and said "I feel so much better now.". Jael was just overwhelmed of what he just heard, not only because of Jin's courage in shouting, but because he felt that he shouted in all honesty. "Don't you wanna try it?" Jin asked. Jael stood up, went near the edge and shouted. "Papa hindi ko parin tanggap! Bakit umalis ka agad!? Bakit iniwan mo kami agad!?" tears rushed out of his eyes as he shout those words. "Pa hindi ko pa ata kaya palitwan pwesto mo." "Pa nahihirapan ako sa responsibilidad ko." Jael continues to shed his tears. Jin stood up in his seat, grabbed his pockets and handed a handkerchief to Jael. He felt deep sympathy to Jael. He realized how big is what is Jael's carrying on his back. Jael wiped his tears and what he did next surprised Jin. Jin did not expect that Jael would give him a hug. Jin then patted Jael's back and said "All will be alright in time.". "Thank you" Jael said. "You're right, it feels good to let it all out" he added. "Let's go back?" Jael said, probably because he feels exhausted now. Both got inside the car and went on. 30 mins along the way, Jael fell asleep inside the car and all the way home. "Hey, wake up. Jael." "We're here" Jin said as he tap on Jael's shoulder. Jael was startled. "Huh?" "Oh..." "I'm sorry I slept all the way home" Jael apologized. "No, no it's alright. I insisted to bring you there so it's kinda my bad haha" Jin replied. "Do you wanna come over to eat dinner?" Jael said. "Oh no no... meron pa ako pagkain sa bahay" Jin replied. "Thank you tho." He added. "No, thank you." Said Jael. "This day was awesome." He continued. "Pasok na ako, good night." Jael waved goodbye. Jin was happy for what he saw. He saw Jael's genuine smile he as wave him good bye. "I knew you needed to pour it all out" Jin said in his mind as he start to leave and wear his beautiful smile.