Every Game

Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Save The Game

All my life, I never dreamed of anything than to finish my studies and get a better job. I knew what I wanted, I knew my goals, and I knew where I was heading to. I've pictured myself with my family, traveling and living the life I desired for them. I've visualized myself in a secured house, living the noise of our laughs and stories.

I didn't know there would be a blurry figure of somene might appear behind. And as I pursued my dreams, it got cleared. Now, I knew who it was. He became part of my dreams and goals. But I knew he was the part of my dream that I couldn't carry everywhere. So, I vowed to make him happy as long as he was still with me. And now... he was the dream I failed to reach.

With blurry eyes caused by tears, I struggled to stop the car. Pinakawalan ko ang isa kong kamay sa manibela para punasan ang luha sa aking mata. Kinapa ng paa ko ang preno pero imbes na ito ang maapakan ko ay mas lumakas ang pagmamaneho. I was beyond terrified that I forgot what to do.

There was an effulgent light coming on my way. Sa bawat pagtagas ng segundo ay palapit nang palapit ang ilaw na 'yon. Was it from a truck? A bus? Or something bigger than this car? I don't know. But I know, it might hit me to death.

Kinapa ko uli sa paa ko ang preno. Nang magtagumpay ay unti-unting kong inapakan 'yon. It's slowly slowing down, but the light is still coming on my way. Nanginginig ako sa takot.

I closed my eyes as I stepped fully on the break. Muntik na akong masubsob sa manibela dahil sa sobrang lakas dahil hindi pa ako naka-seatbelt. My eyes were still shut. Natatakot akong buksan ito.

Palapit na ba sa akin ang ilaw? Matatamaan na ba ako kapag tapos ng ilang segundo?

After a few second, I heard knocks on the window beside me. I took a huge gut to open my eyes.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita si Alvin sa labas. His face was pale and his hard knocks on the window was causing a loud thuds.

I watched him as he mouthed, "Open the goddamn door."

Inalog ko ang ulo ko bago binuksan ang pinto. Natamaan pa siya no'n dahil sa nakaharang siya. Nanatili ako sa loob ng sasakyan, inaantok at pagod na gumalaw palabas.

"Damn! You okay?!"

I pushed him away when he tried to touch me.

"I'm fine," I glared at him. "You almost hit me."

"No. You did." He almost rolled his eyes. "You're such a problematic ass. I knew there was something wrong with you so I followed you. Hindi ko alam na mas malala pa. Is this a suicidal act? Huh?"

Napangiwi ako sa sakit ng ulo ko at sa dami ng sinabi niya. Ang daldal ng isang 'to at daig niya pa si Papa kung manermon.

"Damn. Akala ko mamamatay na ako ro'n," dinig ko pang sabi niya.

"Pwede ka namang umiwas kung sakali," sabi ko. "Hindi ko ma-control ang sasakyan, ikaw kaya mo. You just needed to avoid my way to death."

"And what? Let you hit the building beside and watch you bleed to death? I am still not that cruel, Miss Just A Girl."

"Don't act like a hero, Alvin."

"Ikaw pa talaga ang galit," nanunuya niyang sabi. "Kaya mo pa bang magmaneho para igilid ang sasakyan mo? You are in the middle of the road."

Napatingin ako sa likod. Oo nga, nasa gitna ako ng daan.

"What the fuck?!" bulalas ni Alvin nang imaneho ko agad ang sasakyan para itabi sa gilid ng kalsada.

Nanlalaki ang mga mata ni Alvin nang sumunod siya sa akin.

"D-Did you just drive your car with the door opened?" Hindi ko alam kong gulat ba siya o namamangha.