Game Of Life: Volume 2

13. The Dumb

Eivel

The Banker averted his gaze from me as if nothing happened. He then continued looking at the next player.

Tanging pag-ismid na lang ang nagawa ko. A freaking dumb Banker.

̵-̷-̷-̸-̶-̵-̸-̶

All the players finished our first turn. Lahat kami ay nagkaroon ng property maliban lang kay Kid na nasa kulungan pa rin.

Teetsi got the Oriental avenue, a light blue property, that costs 100$ for only 30$.

Gia got the Virginia Avenue, a pink property, that costs 160$ for only 60$.

Mason got Connecticut Avenue, also a light blue property, that costs 120$ for only 50$.

While Sage and I got St. Charles Place, a pink property, and Kentucky Avenue, a red property that only costs 140$ and 220$ for freaking 170$ and 300$.

Ni wala pa sa kalahati ng kabuoan ang siningil ng Banker sa mga kalaro namin pero sobra-sobrang ang siningil niya sa team ko. And a bad thing is that Gia got a pink property, the same as Sage. 

If we can't have that property, then we can't double the rent for the pink properties. I'm sure, balak din nilang kunin ang pink na property ni Sage.

Napaismid ako. I really need to think of a solution fast... if we don't want to get bankrupt.

"So, do you want to turn a card, or pay for you to get out of jail?" Tanong ng Banker sa kasama kong nasa kulungan.

Hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Kid habang nakatingin sa kaniya. Kusa siyang napalingon sa direksyon ko na para bang hinihintay ang isasagot ko.

I heaved a sigh before glancing at the Game General. "We'll pay 50$." Deretsong sagot ko.

He smirked. "70$"

"Tsk, fine."

Pagtapos kong sabihin 'yon ay nabawasan ang piggybank ni Kid ng 70$. Parang bula ring nawala ang mga bakal na nakapalibot sa kaniya.

"You're next." Muling sambit sa 'kin ng Banker.

Walang ekspresyon kong kinuha ang dalawang dice sa harapan ko. Malalim muna akong huminga bago alugin sa palad ko ang dalawang dice at ihagis ito sa board.

As if the dice rolled in slow mo as I watched it stop. 

3 and 1. 4 steps.

Nalipat ang tingin ko sa pang-apat na space mula sa 'kin. Hindi ko pinahalata, pero mabilis akong nakaramdam ng pagkahinayang nang makitang may naka-pwesto na sa space na 'yon.

It's the Virginia Avenue, Gia's property.

Pasimple akong napaismid. Nagsimula akong maglakad papunta sa property niya. She's not even trying to hide her hideous expression and smirk.

"You landed on another player's property! You need to pay a rent!" Malakas na bigkas ng Banker.

Iritado akong umiwas ng tingin. Shit. Virginia Avenue, as far as I can remember, the rent here is 12$-

"50$." Biglaang sambit ng babaeng kaharap ko.

Kunot noo akong humarap sa kaniya. "Huh?" I said, irritated.

"50$. 50$ for your rent." Inilahad niya ang kamay niya sa akin.

Hindi ako makapaniwalang napabuga ng hangin. "The heck? It's written on the property card. The rent is only 12$." 

"So? It's my property now. I'll decide how much the rent is." Tinapunan niya ng tingin ang Banker. "That's fine, right?"

The Banker smiled as he clapped. "Yup! As long as it's not higher than the half of the price of the property, you can decide how much the rent is!" 

She looked at me once again, with her teasing look. "See? You're lucky that I'm just charging you 50 bucks, you should pay me 80$. Now pay."

Alam kong nasa amin ang lahat ng atensyon ng mga players ngayon. Nanatili akong nakatayo sa harapan niya habang hinihintay niya 'kong magbayad.

Ano pang silbe ng property card kung hindi rin naman pala ito nasusunod? 

Monopoly my shit... this game is definitely a...

Snake and Ladders.

Hinabol ko ang mga mata ng babaeng kaharap ko na hindi mawala ang ngisi sa labi. And right now, in front of me is a snake.

I just can't help but to laugh at the situation.

"W-What the- are you doing to pay or not?!-"

"Half of the price... huh?" I smirked. "30$, I'll pay you 30$ then."

Her forehead furrowed. "HUH?"

"What? It's not exceeding the amount of half of the price of this property. You bought this for 60$, remember?"

Natameme siya sa sinabi ko at hindi nakasagot. Tanging pagngisi lang ang sinagot ko sa kaniya. 30$ is still too much. After all, the rent was only 12$. But it's still better than paying her 50 freaking bucks to a property she bought for only 60$.

Even the Banker himself has nothing to say. Kumuha lang siya 30$ galing sa piggybank ko. Taas noo kong tinignan ang babaeng kaharap ko.

Freaking snake.

"You're next." Pag-iiba ng Banker.

Nalipat ang atensyon sa lalaking susunod na magro-roll ng dice. Seryoso kong tinapunan ng tingin si Sage. He rolled his dice and it landed on 6 and five. 11 spaces.

We watched him walk towards that 11th space and all of us waited for the property to show. Mabilis na nakuha ang atensyon ko ang nakasulat sa property niya.

Park place. A dark blue property. It's a bit pricey but it's definitely worth it. Yet, my excitement didn't lasted. Ang ikinakabahala ko ay ang Banker. 

Nalipat ang tingin ko sa maliit na lalaki na nasa gitna, ang Game General. Paniguradong mas malaki ang isisingil niya kay Sage!

 "Oh! A nice property you got there! So, are you-"

"Banker." 

Nahinto sa pagsasalita ang Banker nang sumingit dito si Sage. Lahat ng atensyon namin ay naagaw niya.

"To be honest..." Nakayuko si Sage habang nagsasalita. "I really think you're awesome."

I was taken aback by what he said. Kahit ang iba rin ay napa-angat ang mga kilay sa narinig.

I might be surprised at first, but I immediately realized what he's trying to do.

"You're so cool... and I really look up on you." Dahan-dahang umangat ang tingin ni Sage. "That's why I'm wondering... can I be your friend?! I really wanted to be your friend!"

Nagsiawang ang mga bibig ng mga manlalaro sa loob ng silid. I showed a smile.

I watched Sage as he act. I can't believe that he's actually doing this, but knowing him and his love for playing games and winning... he'll definitely do this.

Natulala ang Banker sa narinig. Dahan-dahan, lumabas din ang reaksyon niya sa mukha. Hindi niya magawang maitago ang sayang nararamdaman niya ngayon.

What can I expect? The Banker is the Dumb.

"Of course! And as a token of our friendship, I'll give you this property for free!"

✘✘✘