Capítulo 9: Chapter 8: Wishful Thinking
Winner by default that's what I am. I was never a gambler nor a good player, I just got lucky. There's no honor in that and there's nothing to be proud of. But since I defeated one of the players whose rank is higher than me, my rank became higher from white to yellow. Not bad for my very first battle.
Pagkatapos ng aking laban ay pupunta sana ako resting area para magpahinga at magpa-tanggal ng tama. Ngunit sa sobrang kalasingan ko ay halos hindi na ako makalakad.
My head hurts and my vision is blurry. I fell down on my knees, feeling weak and could not get up. The last thing I remembered was being carried by someone. He brought me to the resting area for players. The person who carried me sat by my side, put an ice bag on my head, and even lend me his shoulder for me to sleep. I slept for the whole day and when I woke up I was all by myself with a jacket that served as my blanket.
I stood up and walked around the Casino looking for my team members. I want to know whether their match is over or they are still playing. I can't believe I slept for the whole day. How I wish I was there to cheer and support my team. But unfortunately, I missed most of the game and only a few battles were left to play.
While walking around the casino I saw my friend Allan also known as TongITS walking fast like he is late for an appointment.
"Allan, wait!" I called out his name and catch up with him.
"Me'ann, you're awake. How are you feeling?"
"Much better now. Where are you up to?"
"To the darkroom, have you heard of it? The championship is being held there and everybody's going to witness the final battle," he said.
"Final batter? Who is competing?"
"Daredevil of Monkey Room, Joker from Snake Room, Kingpin from Ox Room, Sensei of Dragon Room and ACEofSPADE of Tiger Room," he excitedly said.
We both hurried to the darkroom. And as expected, it was really dark inside. You can hardly see the people who are present in that room. Parang sinehan lang. Hindi mo na lang namamalayan na may mga kababalaghang na palang nagaganap.
The only thing you can see there are a table and the players. They said the reason why the room was designed to be dark so that the dueler can't see the people who are watching them and avoid cheating and distraction. The area was also sealed and soundproof. The players and the competitors were far from each other. Masyadong strikto ang laban, palibhasa malaki ang pustahan ng mga sponsors.
We came in late, the best spot that is close to the battle is all taken and we are positioned at the very end of the room. I've heard that Kingpin was the first one who got eliminated, followed by Joker, next is ACEofSPADE and now, the battle was against Daredevil and Sensei.
Of all the players, Sensei was calm and relaxed. He does not show any sign of fear and concern. You cannot read what's on his mind. Though, he smiles a lot. It seems like he's enjoying the tournament and having the best time of his life. On the other hand, DareDevil shows aggressiveness. He's more focused and alert. His piercing eyes observe every move of his opponent. Both of them were tough, there's no way of telling who's going to win the game. The battle went on for another thirty minutes. Until the final draw...
Yujin is holding a pair of King a spade and a diamond, while Sensei is holding a possible royal flush an Ace and Queen of heart. Yujin raises the pot and Sensei call. The dealer draws the first card and it's the Jack of heart. Everybody was cheering and screaming. They know that Sensei has an upper hand in the game. The next card was drawn and it was the King of hearts. We all start cheering for Yujin. It's a possible quad for Yujin and Royal flush for Sensei. It's anybody's game.
We all knew that Sensei has the advantage, it is rare to have a four of a kind or quad in poker, but we are still hopeful that Yujin can pull this through. Yujin shows no sign of fear nor emotions. He knows his position in the game, but still, he manages to raise the stake and bet all of his chips. Sensei was not surprised by Yujin's action. He paused for a while and smiled. What happens next startled all of us. He threw his card and fold. It has been decided. Daredevil won the final battle.
The lights turn on and the barrier went down. We can now hear what's going on in the playing ground. Allan and I rushed down to greet Yujin when we saw Sensei went to him and shakes his hand.
Yujin just reached out his hand but did not flinch. Instead, he said something, "You could have won if only you take the game seriously."
"What can I say, you deserve it more than I do," Sensei cheerfully said and left the room.
We were all happy that our team leader won the final battle. Everybody went down, greet, and congratulated him. I wanted to come and greet him, but there are too many people surround him. I kinda feel nauseous around too many people. I'm not used to be with a large crowd. Plus, Yujin doesn't seem to be in a good mood. He may win the match, but I don't think he is satisfied with how he defeated Sensei. I decided to turn around and walk away.
"Aren't you going to congratulate him?" Allan asks me.
"Nah, there's too many people, I'll just do it later," I replied. "By the way, do you happen to know who is the owner of this jacket? I just saw this with me when I woke up."
"Maybe it was Yujin's jacket. He is the last person I saw sitting right next to you. He brought you to the resting area when you passed out," he explained.
My heart skips a beat when I heard that it was he who helped me and took care of me when I'm in my vulnerable state. I'm so glad it was him. I always wanted to be him.
Later that evening, I went to the customer service to inquire about the hotel room of Yujin, so that I can return his jacket and congratulate him on winning the game. To my surprise, his room was not in the same hotel as the rest of the players. He is staying in a mansion like a villa just across the hotel. The place is so huge. This is all because he is one of the top players. It's amazing how the ranking system works for each player. This is how the players are rewarded.
The top players have all the benefits the sponsor could offer. No wonder some players were so desperate and tried so hard to be at the top of the food chain. But, unlike DareDevil, he has this talent when it comes to gambling. He doesn't need to put much effort to be on the top.
When I reached the main door, I rang the doorbell. Shortly, he opened the door. I can almost see the inside of his room. I saw some familiar faces, they were our team's sponsors and other guests. They are celebrating his victory. The crowd and music are so loud. Mukhang exclusive party. Wala kahit isa sa mga miyembro namin ang nandoon.
"LOLLIPOP?" nagulat siya ng makita niya ako. Hindi niya inaasahan na bibisita ako sa kaniya.
"It's Me'ann."
"It doesn't matter. What brought you here?" he asks.
"I Just came by to return your jacket, thank you," I softly whispered. Nahihiya ako kaya medyo nag-pabebe ako nang slight lang.
"What? I can't hear you!"
"Gwapo ka sana bingi lang," lalo kong hininaan. Baka lumaki lang ang ulo kaya 'wag nang iparinig.
He went outside and closed the door. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"I just came by to return your jacket. Thank you for taking good care of me." Gusto paulit-ulit? Feeling ko talaga nananadya lang siya.
"It was nothing, I just did what any leader would do to his member and besides you did a good job in your match."
"I see," Bigla akong nalungkot parang ang dating ay walang personalan trabaho lang. Bigla kong naalala na kausapin siya sa nangyari sa amin para mawala na rin ang tinik na bumabagabag sa aking dibdib. "Sya nga pala, tungkol doon sa isang gabi... Iyong nangyari sa atin..." bago ko pa matapos ang sasabihin ko ay inunahan na niya kaagad ako.
"Don't worry about it. It was nothing. I'm the one to blame. You're confused about my actions," he explained. "But next time please, don't be confused or misunderstood of my kindness. I'm only doing it because you are a part of my group," he added. Biglang sumakit ang aking dibdib sa mga sinabi niya. "Every member is important to me. We are all players and we are a team, we need to work together, so it's better to keep our relationship professional."
"O-of course, that is what I am about to say anyway... thanks again and sorry to bother you," nanginginig ang boses ko habang sinasabi iyon. Pilit kong pinipigilan ang mga luha ko na pumatak sa aking mga mata. "It's getting late. I better go. Goodbye Yujin!"
Hindi ko na napigilan ang mga luha ko nang tumalikod ako sa kaniya. Bakit ang sakit? Hindi naman naging kami pero bakit para akong nakipag-break? Sa social media ko lang siya nakilala pero bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko sa kaniya? Posible bang ma-inlove sa taong nakilala mo lang online kahit hindi pa kayo gaanong magkakilala?
So many questions left unanswered. I left his place along with my broken heart. All along I thought that our relationship is more than just a member or a player, I thought his concern is a sign showing that somehow I am special to him, but I guess it was just a WISHFUL THINKING after all...
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder