Game of Cards

Game of Cards - Prologue   Only the students knew about the card game that’s been happening in the academy. The teachers, janitors and school staff have no idea about this on-going game.   The Game of Cards. That’s what they call it. What will you do if something very meaningful and important to you gets taken away from you just because of a transferee?   She has the King card. The highest-ranked card. But now, she has the joker. Which means, she became the target.   Do you want to play, the game of cards? Chapter 1: ‘Xia’ Card High. Ang natatanging paaralan kung saan nag-eexist ang caste game. Simply called as the game of cards. Bawat section ay may sariling King at Joker.   The King Card, ranked as the highest card of the class. Pwedeng babae ang makakahawak ng rank sa King card as long as siya ang nakahanap sa King card. The holder of the King card has the jurisdiction to rule the whole class.   And the Joker, also known as the lowest-ranked card. Kung sino man ang nakahawak nito ay siya ang magiging target ng klase. The holder of this card will be bullied until the next selection. Lahat ng fourth year section sa Card High ay mayroong sariling card color. Just like section Black. And speaking of section Black, this year’s King card holder, Xia Jean Chiso.   Xia Jean Chiso was someone that would blend in with a crowd because of how quiet she was. Long straight hair, eyes that looked like it had no soul. Pale skin, plump lips and she had quite long lashes that most girls envied. She is silent, but her aura is already intimidating. Almost everyone thinks that the game of cards is hard to explain, but for Xia, the game is simple. You just have to find the King card and avoid the Joker card. But even though it was just a game, everyone took it seriously.   This game of cards was made by the student council. Hindi ito alam ng mga school-staff. Only students should know about this game. Only students.   Kasalukuyang nakaupo si Xia sa upuan niya at nakatingin sa labas ng bintana at napalingon lang siya sa pinto at nakita niya ‘yung dalawang 10-card holder na may hawak-hawak na lalake. They were bullying the joker. “Bullying the joker without my consent?” Mahinahong tanong ni Xia kaya agad na nawala ang ngiti ng mga lalaking may hawak sa joker.   “Hindi ka ba sanay sa larong ‘to?” Tanong ni Xia na parang pabulong na. Umabot na siya ng fourth year, hindi pa parin alam kung paano ang takbo ng laro. Isip ni Xia at naghalukipkip na.   “Xia! Mukhang bibigay na ‘tong joker natin!” Natatawang sabi nung isang 10-card holder. Tumaas lang ang kilay ni Xia at tsaka dahan-dahang naglakad papunta dun sa joker ng hawak nung mga lalake. Ginamit niya ang dulo ng sapatos niya para iangat ang mukha nung joker. Napalunok naman ‘yung mga 10-card holder dahil sa ginawa ni Xia. She wasn’t usually into the bullying stuff but it seems like Xia was ready to play the game today.   “Ano? Kaya mo pa?” Walang ganang tanong ni Xia sa joker. “I bet it sucks to be a joker, huh?” Tanong niya ulit. Binuka naman nung joker ang bibig niya at napasinghap ang lahat dahil sa sunod na ginawa nito. The joker spitted on Xia’s shoe. Xia is silent but she had a temper. A very dangerous temper.   Walang pasabing sinipa agad ni Xia ang mukha nung joker at tsaka siya pasimpleng naglakad papunta sa upuan niya at umupo na dito. “Xia! Anong gagawin namin dito?” Tanong nung mga 10-card holder na parang natataranta pa.   “Beat him until he bleeds. And get someone to clean my shoe.” Walang gana niyang sabi at agad namang tumango ‘yung dalawa at umalis na. Umirap lang si Xia at inis na tiningnan ang sapatos niya.   “I guess sineserysoso mo narin ang larong ‘to, Xia.” Dahan-dahang tumingin si Xia sa lalaking nakayoko sa harap niya habang pinupunasan ng tissue ang sapatos niya. It was Kazu.   “‘San ka galing?” Tanong ni Xia dito. Kazu is the Jack. Which means that he can be close to the King to the fact na close naman talaga sila ni Xia ever since this game started. Kazu is Xia’s best friend in Card High. “Galing ako sa canteen,” sagot nito.   “May dala kang pagkain?” Tanong naman ni Xia sa kanya.   “No. If you want to eat. Buy your own food,” sagot ni Kazu kaya umirap lang si Xia. Xia even hissed but Kazu was unfazed. “In case your forgot, I’m the King card holder,” sabi ni Xia kaya tumayo na si Kazu sabay tinapon ng tissue na hawak niya at tumingin ulit kay Xia.   “This is just a game, Xia. Don’t take it too seriously on me,” sagot ni Kazu at hinila nalang si Xia papunta sa canteen pero bago pa sila makalabas ay may tumawag muli kay Xia. “Xia!” Xia immediately stopped on her tracks at lumingon sa white board. Nakatayo sa tapat nun ang Queen card holder. And this year, lalake ang nakahanap ng Queen card sa section Black.   “What?” Tanong ni Xia.   “This one tried to tell the dean about the game,” sabi nito kaya agad na naningkit ang mga mata ni Xia at kaya na siya lumapit dun sa babaeng nakayoko sa tabi ng Queen card holder. She’s a 7-card holder. A low-ranked card. Mas lalong nanginig ‘yung babae nung nakalapit na si Xia sa kanya. Xia just smiled at patted her shoulders kaya parang nabunutan siya ng tinik pero agad ring napasigaw nung nakatikim siya ng isang sampal mula kay Xia at tsaka na siya kinuwelyuhan nito.   “Alam mo naman siguro kung anong mangyayari sa mga taong lumalabag sa rules ng GOC, diba?” Tanong ni Xia kaya agad namang tumango-tango ‘yung babae. The game of cards has written rules, and whoever disobeys the rules, sa emergency room ang bagsak nito. At kung ayaw namang sumali ng isang estudyante sa laro, they will directly be the Joker/target by default.   “Xia, let’s go.” Hihilain na sana ni Kazu si Xia pero tinabig niya lang ‘yung kamay nito. “Xia, come on. This is just a game,” sabi ni Kazu pero tumingin na si Xia sa kanya dahilan para matahimik siya.   “Yes, this a just a game. And I’m very good at playing it.” Pasimpleng sabi ni Xia at tsaka na tumingin sa mga kaklase niya. Xia really don’t want to use her power and authority just because of a 7-card holder, pero malaki ang kasalanan nito. She tried to expose the game, which was a major offense. And if Xia does nothing, Xia will be in trouble too mula sa kabilang sections. Napairap nalang si Xia.   “9 card. 8 card and other middle card holders na lalaki..” Mahina niyang sambit at agad namang nagsitayuan ang mga ‘to at tsaka lumapit kay Xia. “Hubaran niyo siya.”   “Wooh!” “Thank you, Xia!” “Oh, yeah! It’s ripping time!” Napapikit nalang si Kazu at sinapo ang noo niya. She’s taking it seriously again. Isip ni Kazu at inilabas nalang ang headphone niya at nagpatugtog na pero natigilan agad siya dahil sa taong nakita niya malapit sa pinto.   “Dude, why are you here?” Agad niyang tanong dito habang may malaking ngiti sa mga labi niya.   “I just moved in to the neighborhood,” sagot nung lalake sa kanya. “Huh! Yeah. The neighborhood. Pero paaralan ‘to. Bakit ka nandito?” Natatawang tanong ni Kazu.   “Just visiting you, I guess?” Sagot nung lalake kaya ngumisi lang si Kazu at tsaka na nilapitan ‘yung lalake at nakipag-fist bump dito.   “Okay, that’s enough!” Sabay silang napalingon nung lalaki sa gawi ni Xia dahil sa inutos nito. “Is that her?” Tanong nung lalake at umangat lang ang gilid ng labi ni Kazu at tsaka tumango-tango.   “Yes, that’s her. Section black, King card holder – Xia Jean Chiso.”