Smiles and Untamed Hearts

Panalo Pa Rin

[Zyra's POV]

Sobrang bilis ng takbo ng oras. Mula apat ay isang kalaban na lamang ang natira na kaharap ko. The three black market funders left right after they lost all their money against me.

Habang ang kaharap ko... walang planong sumuko. The bags of money under my desk are running half a billion. Sobrang init ng laban sa mesa namin na yung karamihan ay nagsitigil para lang manood.

"Debts are not allowed here... I supposed?" Nakangising kinuha ko ang nakatuping mga pera sa harapan niya papunta sa aking harap. Sumulyap ako kay Castiel at agad niyang binuksan ang isa sa mga bag para saluhin ang mga pera.

"You can bet... other things." Sobrang nakakabingi ang katahimikan. The tension scattering inside the warehouse makes my heart aches in pleasure.

"Like properties?"

"I don't like properties, lands, trust funds. I already have too much of those, Mr. Sakagauchi. You can just bet whatever you have right now... less hassle." Nagsalubong ang kilay niya dahil sa pagkalito.

"You already won, Miss Howell. What else do you want?"

"Gusto mo pang maglaro, hindi 'ba? You can bet on what's on your hand." Kibit-balikat ko. Mr. Sakaguchi and even the other gamblers looked at his hand in confusion.

"Are we talking about air, Miss Howell? Tumatanggap ka ng hangin na taya?" Lahat sila ay napatawa sa hirit ni Mr. Sakaguchi pero nananatili akong nakangisi.

"Come on, there is more than just air on your hands. Look closely. I want one or maybe some... of those." Ininguso ko ang nakabuka niyang kamay at paunti-unti ay napaawang ang kanyang mga labi nung mapagtanto niya kung ano ang ibig kong sabihin.

"You want my fingers?"

"With or without an s, it's fine with me."

"What?! Are you psychotic–"

"Ako, tataya ako." Someone from the audience interrupted. The guy that was also part of the table earlier stepped out.

"Ako rin."

"Game on. I'll win for sure this time."

.

"My gosh, Suviske! Where are you planning to put all those bags? Hindi pa ba napupuno ang kwarto mo?" Histerikal na bungad ni Mom dahil umabot ng isang dosenang bag ang bitbit ng mga tauhan ko ngayon papasok ng bahay.

"Almost."

"Magkano ba ngayon ang nakuha mo at napakadami naman yata."

"A billion and a half or three, then six fingers... I think?"

"S-six fing... six fingers? What do you mean by fingers?!" Nakatabon ang magkabilang palad ko sa tenga habang papasok.

"Gamblers will bet anything for the sake of pleasure, Danilyn. Don't be such an actress!" Irap ko at diretsong naglakad papuntang kusina.

"How did you manage to cut those fingers?"

"The host there has a sharp blade with a short handle... it looks like a scrape, I don't know. Parang ginagamit sa wood carving but in a larger size. Tsaka, hindi ako ang nagputol. The players voluntarily offered me their fingers"

"And you let Ignimus watch?"

"I wasn't forcing him! He was there, watching with eyes wide-open. He was watching with full interest. Now, can you please shut up? Stop getting into my nerves! Argh!" Naiiritang sabat ko at tiningnan ang mga nakahain. Bahagyang napanguso dahil roasted chicken at lamb ang nakahain.

Napabuntong-hininga ako at napaayos ng tayo. "Roasted chicken and lamb are ideally for dinner. Nasaan ang mga bagong maids?"

Napalunok si Danilyn at natataranta akong nilapitan. "Ako na lang ang magluluto. Ano ba ang gusto mo?" Napakunot ang noo ko dahil sa kanyang reaksyon.

"Ano pa ang silbi ng mga maids kung ikaw din naman pala ang magluluto. Where are they anyway? Wala akong makitang kasambahay simula kahapon."

"Leave them, Suviske. You've been causing fire to target the maids since you were seven. You're 19 and that's enough! Besides, the maids doesn't have any idea about the proper meals to be served in a specific meal time."

"Then, why not educate them? Argh, I'll just cook my own breakfast then."

Mabilis na inagaw ni Danilyn ang sandok bago ko pa mahawakan. "Nah uh! I know just exactly how things will go if you're near a fire. Sa salas na lang kayo ni Ignimus maghintay, ako na ang bahala."

"No, I want to cook my own breakfast."

"Suviske, please! The kitchen just got fixed."

"Fine!"

.

"Hindi tayo aalis?" Tanong ni Castiel nang alas otso na at nasa may portiko pa rin ako, naglalaro ng pusoy nang mag-isa.

"We'll rest for awhile, malapit na ang starting ng klase. By the way, nakapag-enroll ka na ba?"

Umupo siya sa tabi ko pero hindi ko pinansin at mabilis na kumuha muli ng panibagong set ng cards para laruin.

"Oo, noong nakaraang linggo pa."

"Sa East University ka rin mag-aaral?" Tanong ko pero hatalang hindi interesado dahil sa sobrang atensyon na binibigay ko sa mga baraha.

"East University? Hindi," he chuckled while shaking his head.

"Then, saan?"

"Sa may state university lang." Napataas ang kilay ko sa responde niya at napaayos ng upo. Sigurado akong sobrang yaman nila at hindi ako makapaniwala na sa isang state university lang siya mag-aapply. Heck, his parents could even send him abroad to study.

"Seriously? Why?"

"I've been attending private schools since nursery. I want to try something different." Kibit-balikat niya.

Such a lame reason

"I heard from Mom that you attended KPA when you were in high school." Tumango ako.

"And you used to be the Student Council Secretary? Can't believe it. I honestly perceived you as someone who doesn't like to be binded with the rules."

Well, as if I had a choice

"I don't like school but being the KPA's secretary, it's the only role I have taken seriously. I'm actually a rule-obeyer and I hate rulebreakers. Kahit sa pagsusugal, pinakakontra ko ay mga cheaters."

Tipid siyang napangiti habang tumatango. "That's why you are always confident to show everyone that you're not hiding any cards."

"Because I'm not hiding anything." I boldly said and it made him chuckle.

"Based from your stories and even your family's reaction, all those banning from the casinos and duffle bags that I've seen... have you ever lost?"

The corner of my lips is rising a bit because of his question... it's quite tricky.

"Lost? Yes, I do. Natatalo rin ako sa mga laro pero bumabawi ako kinabukasan kaya panalo pa rin iyun para sa akin." Mayabang kong sagot. Sumulyap ako sa kanya at natigilan nang makitang nakatitig siya sa akin. Mapupungay ang kanyang mga mata at bahagya ring nakaawang ang kanyang mga labi.

"But why, Zyra? Why does it seem to me thay you're unhappy? Despite all the card games and casinos you've conquered?"