When Love Play Its Game: GAME OF HEARTS

Game of Hearts Prologue 'Ito piso, humanap ka nang kausap mo.' 'Here's a penny, find someone to talk to.' (rough trans.) "Go, baby! That's so sexy!" I look in the direction where that voice came from. It caught my attention since it sounded too slutty—sorry for being judgmental. Add the fact that there's a huge crowd circling the area where it came. "Miss, here's your order," I look back at the food stall staff that's giving me my order. "Thank you," we both smile at one another before I take my leave. I'm honestly not fond of big crowds but I'm too curious about what's going on since the crowds also cheering so loudly. I tried my best to squeeze in and move my way until upfront. That move is really challenging since aside from protecting my chest from people's elbow, I'm also protecting my food. I took in a deep breath after I successfully got into the front. What welcomes me there is the Just Dance area for an arcade here. Why didn't I thought it might be this? I shook my head; I can't believe I went to all that trouble just to see this. I commend those brave people who can dance in such an open area—since it's located in the lobby part of the mall. But I can't handle the secondhand embarrassment from some try-hard dancers. I might sound harsh and mean and I'm really sorry for thinking that way. "So hot!" I looked in the direction it came from. It was a petite girl wearing a black crop top and rigged shorts. I know right away that it was her whom I was hearing earlier. She keeps on cheering while waving both her arms up, making the hem of her crop top reach her chest. Her chess wasn't really exposed as she's wearing a white tube underneath. But her curve is enough to catch the attention of those lustful people. Yes, from where I am, I can see those who are looking at her with malice and l**t. I shook my head, not because of her, but because of them. People are free to wear what they want, so long as they're comfortable with it. Because of her hard cheering, I can't help but look for the one she's supporting. In the middle of the crowd, two people are dancing. Both are guys, the left guy wears tight jeans with a blue top. While the right guy wears sweatpants with a white shirt. My brows went up as I watch them. No wonder there's a big crowd here, these guys are nuts! They're really good at dancing. Since I don't want to go through another trouble just to come out from here, I just stayed and watch. I watch them dance full-heartedly while eating my fries with a drink. I've been watching those two for a while now, but I still can't see their faces since I'm here right at their backs. If I know I would be watching some good show right here, I would have gone to the sides to watch better. As the song nears its end, the crowd started to get wild. Some were starting to jump while mostly started to sing along. I did neither. I can't jump because I don't want to spill my food. And I can't sing along since I don't know the song itself. Not going to embarrass me by singing the wrong lyrics. Everyone applaud after they finish dancing, even I tried to clap my right hand to my left wrist. People started to disperse. I'm also just waiting for those behind me to go so I can pass easily. "You're so good, baby!" after hearing that voice again, I can't help but look in her direction. "You should choose a different major than that Sports Science of yours." Sports Science? Same major as my August. My eyes darted to the guy wearing white shirt and sweatpants. August. August? I can help but gawk and tilt my head. What is he doing here? I thought he has a study group today since finals week is coming. My jaw drops when the crop top girl wraps her arms around his neck. And I feel like my heart is getting stab as he mimics her, only this time it was her waist. I watch as they smile so lovely at one another. How they casually brush their cheek to another. And amidst all of this, my mind went blank while my heart keeps on getting hurt. My vision started to blur. I just realized that I'm already tearing up—crying rather—when I blink, and tears started to roll down my cheeks. I started to panic and they're about to face my direction. I'm not ready to face him yet, not in this state, I can even think straight right now, and things are very vague to me. I immediately turn around and started to run. Weird. I'm quite a fast runner but my feet feel really heavy right now. I also feel like I'm about to trip any second now. When my vision started to clear out, I found myself in front of the food court on the same floor. I notice how some passerby looks at me. I wipe my cheeks and nose using the handkerchief in my pocket. I tried to look for a vacant spot here in the food court, I feel like I'm about to lose the strength on my legs at any second now. I don't understand why it has to be packed with people today. I'm starting to get irritated since I can't find a single spot where I can at least organize my thoughts. I stop beside the table where only one man is sitting. He's so busy with his coin purse and based on how to organize his things are, he might go already. "Ex—" I cleared my throat when I wasn't able to speak properly. That made him look up at me. "Sorry, but can I share a seat with you?" I asked in a low voice. I expected that he might be weirded out of me. I'm not sure how I look right now but I can guess it's not as good as I usually am. "Sure," he replied and then went back to checking his coin purse. His quick answer made me confused for a second. I sit across him. I tried to compose myself before trying to go back to what I just witness. I took a deep breath a couple of times before I finally calm myself. I swallowed hard and start to think things out. August, my boyfriend of one year, was being flirty with another woman. Those actions I witnessed plus the fact that he lied to me about having a study group today, indicate that he's cheating, right? Because there's no way he will be sweet to another girl if not. And he won't lie to me. So...he's cheating on me? My throat hurts while I'm trying so hard to hold back my tears. I can't think things out alone. I need support from someone else. I pulled out my phone from my bag and open my inbox right away. I went straight to one of those pinned messages of mine. Mandy. Mandy's my best friend. She's the only one I can think of right now, someone I can talk to. I compose a message for her. A sentence-long message but enough to tell her what's going on. To: Mandy SOS. I think I caught August cheating. What should I do? I just need to press the send button but I'm struggling to do so. Of all times I must remember her warning before, why does it have to be now? I sighed remembering those warnings she said a while back... 'Why him?!' 'Why not?' 'Misha! Out of all your suitors, you chose August? He had a history of cheating and he's known to being a flirt!' 'Mandy, people can change. Can't we give him a chance first?' 'Do you know what you're risking by giving him a chance? You're risking your heart!' 'Mandy...' 'I'm warning you, Misha, that guy won't do any good to you.' Why didn't I listen to her back then? Why did I believe that he will change for me? I shut my eyes for a second. Too late to regret things now. I don't have a choice now but to deal with the pain. I put off my phone, I can't send her that message. I know she'll know about this sooner or later but not now. Rather than some harsh criticism from her, what I need right now is someone who'll listen to me. Someone who'll try to understand me without judging. I snap out of my thought after someone knocks on the table. I look at the guy in front of me. "Sorry. I'm really sorry to ask this but do you happen to have an extra penny?" "What?" I asked absent-mindedly. My eyes widen when his question sinks in. "Oh, you need some coins?" "Just one peso coin." One peso? "Is that all you need?" I asked while getting my purse inside my bag. Is this why he was checking his coin purse since earlier? "Yes, thank you and sorry." "No. it's not a big deal." I rummage through my purse and find a five-peso coin instead. "I don't have one peso coin, but I have this." I put it in front of him. "Thank you, here's your change." My brows raises when he said those. He's really going to give me a change. "Wait," I stop him, and he looks at me. "It's fine. Just keep them. Better to have extra coins." "Oh, but I only need one peso so..." "How about..." I cut him off and stare at him. "I'll give you the five-peso coin, and you'll give five minutes of your time." "Five minutes?" I don't know what gotten into me but this idea just pops into my head. "Yes, I just need someone to listen to me to. Just five minutes. I just really need five minutes to let it out." "Sure." Like earlier, I was surprised at how fast he agrees on things. "Really?" I asked. He pulls something out, his phone. He taps on something and then puts it down on the table. I stared at the screen and saw a timer set in five minutes. I look back at him. "Press the start when you're ready." I kind of feel pressured since there are only five minutes, so I tried to compose on my head first what I want to say to him. After readying myself, I press the start button and the timer starts to tick. "I have a boyfriend, we've together for a year. Earlier this day, he said he has a study group for his upcoming exams and excuse himself for our supposed hang-out time. I was fine with it since studies are important. Then, just a while ago before I got here, I happened to come across him somewhere in the arcades. And..." I swallowed hard before continuing. I'm getting to the hardest part of this. "I saw him..." I sigh and close my eyes for a bit. I thought I already compose myself on what to share with him but giving every detail of what I saw is painful. Everything is vivid to me. I decided to just get on the point rather than detailed storytelling. "A girl wrapped her arms around his neck, and he wrapped his arms around her waist." My heart feels heavy. I suddenly felt like I can't breathe properly. "They look at one another so dearly. They even kissed." There, the lump on the throat is back. I even feel the water pooling in my eyes. I tried to swallow hard again. "He's cheating on me," I said, inaudible. I already realized this but now that my mind is clear its impact is different. I put both my arms on the table to support myself. Then, I continue talking. "I want to talk this to my best friend. But I'm afraid of her reaction. She gave me a warning several times about him, about August, but never listen. I can't talk to her right now because instead of understanding my pain, she might nag me instead. She might say: I told you so. And that's not what I need right now." I look at the guy I'm talking to. His eyes directly looking at mine made me feel he's attentively listening to every word I utter. "What I need right now is someone who'll listen to my story without judging me. Not someone who'll only listen just to criticize me." "I don't know what to do. My head is a mess right now." I can't help but grab my hair and hold it tight. "Should I confront him? Her? Should I break up with him? Or should I break them apart since he's committed to me first—" that last part made me stop. I look at the guy once again, bewildered, "What if he's committed to her first? What if he's using me as a pastime? Should I...do I really need to confront him?" the tears that's pooling in my eyes starts falling. I don't know. I don't know what to think anymore. I don't know what to do. What should I do? What can I do? I can't talk anymore and all I just did is cry silently. If not for the vibration coming from the phone on the table, I wouldn't snap out of it. With blurry eyes, I stare at the phone. It took me a while to clearly see the screen of it, the timer reaches 00:00:00. Our five-minute deal is over. I slowly leaned back with my head down, wiping the tears on my eyes and cheeks. "Thank you," I said with a shaky voice, unsure if he heard me or not. "Thank you as well," I'm still staring down but I can tell that he's getting up. The sound of the chair skidding on the floor made my hair stood on end. I'm sobbing at the same time trying to compose myself and when I felt a presence on my side. I slowly look up and it's still the same guy. I watch as he puts down a coreless tissue in front of me. "I kind of feel bad leaving you like this, but I really need to go home." I shake my head, "You're not obliged to stay with me." I kind of feel guilty because I give him unnecessary concerns. "The five-minute listening is over. So, I guess I can speak my mind now?" I stare at him, confuse, what is he talking about? "Break up with him. Staying in that toxic relationship won't do you any good. You'll only grant him access to hurt you even more." He marches his way out. And I was left there, thinking, I want to break up with him now.