THE CHESS GAME

05: BLACKIES AND WHITIES

"YOU ARE all here for a purpose—and that is to prepare for the traditional game and battle called the Chess Game." The 80-year old man spoke on the stage. He is Master Herod. The leader of the Shah City.

We are now here gathered inside the AVR. And guess what? The Blacks are also here who's always been giving us death glare. They are on the other group of chairs to our left.

Veah sat next to me here at the back portion and as expected, Lori is in front, with Josh next to her.

If you asked how's our relationship with Josh now, all I can say is we're on good terms... I guess. That was already 2 years ago and we are no longer teenagers that long before can totally move on. We are mature enough to understand things.

Back to the man who spoke, he's the very reason for all the happenings in this city. He is the reason why we should need to play the game.

"And for you to win, you all should train as hard as you could. The future living of your community lies in your hands." Herod went on. "You are both in one academy but Blacks and Whites have different training grounds to be trained on. Your teachers are just coming from your community and you all should follow them." Suddenly a man goes in his direction and whispered something to him. He then looked at his wristwatch and spoke. "At this moment, I will give the microphone to the staff. He will tell you the rules and regulations here. Thank you, and God Bless."

Only a few clapped its hand after Herod goes down from the stage and walks away. I am one of those who did not clap because he doesn't deserve that. All of the things he said are purely stupid. He is deserving of our claps.

"Now, I will tell you the rules and regulations." the man in his 40's spoke next. "Since you, both are in the same place, and we all know that you have undeniable grudges to one another, hurting each other before and after the actual game is strictly prohibited."

Well, I don't have any grudges for the Blacks. Maybe to some Whites just like Lori who overly praised her role as a Queen. Did she manage to belittle and bully us, right? How much more to the Blacks.

"But, Blacks and Whites are allowed to mingle with each other. Well, it is up to you unless no killing shall take place. Because if ever you do, you already know what will happen next." he continued. We just silently listening. "Next, you are not allowed to go out in this Academy. You can only see your family again on a day before the game." he went on. "Besides the open field, you can see a door there. That door leads you all to a mini-park and there, you can do whatever you want like buying stuff, food, or anything. We will give you each a card. This card contains 20,000 pesos for all of you to utilize for 20 days. The card is the thing you will give to the vendors if you are buying something. Use it accordingly. And yes, you heard it right, 20 days. Your training here will last for 20 days and the day after that day will be the game."

With folded arms, I listened to him. Maybe if this is something else, I will be glad. Twenty thousand in 20 days is very damn good. But nah, the outcome of this will be very tragic and worst. After 20 days, I can either be still alive or died.

There are still have so many things they told us. They gave us already the cards. They introduce to us the Chess Officials in both communities. We get to know the Black's King, Queen, Knights, Bishops, and Rooks. Veah was right when she said that the girls and boys have roles equally divided.

At least in this game, equality and fairness are visible. I mean, the standard number... not to the end processes.

After how many words that the speakers have said, we are adjourned and they let us do whatever we want for now. They said that tomorrow is the start of our first day. Chess, History, and Training classes are what we will study here.

We let first the Blacks go out to the AVR before we follow. Soon after we left the AVR, we stopped because Lori suddenly spoke.

"Hi, Blackies!" she shouted, smiling to the Blacks slightly ahead of us.

All of them came to halt and gently looked at us. They are headed by a tall man, their King as what I've remembered. He had no expression on his face while his colleagues are glaring at us intensely.

"What do you want, Whities?" the girl sarcastically replied. She's their Queen. The black circle on their foreheads is visible to our sight.

"Ouch, Whities? That sounded like a dog," Lori responded, sarcastically.

I already wanted to stop her but I can't because seems like they are enjoying it. Well, except for Veah, Blyth, Rosy, and... Regliah. Until now I doubted Regliah's kind act towards me.

"Perhaps, you are more likely the dogs here---opps! Sorry." Lori went on, covering her mouth as if she did not mean it. My colleagues laugh hard after hearing Lori's line.

"How dare---" their Knight---if my memory serves right---wanted to talk back but the tall man stops him.

"We don't want trouble." the tall man, their King, remain calm.

"We are not creating trouble here, either. As you can see, our Queen here just stating the fact." Gina pretentiously said, touching her braided hair again as she always does.

"Right, girl... and besides," Lori spoke. "You are very fortunate that we, from White Community, rich people, are the ones who made a conversation to a people from a Black Community, like you all. Right, Josh?" she shifted her gaze to Josh, and the latter just nod.

"Fortunate? We felt otherwise." their Queen talk back. "It is not in our vocabulary to talk to all of you. Hypocrites and egocentric people."

Our colleagues just laugh sarcastically. I and Veah can't help but exchanging our glances.

"Well, we can't blame you for that. You did not experience the richness of life that we experienced now," replied Lori with a sweet smile.

"And we will make sure that this is the last year you will experience that. Might as well savor that moment." their Queen said firmly. Her tantalizing eyes scrutinizing us.

"Oh? Scary..." Lori responded, sarcastically. "Well, good luck then. Train well, and don't break your bone." then she turned around. Her bangs slightly bounced. "Let's go, Whites." then she waved her hand. "Bye, losers---oh, I mean Blacks. Bye, Blacks."

They kept on laughing as we headed towards our dorm. I looked at the Blacks first and I saw that their King is looking at me with blank expressions. I smiled at him awkwardly but the latter just turned his back and walk away.

Dumbfounded, I just sighed and follow my comrades instead.

♨️♨️♨️

I NEVER THOUGHT that there is a rooftop here in our dorm.

I was just left in our dorm because others decided to go to the mini-park. Veah invited me but I refused because I just wanted to rest. When I went to the last portion of our dorm, I saw a door. I thought that that was another bedroom but when I opened it, I saw a stair that leads me toward this rooftop.

And there it goes, I am now here sitting while enjoying the view of the whole White Community. Chaturanga Academy is located at the Sentro. Imagine a triangle: the base represents the Sentro while the sides represent Black and White communities.

Probably, the Black's dorm also has a rooftop. Our dorms are on both ends of the Academy and so, possibly, they will also see the Whole view of the Black Community.

"I thought you also go with them."

My head automatically turns to my left side. And there, I saw a man who is standing right after the other stair. His long hair swayed as the wind passed by him.

It's Josh.

♨THE CHESS GAME♨