GAMBLE: Rule of Cards

CHAPTER 2

“I’M GOING out,” Denton told Dennis who was busy scooping his favorite fried rice with the fried fish that he cooked. He looked at his older brother intently, suspecting anything that he is suspicious of his brother. “Why?” Denton became more conscious of his own identity that he’s doubting whether he has something on his face. “Why are you looking at me like that, brother?”

Dennis sighed. “If you think of going out to play poker and any gamble again, then I will not stop you from doing what you called it ‘games’. I just hope you would not get yourself into trouble again today.” Denton rolled his eyes while listening to his younger brother scolding him. “Go on, but I am telling you, kuya. You are a father of two and a brother to one. If you die, where will we get our foods and my tuition fee?”

Denton approached his brother and gave him two continuous taps on the head. “You really have grown up, my little brother,” he told him and gave smile. Dennis just looked at him, doubting everything his brother does. “I am not going to play poker or gamble again, from now on. I am going out to seek work to end our financial crisis.”

The younger one stood up and faced his brother. The older one looked at his brother and gave him a warm smile. “Are you sure you’re fine?” Dennis asked his brother before checking the temperature of the other’s forehead. “You don’t look like you are safe or else. You are totally fine. What is it? Are you hungry? You look too weird just now, kuya…”

Denton grabbed his brother’s hand which is checking his temperature and dropped it. “Dennis, I am totally fine.” Dennis looks like he’s in disbelief. Dennis is right, Denton sounds weird and is acting weirder. Denton is not every day like this. “I realized that I should have been working all along to provide my daughter and your needs, as the oldest guy in this house. I am basically the father of this house, so I should be earning money rather than just staying here in the house or playing poker where I just lose my money.”

Dennis looked at him. “I think you’re not that jerk to bet the savings your wife left you in this house for your daughters, am I right?” Denton has no clue, actually. He knew that his brother always has been playing poker but he has no clue that the savings are already gone. Denton looked guilty but he does not want to disappoint his brother. “Am I right, kuya? You are not the type of that extent, right? Answer me.”

“Why would I place my wife’s savings for our daughters as a bet in poker, Dennis? Hey, that’s too much for me to do,” he denied. He avoided gazes and scratched his nape. “Alright, I am already late for the interview. I should have gone already but you talked to me.” Denton looked behind him, where his two daughters are still sleeping. “I will leave Donna and Denise to you, Dennis. You do not have to leave a lunch for me because I think, finding job these days is hard. Pray for your older brother and wish him all the luck.”

“Yeah,” his brother muttered before going back to sitting on his study table. That’s how Dennis wish his brother the luck… in a cold and unbothered way. “Make sure to bring us foods for dinner. Our refrigerator has nothing in it, only charcoals. Your daughters will find you if you go home late so better come home before the clock strikes nine post meridian.”

Denton laughed at him, because of both Dennis’ wordings and maturity. Dennis and Denton are the only ones they have for each other. Their parents died in an accident on their way home. As the older brother, he promised to his parents to provide everything that Dennis needs. Before having lost his wife, he is a full-time worker which is his way of earning money for the expenses, and for Dennis’ tuition fee.

Dennis knew that his brother works a lot for him and for his two daughters, and he was thankful, for sure. The problem is he is not that showy to show his gratefulness to his older brother. He knew his brother is suffering from that loss and as he cannot show his sympathy for his brother, he just lets his brother do everything he wanted, as he assumed the addiction would be short-termed, but ended up being an obsession. The moment he noticed that Denton has been losing attention for his two daughters, he started scolding his brother who, in fact, never listened… not until now.

Denton went outside and parked a taxi. It was not that long since they are just near the center of their city where the big buildings, restaurants and other infrastructures are. He started roaming around to obtain but to his expectation, he knew it would be hard and it is indeed hard. He has been to so many companies hiring for applicants but they do not want to hire Denton who is an undergraduate of college.

He lost his parents when he was in the first year of college, and he felt the urge to just stop and just work for his family and his brother. Good thing, he worked a lot before his wife died, so he was able to bring Dennis to college. He wanted Dennis to achieve what he failed to achieve. He wanted Dennis to finish his study, which he was not able to do.

“Few companies more,” he muttered while crossing the companies he tried asking out. He was looking at his mini notebook, which he used to use to write all his tactics in poker back when he was still addicted to that gamble. He placed his pen down and grabbed the burger he bought in that fast-food chain. “There’s still many companies left… I should not give up on this thought.”

While munching his burger, he noticed an old man, entering the fast-food chain. The old guy looked around the area to find a sit but every seat was already taken. When the old guy’s eyes met his, he smiled and offered him the seat. “Thank you, son…” the old guy muttered before sitting on the seat that was offered by Denton.

Denton smiled back at the old guy before focusing on his notes more. “It just happened that I am here alone, sir,” he told the old guy who just smiled to Denton’s good intention. “Are you alone, sir? You do not have anyone you come here with?”

The old guy shook his head. “I came here alone.” He noticed that the old guy sighed and he felt worried. “I actually am just roaming around the city when I got hungry and thirsty so I came into this fast-food chain. Are the foods good here?”

The younger guy smiled and nodded. “This burger that I am eating is their best piece here, sir. This is super good when paired with a cola.” He looked at the old guy who was just staring at his foods. “These are unhealthy, I know, but these are heavenly yummy. It is not as if we know that we’ll live until tomorrow, so just let yourself feel the taste, sir. I know you would not regret trying this.”

It took a few seconds before the old guy was convinced. “Alright…”

“Let me take your order on the counter, sir. It’s not that I am saying that you do not have any money to pay for your food but let me do the honor.” Denton did not bother hearing what the granny was about to say when he walked out of his chair and went to the counter and placed the order for the old guy. It did not last long until the order was cooked, so he just waited for it on the counter. “Thank you, miss.”

He looked at the guy who looks like he’s lost, mumbling something while thoroughly holding onto his single cane he used to guide himself walking. “May God have mercy on you, son,” the old guy told him as he placed the food in front of the old guy. “I see that you are listing a lot of companies on your notes. Are you applying for a job?”

Denton embarrassingly smiled before he simply nodded. “I am, actually,” he replied. “I am finding a stable job to earn money because I spent the savings we have for my addiction which is poker without my family members knowing. I do not want to keep it as a secret to them but I know they would be so disappointed. I know it’s a weak move but I am going to tell them about this after earning enough money to replace the supposedly money in our savings. Unfortunately, I haven’t been accepted to any of the company yet but I will try again after eating.”

“Do you want to make urgent, instant money?” the old guy suddenly asked. Denton stopped and looked at the old guy. He asked himself as to how the old guy knew what he is thinking at that time. “Did I shock you? I am sorry to surprise you, young man.”

Denton raised his hand and waved it in front of the old guy. “Ah, it’s nothing, sir. I was just surprised because that is what exactly I was thinking,” Denton muttered. He grabbed his burger and munched a piece of it. “Anyway, sir, if it will not trouble you, can I ask why did you ask me if I wanted to make an urgent, instant money.”