Cleopatra's Firsts

Chapter Seven: Tournament

Everyone is cheering for their favorite pair. And the crowd's favorite is Exodus and Violet. And of course, among the crowd were their number one fans, their kids.

"Are you okay?" Mom asks as I sit beside her on a bench.

"A little nervous. I am not used to having a crowd around me."

"It's fine, baby. You can get used to it. Go now. I think Isaiah is looking for you." She pointed in Isaiah's direction.

I pouted. "Do you think this is a good idea, Mom? Me with him?"

"Your doctor suggested it; then, I don't see any problem at all."

I stood up and give mom a peck on her cheek. "I'll see you later."

"Enjoy the game. And be sports, please," mom said jokingly.

I walk towards the bench where Isaiah is sitting. He was busy with his phone.

"Is Hyacinth around?" I ask curiously as I sat beside him.

"She's on her way. Why?" he said, putting his phone away.

"Just asking."

He didn't respond after that, so I decided to be with Violet and Exodus instead. Their company is not boring like Isaiah. Plus they are more comfortable to be with than Isaiah, who is very cold and distant. Even when it is already our turn to play, he is still not saying anything to me.

"Do you have a problem with me?" galit na tanong ko.

"No, why are you mad?" kunot-noong balik tanong nito.

"I don't know. You're just making me mad. That's all."

Nagulat ako nang bigla itong ngumiti. He had the kind of smile that stopped you in your tracks. My anger vanishes, and my heart beats fast. I know I wasn't supposed to feel that way. I know the fact that getting attracted to someone with a fiancee is very wrong. That's totally a red flag. I can still find someone with a beautiful smile with no strings attached.

Mabilis akong tumakbo palayo dito.

"H-hey wait!" I heard him calling after me, but I refused to turn around. I'm afraid I might say something that could ruin everything.

Hindi ko namalayan na may makakasalubong pala siyang may bitbit na tray na pagkain. It was already too late for me to avoid him. His body is stronger than mine, so I'm the one who went flying backward. To make things worse, many people notice the commotion, and they are now looking at me with concern.

Before any of them offered me a hand, mabilis na akong bumangon sa pagkakatumba at lumabas ng arena.

"Miss!"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm fine! I don't need help."

"I know. I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

Nilingon ko ito. The man in front of me has the most attractive smile I'd ever seen. Not to mention his handsome face. I guess he must get used to women getting awed by his face.

"Apology accepted. Bye." Mabilis na naglakad na ako palayo dito.

"Wait."

Hindi ko na siya nilingon sa pangalawang pagkakataon.

"For Violet and Exodus!"

I drank the whole glass of wine that I took from Genesis.

"Hey! You're here too."

Napaangat and ulo ko nang may biglang nagsalita sa aking tabi. When I look up, I suddenly recognized his face.

"You're here too," I said.

"Yes, I wanted to celebrate with the victors. Anyways, congratulations. That was a good game."

"Thanks."

"So, what's your name?"

"Cleopatra"

"Like the Ptolemaic Queen?"

"As a matter of fact, yes."

"I wonder who's telling the truth. Zeke or you."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Zeke said your name is Samirah."

"That's my Muslim name. My birth name is Cleopatra."

"Wow!" He said, smiling. "You're a Muslim?"

"Was. Who are you?" nilapit ko ang mukha ko dito. I did that whenever I want someone to feel uncomfortable. But it seems like this guy is different.

"I'm Phoenix, by the way."

"Like the immortal bird?" pangongopya ko sa tono nito kanina.

"As a matter of fact, yes."

"So, why are you here, Phoenix?"

"Someone invited me here," sabi nito sabay pitik sa ilong ko.

I flinched, "What was that for?"

"Your nose is sweating," nakangiting saad nito sabay taas ng kaniyang kanang kamay.

Agad na hinarang ko ang kamay nitong papalapit sa aking mukha.

"Don't," mariing saad ko.

Nagkibit-balikat lang ito. Maya't-maya lang ay napansi ko na nag-iba ang facial expression nito. Nanlaki ang mga mata nito habang naktingin sa direksyon ko.

"What's your problem?' tanong ko dito sabay lingon sa aking likuran. Kasabay nang pagharap ko ay may biglang tumama na matigas na bagay sa aking mukha. Bigla akong napahawak sa aking umiinit na labing tinamaan ng kung anong matigas na bagay.

Nakita kong nagulat din si Phoenix sa bilis ng pangyayari. Hawak ang dumudugong kong labi ay nilingon ko kung saan nanggaling ang sapatos na tumama sa aking mukha.

Sa gitna ng mga nagkakasiyahan na panauhin ay may nakatayo na isang batang babae. Hawak-hawak pa nito ang kapareha ng sapatos na lumipad at tumama sa aking mukha.

Galit na nilapitan ko ito.

"What do you think you are doing?" Tanong ko sabay hila sa sapatos na nasa kamay nito.

She just gave me her meanest look.

"Where are your parents?"

Noon naman ay biglang may lumapit na babae dito. Mabilis nitong hinila ang bata patungo sa kanyang likuran.

"Who are you? And what do you think you are doing with my daughter?"

Taas noong tumayo ako at sinalubong ang tingin nito. I am studying the woman's reaction.

"Your daughter threw her shoes at my face!"

Tumaas ang kilay nito. "Do you have a proof, that it's my daughter?"

This woman is getting me mad but my instinct told me to relax. Pinagmasdan ko ang kabuuan ng babae. She is rich, I am sure of it. Hindi lang niya alam kung gaano ito kayaman. Only rich people have that money to buy tickets for Lopez' tournament.

I handed her her daughter's shoe. "This is a proof. Isn't this hers?"

Bumuka ang bibig nito para magsalita pero agad din nitong isinara iyon.

"I will call my husband!"

"You don't need to call him. I just need an apology and a first aid for this," sabay turo sa dumudugo kong labi.

"I will not apologize to someone like you!" mariing sagot ng babae sa akin.

That triggers my patience. Biglang nararamdaman ko na lang na gusto ko itong ibalibag. Napansin naman siguro nito ang pagbabago sa aking mukha kaya agad itong umatras ngunit nahawakan ko na ito sa kamay. Akma ko na sanang baliin ang kamay nito nang may biglang humawak sa kamay ko. Si Phoenix.

"I think we need to go," sinenyasan ako nito na tingnan ang aking paligid. Lahat ay nakatingin na sa akin at 'yong iba ay nagrerecord pa sa kanilang cellphone ng pangyayari.

"She can't go," mabilis na sigaw ng babae. "Someone, call a police and arrest this woman!"

Sa sobrang inis ko ay naitulak ko ito. "If someone will get arrested, it should be you! Your daughter hit me and you don't want to apologize because of what? Because you are rich?"

"What if I am?! My husband is the vice mayor of this city. And you should know that!"

Hindi na ako nagulat dito. "Then people should wake up to the truth that you, as a wife of their vice mayor are afraid to apologize to common people because you think you are better than us. People like you don't deserve a sh*t!"

"How dare you!" galit na wika nito sabay duro sa akin.

Lalapitan ko pa sana ito nang mula sa kumpol ng mga tao ay biglang lumabas at pumagitna si Violet.

"Sam, come on let's go."

"Violet! Do you know that woman?" mataas ang boses na tanong ng babae.

I saw Violet raise her eyebrows.

"Yes, Mrs. Vice Mayor."

"Is she your visitor? Do you know what she did to me and my daughter?"

"Oh, I saw everything, and I'm a bit sad, my cousin didn't break your fake face," Violet said sarcastically as she held my hand.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng babae sa sinabing ito ni Violet.

"How dare you, Violet! My husband sponsored your tournament-"

"I didn't beg for it, Mrs! Besides, that was the people's money from tax. The tournament itself is a project of my cousin here in Almeria, which you don't know is our mayor!"

Humarap si Violet sa mga tao. "Thank you, everyone, for coming here today! The money we get from the tournament will be given to the orphanage in the city."

Pumalakpak ang lahat na nando'n.

Violet smiled sweetly at me. "Come on, Samirah let's apply first aid to your wound."

It was Hyacinth who took care of my bruised lower lip. She was watching a movie with Isaiah and other guys I don't recognize.

"A child did this to you?" asked Hyacinth. I caught a smile on her lips.

"Is my bloody lip makes you happy?"

Hyacinth dab a cotton ball on my lip.

"I just can't believe Mrs. Rico didn't break a single bone."

"And you prefer if she did?"

Napalakas siguro ang boses ko kaya tumingin sa amin ang mga naroroon. Tumayo si Isaiah at nilapitan ang girlfriend nito. I rolled my eyes.

"Thanks for the time," tinabig ko ang kamay ni Hyacinth.

And then, I grab my cap from the table and went in the direction of the stairs.

"Don't get it wet," pahabol ni Hyacinth sa akin.

"How am I supposed to drink?" I shouted back.

"Use a straw."

"Alright, genius!"

Nakasalubong ko sa hallway ang aking kapatid na si Alexander. May kasama itong magandang babae.

I nod my head when Alexander's eyes and mine met.

"Have you gotten to a fight again?" he asks.

I smirked, "Relax, lover boy. It's not what you think it is."

"Then what is it?"

"Are you sure you have time?" I nod in the direction of his companion.

Tumikhim ito. "She's Alexandria's dorm mate in college."

Napakunot ang noo ko, "What is she doing here?"

"W-we err- She watched the tournament."

"Okay. I have to go now. I'm sleepy."

"Her name is Caitlyn."

Naasar na binato ko ito ng hawak kong baseball cap. "Why are you so tense? It's not your first time, isn't it?"

Napanganga si Alexander. Nang tingnan ko ang babae ay namumula rin ang mukha nito.

"I'm so out of here," I said giggling as I raise my hand to wave goodbye to both of them.