Anathema (The Academy of the Cursed)

Chapter Forty-Four: Game of Trust (Part Two)

-chapter forty-four-

"It's just the first round. There's two more to go, right?"

Inilagay ko ang tig-lilimang baraha namin. Keian and Riel immediately took the cards, picking.

Even though Kelvin was staring at his partner, nasa amin pa rin ang atensiyon nito. Panay ang pagsulyap niya sa gawi namin. Siguradong naghahanap ito ng ebidensiya na nagchi-cheat nga kami.

Napabaling ako kay Keian. Ini-angat niya ang mata para magtama ang tingin namin. Nanatili lang akong nakaupo at nakatitig sa kaniya. From an outsider's perceptive, it may look like I'm just waiting for his decision.

Keian knows better, of course.

He gave a short sigh before placing the three cards he picked. Sumunod din si Riel nang makitang natapos na siya, sa takot na baka mapagalitan ni Kelvin.

"Shall we open them?" agad kong tanong, wala nang balak pang pahabain ang laro.

Naningkit ang mata ni Kelvin sa'min. He glanced at Keian before placing his scrutinizing gaze towards me. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Ano na naman kaya ang trip nito.

"Why don't we add another spice?" suhestiyon niya.

I raised a brow. May balak ba kaming lutuin sa dami ng spices dito? How many additions will this game have?

"What is it?" sa halip na tanong ko.

"Let me be the one to open your cards."

Ngumisi ako. "Do you think you'll be able to change my cards with that?"

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" kunot-noo niyang tanong na inilingan ko.

"Nothing. Go on." iginiya ko ang tatlong baraha. "Open my cards."

His hand hesitantly hovered above the card in the right side of the table. Sinipat niya ako bago ito tuluyang binuksan. A seven of clubs.

I reached over to his side to abruptly open the card on the left side. Isang nine of hearts ang nagpakita. Kelvin smiled, triumphant, while I remained calm.

"Alright. Alright." nangingiti niyang wika at muling inabot ang mga baraha ko. "If I take the second round, then I can turn the tables in the third round." bulong-bulong niya sa sarili na narinig ko.

I hummed. That would be interesting. If I lose for now and let him win, the third game will be much more exciting.

Pinanood ko ang kamay niyang dumaan sa may stack pile. The corner of my lips twitched upwards. Lalo na nang makita ang paggalaw ng unang baraha.

Before he could open my card, I took hold of his wrist. Napasinghap si Kelvin nang ikulong ko ang kamay niya sa sahig. The card he stole from the stack pile remained in his palm, inches away from my faced-down card.

"Who's cheating now?" mahinang tanong ko.

Unti-unti niyang itinaas ang tingin sa'kin. His eyes were wide in surprise. Akala niya ata hindi ko mapapansin ang ginawa niya.

"How... why..."

Hindi ko siya sinagot at kinuha na lamang ang barahang nasa kamay. Inilagay ko agad ito sa ilalim ng stack pile nang hindi tinitingnan. I leaned back to watch him still process what happened.