Searing Burst of Rage (Fireheart 2)

Chapter 8

I forced a smile at Alfe. I was only checking... to know where he was going. It wasn't in my plan to face him... to approach or to talk to him. I was just dragged here by his cousin.

Umiwas ako ng tingin kay Alfe atsaka ibinaling ang tingin sa table. I couldn't stand having eye contact with him for a long time with his cousins around. I feel like I'm a bit exposed.

"What is she doing here?" Alfe asked, probably asking Gus.

"I found her went astray like a small kitten," Gus answered.

Alfe held my arm so my vision flew in his direction. "Are you alright?"

"A-ah, yea, I am," I stuttered.

"Are you lost? Where are your friends?" he asked with a worried face.

Kung makatanong naman sya ay parang batang nawawala nga ako.

"Nasa taas. Naglilibot lang ako dito at naghahanap ng pwedeng gawin. And then, Gus saw me. He dragged me here. I'm not even fond of games. This place isn't my type. So I will leave. Aalis na ako," mahabang sabi ko at akmang tumalikod.

"Wait," he stopped me. "Stay here for a while."

I heard how Gus faked a cough but I didn't bother looking at him.

"What am I gonna do here? I don't play games," I told him.

"It's fine. Come on," hinila ako ni Alfe palapit sa kanya at pinaghila ng upuan sa kung saan.

Sinunod ko sya at umupo. Nagpaalam na din si Gus at yung isang pinsan ni Alfe na umalis, may pag-uusapan pa daw silang dalawa. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko dahil may biglang lumapit sa mahabang table kung saan kami ngayon ni Alfe.

Mukhang maglalaro sila. This is gamble, right? Ang mga mayayaman talaga ay ang hilig magsayang ng pera. I can see patterns on the table with numbers on it and circular desk at the other end of the table.

"I'm only playing one round, Mr. Dixon. I have something else to do," Alfe said to the man.

"Are we playing roulette then?" the man asked.

"Sure," Alfe shrugged.

"I lost to you last time. I'm not letting you this time," the man grinned.

Alfe shrugged again.

"Who is this woman you're bringing? Your wife?"

"A friend," Alfe answered.

"I see. I heard that you're getting married. I am congratulating you in advance."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa narinig. Ikakasal na din pala sya? Hindi nya nabanggit. Nandito ba ang girlfriend nya? I shouldn't be here. Baka anong isipin ng mga tao kagaya nitong matandang lalaki na kausap ngayon ni Alfe.

Tumayo ako galing sa pagkakaupo. "Aalis na ako," bulong ko kay Alfe.

"Stay," he demanded.

I didn't have a choice but to go back to the seat. Madali lang naman siguro itong matapos, hindi ba? Inilibot ko nalang ulit ang paningin habang nag-uusap sila nung may lumapit na naman.

Bumaling lang ulit ako kay Alfe nang tinawag nya ako. Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanya. Tinignan ko ang lamesa at nakita ko ang maraming chips. Hindi ko talaga ito naiintindihan.

"I will let you play instead of me," he said.

"That is definitely not a wise decision, Mr. Barzetti," the man said to Alfe.

"Hindi ko alam," nag-aalangang bulong ko sa kanya. "I'm not a gambler. I can't do this. Don't put me in this position!"

"It's fine," bulong nya pabalik sabay kiling palapit saakin. Bumaling sya sa matanda. "We're betting all our chips. It costs 5000 dollars."