Play of Fate [COMPLETED]

Chapter 21

Thursdays.

Thursday is his favorite day. Because 1) His classes end at 11 am, 2) His parents come home to visit them from their work in the province, 3) it is Jake's day to bring any good food home and 4) because of her.

It started just last year. He was walking around the campus, waiting for Jake's dismissal when he heard angry shouting at the court nearby. Curious, he went to see what the commotion was about and he saw a group of girls huddled over something. Worried, and because he really got nothing better to do, he decided to go and ask.

Just as he was walking towards them, the girls huddled broke, giving him a glimpse of what was happening. Apparently, two girls are fighting, shouting explicits and clawing at each other. RJ was shocked at this as it his first time to see girls fight like this like they were men. He ran to them, to help break the two girls off, before their coach or a professor sees them. He was just a few steps towards them when he saw a familiar face run towards a girl and went on top of her, pulling her hair. Eyes widening in surprise, RJ rushed to her and lifted the girl off the other girl, straining her by locking his arms around her waist. Still obviously seething mad, the girl tried to free herself from him just so she can reach her enemy. RJ shook his head and carried the girl on his shoulder, picking up the bag he knows is hers and went out the gym.

"TANGINA LET ME DOWN HINDI PA AKO TAPOS SA KINGINANG 'YUN!" She screamed while, punching his back, squirming in his hold.

Huffing, RJ set the bag down first before putting her down. "Nicomaine, kalma." He said, grabbing her shoulders. Maine was still looking at the direction of the court, brows furrowed. "Huy." He said, and pushed her right cheeks so she'll look at her.

"Ang epal mo naman e. Bakit mo ko nilabas! Hindi pa ko tapos sa walang hiyang 'yun." Maine said. She saw the other girl walk out of the gym, looking at her threateningly. She was about to run after her again but RJ quickly grabbed her arm, stopping her from getting away. "Richard James, ano ba, bitaw!!" She said and repeatedly hit his arm. Not minding this though, RJ dragged her to sit on the bench near them.

"Tumigil ka nga. Kita mo ba katawan n'un, ang laki niya compared sa'yo oh." He said. Maine glared at him before smirking. "Nakita mo ba mukha niya? Puno ng kalmot at pasa, tapos ako oh..."

"May malaking pasa sa kamay at leeg." He interrupted, pointing at her bruises. Maine checked the areas he mentioned and was quite surprised to see the large growing purplish spots. She touched them and winced when she felt the slight sting. "Oh ano? Nagka pasa ka na, lagot ka pa sa parents at Kuya mo. 'Lika, bili tayong ice." He said and took her arm again.

"Pwedeng ikaw na lang? Hintayin kita dito." She said, trying to shake off the nausea that suddenly hit her. RJ shook his head when he figured out what was wrong. He run to the cafeteria and bought her a water and ice that they will use for her bruises. The two stayed there until Jake called him. The twins brought her home and explained to their parents what happened.

Since then, RJ made it a habit to watch their practice. They would hang out then after, and wait for their friends. Even when RJ has a girlfriend, the two still see to it that they spend their Thursdays together.

But for weeks now, exactly five Thursdays already, RJ sits at their exact spot, watching the students who walk by him, alone.
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"Jay?" He heard someone call her. RJ turned towards where he heard the voice came from and smiled when he saw that it's his sister. Val sat next to him, watching him. "What?" He asked, feeling conscious because of the way she stared at him.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah. Why'd you ask?" He said.

"You've been acting like this for some days now, Jay. Its kind of worrying me, us already." She said.

"What do you mean?" He asked, confused.

"You've been spending so much time alone. Lagi ka na lang tahimik and you stare at nothing." Val said. RJ looked at her sister and sighed. He knows what she meant. The past few weeks have been...different. He rarely see the guys, he hasn't talked to Maine for over a month, Louise is bugging him because he's been acting differently, and lastly, he is so confused with so many things, he is not even sure what he wants to do.

For years, since Maine told him that she liked him, since he kissed her, since he felt that alien tinge in his heart, he never tried to figure out what he really feels for his friend. He thought whatever she confessed two years ago has disappeared completely. He thought she has moved on from she what felt for him. He thought they were fine. And all along, two years since that time, he has been thinking wrong. And nobody even felt they had to tell him.

But he cannot blame them, he can never blame them.

He is just really dense and stupid and selfish that he never saw Maine's struggles, that he never realized that she still loves him. And now, because of his unsuspecting brain, it seems like their friendship in danger.

"I don't know what to do." RJ said, almost audible. He breathed a long, deep sigh, pulling his hair in frustration.

"Are you sure? That you really don't know?" His sister asked, sympathy in her eyes.

"I'm scared, Val. Of the consequences. Of what might happen if I act on what my mind is telling me." He answered.

"What do you think will happen? If you do what your mind and heart dictate?"

RJ felt a pang in his heart with his sisters question. This was what he's been afraid of for the longest time. When Maine told him she loves him, admittedly, he felt smug, like I-mean-I-saw-that-coming kind of feeling. But when he kissed her and felt that jolt, he immediately knew that he was in trouble, that if he do not do what he's supposed to do, he will fall so deep for her, he might never stand up from it. But despite this realization, he never tried to pursue it because, knowing himself, he was quite sure that somewhere along the way, he will screw up, and what they have will never last.

"That I'll lose her." RJ said, quietly. He felt a lump form in his throat and he exhaled deeply in an attempt to release it.

"I think, your fear is happening already. Jay, she is gradually slipping from your grip. One day, you'll wake up and realize that you've lost her. Please don't wait for that day to come. Do something. For the first, and probably last time, man up, for your friendship, for everything that you've gone through, for Maine."

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A/N:
1. Short update! The next two chapters will be about RJ and his confused heart and mind. Thank you thank you thank you for the appreciation you are giving Play of Fate. Nakakataba ng puso. 💛😘

2. Please follow AMACon's official Twitter - @AMAConOfficial for updates re the 2nd leg. Don't forget to check out the teasers as well!! ☺️

3. Guys, I have a big favor to ask from you. You know that the Titas have a new promo happening right? It's for the AldenVasion on June 25 in Pampanga. Well, I joined. 😂😂😂 Favor, kindly retweet the original tweet of @/faulkersonAU of my entry. Please
Please please please I'm begging you. 😭😭 RT lang, no need to QT para counted ang effort. It's the entry # 12 by @kasimaichard. Here's the link:
https://twitter.com/faulkersonau/status/740816810644279296

Please!!! Thank you!!!!

Also, happy weeksary! 😘

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