Checkmate on Love (COMPLETED- Published under PHR)

Part 8

"ALAM MO, bitter ka masyado girl. Huwag kang pa-obvious." Komento ni Pia nang makapasok sila sa mall. True, she was so obvious kanina. She just hopes Jacques and Thea didn't notice her.

Flashback. Grand exit ang peg niya nang kauupo pa lang ni Thea para samahan sila. Mabuti na lang at dumating si Eric at nagkaroon siya ng alibi na may gagawing silang research sa library. Such a lame excuse but it worked anyway. Eric initially was confused but still went with the flow. Sumunod na rin lang si Pia na alam niyang gusto pa talagang mag-gather ng information. Jacques couldn't do anything but to tell her that she must be early to attend dinner later at their house. Umuo nalang siya para walang issue. The truth is that she wanted to run away and not hear Thea's voice. At nagtagumpay siyang takasan ang agonizing na moment na iyon.

Darn. Obvious nga ako.

"What should I do?" Alam niyang mas lalong nakapagbigay ng masamang impression ang pag-alis niya ng ganoon sa harap nina Jacques at Thea.

"May alas ka naman Mavis. Pero depende na iyon sa iyo kung gagamitin mo."

Alam niya ang ibig sabihin ni Pia. It was what they saw on the bar the other night. Jacques isn't just the only man that Thea is dating and she personally witnessed it.

"Hahayaan mo na lang bang lokohin si Jacques ng isang babae? Hindi mo ba siya ipagtatanggol? Akala ko ba mahal mo yung tao?"

"Mahal. Pero anong gagawin ko? Hindi naman niya ako nakikita as a woman. I'm just his younger sister and bestfriend."

"Dahil hindi mo siya binibigyan ng pagkakataon na makita ka bilang babae."

"Grabe naman! Babae kaya ako."

Natawa si Pia sa sinasabi niya.

Yeah, I'm really a joke now. Ang hirap nito...

"Come here girl. I need to show you something."

Hinila siya nito sa isang bookstore.

"What are we doing here?"

"Buying a treasure."

Nagpunta sila sa may Filipiniana Section ng bookstore. Ilang sandali pa ay nakita na nito ang hinahanap.

"Sinulat ito ng isang sikat na blogger kaya ko nalaman ito. Here! Pasalamatan mo na lang ako 'pag successful ka na."

She looked at the book. Napangiwi siya sa title.

"Seryoso ka? Hindi kaya ako magkasala nito?"

"Over ka naman Mavis. Suggestions lang naman ang nandiyan. Siyempre, magdedepende pa rin 'yon sa 'yo kung paano mo gagawin. Remember, you're just saving Jacques from being fooled. Kaibigan ka pa rin niya kahit papano and it's your job to keep him safe."

Sinipat muli niya ang libro. Tototo rin naman ang mga sinabi ni Pia. Hindi lang dahil sa mahal niya si Jacques kaya niya gagawin iyon. She's going to protect him as a friend too. That's what she's gonna do.

Weh? Hindi nga?

She wanted to kick her conscience out of her brain. Of course that's not true. She wanted Jacques for herself. And since that Thea didn't play fair, she will be doing the same thing.

"Miss magkano itong How to make your guy friend dump his girlfriend? Bibilhin ko."