“Next time try to know whom are you messing with, okay?” It wasn’t a statement, no not at all, a threat perhaps? There’s an air of authority on that voice. Or maybe with the question itself. I’m not really sure what, but I know… there’s something wrong.
I looked at my men. We’re obviously outnumbered. They seemed to be looking back at me. Pleading an end to the nonsense themselves. But this has gone too far. I don’t think something or somebody can stop this now. Sweat came rolling down my cheeks as I’m thinking of the best thing to do.
“You may take your time kid,” David spoke again. “But you’re going nowhere…”
He grabbed a can of coke and lazily opened its lid. I reckon he’s not thirsty at all. Just taking advantage of my uneasiness. Just mocking me.
Mocking me? Right, I muttered. As if can stop him.
I looked around. The Center Mall football field was almost deserted. Two park cleaners are working silently at the opposite sides of the field. But they don’t seem to mind us.
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| Center Mall, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental 6127 Philippines |
“Wandering again, eh?” David said after snapping his fingers. “It ain’t a good sign kid. Better keep your thoughts where your body is. They might get separated… permanently!”
I swallowed hard. He’s quite serious.
“I’m thinking if… you… know… like… maybe we can just talk about this over like good pals.” I managed to speak out at last. I don’t sound like I’m pleading, do I? I’m just giving out a suggestion that’s all. But why do I have to stammer? I secretly crossed my fingers and hoped that he’d accept my plea… my suggestion, I mean.
David looked at me intently. No expression was registered on his face. After awhile of what seemed to be eternity, he smiled in spite of himself. No, it was a grin, a nasty grin.
“Welcome back to your senses kid,” He said quietly. “But it's quite too late for that. My men were in position. Hope that you had yours on guard…”
I cursed silently. Who the heck is this guy?
I’ve known David for only three years or so. But this 5’4 tall big shot has always been my big bro since then. Yep, you heard it right. I believe he’s a big shot for he got friends in almost everywhere. A nod and a wave at every place. Whoever said that fame is only on TV?
Always surrounded by girls and all that. Quite irritated by them, sometimes he was. You should have seen his face when girls started to call him teddy bear and baby toy. But he’s a good bloke. Really cheerful most of the time and always thinking positive.
The David I am talking about is the same David I am facing right now. But I swear he is not the David I used to know.
I wonder who this stranger is. Got David’s identity but failed to imitate his personality and character. An alien perhaps? Starting to invade the world and copied my friend whom he met along the way? Or could this be an escaped mass murderer who had undergone a plastic surgery? Nah, I’m just watching too much movies…But hey! Is Michael V. on the city? Must have spotted me as a good subject for his ‘Pikon Ka Na Ba?’ segment.
I forced a smile. “Aw, c’mon Baby Toy… Jeff and the gang will be here in a few minutes. Know what? My granny used to tell me to stretch out these lazy muscles. How about a minute of Frisbee?” I handed him the Frisbee saucer. Pushed it to his hands actually.
“Convince me…” he snarled. “Tell you what, kid. You’re not going anywhere! We’ll finish this up. Got that? We’re not going to settle things… We’ll finish it!”
“Yeah right,” I muttered furiously. Why do I have this feeling of being cheated? Quite impossible, of course. Maybe I really am a sore loser after all.
Where are the others when you need them? I reached for the cell phone to check the time. They should be here at this moment.
“I got it alright,” I snapped back.”Loud and clear. We’ll finish this one…”
“Atta boy, kiddo.” He answered. “I’m waiting…”
I studied his men. Indeed in position they were. In good position, as a matter of fact. My eyes went to David. Then back to his men. A good team. Or rather, a good mastermind.
“What are you waiting for,” He said impatiently. “Santa Claus or Popeye the Sailor Man?”
One of my men made a hasty move. Sure enough, David struck back almost immediately like lightning. Another one from my side is down. I gritted my teeth. I was not looking at David but I could hear him snicker.
“Decisions… decisions… decisions…” David chanted while shaking his head. “So hard to make ‘em these days, eh, kid?”
“Yeah right! Tell me about it…” I answered irritably.
“Easy does it, kid. Easy does it.”
“For Christ’s sake, stop calling me kid, will you?!”
“Uhm… need I be afraid of that?”
“Look here, Mister! Can’t you see that we are quite outnumbered? Besides, we both knew that I and my men was no match against you.”
“We stared out even, remember? And I don’t think you can blame your men…”
David stopped whatever he was saying. We heard footsteps coming our way. And it’s nearer than expected.
“What’s up, people! Okay so I’m late. But I brought some grub. The girls will be here in a minute. A short delay with their homemade pastries…”
Jeff cut short his litany. He’s confused with our expression. David seemed annoyed with his presence while I was delighted as hell.
“What?!” He finally blurted.
Jeff stored blankly around us. He wondered his gaze. Then put on a smile.
“Sorry, folks. Haven’t seen you’re busy.” He said looking at David, then towards me. “Pressing your luck on David, eh?”
“Thanks a lot, Jeff,” I said dryly. “It helped me a lot.”
“But I got a better idea.” Jeff said. “How about a few rounds of Frisbee?”
I was about to stand up when David spoke.
“We’re not yet finished, Dimwit!” He said quietly.
“Whatever you say, Baby Toy!” Jeff answered for me. “But hey, think fast!”
Jeff threw his package towards us. It was heading to the men even before we realized what had happened. And to David’s horror, the bags of chips go straight to the board. The chessmen were scattered everywhere and only the bags of chips and a few men remained on the board.
I smiled. “Guess what, Baby Toy? Jeff called it a draw.”
It took a while for David to speak.
It took a while for David to speak.
“Well, what’s done is done.” He managed to say, “Nice game, Robz!”
“Not so fast, Baby Toy!” I motioned him to stay where he is. “Do you ever keep your mouth shut when playing chess?”
David gave a heartily laugh.
“That’s just a bluff Robz. You were never focused. My first remark instantly hit the mark. You were distracted easily. The worst part is, words can easily kill you. A little malicious remark and…”
“And you are going to play Frisbee or what?” Jeff interrupted.
We saw that he had already cleaned the mess. The chessboard is neatly placed inside the bag.
David looked at me.
“It’s actually the chips that spoils the fun. Right, Robz?”
“Right!”
Jeff stared at us if we’re crazy.
“Now, what?” He said confused. “You’re not going to throw them away, will you?”
“Of course not. Bozo! Open it up. We’re hungry!”
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