Game of Hearts

Chapter 2

"Get out of this house! You can't even put food in our mouth, yet you dare to talk to me like that?! Get out! You good for nothing man!"

"Shut up! As if it's that easy to look for a job right now! You're good at saying you understand my situation but whenever we have some trouble, you'll say those hurtful words?!"

"We're going to talk about hurtful things now?! Okay, let's talk about—"

"I'm out," I hurriedly went out of the house, I didn't bother waiting for my parents' response nor did I look at them at all. Why stress me even more? Just their argument every single day is enough of a headache for me.

I rode at the tricycle at the nearest terminal in our house. It will be a forty-five-minute ride from our house to the university. How I wish it's at least an hour ride. Others might want a shorter ride but for me, I would like it best if it's longer. The longer the travel time is, the longer I'll be given a little space for myself. You know, there are those times you wish you're alone to at least breathe.

While I'm on my way to the university, I notice a group of cyclists alongside the road. Should I buy one for myself? I think I have enough savings to afford one. There is safe parking for this at the university, and it's easy to buy locks for extra protection. When I have one, maybe my alone time will be longer since travel time will be longer as well.

Although if I'm going to use one, I can't let myself drown in my thoughts since that might lead to an accident. I must think this through first.

I snap out of my thoughts when one of the cyclists suddenly looks in my direction. Probably checking whether we might cross the bike lane or not. The way he's looking inside the tricycle kind of bothers me, so I leaned back. It's awkward. We passed through them, and before I knew it, my alone time was over. How sad! I want it to last a bit longer.

It's still early, but I feel too tired to climb the stairs. Sadly, I have to climb to the fifth floor since that's where the mini-theater room is. Such early exercise this is. When I reached my destination, I hurriedly sat in an empty seat. I'm still catching my breath when our professor comes. Good thing I was a minute earlier than him. Our three-long-hour class started with an announcement of a short act we must do.

After five hours of sitting in a class and a two-hour break in between them, I'm now on my way home. I honestly want to look for Mandy and hang out with her, but sadly, she's busy with her studies.

While on my way out of the university gate, my phone rings. I take it out of my pocket and check out who's calling. I can't believe I forgot to put it on silent while having my classes.

"Hello? Dad?"

"Sweetie, until what time is your class?"

I frown a bit because of his question. It's unusual of him to ask about my class schedule, and if he wants to know, he can just ask Mom since she has a copy of it.

"It ended already, I'm on my way out of the university."

"Don't!" I push my phone away from my ear.

"That hurts," I said while still distancing my phone from my ear.

"Sorry, sweetie. I'm just afraid we might pass each other. I'm currently in front of the College of Law."

"College of Law... you mean our university's law building?"

"Yes, can you meet me here?"

"Uh, sure," I agreed, even though I'm confused about why he's here.

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

Our call ended, and instead of going out through the second gate, which is near my college building, I turned around and went to the College of Law, which is near the main building. As I arrived there, I immediately saw my dad's car. I can say he saw me as well since he went out of his car.

"Hi," he said shyly. I frown a bit. Why is he acting like this? I mean, I'm used to them—Mom and Dad—fighting every day in front of me and then acting as if nothing happened the next second. But him smiling like this feels so weird.

"Hey, Dad," I said while giving him a quick hug.

"Get in, let's talk inside."

A talk? Did he go out of his way to come here to talk with me? Just what kind of talk is he talking about?

I stop him when I notice that he's following me, meaning he's planning to open the car's door for me. "I can manage."

"Oh, okay." I watched him as he hurried back to the driver's seat. This is getting weirder.

I just shook my head, trying to ignore the unusual feeling. I open the door on the passenger seat and sit in there.

"What is this about, Dad?" I asked directly as we're both settled in.

"Uh, Misha...how about we eat first? Early dinner?"

"Without Mom?" he went silent after I mentioned her. "Is this talk about you and Mom?" I kind of sense it's about why they fought earlier.

"It's...indeed about us."

"What is it? I know you always fight, but was the one earlier more serious than usual?"

I saw a glint of sadness in his eyes. What? Why? Just what did I say that made him show that kind of emotion?

"It's kind of saddening that you got so used to us fighting. I think we failed you as a parent in that aspect."

"Dad, can you just get to the point? I don't like this segue talk of yours."

He stared at me, and I saw how he took a very deep breath. "Your mom and I decided... to file for annulment."

I gape my mouth at him. "What?" I asked. Rather than my voice, I felt the air coming out when I said that.

He took another deep breath and said, "I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"I'm sorry," he said once again, not looking at me.

"I'm asking for a reason, not for your apologies!"

"You know...that we...always fight...every day. We just got so tired of it."

"We?" I mockingly repeated. "Or you?"

He looks at me, confused, "Misha?"

"It's JC, right?" his eyeballs were almost just out of his socket, and his mouth fell on the car floor. That's how shocked he is that I know of that name.

I swallowed and then drop another bomb, "It's her, right? Your mistress."

I saw how his mouth shakes—whether out of nervousness or he's trying to say something, I don't know. I don't care.

"How dare you cheat on Mom? You're a married man!" I shouted at him. That made him get his senses back.

He grabbed my arm and said, "Misha, I can explain—"

"No wonder my ex-boyfriend cheated on me."

Again, his eyes widen. "What? He cheated on you?!"

"Yes, he did." I leaned forward and grabbed his wrist with the strength that I have. "I guess it's karma playing its game." I forcefully removed his hand from me.

"You cheated on Mom. And in return, your daughter got cheated on. Funny, isn't it?"

"Misha—"

"Stay out of our lives. I'll live with Mom, not with a cheater like you!"

"Misha—"

I pushed the door of the car open and slammed it close. If I had super strength, it would have gone flying with the way I forcefully opened it. I run non-stop until I reach the tricycle terminal outside the second gate. I immediately ask the driver to drive as fast as he can after telling him my destination.

Annulment? Ha! He's finally gone and done it, leaving his family for that slutty woman! I can still vividly remember the text message that I accidentally read on his phone. That's the reason why I have a suspicion of him having another woman.

'Dad, can I borrow your phone? My phone shuts down and it's hard to charge since my charger cord is broken.'

'Uh, sure. Just make it quick, okay?' I nodded my head and quickly grab his phone from his hand. It's a good thing I memorized Mandy's number.

While typing my message for Mandy, the phone vibrates the new message received pops out on the screen. I skimmed the message and it made me freeze on my feet. It said:

From JC: It's hard having a boyfriend. I can't see him whenever I want.

What was that? I snap out of it when my Dad asks me who's the sender of the message. I quickly slid it to remove the notification and then answered him.

'I didn't see it, I dismissed it without looking.'

I lied. Yes, because I don't know how to react.

Now that I remember it, I can't help but regret that I didn't confront him right there and then. Maybe because I trusted him? I made myself believe that it was probably nothing. Or... I'm just really scared of confrontation.

Neither way, I can't return to the past and change it; all that matters is that I was able to do it now. They want to separate ways. Then go! It's much better than forcing themselves to stay in their marriage for my sake. But I'll never forget how my father cheated on my Mom. I'll forever despise him for that.

I arrived at the mall, and after paying the driver, I quickly brisk-walked inside. I don't want to go home yet. Though I doubt that he'll still return home, I still don't want to go there. He still has access to that place. At the very least, here, the chances of our crossing paths are very slim. And I can easily find a place to hide if needed.

Without thinking much, I went straight to the fourth floor, where the food court is located. It's the only place people can stay for as long as they want. I run towards the empty table. I'm catching my breath when I sit down.

I'm thirsty. Lucky for me, there's a nearby stall where I can buy a drink. I left my bag on the table after getting my pouch with my money and phone in it. After buying a drink, I quickly gulp it down. I feel so refreshed, and I feel like I calmed down a bit. I was about to go back to my table when someone popped out beside me to buy some food.

I'm staring intently at his face, and he seemed to sense it as he looked back at me. Again, he doesn't seem surprised to see me. Or did he forget me? I mean, I saw him smirk at me when I punched August with my bag, but... Am I just assuming things?

He steps back, motioning for me to pass. But that's not the reason I'm staring at you! He already received his food, but I'm still standing.

He slightly tilts his head; maybe he's wondering why I'm still here. "Do you still need some pennies?" I asked.

"Would you give me some?" he quickly replied. Oh, he remembers me! That's a good thing. I didn't embarrass myself here.

"Yes, how much for sixty minutes of your time?"

"Do the math; it's basic." Though he said it directly, I don't feel insulted. He probably said those because he remembers that I'm the one who set it like that last time.

"Sixty coins, then," I said. 

"Where to?" he asked, and I pointed to my table, near where we are. He nodded.

"I'll get my things first." He walks away while I go straight to my table. I looked around and saw him at a long table with other students from our university. He seems to be together with them. Since they're wearing the same uniform, it's safe to say they're classmates.

His classmates watch him as he walks towards me. Most of them seem confused as to why he's heading here. I just diverted my gaze from them. After all, they're not the ones I need.