Play The Game

"Cortes, Andrea."

I immediately looked back to my professor. How annoying this morning can be, I already know what she was going to say.

It's been weeks and still, I haven't seen or heard anything from your parents." Miss Dantes said.

I could only smile at her because there's nothing I can do about it. If my parents won't come, they won't really come.

My parents were the only ones left with the notice and still, they haven't made any time for me. Our College graduation is getting near and the admin needed to talk to them about me but they won't make time for me. After Miss Dantes called me, she started discussing the new topic while I kept on thinking why my parents are like that.

But instead of drowning myself in the question, I focused on the topic Miss Dantes was discussing on the front.

I'm almost there, I'm about to graduate. I just have to suck this up and finally leave this chapter of my life and before Miss Dantes can call me again, I hurriedly drag Rachel out of the room.

"Andrea,"

"Why?" I asked but Rachel didn't respond anymore.

We went straight to the school park. Maria, our other friend is already there waiting for us. When we arrived and noticed us, she closed her book.

"Have you been waiting for so long?" I said and sat down beside her. I took out the lunch I prepared in the apartment because I don't buy food at the cafeteria anymore, the last time I bought food there I ended up in the hospital and food poisoning was the findings.

She shook her head. "Not that long. Anyway, did Miss Dantes talk to you already? She was asking about your parents a while ago." She said.

"Tsk. How many times have I told her that my parents won't come, they don't have time for these kinds of things."

"Well, she wouldn't understand since just the two of us, Maria and I, know your situation." Rachel said.

I rolled my eyes at Rachel.

"Just keep your mouth shut, I'm sure, she'll get tired from asking, and eventually she'll give up."

We continued on eating our lunch when my phone rang.

"And the devil shall call," Maria whispered.

I chuckled a little, they both hate my boyfriend. Whenever they see or hear my boyfriend their blood boils.

I stood up and distanced myself from them.

"Love? Why are you calling?" I asked.

"Where are you?" He asked.

"I'm in the school park," I said. "Do you need anything?"

"Are both of your friends there?" he said with annoyance. Their hatred for each other is mutual. The three of them can't stand each other and sometimes I tend to lie for both of them since it's for their own good.

"Yes," I said.

He uttered curses which I can hear clearly. "Love, can you come over here?" He whispered. I felt my knees get weak as he says the word 'love'

I took a deep breath. "Where are you?" I asked, then immediately packed my things once I got his answer. Maria and Rachel both looked at me but I ignored their stares.

"If I were you, Andrea, I would break up with him. You're fucking beautiful and yet you allow yourself to be a secret girlfriend? Are you nuts?" Rachel said.

I just smiled at them and went to Calvin's location. When I got there, he quickly leaned me against the wall. He kissed me right away before I couldn't even say hi or hello.

"Wait," I said in between our kisses. He was holding my waist with one hand while the other was on the back of my blouse.

His forehead creased. "What?"

"Someone might see us,." I said but just like before, Calvin ignored what I said.

I opened my mouth to let him in. I let him kiss me, touch me.

What do I have to lose? Nothing, I already gave my everything to him.

I basically gave him the power to kill me.

But I love this guy even if sometimes I find our relationship hard because it's a secret. I don't care. One day, he'll be proud of our relationship and everyone will know. When that happens, I'll be the happiest girl alive.

I didn't realize my leg was wrapped around his waist already. Both of our breathing was getting deeper. Our eyes filled with need and we both know only the other could satisfy this.

His hands went down on me. He smiled. "As always, always ready for me," he said with a smirk on his face.

I blushed.

I don't know why I am still being shy with him when it comes to these things. We've done this a few times already but I always felt different when he's inside me.

He got the foil from his pocket and rolled it onto him. He hooked my leg around his waist and in seconds, he's inside me already.

"Fuck Fuck Fuck," He repeatedly said while thrusting inside me. I was suddenly holding tight on his hair as I pressed my body even close to him.

He was thrusting so hard that I felt I wouldn't be able to walk properly after this.

"I fucking love you, love," he said in between thrusts. Even if I wanted to answer, I couldn't do it because I can't seem to find the right words to utter. I was lost in the sensation I was feeling, I felt like I was drowning.

I didn't want it to stop.

And when I saw that look on his face, I came as well.

"So lunch?" he said as he cleaned me up.

We went straight to his car, heavily tired from what we just did. Calvin and I have been together for almost 3 years but no one still knows about our relationship. Except for my friends who don't like Calvin.

"Where do you want to eat?" He asked.

"I already ate," I replied.

"But I made you tired," He said with a grin. I hit him on his shoulders but he caught my hand. He put my hand on his mouth and kissed it. "Come on, love. Be a good girl and have lunch with me."

This is the reason why even though I'm hurting I can never leave him. Even though I'm a secret, I still try to hold on and not let go because every pain is an exchange of happiness.

"Alright, but I have classes at 2:30. I need to be back at school." I said and he kissed my hand again.

We went to a restaurant quite far from the city and school. We're always like this, hiding for the reasons I don't know.

"Do you have plans tomorrow?" I asked him.

"I don't know yet, why?"

"It's my birthday tomorrow,"

He looked shocked. "Fuck, it slipped my mind. What do you want to do tomorrow?" He said.

I shook my head and answered. "Just be with me tomorrow, I'm happy with that."

He smiled at me and said. "I'll make it up to you tomorrow," he said and I held on to his promise.

We finished eating and went back to school immediately. When I got there, Miss Dantes immediately stopped me from walking.

"Cortes," she said. "I really need to talk to your parents. It's been weeks and still, I haven't got any response from them."

Because I was in such a good mood, I told her. "Alright, Miss Dantes. I'll contact my parents and I'll give you an update tomorrow." I was walking back to our classroom. Classes are fast since the 2nd semester is almost about to end, there aren't too many requirements yet so students are chill most of the time.

After classes, I quickly went home to the townhouse that my parents bought for me. I'm the only one here. It's okay because it's not too big, not too small, just enough. I went to bed early because I wanted to be presentable tomorrow. I don't want to have eye bags only for my birthday.

Today, I want everything to be perfect.

Besides my birthday, it's Calvin and I's anniversary. I went straight to our classroom, listen to all of the discussions. I wanted to make the time go faster, if there was a way, I'll do it.

When the clock hit 5:30, I almost ran out of the classroom. I went straight to the school park because that's where I'll meet him.

I texted Calvin, informing him I was in the place already. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled.

Minutes and hours passed, Calvin still hasn't come.

I looked at the clock, it was 7:30 already but he was still nowhere in sight. I tried to call him but no one answered.

My tears started to fall, I've had enough suffering from this relationship. He never heard anything from me, I didn't complain, I kept it all in me.

Today is my birthday, all I asked was to be with him for today and yet he's not here.

For once, I wanted to feel how love works when both of you are fighting for the relationship.

I stayed for another hour, I still waited for him. Hoping he will come but Calvin didn't come. Tears started to fall again.

"Here!" Suddenly a handkerchief appeared on my face.

It was Tobi, one of my classmates.

"Wipe your tears away." He said while sounding annoyed. "You look like a fucking idiot." He added.

Tobi is the guy, who's hot, cool, famous, and cold as fuck.

"How long have you been?" I asked.

He rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah. I have been here from the very beginning." He turned around and started to walk away.

"Tobi, wait." He turned around to face me.

"What?" He asked.

"Can you give me a lift?"

I didn't want to ride a taxi or jeep because I'll look like a fucking idiot. It's very obvious that I just came from crying.

He looked pissed but he still gave me a ride.

"Thank you," I said to him when I got out of his car.

He just nodded and drifted away.

I entered my apartment feeling empty. It's my fucking birthday yet no one is with me to celebrate, how fucking exciting this is.

Maybe this is my life, I'll be forever sad and alone.

------

From Calvin: Sorry I didn't make it last night something important came in, had to attend to it.

From Calvin: Love, come on! I'm sorry.

I deleted all of his messages, as much as possible I don't want to talk to him. The only request I made was to be with him on my birthday, yet he didn't come. I had hope for nothing.

Why is he always like that? Why was he willing to make a promise he couldn't actually keep? Why does he always hurt me?

Maybe Rachel was right. I've been very stupid on loving the same person who keeps on hurting me.

I took a deep breath and started getting ready for school. After all, what benefit would I get if I keep on remembering that jerk.

"Andrea!." I turned to the person who called my name.

It was Rachel.

"Why?"

"Are you okay? Why do you seem to be not in your right mind?"

I shook my head.

"It's Calvin, right? Let me guess, he didn't come to you yesterday."

"I don't wanna talk about it," I said.

"This is why I keep on telling you. Break up with that guy. There's a lot of guys out there, yet you keep on seeing Calvin. He's not even proud of you."

Tears started to pour out again.

"Oh look at you. You're crying again,'

I couldn't handle it anymore. I stood up and quickly ran.

"Where are you going?" Rachel yelled.

I didn't stop running, I never looked back. I had enough.

Maybe the pain will go away if I end it right now.

The last thing I heard was people yelling at me.

"She will be fine. Don't leave her alone for the meantime." It was a voice.

I opened my eyes only to see Tobi and the Doctor talking.

The Doctor glanced at me.

"You're awake. Good thing, I'll leave the two of you,"

"What am I doing here?"

Tobi looked at me pissed.

"You pass out in the middle of the road. In front of my car," He said.

"Oh."

"Oh?! Is that all you can say?"

"What do you want me to say?" I asked.

He looked at me irritated and from his looks, he wanted to yell at me but he didn't.

He took a deep breath and said,

"Any family or guardian I can call or inform them about your condition?"

I quickly shook my head.

"No. Even if you call my parents, voice mail will be the answering voice you'll hear. They are both busy running their business abroad." I said.

"I'll just call Rachel."

I looked at him confused.

"You know Rachel?" I asked and Tobi nodded.

He pulled out his phone from his pants and started dialing up.

I quickly motion him not to call her.

He ended the call.

"So what's your plan? The doctor said you can't be alone in the meantime."

"I'm fine. I just need rest, if Rachel's here I'll just get more. She will keep on bugging me." I said.

"Fine, whatever." He then opened the door and left.

Every house the nurse keeps on coming back asking if I were okay.

"Can I ask, if I could possibly get the hospital bill?"

She smiled at me.

"No need Miss. It's already been taken care of."

"Huh?"

"Your boyfriend a while ago took care of it."

I just nodded. Turns out I own Tobi a lot.

I got out of the hospital that very night. Thank god, I was discharged. I didn't want to spend the night at the hospital.

Hospitals are giving me nightmares.

I was about to open my door when someone showed up out of nowhere.

"Love," He said.

I took a deep breath. I needed to control myself.

The doctor advised me not to stress myself out.

"What?"

"Let's talk."

"No. Leave me alone," I said.

"Love, please." He uttered.

I wanted to yell at him. Slap him. I wanted him to feel the pain I was feeling.

I started dodging his hold on me, but he won't budge at all. Instead, he pulled me into a hug.

"Tonight, in my place. We will celebrate your birthday, I just really couldn't attend to you yesterday because something urgent came up. I'm sorry."

Tears started to pour out.

"Then you shouldn't have given me a promise because I fucking waited for hours, Calvin. I was there standing waiting for you to come."

We hugged for a few seconds. I don't want to forgive him so quickly but this freaking heart of mine is so fast in forgiving him.

I hated myself for that. When it comes to him, I'm so soft.

"What time are we going to your condo?" He smiled at me.

"Right now, so that we can stop in a nearby grocery to buy food." He said

I smiled.

I was an idiot when it comes to love.

When Calvin and I arrived at his Condo, he started cooking and I was just watching him cook.

I continued to watch him but stopped when my phone vibrated.

It was from an unknown number.

Where are you?

I decided to ignore it. Maybe it was the wrong number but again it vibrated.

Where are you? I'm in the hospital right now, the nurse here says you got discharged. This is Tobi.

I quickly picked up my phone and was about to construct a reply to him but Calvin got my attention.

"Who's that?"

I couldn't tell Calvin that a classmate of mine helped me. He will be furious and add the fact that it's a guy.

"It's just the wrong number. I'm just reading the text" I said as I kept the phone in my pocket.

While we're in the condo, I can't seem to pacify my feelings right now. I still keep on thinking what could be the reason why Calvin didn't show up on my birthday yesterday.

That wasn't the first time he did that.

Curiosity keeps on bugging me.

But why do I keep on forgiving him?

I looked at my wristwatch, he's my boyfriend, yes, but why does my world revolve around him. Yes, I love him but is this still, right?

I took a deep breath, went on fixing the dining table. I wonder if this dinner will be memorable.

I almost fell from the chair in shock.

It was Calvin, he was hugging me from the back.

"Your mind seems preoccupied?" I just smiled at him and faced him.

"I'm thinking about us," I said.

Calvin's forehead immediately creases.

"What about us?"

"Just some random things, I wondered how many times did you make me cry?" I said then stood up.

He sat in front of me then he pretended like he didn't hear anything at all.

I just shook my head and sat in front of him. I'm still pissed that he didn't come to my birthday but I can never stay mad at him. God knows how many times I tried to keep myself from hating this man but no matter what I just can't.

"Let's eat." He said.

But I didn't move.

He looked at me annoyed, he's starting to get angry.

"Why do you keep on doing this to me?" I asked without hesitation.

I badly wanted to know the reason.

His jaw tightened, he was calming himself.

"Andrea." He called me by my first name.

When Calvin starts to call me by my first name it's a sign that he's already mad and deadly serious.

"I don't want to fight with you, I want us to be okay." He said firmly.

I shot him a glare.

"Then act like you're my boyfriend," I yelled. I was keeping it together but I felt like I wanted to avenge all my resentment on him.

"I already said that I'm sorry. What else do you want?" He asked.

He was looking at me so intently.

I looked away because I know myself, I would be bought by his stares again.

"Sorry? You're always sorry. Every time you'll do something that will hurt me. You say sorry, sorry for this, sorry for that but did you actually consider that mere fact about my feelings?" I asked, tears started to fall.

"Do you actually know na I feel jealous for the girls out there flaunting their relationship publicly. I idolize how their boyfriends flaunt them in public." I said with a smile.

He looked at me with sadness in his eyes.

"I wanted to experience those things, I wanted them to know that I was taken. I do have a boyfriend who will pick me up outside of my classroom, the one who just won't look at me from a distance. Those kinds of things,"

"Lov--"

I cut him off.

"I wanted to feel those things but then I realized I was your secret girlfriend." I laugh awkwardly.

He stood up.

"Don't touch me," I said.

He tried to reach for my hands again but I took a step back.

"Andrea, please don't fight with me right now," He said.

I wiped my tears away.

"This wasn't a good idea, having dinner with you right now."

I grabbed my things and went for the door.

I didn't look back because again if I saw his sad face, I might get soft yet again for him. I didn't want to go home because I knew I'll just cry a bucket of tears.

So I texted Rachel, thank god she replied fast.

Where are you?

I'm in the bar, why?

Can I join?

Are you serious? Won't Calvin get mad at you?

The hell I care.

You're on. I'll wait for you.

The place was crowded, it was noisy but then I needed this.

Rachel waved her hand at me, she was with some of our classmates. As soon as I reached their table, I immediately drank one of the alcohol.

"You're on fire girl," Rachel said.

I wanted to forget things, things like how Calvin and my parents always stood up to me.

Every shot they gave me, I drank it willingly. I wanted to get drunk tonight, just for this day.

"Here, another shot for you." Rachel.

I was about to reach the shot glass from her hand when someone snatches it away from me.

"Really, after getting out from the hospital you'll drink?"

It was Tobi.

He looked at me angrily.

I looked away.

"Rachel is this how you care for your friend?" He asked.

Rachel raised both of her hands.

"Chill man," Jerome said, one of our classmates.

Tobi pretended like he didn't hear anything.

"We're going," He declared.

He faced me and made me stand up but I barely managed to stand up on my own that's why Tobi assisted me into his car.

He didn't start the car. He was just sitting in the driver's seat.

I didn't say anything, I don't know what to say but then tears started to fall again.

I was crying for myself.

"Can you please enlighten me on why the fuck am I hurting myself? I keep on loving the same person over and over again." I said then looked at the stars. "I gave him everything but why does it look like it's not enough?"

He didn't say anything.

"It's very funny because they say there are so many men out there who like me yet I'm making myself miserable for a man," I remembered so many times, the men will approach asking if they can court me or they can get my number. I would say 'no'.

He started the car.

"Where do I drop you off?" He asked.

I don't want to go home because for sure, Calvin is there waiting for me.

"Please take me anywhere else," I said.

He took a deep breath and said."Sometimes you just have to accept the fact that love does not work the way you want it."