After having recounted the previous events, Kite pulled himself back to reality.
He glanced at Rachel who was seated beside him. She was currently surveying the surrounding like a toddler who has seen the real world for the first time.
Noticing his gaze, Rachel explained. "I haven't been able to come here. Well, as far as I can remember. Bata pa ako siguro nung last time na pumunta ako dito. Kasama yung parents ko.
"After that, a lot has happened. I lost interest in things like this. I haven't really think of this as worthwhile of my faith. It isn't something that everyone has. That's why I'm impressed by those devotees. I may have my own share of doubts, but you don't have to worry. I respect the beliefs and opinions of others, and I won't let my own cloud my decisions. Besides, I'm a rational person."
She flashed him an assuring smile.
Unable to respond, Kite could only return the gesture and shift his attention at the front.
Soon enough, the mass finally started. The duo were instantly immersed to the appaling atmosphere.
Aside from the constant remindings from Kite to the uninformed Rachel, and his answering to some of her questions every now and then, they managed to pass through the mass without drawing unnecessary attention to themselves.
Nevertheless, Kite was still apprehensive about what Rachel might do. It was only after they were outside the Church that he enabled himself of complacency.
Meanwhile, Rachel was surprised about the what she had felt earlier. She had known about the 'ability' of the Church to give peace and tranquility to the people, but still, the difference of experiencing it firsthand than that of hearsay has far exceeded her expectations.
Of course, it was a fruitful event.
She inhaled deeply then turned to look at the young man beside her. "Okay pala noh? Balik tayo sunod dito."
"Sure ka?" Kite asked her skeptically. He was glad that he managed to control the situation earlier, but he was not confident of repeating his previous feat.
"Of course!" Rachel said confidently.
Knowing that she's made up her mind, Kite could only nod.
They began walking together towards the innermost part of the bustling city. Along the way, neither of them has spoken a single word, turning the surrounding a bit awkward.
Unable to take it anymore, Kite decided to break the silence. "Sa'n na tayo ngayon?"
Rachel turned her head to look at him and titled it slightly. "Uhmm, may tayo ba?"
Kite felt his temple throbbing.
"Umayos ka kung ayaw mong ipasalvage kita at ipatapon sa ilog Pasig!"
Rachel laughed for a while at his reaction. After finally receding, she spoke to him in an 'obviously' manner. "Saan pa ba? Ehdi sa FNG! Laro tayo!"
"Huh?"
Kite was slightly taken aback. Considering that they have just attended a mass, the first thing that one should probably do is to distance oneself from worldly temptations.
But what is this? A computer shop? That's probably one of the places where swearing is as natural as breathing, and where curses are flying nonstop.
Surely you are just joking, right?
As if reading his thoughts from his confused look, Rachel said, "Relax. After attending the mass, my mind and spirit has been tempered. I am now a benevolent lady who prefers to resolve everything in a fair and peaceful manner."
"O...kay. If you say so," Kite said.
Seeing his disbelief, Rachel frowned. "'Di ka naniniwala noh? Hmmph! Pwes, I'll prove you!"
After saying this, she walked towards an elderly man holding a palm-size can while crouching. Following that, she placed two ten-peso coins inside the coin.
Upon seeing this, the elderly man's eyes widened then frowned in confusion.
Then, Rachel quickly returned to Kite.
"Oh, di ba? Naniniwala ka na?" Rachel sneered at him.
"Pwede na rin," Kite remarked.
"Hmpph!" Rachel harrumphed at him coldly.
As they were talking, the elderly man approached them while holding the two ten-peso coins. "Hija, para saan itong bente? Limos? Tingnan mo nga ulit ako, mukha ba akong namamalimos? Gumagaw lang ako ng lalagyan para sa mga halaman ko, nilimusan niyo na ako."
Hearing this, the duo stopped to look at the elderly man again, then glanced at the sight behind him. Indeed, there were some cans there with soil and a plant inside.
They both glanced at each other in embarrassment.
Specially for Rachel. She wasn't expecting this turn of events. She nearly keeled and could only scratch her head.
Why? All I want is to be good. Is it too hard to do so?
Standing by the side, Kite could only slap his forehead helplessly.
After the elderly man has returned the coins back to Rachel, the duo apologized then bade him farewell.
Kite was chuckling on failed attempt of Rachel.
"It looks like you're not meant to be good. Hahahah—Pu!"
As he was mocking her, an elbow was sent towards him. This made him grab his side in pain.
"Sorry, hehe." Rachel smiled at him with squinted eyes.
Since he knows that mocking her would only be like courting death, Kite immediately quieted himself. Not uttering a single word until they reached the FNG computer shop.
Upon entering the shop, they quickly headed to their usual place. However, some people were already playing at their seats.
Looking at Rachel's frowning face, Kite rushed forward to stop her from unleashing hell. "Hey, calm down. Sa iba nalang tayo pumwesto."
"Calm down? I am calm! Magtatanong lang naman ako," she rolled her eyes then went past him.
Contrary to Kite's expectation, instead of stopping on their 'place', Rachel proceeded towards the server.
Kite followed her immediately. He paid a glance while passing the group on their 'place' to see what they're doing.
Dota. Drow Ranger. Hmmm...
Barely after reaching Rachel, he heard her conversing with the server.
"Bakit may mga tao dun sa pwesto namin? Di ba nakareserve na yun samin?" Rachel asked indignantly.
"Well ma'am, we tried na po. Sinabi na naming naka-reserve 'yan sa inyo. Pero sabi po nung babae dun eh kilala mo daw siya. At okay lang daw sayo 'yun," the server explained.
Rachel frowned at this. "Kilala? Sino ba siya?"
"Si Miss Evenlyn daw po."
This deepened Rachel's frown. "Okay. Salamat," she said to the server. Then, she went to their 'place'.
Knowing that she will be confronting them, Kite advised her, "Remember, galing palang tayo sa mass."
"Of course. Benevolence. Fair. Peaceful." Rachel answered without looking at him.
When they reached their place, Rachel suddenly shouted, "Evelyn p*tangina mo!"
Kite felt his cheek twitching.
What happened to peaceful? To benevolence? Fairness?
Is this what you called peaceful manner?
Does peaceful have a different meaning in your world? Or are we still living in the same one?
Girl, you are messing up with the script.
Oblivious to Kite's bewilderment, Rachel shouted again, "Pasalamat ka nagsimba palang ako at gusto ko na peaceful yung gagawin ko. Kasi kung hindi, sinabunutan na kita palayo! Umalis ka diyan sa pwesto ko!"
Kite could only look at Rachel awkwardly.
So this is what she meant. Peaceful? Peaceful your face!
The person in question finally stood up from her seat. Kite assessed the woman in front of them.
Evelyn. She was around the same age as Rachel. She was a beauty herself, paired with her curly hair. She's also a centimeter taller than Rachel.
"Oooh! If it isn't Miss Chaser," Evelyn grinned at Rachel. "So, anong problema mo at nagsisisigaw ka diyan? Nag-barker ka nalang sana sa jeep! Hahahha! At anong nagsimba? Sigurado ka? Ba't di ka nasunog?"
Rachel's face flushed red in fury.
Sh*t!
Upon seeing this, Kite has a bad premonition. So, he hurriedly reminded her, "Rachel, remember..."
Rachel waved her hand at him as if saying that she knows. She then answered to Evelyn, "Bakit naman ako masusunog? Eh hindi naman ako engkanto kagaya mo! At anong problema ko? Naka-upo lang naman kayo sa pwesto namin! At kung ayaw mong kaladkarin kita palabas, umalis ka na diyan!"
"Ooh! Fierce. Rawr!" Evelyn said. She then turned to look at Kite then said, "And sino tong katulong na 'to? Boyfriend mo?"
Ouch!
Kite felt hurt and confused.
Why am I getting involved here? I'm just an innocent audience! Innocent!
"It doesn't matter whether he's my boyfriend or not. Wala ka nang pakialam dun!" Rachel crossed her arms. "So, aalis ka ba o hindi?"
Kite felt his lips twitching.
Why are you only denying about me being your boyfriend? Are you implying that I really am your servant? Do I really look like one?
"Hmm! Ang pangit ng taste mo Rachel! Hahahaha! " Evelyn remarked while laughing.
"Eh ano naman kung pangit siya? At least di naman masyado!" Rachel harrumphed.
Kite was clawing at his hair.
Why am I the one getting hit here? You two are the ones who are fighting! I'm just an audience! An audience!
Paying no heed to the frustrated young man beside them, Evelyn said, "Okay. Enough of that. Since gusto mo kaming umalis, ang unfair yata naman kasi kami yung nauna. So, I am offering another way to settle this. How about it?"
"This..." Rachel hesitated.
"Don't worry, maglalaro lang tayo ng 1v1. At kung sino yung talo, siya yung aalis. How about it?"
"Pero naka-reserve na kami diyan! Why do we have to do this?" Rachel protested.
"Bakit? Naduduwag ka ba?" Evelyn taunted.
"Ako, naduduwag? Sinong duwag? Baka ikaw!" After saying this, she turned to look at Kite as if asking for permission.
Kite went beside her. "Why do you hesitate? Andito naman ako, di ba?"
Rachel's eyes lit up. "You're right!" She then turned towards Evelyn.
"I accept your offer..."
Kite nodded at this. "Good."
"We are not someone you could trifle with!" Rachel bellowed.
Kite agreed, "That's right!"
"We will show you that we are not afraid!"
"Yeah!"
"1v1 lang sa Dota? Easy!"
"Tama!"
"Kaya tuturuan ka namin ng leksyon!"
"Ganyan, dapat Rachel! Di ka agad magpapadala sa takot!"
"Kaya nga!"
"Yes!"
"Go Kite! Upo ka na."
"Wooh—Wait, what? Anong upo?" Kite asked.
"Ano pa? Ehdi maglalaro ka," Rachel replied. "Di ba sabi mo andito ka naman?"
"Oo, nga! Pero as a coach! MC nga di ba? My Coach! Ba't naging ako yung maglalaro? Maypa 'di kami duwag' ka pang nalalaman!" Kite bellowed indignantly. "Di ako kasama dito ah."
"Shh. Shut up na. Upo ka na at maglaro," Rachel urged him.
Kite, not being able to do anything, could only went hopelessly to take his seat. He began logging in with reddened eyes.
Why is the world so cruel? I'm just an audience.... Huhuhu.
Watching the duo, Evelyn could only remark, "What a weird couple."
###