Player of the Game

Chase Me Away (Kristina Train)

Jhoana.

We're at the lobby of Linden Suites right now at hinihintay lang namin si Ate Ly for our swipe cards. I was assigned to be roommates with Riri.

In all fairness, masayahin naman s'yang tao. And really really generous. Kaninang morning training kasi in-announce 'yung room assignments, and we were informed pupunta na nga agad kami sa hotel after everyone's classes are done. Ria heard na ako lang sa amin ang dire-diretso ang klase and so I won't have time to actually eat before we depart. Lahat kasi sila may allowance time.

And when I arrive here, inabutan n'ya ako ng home-made apple, cheddar & turkey panini. Ginawa daw n'ya 'yon bago pumunta dito sa hotel.

"I'm sorry medyo malamig na rin. I had to bring it from the dorm. Pero no worries, I think masarap pa rin naman 'yung lasa." She's smiling so cheerfully at me. Her eyes disappear as the smile gets wider.

"Hindi ka na dapat nag-abala." I shyly told her. "Mag-ddinner naman na tayo maya-maya lang."

"I insist. We're gonna be roommies for 8 days naman so I think it's called for." She shortly puts in.

"Well, ang ibig sabihin ba no'n, kapag may nagutom ka, ibili rin kita ng food?" Pagtatanong ko naman sa kanya.

She shook her head sideward na parang bata. Cute. "No. Hindi naman required, eh. Pero if you can, you sneak me in a bottle of Jagermeister." At nagsimula na s'yang tumawa nang makita n'ya ang panglalaki ng mata ko. Aba't mukhang manginginom pa yata ang roommate ko.

Ilang minuto pa ay dumating na sina Ate Ly at ibinigay sa amin ang aming swipe cards for the hotel rooms. Riri insisted that she'd bring my bag for me giving me room to eat my food while we go up.

The minute I step in, the smell of raspberry started to rush in my senses. "At least I'd have my favorite fragrance." I quietly thought to myself. I went further into the room and felt the warm wind of summer touch my skin. I stood by the window and watched as the light of the day fades into the horizon.

"It's almost 7 na pala. Nagugutom na ako." Napalingon ako sa abalang naghahanap ng pagkain kong roommate. Nakakaaliw panoorin si Riri maghalungkat sa mini-bar. Rinig na rinig ang ingay ang pagbabanggaan ng mga bote ng inumin sa loob. Halos magsibagsakan din mula sa basket ang mga pagkain, gutom lang?

"Mag-ddinner na naman na tayo in a few so hintayin na lang natin."

Nagsimula na kaming mag-ayos ng gamit. Pagkatapos ay nagustuhang lumabas ni Riri para mag-ikut ikot. Niyaya n'ya akong samahan ko s'ya pero nagpaiwan na lang ako sa hotel room. Wala rin naman kasi ako ganang lumabas.

I sat down the cushion chair adjoining the window and resume my audience with the city lights. My phone beeped notifying me of the people's tweets sa akin. I scrolled down, it wouldn't hurt naman, 'di ba?

People are tweeting the U23 team wishes of good luck. Pero mas marami pa rin sa mga nag-ttweet ang mga bashers. Sabi na eh, it was a mistake doing this. I was just taking my chances.