Waves of Life (Quiseo Girls #1)

Epilogue

Epilogue

I concluded the 'Player of the Game' interview with a casual yet energetic statement, "Thank you, Mark! Sigurado naman talagang naiiyak ngayon sa saya ang fans niyo. Congratulations to Magnolia Hotshots for taking the last seat in the best-of-seven finals series!"

The cameraman who's standing in the pathway signaled us for a wrap, so I quickly turned off my mic and lapel. I mouthed 'thank you' at him that he acknowledged by smiling at me.

Fans are now walking down from their seats and many already made their exit. Others were flocking around the court of this dome, cheering, "Finals, finals, finals!"

In front of us are a couple of Hotshots fans waving and smiling at us... most likely at the man beside me.

I shifted my gaze to him who's already glancing at me. Kusa akong napangiti nang magkatitigan kami. Mark doesn't mind the fact that this edge of the court is getting filled with more delighted people.

Duh! Siyempre naman, sanay na siya riyan eh. Baka nga ako lang din 'yong na-goosebumps sa 'ming dalawa dahil sa dramatic win nila tonight!

Mark is really kind and humble, so I'm glad that he was the first one I had a live one-on-one interview on my first coverage in PBA.

"Congrats," bahagyang nakangiti niyang sambit na medyo ikina-shy ko.

Oo! Nasa vocabulary ko pa rin naman ang ma-shy. I didn't expect him to congratulate me and it feels great— knowing that someone recognized my presence.

Pero mas natuwa ako nang puriin niya ko with sincerity, "Magaling ka. Galingan mo pa."

I was out of words because of the bliss that runs through my veins. Hindi ko na siya napasalamatan nang umalis na siya sa harap ko.

Napakagat na lang ako sa ibaba kong labi. Pero hindi 'yon enough to stop myself from smiling ear to ear. I let it as is. Dinama ko na lang 'yong overflowing happiness.

Maglalakad na sana ko papunta sa hall, where the locker and the dugout rooms are located, nang may biglang humawak sa braso ko.

That touch is very familiar. It immediately sent shivers down to my spine.

Nilingon ko siya only to confirm that my hunch is right— it's him. I instantly beamed at this man when our gazes locked.

He smiled at me as he waves a pair of flats in front of me. Napatawa na lang ako sa nakita.

A CEO displaying his sweet gesture in front of thousands of people.

In fairness, hindi siya naka-suit today! He's wearing a white V-neck long sleeves shirt that puts his muscles on show. It was paired with khaki pants that hugs well his well-defined thighs.

"Ma'am? Kilala niyo po ba?" nag-aalalang tanong ng security personnel pagkalapit niya sa 'min.

Napatingin ako sa kaniya but he's not gazing at me. He's intently looking at Eli na para bang sinusuri niya kung ginugulo ako o kakilala ko.

I appreciated the safety measure he's granting me though it was just my first day.

Magalang kong sagot, "Opo, kilala ko. Thank you, kuya."

Tumango-tango siya pagkarinig n'on bago nagpaalam at umalis.

Binalik ko 'yong tingin ko kay Eli. Halos matawa ako nang mapansing hindi na maipinta 'yong mukha niya. His jaw slightly moved and his forehead has creased. I can't understand well if he's mad, displeased, or abashed.