Knight in Shining Hoodie

Giro, my angel.

San ba ko makakahanap ng trabaho? Tae yan.

Ang hirap pala.. Lord, please. Patulong po.

 

I was about to step on the jeep when something caught my attention.

“RAKETZ”

‘di ko namalayan naglalakad na pala ‘ko sa kabilang kalsada at papasok sa gate kung saan nakalagay ang malaking karatula.

 

 

“WANTED: HELPER. IMMEDIATE HIRING”

Taray! Digital! Thank you po!

 

Together with my short resume, I walked inside and pass it on the guard.

“hala. Ang bata mo pa,ineng. ‘Di ka pa pwede.”  Shit.

“Sige napo,kuya. May parent consent naman po ‘ko eh.” Punong puno nang pagmamakaawang sabi ko. I nearly crossed my fingers but I decided to pray again.

Please po. Sige nap o. lubus lubusin Niyo nap o.

“’Di ko lang alam. Pero sige. Titignan ko.”

“Yes!” at muntik pa kong mapayakap kay manong kaso buti nagpigil ako kasi nakatingin nap ala samin yung mga naglalaro. Effective tlaga pagpapa-awa epek ko!

I was about to step outside when someone grab my shirt. A kid?

 

“ate. Marunong ka po ba maglaro nito?” he asked raising his racket. Napaisip tuloy ako kung nakapaglaro na ‘ko nun. Ah! Oo! Dati nung 7 years old ako. Mahilig kasi maglaro nang ganyan si kuya rain, one of my eldest cousin. I silently nod and bend a little para pantay na kami.

“buti naman po! Tara po laro na tayo!” he grabbed my shirt and I almost kill this kid! Ugh. Ayoko sa lahat yung hinihila damit ko!!

“hey! Slow down! My shirt!”

“oopss. I’m shorry” he sheepishly smiled that bring out those little cute dimples.

“where’s your guardian?” I asked. Aba. Imposible naming mag-isa lang sya pumunta ditto e muka syang 7yrs old lang.

“There. On the other court.” Pointing the gym at the back.

“Then,why are you here? I thought boys like you loves basketball?” yung kabilang gym kasi na tinutukoy niya,eh basketball court. Nasa sports house pop ala kami. Where you can play any sport you want. May entrance nga lang. Pero budget-friendly naman.

“Well, I love table tennis. Less hassle. Less training. Less effort. Less energy. Compare to basketball” onga naman.

“Where did you know this game?” hindi naman kasi masyadong popular yung larong ‘to eh.

“ nakita ko lang po ditto. Twice a week we’re here with my dad and sister to have some fun and to have some exercise as well.” I just nod.

“When did you start playing it?” I asked habang nagbabayad at magrerenta ng raketa.

“uhhmm..actually..hmm.. it’ll be my first time”he answered in a low voice habang nakayuko.

 

“What?” oh.em.ayoko magturo sa bata.

 

“Can you please teach me?” the heck.