(AUGUST 15, 2022)
Pumasok ako sa hotel lobby na basang-basang. Naabutan ako ng ulan at wala akong dalang payong. Low batt na rin ang phone ko, plus my house is far away from where I am right now.
Inilibot ko ang paningin sa lobby. I think this is the most elegant hotel I've seen, even though it's in the middle of nowhere.
Yes, you read it right. It's in the middle of nowhere—I'm in the middle of nowhere.
Lumayas ako sa amin kasi nag-away kami ni Mama. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako nakarating dito at kung nasaan ako basta tumakbo lang ako at late nang na-realise na masyado na akong napalayo sa bahay.
It rained all of a sudden then I saw this hotel outside. Hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip na pumunta dito dahil umuulan na at wala na akong nakikita pang ibang pwedeng masilungan.
Kahit eleganteng tignan ang hotel, I can't deny the fact that it looks a bit creepy. Mukha kasing ako lang ang tao dito, plus the staffs of this hotel.
Lumapit ako sa receptionist.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am."
I unconciously bit my lower lip when she smiled at me. I don't know but it's creeping me out.
Nagpilit ako ng ngiti. "Uh, good afternoon. How much is the room for one night?"
Hindi naman kasi ako makakaalis agad rito dahil sa lakas ng ulan. May pera naman akong dala, which is hopefully enough for a room.
"It's free, Ma'am."
Kumurap ako. "Pardon?" Maybe I misheard.
"It's free," ulit niya at ngumiti. "Libre po lahat dito sa hotel namin. From the rooms, foods, and other things."
Alright, now I'm starting to get scared. Anong klaseng hotel ang libre lahat?
‘Obviously this one.’
Pero baka nagjo-joke lang itong si Ateng Receptionist.
"Sure ka po?"
"Yes, Ma'am," she nod, still smiling.
Okay, mukhang seryoso siya. I don't trust her or this hotel but I don't have much of a choice. Umuulan ng malakas sa labas at mag-gagabi na. This hotel is the only option I have.
"The only available rooms are the rooms on the VIP Floor," dagdag niya. "Ang lahat po ng ordinary rooms are occupied. Dumadami po kasi ang gustong mag-stay dito sa hotel kapag naaabutan ng ulan."
Huh, may ibang mga customers naman pala. Nasa rooms lang nila.
"Here is your card and key," sabi niya saka inabot sa akin ang isang susi na hugis bungo at card na kulay blue. "This man will lead you to your room. If you have any luggage, you can let him carry it." May isang lalaking nakasuot ng blue suit at blue cap ang lumapit sa amin. He looks like he's in his twenties. Ang bata pa kasi niyang tignan.
"Enjoy your stay, Ma'am."
Nabaling ulit sa receptionist ang attention ko. Is it me or the way she said it has meaning?
‘Guni-guni ko lang siguro. I better get some sleep, and a shower.’
Nakangiti kong tinanguan ang receptionist bago sumunod sa lalaki. Wala naman akong bag kasi cellphone at pera lang ang dala ko.
Tahimik kaming sumakay sa elevator. Nakatingin lang ako sa numero habang tumataas ito.
‘Wow, how tall is this building?’
When we reached the 60th floor or as the receptionist called it, the VIP floor, the elevator doors opened. Ang tahimik na hallway ang bumungad sa amin.
"Ako pa lang ba ang magse-stay sa floor na 'to?" tanong ko at nakatayo lang sa loob ng elevator, walang balak na lumabas.
