Her Hero

Inspiration

Pag dating namin s roof top...nagsisimula na silang kumain at magkwentuhan. Natigilan sila ng napansin ang presensya namin.

Nagpalakpakan ang ilan bilang pagkilaa sa contribution ni Xavier sa pagkapanalo ng team. Sya rin kasi ang kinilalang MVP ng Basketball League. He's requested to give a short speech.

Just like the others, I am silently watching him took a step up on the platform. He started giving his thank yous. But what surprise me more is how he commend his teammates. He did not just own the win, but he shared it with everyone. Now I understand why he's much favored by everyone. The boy is not just happy-go-lucky, he has substance. He has a hidden gem in his core. I might be wrong about him after all.
I was in my deep reverie of my observation of him when he finish his speech with a more surprising announcement.

He pointed his hand towards me, sunddenly I felt like the earth stopped moving and the air stopped from flowing. I can't hear any sound, and I can't seem to recognize all of the faces who are looking at me right now. I hear my heart throb like I was chased by a legion of horses.
I look back at him-at Xavier. He's smiling and he continued speaking, "Let's not also forget the effort of the Secretary of our SO. She backed up our President and all other members of the Org just to make our Foundation Week a success. Her determination and dedication is to be reckoned. It is an inspiration to us all...A round of applause to the members of the board, of course our Coach, and supporters. Let's enjoy the evening!"
At nagpalakpakan ang lahat. Parang biglang bumalik ang oras sa pag galaw. Kinamayan sya ng ilan at nagsimula ng magkanya kanya ng kuha inumin at pagkain at bumalik sa piling pwesto.
Wala ako masyadong ka close bukod kay Meera. Hindi ko sya malapitan dahil gwardyado ng kapatid ko.
"Does the presence of the crowd makes you tamed?" boses ni Xavier mula sa likod ko. Hindi ako sigurado kung ako ang kausap nya kaya hindi na ako humarap sa pinanggalingan ng boses.
I kept my sight on the view. Malapit sa Subdivision ang The Vale kaya kita ang magagandang landscape at ilaw ng magagarbong bahay.
Inabutan nya ko ng Kebab in skewer saka ng juice. Tinitigan ko lang yung inabot nya.
"Take it."
"Do you always tell people what to do?" I look at him as I take the food from his hand. On his other hand is a plate of medium rare grilled venison steak habang naka kipkip sa tagiliran nya ang isang bote ng Krug Champagne.
"Why you have a bottle of champagne? Why don't you drink hard drinks like your teammates?"
He smiled as he stare at the bottle of the drink. "Well, let's simply say that tonight I'm your designated driver. You can drink as much as you want. I won't take a sip. So you'll rest your heart that you may be home safe."
Napailing na lang ako. And true enough hindi nga sya uminom. Softdrinks lang. Napansin ko na pati teammates nya hindi rin umiinom. May sumpaan ba tong mga to na pag di iinom ang isa hindi iinom lahat. My thoughts were answered by a sweet voice behind me. It was Marcella, " They won't drink. May alcohol test sila para sa NB League. Magta try out yung iba sa kanila na magtutuloy ng basketball sa college. And for Xavier, hindi talaga sya umiinom. Walang bisyo. Healthy living. Hindi lang halata kasi napaka ingay. Parang laging may tama ng alak." Napangiti ako sa kanya. Marcella is the team's assistant manager.First year pa lang pero active na talaga. Sya ang katulong na maghanap ng sponsor ng team.
Marami ako nalaman tungkol kay Xavier ngayong gabi at unti unti kong naisip na panlabas lang nya ang pagiging care-free. He's the team's alpha-not just their leader but an inspiration.