Wearing a simple white shirt, I tucked it in to my high waisted jeans with a pair of a cute yellow heels. Pinagpapawisan ako ng malamig dahil sa dami ng tao sa arena. This would be my first to watch a live basketball game after 5 years. Guided by a marshal, we sat near the team bench. Joy was holding a purple balloon and a bandana on her head.
Lumakas ang hiyawan ng mga tao. Tumingala ako at nakita ang repleksyon namin ni Joy sa screen na nakasabit sa taas ng court. I smiled and waved my hand. Sabay kami ni Joy na nagtaas ng kamay to do a finger-heart. The crowd roared wildly. Maya-maya may lumapit na sa'ming sports reporter. I fixed my hair and stood up.
"Grabe ang hiyawan. Kaya naman pala dahil spotted here tonight, the beautiful Ms. Jessica Sotto. Hi Jessi!" The camera man pointed his camera at us. I smiled and waved again.
"Hi!" I said.
"It's a surprise to see you here Jess. In fact marami ang nagulat sa appearance mo kanina sa kiss cam!" The reporter chuckled.
"Woah was that a kiss cam?" I laughed with her. "I'm not aware. Buti hindi ako hinalikan ng katabi ko." I joked. Tinutukan ng camera si Joy na kasalukuyang umuubo.
The reporter laughed but later on cleared her throat. "Kidding aside Jess, what can you say about this? Like, attending a crowd-full arena? Hindi ka ba nanibago? Kasi for us, I think first time na mamataan ka namin sa ganitong laro. Jessica." Itinutok n'ya ang mikropono sa akin.
"It is my first after a long years actually. Seeing how large the crowd is, nakakataba ng puso. I think worth-it ang pagpunta rito knowing that it is a game for a cost."
The reporter nodded. "Maiba tayo ano. A lot of artist from showbiz and entertainment were here to support this game. Specially 'no, yung mga pinoy-pride nating mga atleta. Bryan Lim is here. Kahit si Lance Marcelino na nagdala pa ng support mula sa team n'ya sa U.S ay nandito rin." she said. "How does it feel to be part of this? Jessica."
"Nakakatuwa na sa simpleng participation namin dito we will be able to help the foundation to raise funds. Big thanks rin syempre sa mga bumili ng ticket." I thumbs up.
Nakafocus na ang camera sa mga naglalabasang players pero tuloy pa rin ang interview sa akin. "Maglalaro ngayon si Bryan Lim. Isa ba s'ya sa dahilan kung bakit ka nandito?" Muling itinutok sa akin ang camera. Napatawid ako ng tayo.
"Bryan will play? I didn't know that." Despite of the awkward feeling, I still able to surpass a chuckle. "I was invited by the organizer that's why I'm here. Nandito rin kami para suportahan 'yung ano" I got distracted when I saw Mago and Cole. They're wearing their purple jersey at seryosong naglalakad papalapit sa team bench opposite from where we are. "sa kakilala kong maglalaro." I smiled.
The crowd roared again. Tumingin ako sa taas ng screen at bumilis ang tibok ng puso ng makita kong nakafocus sa aming dalawa ni Mago ang camera. Mago looked up too. Hindi nagtagal ang titig n'ya sa screen at seryosong nakipag-usap ulit kay Cole.
"Jessica last na 'to." She puts her hand at my back. "Message mo na lang kay Bryan Lim bago mag-umpisa ang laro." She giggled. Mas lalong naging awkward.
"Ah. Goodluck sa lahat ng players. Fighting!" I raise my fist and smile.
The game was getting intense. Nagwawala na ang arena dahil sa sobrang dikit ng laban. It was Mago versus Bryan's team. Nawindang ako dahil magkalaban pa talaga silang dalawa. Dumating rin si Lucy. Ngayon kasama na s'ya ni Joy na may suot na purple na lobo sa ulo. Sumisigaw rin sila ng kung anu-anong cheer.
