Somerset Salcedo
Suite # 1002
8:45 pm
The door to Matt Feeny's apartment is ajar and I can hear an Irish band playing accompanied by a lot of noise and cheering. I am wearing a short nightie with its hemline rather high. I make a mental note of not stooping or else it would give a rather generous view of my behind barely covered in red Lycra.
'THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE!'
My thought on running into a broad muscled chest which is so obviously male: 'HE SMELLS DIVINE!'
My thought on that divine smelling creature saying, "Hello there." : WELL! HELLO TO YOU TOO. WHERE DID YOU COME FROM? GREEK MYTHOLOGY?...!'
PAUSE. I CAN'T JUST KEEP ON THINKING NOW. I AM SUPPOSED TO RESPOND. OVER AND OUT.
Me: (I smile shyly and tilt my head a bit)"Hey! I am staying across the hall. I have got some macaroni and cheese... wanna help me find a place to keep it?"
The sexiest man on planet: "Sure! Come on in."
My thought on seeing his tight bottomed behind: HMMMMMMM... YOU CAN HAVE THE MACARONI 'N CHEESE...I CAN TAKE A BITE OFF THAT!...!
I place the dish on the kitchen counter.
Me: "Thanks :)"
He opens the refrigerator door and starts to browse through the content.
Greek God: "No Problem. Now what would you like to have?"
CAN I START WITH YOU?
Me: "I'll have a San Mig Light please..." I let my voice trail off...
He takes the beer out of the fridge and opens it with the bottle opener which is lying on the kitchen counter.
Greek God: " I am Zaman. I arrived this morning from Oz. I am staying on the 18th floor."
THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM. THIS HOTEL HAS A LIFT! OK...STOP THINKING. SAY SOMETHING. CAT CAUGHT YOUR TONGUE?
Me: "I am Tanya. I am from India. I got here a month back. Like I said, I am in the suite opposite Matt and Julia's. Welcome 2 Manila! I am sure you'll enjoy your stay."
I DON'T MIND HELPING OUT IN THAT DEPARTMENT. I CAN MAKE IT IMMENSELY PLEASURABLE FOR YOU INDEED.
Zaman: " I am sure I will. Maybe you can show me around. Considering you have been here for some time now...". Discovered any Indian places to eat? I love curry!"
AW...AREN'T YOU SWEET? I HATE COOKING OTHERWISE BUT I'LL MAKE SOME CURRY FOR YOU IF YOU LIKE. THANK GOD MY MUM PACKED ALL THE INDIAN SPICES INCLUDING HOME MADE GARAM MASALA! SHE IS RIGHT...THE WAY TO A MAN'S HEART IS THROUGH HIS STOMACH!
Me: "You do hun? I have discovered not just Indian but some amazing Mediterranean joints. satisfaction guaranteed!" I throw in a wicked smile to punctuate.
Zaman: "Then take me out to dinner tomorrow?"
Me: "It's a date."
OOH LA LA
My eyes gleam in wicked delight....!
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We finally exit the kitchen and join the loud and boisterous faction.
People devour the macaroni and cheese. We order some salads and pizzas from Yellow Cab. Someone goes out and gets a heavenly cheese cake which we shred to pieces and gorge. We are short of beer so I ask some muscled men to help me get lots of chilled beer from my suite. We drink some more and then it's time to go to bed...
Me to all: "Nightie night..." I walk back to my door in a very dignified manner. Or so I think. I struggle with the door lock for a bit. I then realize that I need to swipe the key through the lock for it to open. I belatedly realize I don't have a pocket in the night shirt. I walk back to Matt's door and I knock. I wait. No one responds. I knock harder. No response still.
THE DOORBELL!
I ring it. No one opens.
UGH! DRUNKARDS!
I slump against the door and think. At least I think I am thinking!
I take the elevator down to the lobby. I walk up to the reception with as much dignity as I possibly can in my night dress. I smile sheepishly and request them to open the door to my suite as I have forgotten the key inside.
The Receptionist: "Sure maam. It happens all the time". She says it in the peculiar Filipino accent with a straight face.
I finally get in and look for the key. I find it on the kitchen counter. I must have left it there when we came in to get the beer.
I don't forget to brush and floss, not even in that state. I am almost proud of myself when I lose my footing and slip.
DAMN THOSE FLOOR TOWELS! THEY ARE MORE OF A BOTHER THAN HELP!
I get up with difficulty and stagger to my bed. I snuggle in and heave a sigh of relief. I sleep well...
I dream of the Greek Empire and the Greek gods. Divine creatures float through my mind and I vaguely recollect a few names I learned in college: Zeus (Lord of the Sky), Poseidon (The Sea God), Hades (God of the underworld and of all the dark forces), Apollo (The Sun God, lord of Healing), Eros (The God of Love), Dionysus (The God of vine, wine and merriment)...
They all look oddly familiar... I wonder why....
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