Reminiscing

'Open laannnnneeee!' shouts Junel as he lumbers unhindered down the paint.

Suddenly, Jody flies out of nowhere and swats the ball out of bounds from Junel's outstretched hand, leaving Junel dumbfounded.

Laughter and kantyawan ensues. Even Junel's teammate, Rino, joins in teasing Junel.

The game resumes and, thankfully, Jody and I grind it out to win the game. Tying things up at one a piece.

As we take a momentary breather to rest our tired legs and aching bodies, I am brought back to five years ago.

Jody and I were just new in SPL then, back when the company was still in the old Erechem building. With the lack of cubicles precipitated by my batch's arrival, I was thrown into this small, no-AC conference room along with Rino and Junel. Jody and Jon would come by often to hangout and it was there that our friendship grew. Guys brought together by common likes and the propensity for fun and mischief. Those times were good times.

The good times lasts up to now, but not with all of us five together. Rino was soon on a long term assignment in SF. Jody would go back to Canada. Junel, Jon and I would be assigned overseas frequently, as is the nature of the business.

We used to talk how it would be the shit if we were all assigned together on a foreign assignment. As I sit here on a bench in Jody's apartment complex, resting, I realize that this game of 2 on 2 would be the closest we'd ever get to that wistful dream of fun times on foreign shores. Sayang lang wala si Tiambeng.

Rest time is over. Time to decide who will earn bragging rights. The strength is far from regained, the legs are still tired and the bodies still ache. None of that matters though. Doesn't even matter who wins or loses. I will enjoy every minute of this game.