THE EMBARK UPON A JOURNEY OF HOPE.
Written by: IAMDAZAI

AMBER P.O.V

My hands were shaking and ready to tap the keyboard as I intently stare on the screen. I'm not ready for this kind of stuff, ngunit gagawin ko 'to just for the cause.

"Two players are in a tied score! This is the last question, whoever answer first shall win the game! " 

Lalo kumabog ang dibdib ko at pinagpawisan. I heard whispers from other voice chat and chats comments on the section. Cheering my name and my opponent. This is so intense! I swear Jeremy will pay for this after this game.

"Players ready? Here's your last question..."

A moment of silence ensued as the host spoke carefully. "You have it even if there is none, What is it?"

Napapikit ako habang iniisip ang sagot. Relax lang Amber, you have plenty of time. No need to rush just clear up your mind. Ano nga ba na meron ako ngunit wala sa akin ? It could be something that I can't see but it's inside of me. 

Pero ano nga ba? The more I've been thinking of it, the more I lose my mind.

Ugh! It's frustrating! Mag-iisang minuto na ako nag-iisip pero wala pa rin ako masagot. Unlike the other riddles, wala pang sampung segundo, mabilis ko yon nasagutan. But this is different case. This is hopeless, malamang nalaman na ng kalaban ko ang sagot, I need to win this game-

I widened my eyes as I what I just said. Wait, that's it! And it makes sense!

I quickly tap my keyboard as I pressed the enter to sent my answer. Surprisingly, halos sabay lumabas sa screen ang sagot namin ng kalaban ko, and we had the same answer! 

"Aba sabay, ah?" Komento ng host. "Pero malalaman natin kung sino talaga nauna, may application dito sa desktop ko na nalalaman ang bilis ng pag-receive ng message or rather ng sagot, I shall check it muna."

I heaved a long sigh, pinagpapawis ako ng malamig dahil sa kaba. How I wish na matapos na ang lahat ng ito.

 It all started when Jeremy call me. 

"Yow, Bestie! What's up! Na-miss mo ba ako?" Bungad niya sa kabilang linya, kinailangan ko pang ilayo ang phone ko dahil sa lakas ng boses niya.

"Oh, napatawag ka, Je?"

"Grabe ka naman bes! Wala bang  kamusta? o kaya naman. Hello Je, na-miss rin kita!" Napangiwi ako dahil sa mga sinasabi niya.

"Shut up, Jeremy Martinez. Kaya nga tinatanong kita kung bakit ka napatawag di'ba?"

"Ang harsh mo naman, bes, konti na lang magtatampo na ako sayo." 

I rolled my eyes as I glance on the ceiling at napabuntong hininga, "Hello Jeremey? Kamusta? Okay ka lang ba? Happy na?"

"Yiiiieeee! Dahil dyan may special quiz ako sayo!" Napa-facepalm ako ng wala sa oras, walang patawad itong si Jeremy kahit naka-quarantine na lahat-lahat. "By the way, kilala mo ba si Rona?" 

Napakunot ang kilay ko."Huh? Sino yun?" 

Dinig na dinig ko ang pagpipigil ng tawa ni Je. "Hindi mo siya kilala, eh, sikat nga siya ngayun? Edi si Co-Rona Virus WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!" I rolled my eyes again, Jeremy is really hopeless. Na-iimagine ko na nakahandusay na siya ngayun sa sahig sa kakatawa. 

"Bye jeremy, may gagawin muna ak-"

"Wait don't hang up! May importante talaga ako sasabihin, Bes!" Pahabol nito. 

I sighed. "Shoot. You have 5 seconds."

"Maya texted me, I don't know how she gets my number but she wants us to talk in the video call, by mean us-the three of us: You, Gray and me."

"Uh? Bakit daw?"

"Ewan, basta importante raw, baka hihingi yata ng tulong sa'tin na magbenta ng kanyang furniture shop online. Anyways, I have to go now, papakainin ko pa si Porsche. See you around bestie!" Then he hanged up.

Binaba ko yung phone ko at napa-upo sa couch. Humarap ako sa TV habang naka-flashed sa screen ang mga balita. It's been three months since the world was hailed on the outbreak of the corona virus pandemic. Supposedly this year, I am a graduating student, but due to the implementation of LockDown as a safety precaution of the country, We never had a chance to wear our toga nor to enjoy our school life. 

We never thought that will be the different start of our daily lives. I watched the news every day about how the situation is getting worst. Day by day, many people had died because of the infection, and many people had to make a sacrifice, forcing themselves to separate from their family and love ones to be a frontline, making sure the country they live in will still live.

Hindi lang 'yon, ang isa pang matinding kalaban ng mga tao ngayun ay pagka-gutom. No wonder I understand that most of the people complaining and ranting about it. I can't help to felt sympathy when I see one starving to death and pleasing to give them a little help. They must be seen in their own eyes how corrupted the government was.

We still lucky that we have food to eat, We were still lucky that we have shelter to live in. And also, we still lucky that no one in my relatives, my friends, or I get infected with the virus. How I wish If I were rich enough I could have donated the money on how much I had.

I grabbed the remote and turn the TV off. I have enough to the toxic news.

Pumatak ang ala-sais ng gabi. Kinuha ko ang silver laptop ko at binuksan ang application na Zoom. E'to ang oras kung saan makikipag-video call kami nina Gray, Jeremy at Math. Well, thrice a week nga kami nakikipag-usap kaya hindi na rin nakakapanibago.

I clicked the join button and turn off my video before entering the Meeting ID. After few seconds, nag-flash sa screen ko ang mukha nina Gray at Jeremy.

"Ayan na si Bestie! Yow Bestie what's up again!" Masiglang bati ni Jeremy. Sa sobrang lapit niya sa screen, ang kamay nalang niya na nakita ko na kumakaway.

"Hey, Amber, How are you doing?" Nakangiting tanong ni Gray. Unlike dati naka-on na ang video niya.

"I-im fine," Maikli kong tugon.

"Bestie, buksan mo na yung video mo! Ikaw na lang hindi nakabukas, oh?"

"Shut up, Jeremy. Duh, I know what you up to." The last time when I tried to open my video feed, Jeremy secretly took hundreds of screenshots of my face! Halos lahat doon ay stolen at ang iba ay pangit pa ang pagkakuha. 

"Eh, sige na Bestie, minsan lang 'to, eh! Hindi ko gagawing meme ang mukha mo." Nakangising niyang tugon.

I scowled at him. "Shut up and don't you dare make my face a meme! I swear I will punch you in the face kapag nakita ko sa facebook ang mukha ko."

"Okay, Okay!" He raised both of his hands. "Joke lang naman yun, eh. Saka hindi ko yun gagawin, bestfriend kita, eh. Yiieeehh!"

Napahawak ako sa sentido, medyo kumikirot ang ulo ko kay Jeremy. "Nga pala, nasaan ba si Math? Akala ko ba gusto niya tayo makausap?"

"Ang tagal nga, eh. Kanina pa ako naiinip!" Reklamo ni Jeremy.

"Dude, you just already waiting ten minutes? Is that how long it is?" Si Gray.

Nag-pout si Jeremy. "Ang tagal naman kasi! Pag talaga ako nainip, manonood na lang ako ng Wowowin!"

Bahagya akong natawa sa sinabi niya. Seriously? Fan ba siya ni Willie Revillame? 

 "Habang naghihintay tayo why do we have brain teaser first?" Jeremy flashed a smirk. A smirk has a better meaning, Uh-no mukhang alam ko na ang ibig sabihin nito.Nakita ko si Gray na napa-face palm at napailing nalang.

 "So, are you ready for my quizzes?" 

"No,"

"Pass." 

"Haysss! Ang KJ niyo naman! Madali lang naman ito." He coughed first before continuing. "Bakit hindi makalabas ang isda sa loob ng aquarium?"

"Because they don't have legs?"

"EEEEENGKKK Mali!" His smile grew wider. "Ikaw bestie ano sagot mo?"

"Passed ako."

"I give up, shoot now puns," Gray said.

Napakamot sa ulo si Jeremy. "Ano ba 'yan, ang dali-dali lang naman, eh. Kaya hindi makalabas ang isda kase wala silang Aquarium Pass! Get it? Aquarium Pass! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" 

Dumagundong ang tawa ni Jeremy sa feed kaya kinailangan kong hinaan ang volume ng laptop ko. Kung sa personal siya nag-joke baka kanina ko pa siya binatukan. "Okay isa pa! Bakit sa china nagsimula ang Corona Virus?

"It's because of their cultural tradition, and some people are not that civilized or let just us say they do not blend nowadays. For example, indigenous people, they tend to hunt the species out there for medical purposes, clothes or make it food even it is against the law of domestic animals." Gray explained. "Because of that, the virus gone created."

"EEEEnnggggkkkkkk! Mali!" Nag-gestured siya na naka-ekis ang braso  habang si Gray ay napakunot ang noo. "Ikaw bestie? Ano sagot mo?"

"I think it is destined to happen, I've read a book about the prophecy of the world written by a french astrologer named Nostradamus. It says in twin year which is 2020 there is a queen-pertaining the name of the virus, will come from southeast Asia, which is the china." I recalled. 

"ENNNNGGKKK! MALI! MALI! Ang dami niyong satsat pero simple lang naman ang sagot."Napangisi siya na kinainis ko bigla. "Ang tamang sagot, nasa china kase ang bahay ni Rona! WAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Get it RONA? CORONA! WHAHAHAHAHA!" Hiyaw ni jeremy na kamuntik pang malaglag sa kinauupuan niya. Parehas nalang kami nabuntong hininga ni Gray at napa-facepalm.

Kung pwede lang tumagos yung kamay ko sa screen niya, baka kanina ko pa siya talaga binatukan.

While our Pun Master laughing, someone entered our meeting as it flashes the screen of the face of the person we been waiting for. "Hi, Guys! Sorry I'm late, kanina pa ba kayo naghihintay?" 

"We have been waiting for ten minutes," Tugon ni Gray habang nakapalumbaba. "You just in time before someone kills us with his mind-blowing puns."

"Ah, shush! Hindi niyo lang gets yung quizzes ko!" Jeremy pouted. "Dapat mamaya ka na sumipot Maya, KJ ka rin eh!"

I scowled at Jeremy before Math could proceed. "Bago ako magpaliwanag guys, I have something to introduce to you all."

"Who? Your online partner furniture shop?"

"Jeremy!" Parehas na saway namin ni Gray. Jeremy acted like he's going to zip his lips.

Maya-maya pa may sumali ulit sa conference call namin as it flashes another person. Bumungad sa amin ang nakangiting lalaki, blonde ang buhok nito at kapansin-pansin din ang matingkad na asul na mata niya na nagmatch sa suot niya. I bet his a foreigner. He's wearing a red and black stripes headset and a microphone was inches away from his lips.

"Everyone, I'll like to introduce to you, Felix Hubert." Math said, motioning to the newcomer. "Kung pamilyar kayo sa kanya, siya lang naman ang isa sa mga sikat na Youtuber sa buong mundo with the estimated of million subscribers and followers."

Wow, million subscribers? That's a lot of people! Panigurado ang taong ito ay malaki ang influence sa social media.

Jeremy took a deep breath as he widened his eyes. "Teka, ikaw ba yung channel na may pangalan na Flying Pie?!"

Tumango ang kausap niya. "Yup, that's me."

"Oh. My. God. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! PALAGI KONG PINAPANOOD ANG VIDEOS MO ARAW-ARAW!" Jeremy burst out na tila fanboy na na-meet ang favorite niyang author.

I shook my head out of humiliation, kakaiba itong si Jeremy but atleast Felix didn't mind on it, patango-tango lang siya at pangiti-ngiti. Siguro nasanay na siya sa ganitong reaksyon. The question is? Naiintindihan niya kaya ang lenggwahe namin?

"Ano ba Jeremy, tumigil ka, Huwag mo kami ipahiya." Sambit ni Math.

"Why you want us to meet this guy?" Gray asked out of the blue. Unlike Jeremy natural lang ang reaksyon niya. He must be observing the appearance of the guy.

"Right, as you know, plano ko magpa-charity at magdonate sa mga na-apektuhan ng pandemic ngayun. I've already helped my barangay, and I want to widen the range of my kindness and especially of my beauty. But I can't afford it, knowing na maraming tao talaga ang na-apektohan, na-estimate ko rin na kakapusin ang monetary budget ko." She went on. "Then, while seeking for a solution, a friend of mine introduce this great man and giving me a hand."

"Kung gano'n mangungutang ka sa kanya?"

"No. We will join their charity contest." Math smiled at us. "There's an online event organized by many famous YouTubers of their community. It's one of the big projects. They planned to make activities, games, entertainment, and kinds of stuff. "

"The title of the online event is We Play As One,"Felix commented.

"Everyone is free to join as long as you have been registered on their platform. It will be held on the day after tomorrow, and conducted by three straight days." Math explained.

"THREE STRAIGHT DAYS?!" Sabay namin sambit ni Gray.

"Because it will be expected that many players will join the big event," Ani ni Math. "Aside from that, madaming kinonduct na activity kaya kung hahatiin ang oras, aabot ng tatlong araw. Parang magiging tournament din ang set kase by team naman ang labanan. Each team must have four members to be qualified."

"The Detective Triumvirate Plus One will join the event!" Jeremy declared as we scowled at him. Oh, please don't embarrass us to the guest, Jeremy.

"In other words, maglalaban ang mga team na sumali, then whoever wins shall proceed to another game?" Gray guessed.

Napatango sina Math at Felix. "Single team elimination ang mangyayari. Each game there will be spectators para masundan at hindi maging kakomplikado ang laro kahit online. And every category we win ay may prize na naakibat bukod pa ang donation na matatanggap natin sa live stream." Math clapped her hands. "So, are we going to join or not?"

"AKO! GAME AKO!" Masiglang sagot ni Jeremy. Mukhang nag-umpisa na siya magpasikat sa Idol niya. "Guys! Sali na kayo! Sayang ito, oh? Mag-e-enjoy naman tayo."

Gray slant on his chair and touch his chin gently. "I have nothing to do since it's LockDown and there's no crime will be committed so... I'm in."

Abot tenga ang ngiti ni Jeremy nang pumayag ang kasamahan namin. "Ikaw bestie? Pumayag ka na, pumayag si Gray, oh? papayag ka na rin Yiiieee¬"

I rolled my eyes at him. Siya lang naman mag-e-enjoy sa event na 'yon. I can imagine him throwing puns while we're middle in the game, and that's I don't want to entertain.

Hinintay nila ang sagot ko habang nakatutok sa kanilang screen. Ugh, why they're looking me like that as if I said something wrong?

"I'll try, I need to see my schedules first." Yun lang ang aking sinabi. Of course, that was a lie. Gusto kong tumulong sa iba lalo na sa nangangailangan. Pero not in the likes of the media! Para sa akin mas mabuti na tumulong tayo nang patago kaysa na ipakalat sa lipunan kung ano ang naitulong mo.

"Yes! HAHAHAHA paano ba yan? Mukhang pumayag na rin si Bestie? Let's rock n roll na!"

"Very well then, " Felix said. "Kindly click on the link that will send your friend, register your names as your team name."

"So, now it settles, alam naman siguro natin kung sino na ang mananalo, Syempre tayo yun. You had me on the team!" Math remarked. 

"Nagsimula na naman siya sa pagbubuhat ng bangko." Bulong ni Jeremy pero dinig na dinig namin ang boses niya.

After the meeting, we clicked the link that Math sends us and follow the instruction on the platform. I still do not agree with our team name of The Detective Triumvirate Plus One. Dahil ang cliche pakinggan ngunit naunahan kami ni Jeremy na i-type ang team name kaya wala na kami magagawa pa.

Dumating ang araw ang hinihintay namin, the event We Play As One. Felix guided us kung paano sistema ang mangyayari. He told us to be consistently online to have not any problems. He added our accounts on a group chat and tells us to wait for the host to call our names. Naka-match na rin ang mga category na lalaruin namin. Six categories will be conducted in three days straight: Counter-strike Go, Chess, Battleship, Werewolf Online, Riddles at League of Legends. 

Lalo tuloy akong kinabahan, the match was randomly picked and some of the games ay hindi ko alam! Duh, hindi naman ako gamer or live streamer para maging pamilyar sa ganitong mga laro.

When our host called our team name, Lalo tuloy akong pinagpawisan ng todo. The spectators said we must turn on the video call to see our faces while streaming. 

Labag man sa kalooban ko at paulit-ulit na sinasabi ng spectators ay kailangan kong i-on ang video with sharing screen. Nagsuot na lang ako ng mask para kung sakaling magiging palpak man ako, hindi nila ako makikilala.

In Counter Strike Go hindi naging maganda ang laro dahil para kaming bibe na walang alam. Una, sumugod ako na gamit lang panaksak, pangalawa nagkaroon ng friendly-kill si Jeremy dahil nabaril niya si Gray sa kaba. Ikatlo, naglalakad ako habang naka-scope. Ang huli, hindi marunong magtanim ng bomba o mag-defuse si Gray kaya ang kinalabasan ay palaging talo.

But luckily, Math saved us from our own predicament, despite our newbie movements, she was familiar with that game and literally na binuhat ang team namin. In the end, we won the game with a total score of 25 over 24. 

"Told yah, you had me in the team." She winked at us after the host declare as winners. 

"Akala ko pagbubuhat ng bangko lang ang alam niya," Chat sa amin ni Jeremy.

Next is chess, we thought it was two-player set board but it turned out na apat na players ang maglalaro sa isang board! In that case pinanlaban namin ay si Gray. Since it was team fights, pwede namin turuan si Gray ng iilang moves. It went smoothly according to what he foresees, eventually, we won the game.

We build our teamwork and brainstorm our ideas on the games that have been left. The days have passed as we hitting straight wins, but we were terribly exhausted dahil umaabot ng anim na oras ang laro kada araw at hindi yon biro. There were times na nawawalan ako ng ganang kumain at kung minsan hindi ako makatulog ng maayos.

Pero kailangan kong tiisin, I have to endure it just for the good cause. And besides, as long as we have each other and happy doing it, everything will be just fine.

We're on the third and last day of the game. Pasok kami sa semi-finals dahil sunod-sunod ang pagkapanalo namin. The category for today is Riddles, the host said to make it more thrill, isa lang ang magiging representative ng bawat team. I heard frustrating sighs from the other teams while some of them have an air of confidence that they will win the game. The host gave us five minutes to make a decision.

"So who will be our representative?" Gray asked on our mini-video call. Napansin ko ang itim na namumuo sa kanyang ilalim mata.

"I think ako nalang gawin niyong representative, I can win the game as quickly as I can." Math claimed.

"Hayan ka na naman,Maya. Huwag mo angkinin baka matalo tayo!" Sagot ni Jeremy, hindi pa rin nawawala pagka-energetic nito. "Kung ako papapiliin, si Bes ang dapat gawin nating representative!"

My sleepy eyes turn widened. "Ano? Ako??"

"Yes, Bestie! May tiwala ako sayo kaya alam kong maipapanalo mo yun!"

"Kung gano'n wala kayong tiwala sa akin?" Nakapamewang na tanong ni Math.

"It's not like that, Math. I observed Amber, she seemed not enjoying the other games as much we do." Gray stated. " At alam kong may pag-asa tayo kapag si Amber ang inilaban natin. She loves riddles as well and I witnessed her skill in first hand." 

"Tama, tama! Kaya sayo ako Bestie! "

Grabe, hindi ko inaasahan na iboboto nila ako! Duh, kung pwede lang si Math nalang, eh. Kung gaano mo kase kagusto manalo, ganun din kabigat ang kailangan mong harapin.

"Tsk. Fine! Amber galingan mo kung hindi, itatakwil kita." Sambit ni Math.

"What do you say Amber? Are you in?" Tanong sa akin ni Gray habang seryosong nakatitig sa akin.

I heaved a long sigh, mukhang wala na akong magagawa. Tumango ako bilang ganti as they replied a smile. The host added me in the group video call. Bago magsimula, sinabi sa amin na kailangan nakabukas ang sharing screen nang sa ganon walang mandaya o mag-search ng sagot.

As the game started, I answered the riddles with ease. Kadalasan ako ang nauunang sumagot sa kanila, then I reached the finals. I only have one last riddle to answer and I still can't figure out. But after talking to myself I realized the answer as I quickly type and press enter. I was surprised na sabay nagflash sa screen ang sagot namin na ibig sabihin ay parehas kami ng bilis. We also have the same answer too!

The host checked his application to see who among us answer first. Then, as the moment of truth, he finally speaks. "The answer is Hope. Clark Legaspi speed was 45.21 while Amber Sison speed was 44.98! The result! The Winner of the Riddles: Team Decay of Angels!"

Naghiyawan ang mga kagrupo niya habang ako ay tahimik na nag-leave sa group video call. Gray, Jeremy, and Math called my name on the other video call.

After a few seconds, I replied. "I'm sorry...I didn't-"

It's okay, you did your best." Gray said.

"Ayos lang yun, Bestie, ang mahalaga nag-enjoy ka naman di'ba?" Si Je. His tone turned into a genuine one.

"Kahit hindi maganda kinalabasan, atleast nagkaroon pa rin tayo ng charity funds." Tugon ni Math.

Huminga ako ng maluwag at sinubukang huwag tumulo ang luha. I admit that I lose but at the same time? I won. 

***

After that day, we thanked Felix Hubert for the event which came to us a huge help. Math talked to him about the charity that we would likely to volunteer personal to donate it to the people across the cities. Felix agreed and decided to deposit the charity fund on Math's account. We won a total of 30,000 cash donations!

As soon as we got a rest and recover our health, we take action on spreading hope to the people. We put masked and buckled on Gray's car and decided to fetch the inspector so that we could have access to the boundaries. Other than that, Math called the mayor of the city to make a schedule of a program sa mga hindi nakatanggap ng relief goods at financial sa gobyerno. Hinati namin ang funds sa dalawa: Para sa bibigyan namin ngayun at para sa program na gaganapin.

I gave the bag of relief goods on the child as he replied to me a sweet smile. A while ago, there were in pain but look at them now. Laughing and thanking us. I'm glad to see such people. In their eyes, there's glim of hope.

Habang abala kami sa pagbibigay ng relief goods. May huminto sa harap namin na itim na kotse. Niluwal nito si Cooler at si Ryuu the Devil.

They both approached us at kinamusta kami, Cooler talked to his brother and the others while Ryuu gave me something a slip.

"What's this?"

"A slip, perhaps. " He smirked.

"Duh, alam kong slip ito, ano ba laman nito?"

"A donation. From Mafia." He replied. "Open it."

Pagkabukas ko ng slip nagulat ako kung gaano karami zeros ang nakalagay sa tseke. Napatingin ako sa kanya, the devil is becoming an angel, huh?

He didn't reply instead, he put out his phone and tap simultaneously, then he showed to me the screen. "Nice gameplay by the way." He smirked. 

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa nakita ko, that was our live stream! how did he- ugh! Binabawi ko na ang sinabi ko sa kanya.

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