Memories with the Myanmar guy

The tragedy in Myanmar that killed and injured a lot of people was really sad. It's not nice to hear people getting homeless and the place they call their home got devastated. This horrifying calamity reminded me of the Myanmar guy that I met years back.

I was in the hotel's reception area when I saw a group of men who seemed to be unaware of the noise they created in a place where guests normally do their transaction with the hotel staff. While I was trying to talk to the receptionist to extend my stay, these men kept on talking and laughing as if they owned the place. Worse, I couldn't understand what they were talking because of the language they used. How do I know they if were laughing at me or simply made fond of the clothes I was wearing? But that's the least of my worries. Because honestly, I really don't care. What I wanted to happen is to finish my transaction right away because I still have classes to attend to. But the people in the front desk couldn't even hear me because of the fuzz these guys created.

Annoyed by their unbecoming behavior, I approached the group and asked them to shut up for a minute so that I would be able to get my things done There was a sudden silence in the place. I was almost relieved that finally I could talk to the lady personnel but my morning got ruined even more when I learned that all rooms were booked already. I immediately left the place and went back to my room to take my things with me. On my way to the elevator, a guy from the group approached me. He asked for an apology for their misbehavior and if there's something he can do to turn my good mood on, he would try to do it. I told him there's nothing he could do about it. Yet, I was surprised that he knew I wasn't able to extend my stay. He offered one of the 10 rooms that they booked for all of them. He said, he is willing to give it up so I would not have to look for a another place to stay.

That moment, I learned that they are Myanmar delegates for the South East Asean Games and the reason why they were noisy was that they were too excited for the event and so amazed by how beautiful our country is. I was supposed to decline his offer but I also realized that it would be difficult for me to find another hotel due to the SEA Games. I felt like I got no choice but to accept his peace offering, as he termed it.

Rajee and his roommate had to vacated their room and joined with the other athletes so I can be accommodated. The receptionist even teased me that the guy probably got a crush on me that's why he's acting like a Good Samaritan. I just laughed at the idea for two reasons. First, Rajee is a very good looking guy and would even qualify as a model. Second, he was just doing it because he's guilty of the group's misbehavior that almost ruined my day.

But on the third day of my stay, I got a personal note from Rajee left in the front desk. It was an invitation for lunch. To show my appreciation of his Good Samaritan act, I accepted it. During our lunch, I noticed his reluctance and he could not seem to look at me straight. Until, he finally got the guts to express his feelings for me. I was shocked by his revelation. But I told him, I just wanted us to be friends for a bunch of reasons. Firstly, his stay in our country is temporary. What will happen after he gets back to Myanmar? Secondly as I mentioned earlier, he's too good looking for me. As a handsome athelete, I am quiet sure, there are a lot of girls who are crazy about him And lastly, I do have a boyfriend.

I could be the least beautiful girl who dumped him. But Rajee accepted my refusal gracefully. I was happy though that neither of us changed after that. We still went out to lunch together. And I even cheered for him in his games. Until it's time for me to go back home and say farewell to my newly found friend. I could see sadness in Rajee's face. That alone, made me cry. We exchanged phone numbers and promised to keep in touched. He also gave me his official jacket for the SEA Games. Although he never won a medal in the competition, I still believe he's the best athlete in the world. I went back home, bringing the memories, Rajee and I shared. For months, we managed to keep in touched, but when I lost my phone, I also lost contact with him. I got busy with other things too and found no time to search for his other contact details.

For a period of time, I forgot Rajee. But the tragic event in his country reminded me of him again. I went to my closet and found his jacket. Suddenly the fond memories we had just suddenly lingered in my mind. I hope nothing bad happened to him. I pray that none of his loved ones lost their lives in the tsunamis. I hope that he did not lose his home. I hope that he's not one of those who are missing. I wish he can find a way to let me know, he's okay. I wish...