Val’s day, Val’s day, finally the day is back into our lives this soon, huh? For as long as I can remember; ever since my smart mind came to understand this day, some people have made more enemies than they have loved ones. Hearts have been broken, others are filled with regret, and others sink in their own tears. But for the Player, Valentine’s Day is always great!Like they say, ‘once a player always a player’ and a player will get away with even the most treacherous of things. I have gotten away with a lot of things myself. The year was 1999 and I had been single for a long time, like a month (to a player that’s long). Those were the times we heard nonsense of the world ending in the year 2000. For a chap like myself, in his early 20’s, I could not accept that the world was ending in 2000. I had lots to catch up with and my life was pretty much just starting, especially with "Val’s day” around the corner. I had to find my consolation in Valentine’s Day!So, I’m at a supermarket when I bump into Jasmine, a long time classmate. Elegant, beautiful, sexy, intelligent is all she was. From her talk, I could tell she was single, not with all the flirts she kept throwing my way as we talked. Inside, my heart at this point was dangling with applause. I could picture us on a date on Valentine’s Day already. As a sharp chap, I did not waste any time; I proposed a hook up for the following Thursday for a drink, which she never realized would be (14th Feb) the special day. Either way she had said YES. We exchanged numbers and agreed to meet on Thursday. Earlier that month, I had been flirting with my boss’ secretary too. Her name is Rachael. She was no exception from Jasmine. She winked and smiled at me at work all the time. I was now getting spoilt for choice because right after I run into Jasmine, I run into Rachael as well. Before she could even say a word, I hinted on 14th Feb. The smile on her face gave me my answer. I was sorted with two valentine dates!I was set and everything was going okay till the day arrived and I didn’t have a penny to my name. I was expecting money that I lent to a friend and the fool never turned up, without so much as a phone call to notify me. I was in trouble and could not afford to lose these sweethearts. Somehow, my mind drafted an excuse for my "Inkoramutima(s)”. The text message I sent each of them read; "Happy valentines gorgeous, just to let u know that I am dead mad with my sister right now, for leaving her kid for me to babysit while she is away on her honeymoon in India. So I won’t make it. I’m sorry, maybe next time.”I almost survived until two texts from Rachael and Jasmine hit my face.Rachael’s read: ‘Oh, so sad it’s ok love, we can meet at work 2mrw.Jasmine’s read: ‘Ok love, but I can still help with the babysitting, we will still be together. That would have been okay if I had an actual kid with me. Where was I getting a fake kid in case Jasmine just dropped by? I did the unthinkable and invited her anyway and before she could ask about the kid, a bottle of liquor and flowers were in front of her. Before I knew it we were both drunk and the absence of a kid, was far from our minds. My Valentine’s turned out just fine.Currently Jasmine and I have a 2-year-old son. And I’m still seeing Rachael behind her back!Yours truly, The Player.