YOU ARE MY HOME

Chapter 31

I nodded and got off Hero's car. He didn't leave immediately. I think he was watching me bring myself to a small hut where people flocked getting away from scorching sunrays. That's when I heard his car's engine running and saw it leaving.

People turned to me suspiciously when I joined them. I only have my cellphone and a wallet with me. No backpack like almost everybody has on their backs. I guess there were two groups of tourists who were scheduled today to go to the island. Ang isang grupo ay tila isang pamilya at ang isa naman ay puro kabataan.

I asked people if they could allow me to cut the line first which means easing my way to get to the personnel to discuss my request for entry. No one protested and I feel too shy to admit it, but I think they are not at all aware that in my mind I'm desperately thinking of my attempts to bargain. If I should pay so much to get there today, I am willing to pay for the price.

"Sir, wala po akong reservation sa islands pero kailangang-kailangan ko po talagang makapunta doon ngayon," I pleaded

The personnel squinted his eyes while looking at me. "Naku, Maam. Pasensya na po. Hindi ko po kayo mapagbibigyan sa kahilingan niyo. Dapat po talagang may reservation muna," paumahin niya.

"Pero, Sir," I pressed my hands together, almost begging. "Napakaimportante po nitong pakay ko. Kahit po magbayad po ako ng malaki po ngayon, willing po ako magbayad. Sige na po, please," saka tumulo ang mga luha ko.

Napakamot siya sa ulo. "Sorry, Maam. Hindi naman po ito madadala sa pera, eh. Reservation po talaga muna ang kailangan niyo, Maam." Now, I feel guilty for being arrogant. I thought money can buy the protocols. They're strict and it's making me sick.

I attempted to make more excuses, but the personnel just kept shaking his head.

I heard noises of the people behind me and they seemed annoyed about me taking shortcuts on my way there when they waited for centuries to get reservations online. I didn't expect it to be such a blood and sweat to get your feet to Isla Rosa.

Now, I stepped aside after thanking the personnel. The screening continued. 'Yong mga cleared ay nagsiupo muna habang hinihintay ang kanilang mga kasama. I remained standing despite being shooed away by some other people who I think guarding the port. Wala daw akong papeles na naipapakitang may booking akong ginawa or what. Unless I have the vouchers or whatever documents they insist I should show to them, then they'll permit my entry. Eh, ang kaso, wala nga talaga. I reasoned out that I don't need these documents because I'll just be quick and shortly after, I will head back to Buenvenida. Pero sabi nila, hindi daw ganoon. Scheduled lahat ang biyahe kaya hindi rin basta-bastang nakakabalik sa main land.

A moment later, the girls started chattering and some of them even giggled. They were all looking behind me like they saw something peculiar. To kill my curiosity, I turned back and saw the reason behind girls' dreamily sighs.

It was Brent, wearing blue polo shirt and black plants His hair looks clean and is slicked back. He tugged his wayfarer free from the pocket of his shirt, flipped his arm out and shoved the glasses to the top of his head. Kulang nalang magtilian ang mga babaeng hindi kalayuan sa akin.

"Magandang umaga, Sir Brent," salubong sa kanya ng isang bantay. "Mga 10 minutes lang po na paghihintay at aalis na po ang bangka."

Tumango si Brent. "Sige po, Manong."

He was offered a seat and he sat on it. Diretso ang tingin niya sa dagat at tila malalim ang iniisip. He rested a hand on his lap. He brought his free hand to his chin and rubbed it gently.

Bakit itong si Brent ay hindi hiningian ng kung anu-ano? Does this mean he made a reservation too? Pero bakit hindi na siya pumila at tinanung-tanong pa? The officers seemed to know him pretty well.