Heaven On Fire

Four: Loren

I was eighteen when we flew to US for a living. In the news, Anderson Cooper of CNN, would be repeatedly declaring that the american soil is now COVID-19 free. This was after President Trump limited the chain migration exclusive only to wives of American citizens but abolished during Biden administration. It was still back when people around the world believed that United States was a safe haven for everybody. Everyone go here for opportunities that their country limits or didn't have any to offer.

Way back to Manila, I once read a book from an Wattpad author, whose friend of mine let me borrowed, Gerard. It went like this: "I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. I mean, magaling kang magluto. Maalaga. Handa akong ipaglaban pati ang mga bata. Mapagmahal. But as I saw that there are imperfections in you. It's just makes me so madly in love with you even more." I was an avid fan of wattpad during high school days that made more addicted to books. I was a member and Vice President of English Club and President of Gender Rights Council. My favourite teacher was Mr. Dupalco, who taught me on how to love, kidding! He was our Science teacher and my first teacher crush. Who liked a wide walking ramp on our room because he really wanted everyone to be physically and mentally active during his class.

My mother liked being a shield to those who want to court me and my big brother always there to know who are the people that liking me. Kurt was the only man who courted me for a year then I busted him. He was a school student official whom was strict than to Sir Mercado, our principal that time. He was an old-fashioned going back then. I liked playtime but he wanted a sincere relationship which I didn't believed right for our age. He helped me to moved on to my late father. And he always waited for me until I got a tricycle going home. He is so beautiful and too kind to break his heart. And till now, I still believe what I did made him a better version of himself. He's happy now with his wife. That didn't matter anymore.

On August 2023, the fall season was about to start when we got here in US. The immigration looked for our passport, petition papers, vaccine card, visas and a show money to proved that we could sustain a living. I took a deep breath before I dared to take a walk outside of JFK International Airport. It was late afternoon when the verification process finished. The days were about to become shorter, and I remember how the cold made my legs shivered that made me walk more difficult.

"Bilisan mo sa paglakad, Lorena," Mother said. Of course, naninibago pa'ko sa klima, sa bansang uso ang snow, I was frigid. After what happened, hindi ko makakalimutan ang gamit niyang cologne na di ganun katapang ang amoy kaya masarap na simutin ang bango habang nakayakap siya saken pero wala ako 'nun sa wisyo, or to thought what will going to happened next.

Kakaiba ang naging titig niya saken bago siya lumapit sa'min. Lalo ang kasama niyang binata na nasa mid-twenties ang edad, six-foot ang taas niya, kulot ang buhok na ayaw na ayaw kong hairstyle, maputi na mukhang Canadian, matangos ang ilong, mapusyaw ang labi at makapal ang kilay. Hindi ako sanay ng may ganun makatitig sa'kin. Pakiramdam ko kasi hinuhubaran niya ako sa isip niya.

"Ah, sorry. This is Alfred. My nephew." Pakilala ng stepfather ko sa lalaking di maalis ang titig sa harap ko at pababa.
"So sorry. Kanina pa ba kayo nag-aantay dito? Alam mo na, natagalan sa pagbe-beripika ng papeles sa holding area." Paliwanag ni mama.

"No worries, darling. We're just right on time. Kakarating lang namin. Forty-two hours if we take the road kaya kain muna tayo. Tapos check-in muna tayo sa hotel. Wag dito. Dun tayo sa Brooklyn. Masyadong mahal dito eh." Umakbay kaagad si Tito kay Mama at naunang naglakad.

Tumabi naman sa'kin si Alfred habang nakaheadset ako. Aktong aakbayan ako na akala niya ata diko mapapansin kaya kaagad kong natanggal. Tinapik niya ang likod ko sa bandang strap metal lock ng bra ko at inihagod ang kamay niya pataas sa batok. Paglingon ko ay si Kuya na ang inakbayan niya. Baka clingy lang talaga siya, Sa isip-isip ko. Sumunod ako kay mama.