The Vens

Vapor

Mau knew people at the airport and was able to put us on the waiting list for chance passengers. Papa carried me to the departure waiting area and the other chance passengers kindly allowed us to be on the priority list.

Luckily there were a lot of no-show passengers and all chance passengers were accommodated in the 11:45AM flight back to Manila.

We thanked Mau and Mang Howard for the brief but hospitable time they spent with us.

I had quite a dilemma whether to call Hans or not but I called him anyway before the plane took off Tagbilaran Airport.

Mama held the phone next to my ear.

"Betinna!"

His voice was over enthusiastic.

"Hans, we're flying back to Manila," I groaned.

"What's wrong? Are you sick or something?"

"Hans, I'm dying. I need to see you. I need to tell you something before I die."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Please, Hans. Let me see you. Grandmammy will pick you up. She is on her way to your house. See you at the airport. See you in an hour."

"Why? What happened?"

"Grandmammy will pick you up. We have to go. See you at the airport, Hans."

"Ah oh okay," he said.

I regretted calling him as soon as I hung up. I knew he would be worried but I wanted to see him the soonest possible time. I need to see him before I die. I can feel death is approaching. I have very little time left.

The intense pain returned and I was convinced that I was dying anytime soon. I wanted Hans' face to be the last thing I see before I die.

I had another dilemma about telling Hans what I saw on Tagbilaran Beach. He might think I'm losing my mind.

Memories of Hans flooded my mind. I smiled seeing memories of us talking about anything except my close encounters with ghosts. He was too scared to listen. He is the best listener in the world. He allows me to talk and talk without interrupting me. He lets me whine, cry, scream and curse till I vent out the last ounce of whatever it is that is bothering me.

I drank another bamboo tumbler of Metrinna's juice. Swig by swig I felt the healing relief. The tumbler was almost empty when a soft round thing landed on my tongue. It was chewy like a gum but softer. It tasted like sour and sweet rice cake. I started feeling the stabbing pain on my lower spine again but as I chewed this round rice cake gum, a cold relief showered over me. All pain disappeared.

"Ma, give me another tumbler please," I said quickly.

I drank the juice quickly and waited for the round rice cake to fall from the bottom. There was none. I wanted the quick strong cold relief. By the time I found my seat, the pain resumed. I was convulsing. I was sweating despite the coldness of the cabin air-conditioner.

Mama asked the passengers seated at the last row at the back of the plane to swap seats with us. Mama lied that I got epilepsy and they kindly gave up their seats.

I bit into Mama's handkerchief to stop myself from screaming. The hanky was damp with tears, snot and drool.

The flight attendants were concerned about me but Mama lied again that I got epilepsy and that it would pass in a while. Mama asked for a blanket to cover me. The plane lavatory was located at the back of the plane. The passengers queuing for the toilet stared at the moving blanket that squirmed, kicked and moaned.