Airplanes and Airports

Chapter 3

All I want to know is can you hear me? Can you hear my silent cries at night? Can you hear all those death wishes that I uttered? Can you hear all those conversations about how we miss you? How I wish you're here? 

All I want to know is can you see me try to make you proud? Can you see how many tears I've wept and am still weeping? Can you see how many times I've tried to cut myself? Or how many times I've tried to shoot myself? Can you see how miserable I am?

If you can hear me, if you can see me... Then, I guess... you've never really left. That assures me that you've kept your promises. It's just that this time, it isn't my scraped knee that you need to mend. It's that tiny muscle beating inside me. It's that muscle pumping all the blood that I want all the vampires to suck out of me.

If you can still see and hear all of those things, please promise me that it'll be our little secret. In return, I promise to be good. To be the Christine that you protected.

1:30PM na. 12:45PM pa ko nasa waiting bay ng airport. And until now, hindi ko pa din makita ung magaling kong Kuya. He knows how impatient I am; I hate waiting when I'm hungry. 15 more minutes and it's official na 1 hour ko na syang iniintay.

5 more minutes passed and may nakita akong guy holding an illustration board with my name on it. I looked more closely. The guy definitely isn't my brother. He has a handsome face - imagine Zayn Malik but add another 5-10 lbs. Ugh, shit. I've been here for less than an hour and yun kagad ung na-notice ko! Ugh. Okay. But it's clear that he has a bored expression on his face.

I rolled my eyes and sighed. My brother isn't here; I'm hungry; some guy shows up holding a board with my name on it. What am I supposed to do? Should I trust the guy? I mean, my brother never really told me that somebody else would pick me up from the airport. Hmmm. But, I'm hungry, so I took my chance. I bit my lip in hesitation and approached the guy.

"I'm that.", I pointed at the board he was holding.

"Huh?", he looked at the board. "Oh, yeah. Christine?"

"Yes, Captain Obvious. And you are?", I asked back.

"Oh, how rude of me. I'm Dustin, King's friend. Uhh, he asked me to pick you up.", he explained.

He looks okay. He looks more than okay; kamuka nga ni Zayn Malik, eh. He doesn't really look like someone you'd bring home to Mommy and Daddy for them to meet, but someone that will get along with your older brother/s, though. 

"How can I trust you?", I frankly asked as I cocked an eyebrow.

"Uhh, I have a phone. Call your brother if you want.", he flashed a smile as he handed me his phone, but looked a little bit annoyed.

I was left with no choice but to give my brother a call. I may have some trust issues, but... this is waaaaay different. I wouldn't really go with a stranger, given that I'm not drunk or high. And besides, I'm in a foreign land. I couldn't dial 911 and tell them I was kidnapped, yes?

If you can see me and if you can hear me... Please give me a sign that I can trust this guy. Kahit one sign lang, please?

King picked up after a few rings.

"Bro, is she there na? Shit, she's gonna kill me. I'm sorry, Tyrone.", my brother.

"Sooooo, this is really your friend?"

"Shit, Christine! I'm so sorry. Sorry, sis. Something came up. I'm really sorry. Yes, yes. That's Tyrone. Go lang, he'll drop you off sa house."

"Okay then. I'll see you in a bit, brother dear."