Halfway Down There

Chapter 01

The plane movement was calm. It felt like a leaf dancing with the winds. My eyelids didn't take long until they started drooping and everything around me was coal-black. Ganoon ka-kalma sa pakiramdam ang biyahe ng eroplano.

"Merda."

"How confident are you that you'll find her, huh?"

Napamulat ako sa narinig na mga bulong mula sa tabi ko. I refused to do conspicuous actions even when I was tempted to tilt my head. Kaso, ang ingay lang talaga ng dalawang nasa right side ko. Nakita ko ang mga pasaherong nakatayo at naglalakad na palabas kaya natanto kong nandito na pala ako sa Milan. I must have missed the announcement.

I was packing up a few things on my seat, slightly crouching my lower body. Narinig ko na naman ang ubo ngayon sa likod ko.

"Can I make a pass?"

I spun on my sandals and moved a bit to give Russo a space. Inilingan siya ng kasama niya nang hindi pa rin siya nagsimulang maglakad. He remained standing next to me, his elbow rested on top of the aisle seat beside us. God, I realized he's attractive but a... creep! Siya rin iyong lalaking ngising-aso nang nasa Pilipinas pa kami. Kung makatingin siya, parang hinuhubaran niya ako.

He's wearing a staple too common in the men's casual fashion style but his physical appearance is enough to bring flair.

"Uh, excuse me? Dadaan ka ba or...?" I asked him, my forehead creased.

"God made you wonderfully," biglaan niyang sinabi na ikinagulat ko.

"Seriously, Cosimo?" Bumuntonghininga ang kasama niya at nauna nang maglakad palabas. "Hurry the fuck up and stop fucking flirting with everyone."

Cosimo? Akala ko Russo ang pangalan niya.

Cosimo chuckled at his friend. "Ano? I'm just giving compliments."

I wasn't sure if I should thank him for what he said. Imbes na pag-isipan pa iyon, ipinagpatuloy ko ang pagkuha ng mga gamit ko at saka sumunod sa dalawang lalaking nasa unahan ko. Cosimo was walking languidly while his friend looked very bothered. Bakit ko ba sila pinagtutuunan ng pansin?

An unforeseen wind enveloped me as soon as I stepped out of the plane. The inner child in me stirred a feeling of fear but my excitement overruled it. Palinga linga ako sa paligid, may ngiting hindi natatanggal sa mukha ko. I'm here! Pero saan ako magsisimula? Oh gosh, this is why prompts are sometimes stressful. Okay, Ivy, you're just overwhelmed!

Tinulungan ako ng taxi driver sa pagbaba ng mga gamit ko habang ako'y naabala na sa hotel sa harap ko. I booked a room here in Di Savoia for my temporary stay. I thought of staying here for a day or until I find a cheaper place. Maghahanap lang ako ng mas mura dahil hindi ko pwedeng ubusin ang pera para lang sa masisilungan ko. I have a type D visa so there won't be any problems with my stay, hopefully.

"Grazie," pasasalamat ko sa tumulong sa akin.

Dumiretso ako sa room para sana magpahinga pero nang makita ko ang disenyo ng kwartong napili ko, mas lalo akong nabuhay. The curtains and walls gave the room a cool ambience. I immediately took pictures of the corners for my social media accounts solely for fashion purposes because this is also considered fashion.

Itinabi ko ang maleta sa nightstand at ang dalawa ko namang bag ay sa sofa. Siguro dahil sa pagod kaya nakatulog din ako kalaunan.

I realized I slept without eating or drinking at least! The sleep worsened my stomach's condition kaya napagdesisyunan kong lumabas kaysa magpahatid ng makakain dahil gusto ko ring bumaba at pagmasdan ang buong hotel. Magalak kong isinara ang pinto nang makalabas na ng kwarto. I was walking curiously down the hallway and stopped in front of the lift. Saktong pagbukas noon ay ang pagdating ng dalawang matatangkad na lalaki. Hindi ko na binalingan.