End of the Endless Void

Chapter 20

Her

"Cabin crew, please take your seats for landing."

I heard the pilot said. Nakasakay kami ngayon sa eroplano, we are going back to the place where I really belong, the Philippines. I decided to stay there for good, for my son.

Grabeng sakit yung naramdaman ko nang sinabi niya ang salitang 'yon, papa. Pakiramdam ko ay napakadamot ko. Apat na taon siyang hindi nakadama ng pagmamahal ng isang ama. Nandyan lagi si Yttrium pero iba parin kapag si....

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have just been cleared to land at Escape Airlines. Please make sure for the one last time your seatbelt is securely fastened. The flight attendants are currently passing around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any remaining cups and glasses. Thank you."

Paano ko kaya sasabihin sakanya?

Magagalit kaya siya?

Matatanggap kaya niya si Orpheus?

Kumusta...Kumusta na kaya siya?

"Mama." I looked at Orpheus who's sitting beside me. Nagising yata siya dahil sa announcement ng piloto. I smiled at him and he smiled back.

He really looks like him.

"Why anak?" I asked him and fixed his hair.

"Where are we now, Mama? Are we in the Philippines na?" Napatawa ako ng mahina nang marinig ko ang pagkaconyo niya. Halatang halata na pinipilit niya magsalita ng tagalog kahit may accent pa.

Bakit ba laging siya nalang ang naalala ko?

"Hey, what are talking you talking about, guys?" Yttrium asked, nasa kabilang side ko siya. "Hey, Pheus, you're awake buddy, huh." He said and messed my son's hair.

Ewan ko ba kung bakit siya sumama, baka naman dahil kasama lang si Sofia na nakatulog ngayon sa tabi ni Orpheus but okay na rin, sakanya kasi yung eroplano and airport kaya nasa first class tuloy kami.

"Yes anak. We're about to land. Secured na ba seatbelt mo?" I answered Orpheus and checked his seatbelt at the same time. Nang masiguro kong maayos na ay tumingin ulit ako sakanya. Nakatingin lang siya saakin, halatang may gustong sabihin. "What is it anak? Tell mama. You promised you won't keep secrets from me." I reminded him.

"P-Papa is from the Philippines. When can I see my papa?" He said, halatang halata sa boses niya yung pananabik na baka sakaling makita niya yung ama niya dahil nandito kami sa Pilipinas.

Ngumiti ako ng pilit. "Mama will work on that, anak." I assured him. Tumango naman siya at sumandal na ulit sa upuan niya. Pero ilang minuto ay ginigising na niya si Sofia, napatawa nalang ako.

I looked at Yttrium who's busy looking out on the windows. "Oy, bakit may airport ka dito sa Cauayan?" Tanong ko sakanya. Tumingin na siya saakin.

"Yes, I have five airports here in the Philippines." He said like it was nothing. Pinalo ko naman siya. "Ouch! What was that for?!"

"Di mo sinabi saakin ah. Saan saan naman mga airport mo dito sa Pinas?" He just rolled his eyes before answering.

"One at Cauayan, Isabela. One at Manila, one at Luzon, one at Mindanao and on Visayas too." He replied.