Guard You

A ticket to Europe is all I have now. I packed my bag and left without telling anyone. I wanted to escape this life, my life.

I arrived at the airport with my passport, suitcase, and a scheduled ticket for next week. I asked the lady in uniform where can I rebooked my ticket, and she politely pointed me to the counter behind me.

"Hi, I want to change my flight to the earliest schedule today."

"Let me check, Mam... Our earliest will be at 10 am, is that okay with you?"

I looked at my watch, and it was 5:25 am. I nodded to the man behind the counter.

"You're rebooking two tickets, Miss Ciara and Mr —"

"Just one ticket for Ciara Cruz," I butt in before he even says his name and I handed him my credit card. I don't want to look at him and see his reaction. I already had too much embarrassment today. I can't handle another one, not today.

"Here's your ticket Miss Ciara. You can check-in as soon as the check-in counters are open." He smiled at me while giving me my ticket.

I tried to twitch my mouth to smile back, but even my mouth was too tired to do that. "Thank you" That's all I can say.

It was too early, and the sun was not up yet. The airport is still quiet, which I need right now. I saw a coffee shop that was just opening at the moment. I stood on the side and waited for them to receive me. I realized I had nowhere to stay in Europe, and I didn't want to stay in the hotels he booked for us.

I quickly got my phone and searched for a hostel in London. Luckily, I found one, and while booking for my lodging, the lady from the coffee shop called me to say they were open. I went inside and ordered an iced Americano and glazed donut as I waited for my reservation receipt.

I had a gazillion of messages from him, missed calls from my family and friends. I ignored all of them and stared at my food.

I boarded the plane and located my seat. When the lady at the check-in counter asked my desired seat, I just responded, "any." Maybe I looked miserable, so she put me in the best seat; in the emergency row and window side.

Fifteen hours in the sky. I just stared at my window, gazing at the clouds. I tried to sleep, I could feel the tiredness creeping up to me, but every time I shut my eyes, I could see them looking at me like I was a piece of shit.

Finally, we landed in London, and as I walked to get my luggage, I could feel the air coming in and out of my body. My senses are coming back, and at that moment, I'm starving.

I walked and spotted Burger King, something familiar to me. It was my first time traveling alone. It was also my first time traveling without any plans nor itinerary. What were you thinking, Ciara! As I devoured my burger and ate every piece of the fries with gusto. I tried to think about what to do first.

I checked the location of the hostel where I am staying. It was one hour away from the airport, and it was a good spot for sightseeing. I smiled as I felt that something good was going to happen. I got up and hopped in the cab.

I reached the hostel past 8 pm. I went directly to the reception and went behind the man who looked like he had just arrived as well. I looked around as I waited for my turn. The hostel seemed pretty decent, and it was full of foreigners buzzing with conversations that were unfamiliar to me.

The man in the reception called, "are you here for check-in, Miss?"

"Yyy-es," I stuttered with that one word. I felt the gazed of the man in front of me, who is now standing on the side waiting. I didn't look at him as I looked inside my bag to get my phone to show my booking receipt. I wondered what he was still doing there. I tried to look in his direction, pretending to be looking around.