Alone Together

Chapter 1 - Concurrence

"Meeting you for the first time was like nostalgia... Reminding me of a time I've never lived before... But my soul... It had always known you..."
Tuhin Chowdhury

Manila, Philippines
Year 2022

"Safe! Phew!" -natatawang sambit ni Ali ng sa wakas ay makatapak na siya sa eroplano.

"May I help you, Ma'am?" -nakangiting bati sa kanya ng stewardess na nakaabang sa entrance.

"Yes. Uhmm, can you help me find my seat?"

"May I see your boarding pass, Ma'am?"

"Sure."

Agad na rin siyang sinamahan ng stewardess matapos nitong makita ang kanyang seat number.

"Here it is." -sambit ng stewardess matapos ituro sa kanya ang kanyang upuan.

"Thank you so much." -sagot naman ni Ali habang inilalagay na sa cabin ang kanyang bagahe.

Matapos maiayos ang kanyang bagahe sa cabin, tiningnan niya ang kanyang upuan. At sa kanyang pagtataka ay mayroong lalaking tulog na nakaupo sa kanyang upuan.

"Excuse me." -malumanay niyang sambit upang makuha ang atensyon ng lalaki. Ngunit hindi ito natinag.

"Excuse me." -medyo nilakasan na niya ang kanyang boses at marahang niyugyog ang balikat ng lalaki.

Naalimpungatan naman ang lalaki at agad siyang tiningnan.

"Yes?" -sambit nito na mukhang naalimpungatan pa sa pagkakatulog.

"I'm sorry, but I think that is my seat. I specifically requested a window seat." -sagot naman niya.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I must have been tired and mixed up my seat number." -agad namang tumayo ang lalaki upang makaupo na rin siya.

"No worries." -sagot niya.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking, welcome onboard Flight 4B7 with service from Philippines to Abu Dhabi. We are currently third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes time. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing Etihad Airlines. Enjoy your flight."

At habang nasa himpapawid ay tuluyan na ring inagaw ng antok ang kaisipan ni Ali, kung saan muli ay dinalaw siya ng kanyang bangungot..