Once Upon A Chance

Chapter Four

I got up at around three in the morning to get ready for my flight. Ruth and Chinkay spent the night at our house to help me pack my stuff. And since my parents are still giving me the cold treatment, Ruth has agreed to drive me to the airport with Chinkay tagging along.

My flight is delayed for an hour and a half. We're supposed to depart at 7:30 a.m. but the flight has been moved to 9:00 a.m. I'm at the airport terminal as early as five because they say you have to be there two to three hours before the flight. So imagine how sleepy I am while waiting.

Anyway, when I told my parents that I'm going to Batanes, they were speechless. My dad didn't say anything (still mad at me I guess), while mom looked like she's going to disown me. But in her eyes, I saw concern and apprehension. It's because I've never travelled to any place—domestic or international alone. I always end up saving my money rather than spending it for experience. I know what kind of boring life I have. That's why I will change everything now, starting with this trip.

It's 11:00 a.m. and we have just arrived at the Basco airport. Suddenly, excitement starts to fill my veins. If I've known that being away and free feels like this, I could have done this a long time ago.

The Basco airport is small. It's nothing like the airport in Manila, but it's nicely built and made of stone. It's like the Ivatan houses I saw on the internet, only bigger. There's no baggage belt where we can claim our luggage, so we have to wait until all of the stuff are unloaded from the plane.

My plan is to go to the restroom first when the airport personnel announces that the luggages are now ready for pick up. From afar, I can already identify my black travel bag. I present my claim ticket to the handler but he's attending to the other passenger. And because I have to go to the restroom, I retrieve my luggage without waiting for him.

While on my way out of the airport, somebody grabs my right arm. I am about to hit whoever he or she is, but freeze when I find a tall, hot guy looking at me.

"Sorry, Miss," He runs a hand through his short, unkempt hair. His brown black eyes are staring at me. "But you've got the wrong luggage."

He's wearing a white polo, with the top three buttons undone. Even with clothes on, I can tell that underneath lies a sturdy, muscular physique.

Since when a white polo in a muscular body frame make me thirsty? Damn, I need water.

"Hey Miss?" He's still staring at me. That's when I realized that he's speaking to me and is waiting for my response. Uninvited thoughts are going to get me into trouble.

"Huh," That's all I can say.

"I was trying to get your attention, but I guess you couldn't hear me with all these people," He explains as he waves his hands around. "It's just I think you have the wrong luggage."

I look down to check the travel bag that I'm holding and true enough, it's not mine. Mine has a pink lock, and this one has no other color but black. How come I get the wrong one? And how come our luggage looks so much alike, if not for my pink lock? My cheeks burn out of embarrassment.

"And I think this is yours," He continues. Yes, he has mine. My pink lock staring accusingly at me. We exchanged travel bags.

"Yeah, you're right," I swallow. This is embarrassing. "Thank you."

A side-glance at him confirms that he's smirking. Clearly, he's making fun of me. What a dumb way to catch a guy's attention. Without looking at him, I grab my luggage (making sure that I have the right one this time) and run away. Yes, literally run.

Welcome to Batanes, Aya.

•••

Good thing the hometel where I'm staying in for the next four days is located just across the airport. That's why I only walked going here.