Through Secrets Unveiled

Chapter Sixty-Two - Stuck in Ireland

STACEY squinted her eyes a bit because the brightness of the world outside contrasted the calm mellow lighting of her hospital room. When her eyes adjusted to the glare of the light that flooded though the glass window, she finally saw the serene view outside. Asul na asul ang kalangitan, halos walang napadadaan na puting mga ulap dito. Dahan-dahan siyang tumayo, sapo ang kanyang puson habang naglalakad patungo sa bintana. Paminsan-minsan ay itinutukod niya ang kamay sa pader hanggang sa makaya niyang tumayo nang mas matuwid. She sucked in a sharp breath through her teeth, tolerating the cramps that made her legs tremble. Nang humupa ito, nagpatuloy siya sa paglakad hanggang sa marating ang tabi ng bintana.

Sa kanyang kinapupuwestuhan, kitang-kita na niya ang luntiang damuhan na nakalatag sa premises ng ospital. Nasilip din niya ang pahapyaw ng nakausling mga pader nito na may mga glass window. Kung titingin siya sa malayo, makikita ang kulay brown na bubong ng mga malapit na kabahayanan. At sa dulo niyon ay ang dagat na dinadaanan ng isang malaking barko.

Stacey blinked back her tears. She could not help a shaky breath from escaping her quivering lips.

"Stacey?"

The voice stiffened her. She already expected him to come here, in her own little room in this hospital in Dublin, but still, his presence surprised her. Ni hindi niya ito malingon dahil hindi niya malaman kung ano ang pangingibabawing emosyon. Should she show him she's scared of him? Or should she show him she's greatly devastated by what happened? Alin sa mga iyon ang ipinunta ng lalaki rito?

***

THERE was a turbulence. Everyone were instructed to wear their seat belts.

Renante woke up Stacey to let her know what's going on. Nanatili silang kalmado noong mga panahong iyon. After all, turbulences normall occurs during a flight every once in a while. If it wasn't due to bad weather, then it must be because of the wind or the clouds. And just as expected, their flight became smooth again after that turbulence.

It was already four in the afternoon in Irelend, when their plane reached the foreign country's skies.

Renante had a good nap. Lalo na at convertible into full bed ang kanilang seats. He awakened by an unusual bump. Tila ba umalog ang eroplano. He sat up. Sinilip niya agad ang seat ni Stacey at nakitang wala roon ang dalaga. Binundol siya ng kaba sa dibdib, lalo na at nagsisimula nang magkagulo ang mga tao sa paligid. The flight crews shuffled their feet around the plane, trying to keep the passengers calm and instructing them what to do. Kung nag-anunsiyo man ang piloto gamit ang speakers, hindi niya na nalaman pa dahil kagigising lang niya.

Renante stood up and searched for Stacey with his eyes. Another bump shook him. Thankfully, he managed to grab on the top of his seat to steady himself. Dahil din doon, may ilan sa mga nakatayong pasahero at flight crew nanagkabanggaan o 'di kaya'y natumba.

"Stacey!" he called, loud and firm in the midstof the buzzing frantic voices inside the plane.

A pair of hands grabbed his shoulders from the behind. He was welcomed by the calm face of a female stewardess. Despite how calm and collected she looked, anxiety writ on her eyes.

"Sir, please be seated and put on your seat belt." There was urgency in her voice.

"Miss, hinahanap ko iyong girlfriend ko."

"Sir, please be seated po."

"Nasaan muna ang girlfriend ko?" gusot ng kanyang mukha rito nang pilitin siya ng babae na hilain pabalik sa kanyang upuan.

"Sir, umupo na ho kayo. Kami na po ang bahala sa lahat ng naririto. We will make sure that no one gets left behind."

"What the fuck is even going on? Is this still a turbulence?" he muttered.