CHAPTER #1
Get lost in the middle of an unknown road. That's the thing that scares me the most. It's the feeling of unfamiliarity that absolutely terrifies me. I am scared of getting lost. That's why whenever I travel abroad, I make sure that I am accompanied by a friend, family, or a bodyguard. Kung gusto ko naman mag travel mag-isa, sinisigurado kong mayroon akong dalang map of the place. Gaya ngayong pauwi ako ng Philippines.
We live in Manila, but it's been years since the last time I was there kaya blurry na sa mind ko kung anong itsura nu'n. I mean, yes I see photos in the internet or kapag nagpopost ng photos sila mommy. That's it, though. Noong nandoon naman din ako, lagi lang akong nasa loob ng mansion. My parents don't easily let me go out of the house because it's dangerous.
Dad was an attorney when I was still in Manila. Obvious naman na he's made himself some enemies because of the nature of his work. He was representing big names in politics before kaya hindi na rin ako surprised na palagi kong nababasa noon ang name niya sa headlines ng news articles. Most of the time, they were negative headlines. I'm sure they were just accusations, but some of them were really big deals. I stopped reading the news since then.
"Good morning, ma'am. Would you like coffee or tea?"
The flight attendant took me out of daydreaming. I smiled a little and politely declined both. Based on experience, tea sucks in airplanes. On the other hand, I don't drink coffee.
Anyway, I'm enduring this 16-hour flight from the States to be with my family these coming months. It's national elections season, and Dad decided to run for president. I don't want to sound unsupportive, but going back home is causing me so much hassle with school and everything.
When I asked them over the phone kung gaano katagal ko kailangan mag-stay, they weren't even sure. They just convinced me to attend one of the prestigious universities in PH. I wasn't even familiar with the quality of universities here, but I had to decide agad para ma-process na 'yung documents ko at hindi maapektuhan 'yung studies ko.
More than changing schools, I also have yet to deal with the crazy paparazzi and media. Dati nga na attorney pa lang si Dad, pinagkakaguluhan na siya ng mga paparazzi. Ano pa kaya ngayon na nag-senator na siya at tatakbo pa bilang president ng bansa?
Hindi ko pa naman alam kung papaano ihahandle 'yon. Should I consider getting a condo away from the city? I'm sure reporters from different news networks will be outside the house more often than usual. I just don't want to be bothered for interviews and all that stuff. But as much as I hope not to get involved, I also know that it couldn't be helped. I'm his daughter. His only child. The future first daughter if ever the Filipino people vote for him.
I sighed.
My phone screen rang loudly as it lit up and showed Allysa's called ID.
"Shhh!" An old woman beside me shushed me with a scowl on her face and her bony finger.
I immediately clicked the side of my phone to turn it silent.
Allysa is the closest friend I have back home since classmate ko siya noong elementary. We managed to maintain our communication over social media ever since I went to the States. I almost couldn't remember what she looked like if it weren't for the selfies that she posts online. But I'm relieved that we'll see each other again in a few hours. Ngayon ko na lang ulit siya makikita in person.
"Hey!" I said after I swiped on the screen and held the phone on my ear. "This plane ride is killing my feet. I am in dire need of the best foot massager in Manila."
I heard her laugh loudly on the phone.
"Ay, sure beh! Nasaan ka na ba? I mean, ilang oras pa? Parang delayed ka yata?"
