Termination of Desire

Kabanata 19

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Philippine Airlines welcomes you to Manila. For your safety, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened until the fasten seat belt sign has been switched off."

I opened my eyes after I heard the FA's announcement. I saw Helen beside me, preparing to get off. I sighed silently and looked outside the window.

We have safely arrived, and it feels nostalgic. Philippines' airport feels very different from other countries' airports. Siguro dahil ito ang tahanan ko. This is where I was born and raised, so it felt very warm.

The busy atmosphere and familiar Filipino faces gave me so much comfort. It feels homely. It's like I have finally arrived at a place where I can be very comfortable and at peace. Knowing that this place...is my home. I felt like a once a lost child that came home finally.

"Ano? Nagsisisi ka nang umuwi?"

Napalingon ako kay Helen na nakangisi sa akin.

"Balik na ba tayo ng France?"

I scoffed. I looked around and slowly smiled.

"It's feels nostalgic. I feel like...I haven't gone home for decades."

She looked around too.

"Parang wala namang nagbago," kaswal na sabi niya. "Parang pumangit at bumaho pa nga dito e."

Natawa ako at umiling.

"Sinabi mo sana na ayaw mong sumama para iniwan na kita kay Toussaint," pang asar ko nang magsimula ba kaming maglakad hila-hila ang mga maleta.

"Sus! Alam ko namang you can't live without me e. I'm your other half, so kung nasaan ka, nando'n din ako, okay?"

"Whatever."

I put down my wayfarer when some media started to take photos of me. Bumilis din ang lakad namin ni Helen hanggang sa makapasok sa isang puting van na naghihintay sa amin sa labas.

I can't deny that my perfume brand is quite popular abroad. And as a brand ambassador of my own, some people might recognize me. Hindi gaanong kilala ang brand ko dito sa Pilipinas pero dahil sa nangyari kanina, nalaman kong meron pa rin palang kaunting nakakakilala sa akin.

Mag aalas siete na ng gabi nang makauwi kami sa bahay. I didn't inform my dad of my arrival because I wanted to surprise him. Kaya naman nang buksan ko ang pinto at nakita ko siyang nagkakape sa sala ay sobrang nanlaki ang mga mata niya.

"Frances!" Napatayo agad siya at nagmadaling lumapit.

I smiled and welcomed his tight hug.

"When did you arrive?! You didn't inform me!"

I hugged him so tight because I missed him so much. He caressed my hair slowly. Pumikit ako at dinamdam ang yakap na matagal ko nang hindi naramdaman. My tears are on the edge, but I have badly restrained them.

"I missed you, dad..." I whispered.

"I missed you too, anak. Sobra." He tightened his hug.

Agad akong nanghina. My heart is overflowing with joy, and I consider this one of my happiest moments.

Kumalas kami sa isa't isa at nagtitigan. He aged, but not so much. He's handsome as always. Those luminous eyes behind his dark-rimmed eyeglasses were a beautiful view of a loving father. A view that I can't stop looking at because I didn't see them for a long time. Those wrinkles that have formed through the years don't diminish his handsome face. And that smile, which I really missed, made me mesmerized for a moment.