I Love You First (PUBLISHED)

Chapter 20

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome on board Qatar Airways. As you find your seat, may we request that you place large items in the overhead compartments and smaller-sized belongings including duty-free bags and liquids under the seat in front of you. Our cabin crews are available to assist."

Napangiti sa akin si Daisy nang makita niyang ako ang nag-a-announce. Kinindatan ko lang siya.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as we are currently refueling the aircraft, please remain seated with your seatbelts unfastened. Mobile phones must remain switched off while refueling is in progress. As a reminder, smoking is not allowed at any time on board including the use of electronic cigarettes. Thank you."

Ilang taon na simula nang maka-graduate kami ni Daisy ng college with the course of Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management at dito na kami sa Qatar Airways nagtatrabaho. We never expected that we would be here. Dati, pangarap lang namin dito dahil maganda ang uniform but now, we're living our dreams.

After our duty, I made the announcement again informing our take-off to Croatia. Our superiors were smiling at me, even our two handsome foreign pilots. Maybe because it was my first time to officially take down that announcement. Pinaulanan din ako ng mga papuri ng mga kasama namin sa cabin kanina. I can't help but smile from ear to ear. My younger self would be really proud of me.

"You nailed it, Sunny! I am so proud of you!" bati sa akin ni Daisy nang makalabas na kami sa aircraft. Naka-uniform pa rin kami at hila-hila namin ang maliit naming luggage habang naglalakad na parang isang model. Feel na feel talaga namin ang maroon naming uniform and no one can stop us!

Binati kami isa-isa ng mga flight attendants na nakakasalubong namin. We also greeted them back with a genuine smile. This is one of our duty, to smile warmly despite tiredness.

"Thank you." I smiled at her. Grabe, I never imagined I would be in different countries so far from our hometown. Napuno na ng travel goals ang IG accounts naming dalawa ni Daisy. Who knows I will be with her for the past ten years now. I am so lucky she never leaves me. Kinaya kong walang boyfriend dahil kasama ko siya at nakatapos kaming dalawa ng pag-aaral. A lot of things have changed and this change is so much better.

Pagkatapos naming mag-report, dumeretso na kami sa hotel namin. May two days kasi kaming pahinga kaya makakagala kami rito sa Croatia. Nag-check na rin ako ng tourist spots na pwede naming pasyalang dalawa.

"Tumawag ka na ba sa mama mo?" tanong niya nang makapaghubad ng damit.

"Syempre, hindi pa. Kadarating palang natin sa hotel 'di ba? Parang hindi tayo magkasama, ah," sarkastikong sagot ko.

"Ang taray? May pinaglalaban 'yan?" Natawa siya sabay humilata sa kama. "I am so tired but I am so happy! I bet my younger self never imagined that we will live such a good life," komento niya pa.

"Paborito mo nang linya 'yan!" angal ko dahil palagi ko iyong naririnig sa kaniya kapag may chance na magkasama kami sa iisang flight. Hindi niya nakakalimutang bigkasin ang mga iyon na para bang walang katapusan ang pagpapasalamat niya sa mga magagandang nangyayari sa amin ngayon. Kahit naman ako, I am so thankful.

"Of course at hindi ako magsasawang sabihin 'yon dahil totoo naman. Look, how far we are now. Parang kahapon lang, eighteen years old palang tayo. Ngayon twenty-five na at wala pa ring jowa!"

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. "Baka tayo talaga," banat ko na naging dahilan ng panlilisik niya ng mata. Wow, ha? Siya pa choosy.

"Baliw! Hindi tayo masasarapan sa isa't isa. Kadiri! Ew! Maghahanap na lang ako ng gwapo rito! May pag-asa pa!"

Mas lalo akong natawa sa reaksyon niya. Hihiritan ko pa sana siya nang pumunta na siya sa shower room. Pailing-iling naman ako habang hinihintay na sumagot sa video call ko si mama. Grabe, nakakapagod ang byahe. Kung may jetlag ang guests, mas lalo kami.