I Am a Woman

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Naiinis na napapadyak ako habang hinihintay si Satarrah sa labas ng airport. She should be here right now. Where is she?

Kanina pa ako naghihintay dito. I had already informed her of my flight. I thought she was already waiting for me in the waiting area for arrivals, pero wala ito doon. I even have to go straight to the exit with my luggage, hoping that I'll see her on my way.

Pinag-iisipan ko na tuloy kung sasakay na lang ako ng taxi o hihintayin pa rin siya.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng makita ang pamilyar na pigura nito na papalapit sa akin. Goodness. She's so late.

I walked towards her to meet her in the middle, but I was taken aback when she walked past me.

"Hey!" Naiinis na tawag ko sa kanya. Sinadya ba nito iyon, o hindi ako nito nakilala?

"Yes?" Nagtatanong na sambit niya nang lingunin ako. So, hindi talaga niya ako nakikilala?

I know I change a lot, pero hindi naman nagbago ang mukha ko 'no. I still look like the Cee she last saw, just with light makeup.

"I have been waiting for you for almost half an hour. Bakit ang tagal mo?" Reklamo ko sa kanya.

"Excuse me, Miss. I think you got the wrong person. I'm here to fetch someone, and I don't think it's you." Mahabang paliwanag niya.

"It's me." Nababagot na sagot ko sa kanya.

"No, Miss. Gwapo yung kaibigan ko, hindi maganda. So, excuse me, I need to go."

Hindi ko mapigilang mapa-ikot ng mata dahil dito.

Akmang aalis na sana siya nang mabilis kong hinablot ang braso niya.

"Look, Miss. I'm not into girls, okay? I really need to go." Lalong napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. What is she talking about?

"Look closely at me, Satarrah." I patiently said, pulling her closely para mas makita niya ang mukha ko.

Napansin ko na natigilan siya at napa-awang ang mga labi. Doon ko lang siya binitawan at inilayo sa kanya ang sarili ko.

I saw her exaggeratedly gasp and glance at me from head to toe.

"No way! Cee?" Hindi makapaniwala na sambit niya.

"Yes. The one and only." I smilingly said and even flipped my hair jokingly.

"Oh my gosh! What a transformation. I almost didn't recognize you. You look stunning." Gulat na saad niya habang pinagmamasdan pa rin ang kabuuan ko.

"You're late. I'm so tired." I said instead.

"Sorry, I've got an emergency at the company." She said.

I nodded and motioned for her to lead the way to her car. I didn't ask about her emergency. Ang alam ko ay under pa rin siya ng Seriantels Corp. and I heard on the news that the company is in not-so-good condition.

Narating na namin ang kotse niya at tinulungan niya ako ilagay ang luggage ko sa trunk ng kotse niya.

"I really can't believe you look like that now. I almost didn't recognize you." She said as we settled ourselves inside her car.

"Hmm. So am I. This feels like a dream come true." I answered while smiling.

Nagkwentuhan kami habang nasa byahe. Mostly about my experience in Malta. She also keeps blabbering about my change of appearance. I guess it really surprises her.

Aside from my parents and Ate Solana, kay Satarrah lang ako may communication dito sa Pilipinas simula ng nakaraang dalawang taon. Siya rin lang naman ang isang kaibigan ko mula rito.