The Beautiful Thing (Lucky Girlies #1)

TBT 20

I realized a lot while spending my alone time at the beach. 

I still have three days before my supposed leave but I'm already bored. I bought so many things for my friends and I swear I'll max out all my Amex cards if ever I stay here for a long time. Yes, I missed my sister and my parents but my life isn't here anymore. Maybe, if someone would ask me how I love to spend in the country where I was born and raised for quite a time, I'd say I love it... however, a long time happened. I have grown out of the city despite how much I love it. I miss my bed in Manila, I miss my condo unit in Manila, I miss my university in Manila, I miss my friends in Manila. 

I miss everything in Manila. 

Okay, sige, sabihin na natin na I met someone I could probably fancy for a long time pero hindi ba't taga Manila rin naman siya? He loves traveling. I love traveling. But I can't stay out long from home. 

At the end of the day, I will always find myself booking a flight to the city where most pollution is as visible as ever but memories are everywhere. It can be made of big and small things. 

"Ma, I think uuwi na ako ng Manila," I said between the silence. We sat on a long table but we only occupied four of the chairs. Both our parents sat next to each other, although my father was at the kabisera, me and my sister were facing each other. 

"Na bored ka na rito, Ate?" 

"Yeah. I also have a lot of things to finish sa Student Council... I'd like to help them instead of hanging around here," I explained. Tumango siya sa akin, "Pwede naman, Ate. When my break starts I'll try to visit our house sa Philippines." 

I chuckled faintly, "I don't live there anymore, ano ka ba. I have my own unit. But sure, you're very welcome to use the family house." 

Our father cleared his throat, "Kung iyan ang gusto mo, sige lang. Malaki ka na, Patrize, alam ko na alam mo ang mga ginagawa mo. Do what you want," I gave him a small smile because of it. My mother, however, have a different thing in mind, "Bakit hindi mo subukan sumama sa mga pinsan mo? They're going to attend a concert, ah. I heard may isa pa silang ticket na free," she suggested. 

Umiling ako, "Ma, I have the same ticket for a different show and place. I'm really looking forward to watching it with my friends... I don't want to spoil it." 

Our matriarch nodded her head, "Well," she sighed, "Hindi ka na ba talaga mapipigilan? May tatlong araw ka pa, ah." 

One thing I love about my family is that we never forget where we come from. My father and mother made sure we learn Tagalog and it is practiced inside the walls of our home. Hanggang ngayon, kahit ilang taon na silang nandito naninirahan ay hindi nila nakakalimutan na mag salita ng Tagalog. 

"I'll go with you naman sa London for Christmas Break," pa kunswelo ko sa kaniya. Totoo naman, may family outing kami sa kabilang kontinente pagkatapos ng third semester. 

She nodded at me and I beamed, "Thank you, Ma!" 

Nang kinagabihan na yun ay inihanda ko ang mga gamit ko... even though my luggage is untouched because I used most of my clothes here. Kasama na rin sa mga inayos ko ay ang mga regalo na binili para sa mga kaibigan ko. 

I opened my phone after organizing everything, "Good evening?" I said on the line, "Yes, Young Miss?"

"Please prepare the jet plane, I'm leaving in sixty minutes." 

Sumang-ayon sila sa akin, kahit pa ang mga magulang ko. I hugged my sister good bye and told her to follow after her semester. She agreed. 

The same night I flew out of California and to Manila. 

Ayun nga lang, hindi ko sinabi sa mga kaibigan ko.