Navigating Hearts ( Aviation College Series #1)

Chapter 19

What is the essence of being a woman?

I would often hear that question in most beauty pageants.‘The essence of being a woman is the ability to carry life’ or ‘The essence of being a woman is to be a mother’ Those were just the common answers to that question. I grew up without a mother by my side. I don’t know the feeling of being heard. I can’t relate to those children who could freely talk to their parents; how their day went, how they got the highest score in quiz, how they share their heartbreaks, things that pressures them or things that motivates them. Those children that the only thing they have to do is to study....

I didn’t get to experience any of those..

Unknown number:
Uuwi ako next week sa Pilipinas. Let’s talk, your Tito Inrad is excited to meet you.

I almost memorized the text she sent me a minute ago. I kept staring on my phone, baka namamalik mata lang ako. ‘Your Tito Inrad’ I never planned to meet anyone associated to her anymore. Imbes na kumustahin ako ay ganun pa talaga ang ibubungad niya sa’kin? Well, bakit pa ba ako magugulat, since when did she ever care for me? The moment she abandoned me, I knew her love wasn’t enough to keep me by her side, or did she even love me? Baka nga isa lang akong pagkakamali.

I snapped back to reality when my phone rang, Aeros is video calling me thru messenger, I immediately slid the answer button.

“Hi…how’s my baby?” bungad niya sa kabilang linya. He was wearing a grey sweater and a red scarf around his neck. He was sitting on a couch, city lights were visible on his background. “It’s so cold in here, mamaya pa ‘ko aalis for our Christmas family dinner, how about you?”

Nasa London siya ngayon kasama ang family niya, doon sila mag cecelebrate ng  Christmas at hanggang new year din ‘ata. The last occasion we celebrated together was the Halloween, we attended the school’s halloween party and after that we decided to visit the popular Horror Booth in MOA, it was well celebrated, I didn’t know celebrating Halloween with him would be so fun. Sadly, Christmas isn’t meant for us to celebrate together this year.

“Okay naman dito, Aling Sita invited us for dinner also. I already finished preparing, I was just waiting for Kaye.” Nakangiting sagot ko sa kaniya. These past few months, my lips were unconsciously curving a smile, not the forced one that is usually plastered on my face but the genuine one this time.

“That’s good,” he was just looking at me. “I have a gift for you but it’s a secret for now.”

I rolled my eyes. Whatever!

“I also have one for you.” Sabi ko para maging curios din siya.

His eyes widened after what I said. “Really? Can I see it?”

I laughed a bit. “Secret din no, ano ka sinuswerte?” he laughed also but after that he pouted.

“Clue? I’m getting excited baka hindi ako makatulog mamaya.”

“Wow! Ang O.A ha, saka na tayo magka-alaman pag-uwi mo.”

He gave me a glare. “After new year pa ‘ko makaka-uwi, paghihintayin mo ako ng ganoon katagal?” He started sulking like an idiot.

“Ayaw mo nun? May thrill,” I kept teasing. Curious din naman ako sa gift niya but not to this extent, para siyang O.A na baliw.

“I am more thrilled to kiss you,” he said bluntly like as if it’s no big deal to easily talk stuff like that. I gulped, the last kiss we shared was months ago, hindi na nasundan ‘yun. Wow, why did I sound like I was looking forward to it?