A sigh of relief.
Summer has finally come. It felt like a warm, big embrace, after all the sleepless nights and tired mornings I had to endure alone. Never knew attending school so far from home would be sadder than I thought. No one would greet you when you get home. No one would serve you dinner after a day-long class. No goodbye kisses from Mom. No immediate comfort from my family. It's really, really hard.
But, vacation is here and I have already packed my things up after finishing all my exams yesterday. I have already booked a ticket to my hometown, and my flight will be tomorrow morning. I told no one at home about my leave. I'll be surprising them, and I hope all goes according to my plans.
All because I can't just be here and do nothing the entire summer. I need to go home asap. It's mandatory. I have to escape this reoccurring nightmare masked as a big, ol' city. Every single day of my life here was just about school, stacking homework, and being stuck in the hell-of-a-kind heavy traffic. I could barely hang out with my friends. This is very far from the life in my hometown I was used to.
Speaking about my friends, my gang already knew I'll be gone for a while. I have canceled my plans with them and told them my reason beforehand. In exchange for granting my absence, they are asking for me to bring any pasalubong when I get home soon. Of course, I'll be missing them, but I have already felt the need for a long rest to regain all of the energy I lost during the last three years of staying in this apartment. Most importantly, I have already been missing my family for a long time.
Looking at my desk, it would be vacant for the rest of the month. This is where I finish every single task, rant about inconsiderate profs, and breakdowns—if I have enough time to cry. Perhaps, this room will be empty and quiet for a while, although it has always been since I moved here to pursue my dreams. No roommates, but only me, all by myself for three years.
Four o'clock in the morning. I woke up to kill my alarm, and cleaned my bed for the last time. As soon as I fixed myself for an hour, I left my apartment and said goodbye to our landlady. She's pretty nice, but a terror one when it comes to curfews. I promised to her I'll be back after the summer ends. Rest assured, she won't vacant my apartment after I paid the rent fee two months in advance.
Few moments later, the cab I booked came to fetch me and my bag. We left and drove past my go-to places here in the city. The malls, convenience stores, and even some kalenderyas where me and my gang would have on-a-tight-budget lunches. And finally, I'd get rid of the heavy traffic every time I travel in the city. I'd be breathing much fresher air when I leave today.
The moment I arrived at the airport, I checked my watch and I'm two hours early for my flight. With my luggage, I went through the security before I finally reached the counter.
I waited until it was time to depart. To be honest, I felt a little bit anxious on every step I took. As soon as I entered the plane, I located my window seat. The enclosed atmosphere takes me back to the time I had my first flight.
Few minutes passed, the plane took off and flew away from the city—the place that changed the way I am now. I'm glad I've gone far from who I used to be. Living a life alone taught me a lot of things, it made me feel better now. I wonder what the town looks like right now.
I'll be finally home after everything that happened.
Looking through the window, I was mesmerized by the wide blue ocean below us, as the sun glowed its rays. While waiting for the plane to reach my hometown, I put on my earphones and played my favorite playlist. I scrolled down to my socials, and I came across faces I knew for years. I can't wait to meet them again.
Almost an hour passed, I didn't realize I was already taking a nap until I heard an announcement.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. As we approach our destination, we'd like to update you on our flight. The current weather at our arrival airport is clear with a temperature of twenty-five degrees Celsius. We anticipate touching down in approximately twenty minutes."
I took a glance once more by the window, and I sighted a familiar airport below.
So I'm finally here.
The passengers started taking their bags and getting out of the plane. When it was my turn, I was greeted by the sunshine of the midmorning. I went into the airport and took my luggage before I booked another cab home. At the back seat, I smiled as the cab drove past the blue coast. Swear, I couldn't believe at this moment that after three years, I'll be crossing that sea again but this time, back to the place where my life started.
We reached the main city after almost an hour of driving, and I was overwhelmed by everything I've watched through the window. The place hasn't changed that much, but it was more vibrant than the last time I left. I felt my heart pacing in excitement, as the cab went into our town. I could already feel my Mom's warm embrace in my seat. I really missed them.
Our cab was able to get through the subdivision gates and finally reached my home. I could already see Mom doing the laundry in the backyard. I stepped out of the cab and grabbed my things, but before I could reach the gate, a furry creature ran towards me.
"Pancake!" I called her name, as she joyfully barked at me, wagging her tail. She jumped on me, giving me kisses.
I turned around and saw my Mom rushing to the gate. "Ike?"
"Hi, Ma—"
She immediately pulled me in and wrapped me in her arms. "ICARUS! IKAW NA BATA KA! HINDI KA MAN LANG NAGSABI NA UUWI KA!"
"Ma, kakauwi ko nga lang after three years. Pinapagalitan mo na naman ako," I said.
Mom yelled to summon my siblings, who literally dropped their jaw upon seeing me back. As expected, they rushed to my things to check if I bought something for them. Pissed, I just rolled my eyes and dragged my luggage to our home. Nevertheless, it was a familiar feeling I surely missed.

BINABASA MO ANG
T.S. STORIES #4: Say Don't Go (Completed)
RomanceMuling magbabalik sa probinsiya si Icarus matapos ang tatlong taong pananatili niya sa malayong siyudad para ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral. Sa kanyang pagdating, manunumbalik ang lahat ng kanyang alaala ng nakaraan nang makita niya muli ang unang taong...