"Ms. Xyrene, what brought you here?"
"Ms. Xyrene, how does it feel coming back to your home country after years?"
"Ms. Xyrene, will you stay here for good?"
Samu't saring katanungan ang sumalubong sa akin pagkalabas namin ng airport.
I wasn't expecting the media to welcome me here. I didn't even know they knew me!
How come they are here?
"Excuse me, give us way everyone," Jannah asked seriously as she addressed the group of media.
Maging siya ay pumipigil na rin sa mga nagsusubok na lumapit sa amin dahil hindi na iyon kinakaya ng mga security guard na naka-assign.
I wasn't aware they were here outside.
Karga ko si Angeline na nakatulog na naman habang pilit na isiniksik ang sarili para makadaan.
Some security guided me as I made my way inside the van that was waiting for us. It was so challenging to exit from the crowded media, but through the assistance of the crowd control team, we successfully got inside our waiting van.
"Woahh!" I breathed out. "What was that?"
Jannah rolled her eyes at me. "I told you that your comeback should be a secret."
I rolled my eyes too. "How was I supposed to know that they knew me?"
She threw me a sharp glare. "Of course, they do!" she insisted. "Joke's on you for not checking your social media!"
Sumandal nalang ako sa kinauupuan ko at nagbuntong-hininga.
Up until now, I am still not into using social media.
Ewan ko pero mas gusto ko iyong hindi ko binubuksan ang mga social media accounts ko.
Siguro dahil natatakot ako sa kung ano ang mga posibleng makikita ko sa internet o siguro dahil mas gusto ko nalang ang huwag nang ipasok ang sarili ko sa mga ganoong bagay.
Life is more peaceful without social media.
"Sumama ka nalang kaya sa amin?" I offered Jannah as we reached the building of the condo I bought here in Manila.
She timidly shook her head. "Uuwi ako sa bahay, babalikan ko nalang kayo bukas."
Jannah lived here in Manila before. As I've known, she only lived with her mother since she's an only child and she hasn't met her father since she was born. And now that her mother has passed away, I know for sure that it will only be her who will stay at their house here.
It will surely open her healing wounds, that's why I wanted her to just stay with us, but she wouldn't accept my offer.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Yeah... You guys should rest, Angeline must be tired by now."
Sumang-ayon nalang din ako sa kaniyang sinabi dahil ramdam ko na rin ang jetlag nang dahil sa mahabang biyahe. Gising na si Angeline pero alam kong pagod din ang bata dahil hindi ito nagdadaldal sa akin.
Hindi ko na pinilit si Jannah dahil alam ko namang hindi rin ito magpapapigil.
Umakyat nalang ako habang karga si Angeline na nakasandal ang ulo sa aking balikat.
"How are you feeling, baby?" I asked softly as we waited for the elevator to reach our floor.
Humikab ito. "Sleepy, Mommy..."
I chuckled as I saw her eyelids getting heavier and heavier as time passed.
Mabuti nalang at natunton ko din kaagad ang condo unit na binili ko dito.
