Capturing The Ice Queen's Heart

Epilogue

I caused my father a lot of headaches as a troublemaker in the US. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't a bully or anything because I was a victim myself. It wasn't about my race. I nowhere looked like a Filipino, but there was one thing that they'd like to pick on me about—that my former competitive figure skater father was a coward.

I was stubborn and befriended the wrong guys. I felt frustrated that I couldn't vent out 'cause my dad chose to stay silent. And I even felt bad that my grandparents were still blaming him for the death of my mom.

"Let's just go to the Philippines! I know you're just staying here because of me! But this is all wrong!" My ten-year-old self blurted out after he argued with Grandpa.

Papa glanced at me with sadness. "You won't like it there. Mahirap ang buhay doon hindi katulad dito na nakakapag-aral ka ng maayos, nakaka-kain ng higit sa tatlong beses sa isang araw, at may naghihintay na magandang kinabukasan..."

"What about you, then? You're like living in Hell!" I stood up from the chair and walked to him. "How can you move on if you're caged in the very place where your world crumbled down? You have to live, 'Pa. Stop trying to survive. Live the life that you want and don't you dare leave me here..."

Papa bought me a camera and I captured my favorite places in my remaining days in the US. He went to the Philippines a few weeks earlier to find us a home. My grandparents didn't like my decision, but what could I do? That was a small sacrifice compared to what my father did for me.

I said goodbye to my mom before I headed to the airport. My grandparents did me one last favor so I could board the aircraft. Everything was smooth and we landed in Singapore for a 3-hour layover. I didn't know what to expect in the Philippines, though. I hoped that our lives would be better there.

We boarded another aircraft and thought that my great experience as a first-time traveler would continue until I was put in the wrong seat. A  girl in the front had been crying for minutes and I just cursed myself for leaving my headphones in the restroom.

"Seriously..." I said irritably as I tried to take a nap.

"Why are you crying? It's your first gold! You should be happy!" Someone said to the girl.

But she just kept on crying! Even the other passengers started to notice the noise. I rummaged through my bag and found a tissue paper. I crumpled it and inserted it in my ears—assuming that I wouldn't hear the kid anymore.

"I wanna go home, Tita Avery! Please take me home!"

I groaned as I opened my eyes. Iiyak ba 'to buong flight? I waited for her aunt to go to the lavatory. When I was confident that she was finally alone, I stood up and stopped at her row.

I got tongue-tied the moment I saw the girl. Her makeup was a mess, but underneath was a pretty, innocent-looking face. She was wearing a pink... tutu dress. And a gold medal was clinging on her neck. She must be a ballerina or something.

A pair of brown eyes bore onto me cluelessly; her cheeks were flushed and wet. I suddenly had no words to say. I cleared my throat. I was getting distracted and staring at her wasn't a part of the plan... Inayos ko 'yung tindig ko at nag-tapang-tapangan sa harapan niya.

"T-The pilot will drop you if you keep on crying..." I barked like a dog.

"What did you just say?!" I almost jumped when someone spoke behind me. "Try it and I'll drop you off at a no-man's land instead!"

I slowly craned my neck and was greeted by the aunt's angry face. The cabin crews were so alert that they quickly flocked to us. Did I stand here for a long time? Did I stare too much?