Sometime In July (2024 edition)

Chapter Sixteen

Around 5:00 that afternoon, Jeanne called the domestic airport to book Seth a seat on a flight to Davao. He had asked her to handle it while he packed a small knapsack, just enough for a three-day trip. He figured that three days was all he needed—three days to win Yssa back. He called it his three-day quest.

After getting directions from Brandon about Yssa's whereabouts, Seth met him at Wimpy's, the same restaurant where they had shared lunch with Yssa and Elisha a month ago. Brandon handed him a notebook that contained Yssa's provincial address, her phone number, and a rough sketch of how to find the Gonzales family's bungalow. There were also a few photos of Yssa and her family in front of their house, taken the day before she had left for Olongapo. Brandon hoped the pictures would help Seth find her.

"You've been a great help, Brandon. Thanks." Seth hugged him tightly before hurrying off to the airport.

God bless you, Seth. Brandon whispered as he watched him rush out.

* * *

By 7:00 pm, Seth reached the airport and went straight to the Air Philippines counter. "What time did you say the next plane leaves?" he asked the woman behind the desk. She wore thick black-rimmed glasses and spoke with an accent that grated on Seth's already frayed nerves.

"Eight-thirty, sir," she replied, handing him a 12-midnight ticket. "But I'm afraid all the seats for that flight are fully booked. You're on the midnight flight."

Seth frowned, looking at the ticket. "I called earlier and reserved a seat for the eight-thirty flight."

The woman tapped on her keyboard and squinted at the screen. "I'm sorry, sir, but your name isn't on the list. You must've called the wrong service center."

"That can't be right. Your number is listed all over the directory," he said, struggling to keep calm. "Even if I had dialed the wrong center, your operators should have directed me to the correct one."

"Sir, that's not my responsibility," she replied flatly. "My job is to ensure the right people sit in their assigned seats. You're welcome to wait for the midnight flight."

Seth felt his patience slipping. "I can't wait that long. Please, I need to get there as soon as possible."

"I'm sorry, sir. There's nothing more I can do," she said, her voice devoid of sympathy.

"What if I just wait and see if there's a no-show?"

"You can try," she shrugged. "But we can't guarantee a seat."

Seth nodded, undeterred. "I'll take my chances. I'm feeling lucky today."

"Then we'll just page you if something comes up, sir."

"Thank you," Seth said, grinning as he took the ticket. "By the way, you'd look better without those glasses."

She rolled her eyes, but he was already walking away.

Seth grabbed a coffee from the airport café and made his way to the departure area. There was an hour and fifteen minutes until Flight 24 was scheduled to leave for Davao. As he sat there, watching the long line of passengers slowly shuffle forward, he marveled at how much luggage people carried. Huge suitcases tied with ropes, birthday presents, and all manner of local goods—Proudly Filipino, he thought with a small smile.

The line crept forward. Twenty-five minutes until departure. Then twenty. Just as two people remained in line, the PA system crackled to life.

"Seth Santiago. Mr. Seth Santiago, please come to the Air Philippines podium."

Seth was at the counter in five seconds flat.

"Mr. Santiago, we've got a seat available for you on the Davao flight, leaving in approximately fifteen minutes. Would you like to join us tonight?"