At Last, Him

Chapter 9: The Charm of Bali

This Chapter is dedicated to @gorgenam , thank you so much for actively commenting on every chapter! Happy reading!

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As the plane descended toward Ngurah Rai International Airport, I peered out the window, my heart racing with anticipation. The lush green landscape of Bali unfurled beneath me, dotted with vibrant patches of rice fields and palm trees swaying gently in the breeze. The turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean glistened under the midday sun, promising new adventures and experiences.

Once we touched down, the cabin erupted with applause and cheers. It felt surreal to be here after so long, yet I couldn't shake off the weight of the journey. As the seatbelt sign turned off, passengers hurriedly gathered their belongings, but I took a moment to breathe in the excitement and anxiety swirling within me. I could hardly believe I was finally in Bali.

Exiting the plane, I followed the flow of passengers into the terminal, where we were met with the distinct smell of fresh air mingling with hints of tropical flowers. The atmosphere buzzed with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Bago ako pumunta sa immigration, inayos ko ang mask ko na nakasuot sa 'kin. The mask serving as a reminder of the new normal we all faced.

Habang naglalakad kami patungo sa immigration area, napansin ko ang mga malaking signage tungkol sa mga health protocols. Isang masiglang staff member ang nag-guide sa amin sa mga sanitizing station, kung saan naghugas kami ng kamay nang mabuti. Social distancing markers dotted the floor, reminding everyone to keep a safe distance from one another. I joined the line to have my documents checked, the nervous energy palpable in the air.

When it was finally my turn, I presented my passport along with the printed confirmation of my negative RT-PCR test, which was taken just before my departure. Ang immigration officer, na nakasuot ng mask at face shield, ay ngumiti habang nire-review ang mga dokumento ko. "Welcome to Bali," sabi niya nang may ngiti. Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko at ngumiti ako pabalik, isang alon ng ginhawa ang bumalot sa akin.

Once through immigration, I entered the baggage claim area, where the hum of chatter and excitement surrounded me. I quickly retrieved my luggage, my heart racing at the thought of stepping into this new chapter of my life. As I rolled my suitcase toward the exit, I followed the signs for health checks, knowing they were essential for everyone's safety.

At the exit, I was greeted by another health official who checked my temperature and asked a few health-related questions. "Have you experienced any symptoms?" she inquired. I shook my head, grateful for the straightforward protocol that ensured everyone's well-being.

Paglabas ko, naramdaman ko ang init ng araw sa aking balat at ang malambot na simoy ng hangin na may halong amoy ng dagat. Hindi ko mapigilang maramdaman ang agos ng saya. The vibrant colors of the local market stalls, the sounds of honking scooters, and the friendly greetings from locals enveloped me in the charm of Bali.

Naghanap ako ng pamilyar na mukha, umaasang si East ang nandoon upang salubungin ako. But I was surprised to see a very tall woman in her early 30s, probably Balinese, with a smile on her face holding a large and colorful sign that read "Welcome, Shan!"

Lumapit ako sa kanya, at nang mapagtanto niyang ako ang hinihintay niya, ngumiti siya nang mas malapad. "Hi, Shan! Shan Pertierra, right? I'm Asmara," she said, looking at me with excitement. "I'm a Senior Architect at Pablo Roman Studio, and I'll be your guide here in Bali!"

"Hi, Architect Asmara. Nice to meet you," sagot ko, halatang naguguluhan. "I thought East would be picking me up," hindi ko sinasadyang lumabas sa bibig ko.

"Oh, he couldn't leave the site. He's busy with work right now," paliwanag ni Ar. Asmara, ang kanyang boses ay puno ng pag-unawa. "But don't worry! I'm here to help you get settled."