Running Back To You

Prologue

"Ma, sabi ko naman sa'yo, 'di ba? Babalik ako in 4 years. I promise, mabilis lang ito. Just don't count the days, okay? Mas lalo mo pa akong mamimiss."

I called my mom since my younger sister, Kelly, has been ranting about missing me.

It's funny how I used to dream of being away from my family not in a bad way, ah. I just loved the thought of being independent. Pero ngayon, being in this situation, all I want is to go back to those days when Mama would make me a glass of warm milk. Gusto ko ulit maging bata.

"I miss you, baby. At ilang beses ko na itong sinabi sa'yo, I'm so proud of you."

"Si Mama naman eh, 'pag ako humagulgol dito, kasalanan mo yun."

"Worth it naman 'yung mga sermon ko, 'di ba?" she said, laughing.

"Super worth it, Ma. Thank you sa lahat."

I'm so thankful to have her as my mom. Kahit puro sermon, you can still feel how much she cares. I know she just wants the best for me, but sometimes her words go overboard.

But look at me now. I just wish she had been a little less strict. Until now, the thought of disappointing her and Papa still scares me.

"Good luck there, anak. Call us if you need anything, nandito lang kami. I love you."

"I love you, Ma."

I ended the call and opened my camera to take a picture at the airport. Pang-IG story na rin.

Caption, Canada, I'm here!

kiyooow22: spotted 28 years old, clout chaser pa rin.

aliyuhsantos: pakyu, inggit.

kiyooow22: 🖕🏻

Gago talaga.

Keu is my childhood friend. We've known each other since the jejemon days. Our friendship is like a love hate relationship we're brutally honest, no filter kami sa isa't isa, yun nga lang minsan nakakainis na at sarap sapakin. Pero we still have each other's backs at the end of the day.

Minsan nga, we use our friendship for clout, just for fun. Kaya marami rin ang na-co-confuse kung kami ba o hindi.

itsmeaiah: I miss u, love :( chocolates ko ah ;)
aliyuhsantos: I miss u more, baby. Call me when you get home na, okay?

That's my baby, Aiah. She's been my best friend since high school, and until now, we're as close as ever. Our friendship is different from what I have with Keu, she's like a sister to me.

She's a softie, like me.

SoFtiE LiKe mE?!

kiyooow22: alam kong kinakasaya mo itong araw na ito, pero sana mag-kita kayo.

aliyuhsantos: tantanan mo ako, bayaran mo muna utang mo.

kiyooow22: labyu ses,,,,, pero aminin, imposible hindi mo iniisip na WHAT IF mag-kita kayo. Denial queen forever ang isang Aliyah niyo.

aliyuhsantos: pake ko kung naka-move on na ako.

kiyooow22: speak your truth, madam.

EH NAKA-MOVE ON NAMAN NA TALAGA AKO! Like, hello? It's been 8 years. I know myself, I'm not affected anymore.

Despite knowing na nandito siya, binalewala ko na. Canada's huge, so there's no way I'd run into that parasite. Plus, my priorities are the opportunities here.

After getting my things, dumiretso na ako sa taxi lane. Gusto ko sanang mamasyal, pero sobrang pagod na ako.

"Where?" tanong ng driver.