[VOTE, COMMENT, FOLLOW]
The coldness of the airport air-conditioning did nothing to calm the warmth in my chest. Hindi dahil excited ako. Hindi rin dahil kinakabahan. I was simply… sad.
It's been 1 week mula noong graduation, pero pakiramdam ko, isang buong taon na ang lumipas sa loob ng dibdib ko. Hindi pa nga ako nakaka move-on doon pero panibagong sakit na naman ang iindahin ko.
And now, here I am.
Standing at the departure area of NAIA Terminal 3, beside my mom, who was busy fixing our documents, habang ako naman ay nakatayo sa tabi nina Ivelle at Joshua—my constants for the last two years. My chaos and calm. My family outside blood.
Ilang beses pa kaming nag hangout this week para sulitin ang nalalabing araw ko dito sa Pilipinas and is goes very well. Sinulit namin ang buong linggo sa pa explore mula sa iba't-ibang lugar na gusto naming puntahan and even spoiling them for everything that they want. My mom gifted me a 500k for my graduation gift kaya 'yun yung ginamit kong panlibre sa dalawa. Actually, si Ivelle lang naman ang maraming request, nagbiro pa nga 'yun ng Iphone 16 na pasikreto kong binili at binigay sa kaniya.
“Are you really sure about this?” tanong ni Ivelle, for what felt like the tenth time ngayong araw.
She was trying to sound annoyed, pero halata sa tono niya ang pagpigil sa iyak. Her voice cracked at the edges.
I laughed softly. “Ivelle, may visa na ako. May plane ticket. Nandito na tayo sa airport."
“Nakakainis ka kasi eh, kung mayaman lang talaga ako ay susundan kita doon."
I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway. “Ilang beses ko na kayang sinabi na aalis ako right after grad.”
Joshua, beside her, was unusually quiet. Pero ramdam ko sa mga mata niya 'yung bigat na hindi niya sinasabi. He had that soft look again, the one he wore when I was hospitalized. The one he wore when I gave my speech. Now he was wearing it again.
“I’m really gonna miss you both,” I said finally, swallowing the lump in my throat.
Ivelle sniffled. “Ang OA mo talaga. Lilipat ka lang ng timezone.”
“Timezone mo mukha mo,” sagot ko, bago ko sila niyakap pareho.
Joshua finally spoke, voice low and thick. “You better update us ha."
“Promise,” I nodded. “Daily chismis report.”
Ivelle wiped her cheek and added, “At kapag nagka-jowa ka doon, kami dapat ang unang makakaalam. Kami mag-iinterview. Kami rin ang mag-a-approve. Walang makakalusot sa amin.”
“Parang kayo pa ‘yung magulang ko?” tawa ko, pero deep inside, I wanted to cry.
Kasi totoo eh. Ang sakit pala magpaalam sa mga taong naging tahanan mo na rin sa loob ng mahabang panahon. Since the beginning of my journey as high school, sila ang naging sandalan ko in everything. Siyempre, nasasaktan ako dahil sa loob ng mahabang panahon, our ways will be finally parted para abutin ang iisa naming mithiin which is to finish school and graduate in College.
Ilang beses ko ng sinabi ito but I'm always proud of them na naging totoong kaibigan ko. Hindi ko alam kung may makakapantay pa sa kanilang dalawa-o kung meron man, palagay ko nga ay wala na.
I glanced behind me and saw Mom waving her hand, signaling na kailangan na naming pumila sa immigration.
I turned back to them.
“So... this is it.”
Ivelle let out a dramatic sob. “'Wag mo akong iiwan, Elio Maze! Hindi pa ako handa!”
BINABASA MO ANG
IKIGAI Series #1: Estranghero
Romance[1st Series under IKIGAI] Elio Maze Inoue is a bubbly and optimistic, with an infectious energy that draws people to him. He also have that bright, expressive eyes that sparkle with enthusiasm. While in a physical manner, he has this curly or wavy h...
