Hey, I know I've been gone forever
But I'm finally home tonight
Now that I'm here I'm never leaving your side
I told you I was coming
Sorry it took so long
I was on that first flight home
--First Flight Home by Jake Miller
--
Cyrus didn't respond to Lena's message. That got her worked up all night. When morning came and he didn't call, mas lalo siyang nag-alala. Was he so angry that he didn't bother replying? Okay pa sana kahit pagalit itong sumagot. At least, there's somewhere for them to start mending things. E, kaso, wala.
He's supposed to come home next week, pero kahit iyon ay hindi na rin niya sigurado. What if he cancelled his flight and chose to take his Christmas vacation in Dubai instead? Isang taon na naman ba siyang maghihintay para sa pagbabalik nito?
Are we still okay? she typed on the messenger. Her previous messages weren't even read yet. Pakiramdam niya'y sinasadya nitong hindi basahin ang mga iyon. Wala tuloy siyang ganang pumasok sa café. Pero pumunta pa rin siya dahil wala siyang ibang gagawin sa bahay kundi magmukmok.
But her glum face wasn't exactly pleasing to the customers. Ilang beses tuloy siyang napagsabihan ng mommy niya dahil hindi siya ngumingiti.
"Anak, why don't you go home and rest for now?" tanong sa kanya ng ina.
"Maraming customer, Mommy. Let me help," she insisted.
"Then please smile. Customers don't want to deal with a grumpy staff."
She nodded and forced a smile. Pero nawala rin ang ngiting iyon nang tumalikod ang ina sa kanya. She was supposed to make coffee art in front of the customers on one table to entertain them, but she couldn't think straight because of worry. Kaya tumulong na lamang siya kay Alex sa pagtitimpla ng kape. Ito ang taga-timpla. She does everything else.
When her phone rang, she dropped whatever she's doing and immediately answered it.
"Hello," a familiar voice greeted. Warmth quickly washed all over her.
"H-Hi."
"Bakit umagang-umaga, nakasimangot ka?"
Her eyes widened at the question. "H-How did you—"
"It's so nice to see you again, Lena."
"Where—" She frantically looked around to search for him. Nakita niya itong nakatayo sa labas ng café, his luggage on the floor next to him.
He smiled and waved at her.
"K-Kailan ka pa?"
"Kararating ko lang. Dito na 'ko dumiretso kasi sabi ni Kenna nandito ka raw."
"Weren't you supposed to come home next week?"
"Ayaw mo ba? Gusto mong bumalik ako ng Dubai?"
Agad siyang umiling. "I just... I didn't know. You weren't replying to my messages."
"I wanted to surprise you," he replied. "Come out and give me a hug."
