When I Met You

Chapter One

"Dad, can we talk?" I asked my dad. "Next time, Yoona. I'm busy." There are lot of things I need to tell you, dad. Right now.

"I'm going back to the Philippines tomorrow."

"Yes. Okay, our meeting will be tomorrow morning." I smiled bitterly.

"I think you are really busy. Let's talk next time, then." He looked at me with a sad expression and continued the conversation with whoever he is talking to. I closed the door and expecting that he will call me, but nothing happened. I left his office and went to my room immediately. I threw myself on the bed and closed my eyes.

My father is a businessman that's why he is having a hard time managing his business and his family at the same time. As his daughter, I have to understand our situation because it is for our own good. Their company is Korea-based, they have to stay here in Seoul while I am studying in the Philippines. I am already used to this kind of set up because ever since I was a kid I've been flying back and forth from Philippines to South Korea.

I was peacefully lying on my bed when I heard someone knocked. "Come in." It's my mom. "Naayos mo na ba yung mga gamit mo?" I nodded. "Have you talked to your dad?" I didn't answer her. I think she already guessed what happened.

"Ihahatid na lang kita bukas, anak. I'm sorry." I silently laughed.

"Thanks, ma. But I can manage." Tumayo ako at saka siya niyakap. "Please understand your dad." She hugged me closer and I nodded.

We stood there in silence while still hugging each other. "I will miss you. Please visit me there often para naman maikwento ko sa inyo ang mga nangyayari sa akin. Kapag pumupunta kasi ako dito nakalilimutan ko na iyong mga dapat kong ikwento."

"We'll try." Bumitaw ako sa yakap niya at saka ako ngumuso. "Don't try. Do it." Tumawa siya at hinawakan ang aking magkabilang pisngi. "Be good. Ayokong napapasama ka sa mga gulo."

"I'll try." Tumawa siya ng mas malakas. "Anak nga kita."

Maaga akong umalis ng bahay kinabukasan. Hindi na ako nagpahatid at baka maiyak pa ako sa harap ni Mama. Iisa lang naman ang bitbit kong luggage kaya mapapadali ang flight ko. Less hassle. 7am ang flight ko kaya 11am pa lamang ay nasa NAIA na ako.

Nang makarating ako ay binuksan ko kaagad ang cellphone ko. Alam kaya nila lolo na ngayon ang balik ko? Nagsimula na akong maglakad at maghanap ng sign kung nasaan si lolo. Maya-maya ay nagring ang cellphone ko, kasalukuyan kong hinahanap ang cellphone ko sa aking shoulder bag nang biglang may bumunggo sa aking lalaki. Kaya nabitawan ko ang aking bag at lumabas ang ilan sa mga gamit ko.

"Sorry Miss," sabi sa akin nung lalaki. Ang kapal din ng lalaking 'to. Ano yun sorry lang?! May nalalaman pa siyang peace sign. "Your sorry is not enough. Can you see what you have done?!" medyo galit kong sabi. Paglingon ko ay wala na siya doon. Aba, wala manlang kusa talaga ang lalaking iyon. Hindi talaga ako tinulungan eh. Napapikit na lang ako sa sobrang inis. Inaayos ko kaagad ang aking bag at sinagot ang kanina pa nagriring kong cellphone. Si lolo ang tumatawag.

"Yeoboseyo?" ('Hello' in a phone call) Hindi Koreano si lolo pero kahit papaano ay naiintindihan niya iyon.

"Where are you?" Nagulat ako dahil hindi iyon boses ni lolo. Boses iyon ng binatang lalaki.

"Hello? Lolo?" Tumawa ang lalaki sa kabilang linya. Hindi kaya nasnatch ang cellphone ni lolo? Napakarami kasi ng mga ganoon dito. "Hoy ikaw! Ibalik mo 'yang cellphone ng lolo ko! Pati ba naman matanda ninanakawan niyo! Jusko, kaya hindi kayo umuunald eh!" Nagsimula nanaman ang pagkabungangera ko.