It was 15 years since the day I flew away from this place. Since I escaped here. Since I decided to forget anything about this place. Since I promised to eradicate all the memories I've earned here - mostly good. It's also been 15 years since I last saw her - Amanda Parkins, the only girl whom I fell inlove with. And now I'm back. I'm back to where I once met her. To where I spent my precious time with her. I'm back to where I left her with no words and ran away.
I am currently standing on the arrival area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport. I breathed deeply. This is it! Holding my luggage, I went outside of the said place and wandered around to look for a cab. I then saw a line of those vehicles and rode on the first taxi in line. "Mystique Hotel, please", I said to the driver. "Okay Sir, Mystique Hotel", he replied back. I nodded. During the drive, I was just staring outside the window looking out to the sceneries. It all changed. The buildings, the establishments, the names of the streets, even the traffic flow - it all changed. Then one person stroke my mind. Amanda. Did she change? Can she remember me? Does she still love me? Can she recognize me? Is she still the same Amanda whom I used to love? And then one question made my whole body frost. Had she already forgiven me? Forgiven me for leaving her? For running away from her? And once again emotions flowed all over me. Sadness. Guilt. Regret. Anger.
My whole senses came back when the driver spoke to me. "Sir, we're here." "Oh, okay", I replied with a smile. I gave him a 500-peso bill since I saw the meter showing 275.00. "Keep the change." "No sir, I cannot accept such a big tip", he replied. "It's okay. Just take it", I responded. "But..." I cut him, "No more buts." The driver had no choice but to smile and say his thanks to me. I went out of the cab. The driver then helped me with my luggage and handed it to an employee of the hotel waiting outside of the establishment. "Have a nice stay in the Philippines, Sir", the driver said and went back to his cab.
I headed to the reception desk right away upon entering this place - an elegant 5-star hotel around the airport. "Good morning Sir! Welcome to Mystique Hotel!", the receptionist greeted me in glee. "Good morning. A room for one person please", I replied. "The Suite-Type, The Condo-Type or The Regular, Sir?", she asked. "May I have a Suite-Type please?", I answered and handed her my credit card. "Yes, Sir." She then swiped my card and then gave it back to me with the card key of my suite. "Enjoy your stay in Mystique Hotel, Sir. Have a nice day ahead.", she said. I just nodded and turned my back at her and directly went to the elevator. I went inside as the employee that's still carrying my bag followed me. I stopped and said to him, "I can handle this. Thanks." And I got my things from his hands. He just nodded and went outside the elevator. I then punched-in 25th floor after looking at the card key I was holding. 25th floor. Room 1226. What a coincidence! 1226 maybe translated as December 26 - the date when I first met Amanda. And here I go again! Reminiscing! Going back to the old times! I hate it! But I still love the fact that I haven't forgotten even a single bit of detail about her. I sighed. I missed her so much! Before my mind floats to Antarctica, the elevator stopped and opened that made me flinch. 25th floor. I get out of the elevator and started searching for my room. 1222. 1223. 1224. 1225. 1226. I stopped as I was standing infront of the door with my room number. I swiped my cardkey and opened it. As I opened, a typical suite welcomed me. The first part of this suite I've laid my eyes is the living room. It's a bit spacious with a 40" flatscreen television, a glass table and a black and brown couch in the middle. I let my eyes roam around the place. It has an interior motif of black and brown with a touch of white. Masculine. Suits me. I then went ahead to the bedroom that's located at the right part of the place. I placed my belongings in the closet and decided to arrange it later. I quickly laid my back on the soft bed and closed my eyes. After some minutes, my stomach started to growl like a tiger. I'm hungry! I quickly picked up the phone and dialled the room services. After a few rings someone spoke up on the other line. "Room services. How may I help you?" "Good morning. Hmm. A breakfast meal for one please. 25th floor. Room 1226.", I replied. "A breakfast meal for one. 25th floor. Room 1226. It will arrive at your room at exactly 10 mins. Is that all, Sir?" "Yes, I guess so. Thanks." And i hanged up. After 10 minutes of waiting, the food had already arrived. I opened my door and the employee went inside and served the meal. "Thanks. I'll just call the home service whenever I'm finished." "Okay, Sir. Have a nice meal." I nodded. And then the employee walked to the door and walked straight outside. I closed the door. As I was about to close my door, my eyes met a very familiar figure. A known figure that I was longing to see. Her skinny body, white complexion, and long black straight hair. Amanda. I then opened the door quickly. But to my disappointment, there's nobody. I looked on the hallway. Nobody. Noone. Did I see her? Or am I just hallucinating due to my longing for her? I just went back to my room and shut the door. Maybe I'm just hallucinating because of my empty stomach. It's best to fill it with food. And I started digging in, filling myself on my heart's content. We'll see each other again, Amanda. Our paths will cross again and we'll be back in each other arms. TOGETHER. FOREVER. As what we've promised 15 years ago.
