Crumbled

Three.

Five years ago..

11/22/2011

7:55 AM

Flight number 925

"Hija, nakahanda na ba lahat ng kailangan mo? You'll leave in 2 hours."

"Hi, Tita Helen. Yes, Tita. I'm all set."

"Mabuti naman. Sasabihan ko na si Nico."

She gave her aunt a faint smile after heaving a sigh.

"Are you okay, Maine?"

"I should be, Tita. This is a big deal. Pangarap ito ni Nanay, diba? Pangarap ko 'to."

"I know that. But are YOU okay? Are you sure you wanna do this?"

She paused. She sighed. She smiled.

"Nakita mo na ba s'ya, Tita?"

"Hindi pa, 'nak. Hindi pa ba kayo nag-uusap ulit?"

"Hindi nya po sinasagot ang mga tawag ko."

"I'm sorry, Maine."

And then she left for London.

No turning back.

Because there was no one to hold her back.

Because no one asked her to stay for one last time.

Because he never came.

Present

06/24/2016

10:45 PM

Flight Number 616

She's been staring at her plane ticket for the last ten minutes. She's done packing her things which was not much: personal stuff, pasalubong, painting materials. All set.

All she needs to have ready is herself.

It has been five years.

And tomorrow, she'll be leaving London for two weeks to go back to Marilog.

"You are going back to your old hometown. Not to your old life, Dei. This IS your life now and you are just going to take a two week vacation. Remember that. Whatever happened five long years ago, it's in the past."

She remembered Marcus telling him that. A day after she agreed with his idea, she called him first thing in the morning to take it back. After taking the night to think about it, she realized it was a mistake. She doesn't want to go anymore.

But Marcus didn't buy her indecisiveness. Instead, he immediately got her plane tickets, giving her three days to prepare.

Three damn days.

"Dei?"

She heard a knock on her door. It was Marcus.

"Come on in, Marcus."

"You ready, love? We have to go."

"For one last time, best friend. Do I really have to go?"

"YES. LET'S GO." Without thinking twice, Marcus started loading up her bags after telling to wait in the car.

In 15 minutes, they are already on the road. The ride to the airport was quick and satisfyingly quiet. He can be a little too persuasive, but he can always tell when she need some quiet time.

"Dei, you'll be fine. I spoke with Tita Helen the other day and everything you need there is ready. Room, time, and everything about your old house has been thrown out of the house.

You are going there as DEI, not as MAINE. Okay? Just two weeks, relax and find all the inspiration that you need. You will be just fine."

Initially, after Marcus got her the plane tickets, he called up Tita Helen to get her a vacation home in Marilog, all to herself.

Yes, she has no plans of going back to her old life. But she also has no plans of acting like a hypocrite brat to her family. So, she asked Marcus to cancel any reservations for a vacation home because she will be staying at home with her Tita Helen.

Upon arriving at the airport, she got out of the car, gave Marcus a peck on the cheek and a tight hug before she bid him goodbye. She waved to him one last time before she walked inside the airport.

She heaved a deep sigh, stood straight, head held high, and with a smile, she started walking.

Here we go.

Inspiration, I am coming for you.

*****

Flight 724 -ARRIVED

11:35 AM

Maine's connecting flight from Manila to Davao arrived at midday. In the Philippines, it IS the worst time to arrive. As all passengers - including her - came out of the plane, she felt the heat reflecting off the tarmac. The air was heavy and she was sweating even before she had reached the bottom of the steps.

It took her more or less than an hour before she's all clear and good to go out of the airport, hoping so bad that someone's already waiting for her outside.

Someone.

She brushed off the idea.

WORK, MAINE. WORK. NOTHING ELSE.

When she got out, she immediately saw her cousin, waving a cardboard with her nickname plastered on it.

MENGGAY.

No one has called her that for the longest time. She smiled at the thought.

"Nicholas!"

They shared a tight hug as soon as she got near him. Nico is her closest cousin, they practically grew up together in Marilog.

He's the closest thing she got for a brother.

"Menggay! Namiss kita, 'ga!"

"I missed you to, Nics!"

"Gutom ka na ba? Magbyahe pa tayo eh. Nagluto si Mama pero kung gutom ka na, drive thru na tayo. Gusto mo?"

"No, I'm fine. After seeing you, I can't wait to see Tita and everyone, too!"

"Everyone?"

Nico said, sporting a smirk on his face.

"Yes, Nico. Everyone. Halika na."

Nico let out a giggle. Maine, pretending she did not get the hint.

As soon as Nico successfully loaded up her things to the car, they hit the road. Seated shotgun, Maine felt the excitement to see Marilog.

Nico told her she could take a nap while on the way, but she insisted on staying awake and would rather enjoy the view.

She missed Davao. She can't wait to be in BuDa. She's excited to be in Marilog.

On their way, everything about the place is breathtakingly beautiful.

Maybe Marcus is right.

This is the perfect place to find an inspiration.

It really is.

Meanwhile in Marilog......