Always and Forever

            CHAPTER 1

            It’s my last day here in my country, here in my beloved hometown. Ever since I was born, I lived here with my parents. I never went out of this country or in this island. “Get in the car now Rachel, or else you’ll be late on your flight.” Dad called me while bringing my big baggage in the car. “Yes, dad, I’m coming.” I said while getting my other bags from my room hurriedly. I occupied the front seat and my mum at the back. “Is you passport ready? Your Visa, did you put it in your bag already? ” Dad asked. “Don’t worry dad, everything’s here.” I told him with my calm voice. “Let’s go honey, our princess is in a hurry. She’s excited to meet the real world now.” Mum told dad. “Mum, I’m eighteen, I’m not your princess anymore… I can handle myself.” I told her jokingly. I got my phone from my bag and read a message from Tina my best friend… “Hey Rachel, I’m going to the airport now to bid you goodbye… Tina”

            When we reached the airport, dad dropped me at the airport. Mum and dad helped me with my bags and everything. I waited for Tina to arrive. “Tina! I’m right here!” I yelled as I waved my right hand. “Rachel!!! Oh my, I will really miss you...” she cried. “You’re the one who told me not to cry.” I said. “Mhmm, anyway, I’m going to miss you too…” I said. “Me too, I’ll miss you more.” Tina said. “Hey sweetie, you need to go now.” Mum comforted me. “Mum, dad, thank you so much and I will miss you very much!!” I cried and hug them. My tears kept falling from my dark brown eyes. “Take care there okay? Call us by the time you arrive there.” Dad told me while mum gently touch my long black hair. “Yes. I will call you right away.” “Tina? Will you always keep in touch with me even if I’m gone?” I asked. “Of course bestie. What are friends are for?” she smiled. I wiped all my tears away as I turned back and entered the airport.

“Rachel! You take care of yourself there okay? Don’t be a silly girl…” I remembered those words that my mum told me. “Study well and always contact us when you have a problem there…” recalling those words in my mind that dad told me. I sat down on my seat near the window side. It was a perfect place. I was riding on a first class plane. “Finally, out of this country and this place. Another world for me.” I whispered to myself. “I’m off to go.” As I put a smile on my face.

If you wonder why I ended up living in a place where there are British people, well, ask my parents about it. About a month ago, mum wanted to talk about something. “Rachel honey, we’re sending you out…” she said. “Sending me out?! But why, you don’t want me to be your daughter anymore?!” I said. “No, no it’s not like that. Remember you told me you want to pursue your dreams?” “Yes, I remembered that…” I said. “Well, now, I and your dad decided to send you to London.” Mom grabbed my hand. “Really?! Are you really serious about it mom?” I cried. “Yes sweetie. Now you’re eighteen, I want you to experience life, the real world. We understand that you’re still young but in your case, we want you to have freedom.” She told me. “Thank you so much mom, I love you so much and dad as well too…” I hugged my mom that time, thank her and dad. I always dream to go out, go out in the real world. I want to explore and discover more about myself, and the people around me. And to meet a person I’ve never seen for how many years now…

So let’s go back to the big thing, by the time I knew that they’re sending me to London, I researched more about the place. Aside from the lessons that our History teacher taught us, I knew more things about the place, their language what they call the British accent, the culture, and most of all, the people living there. “Royalties, the London Eye, and whatever stuffs they have there! Gosh! I’m excited!” I told myself.

When I was already in the airplane, I put out my iTouch from my bag and listened to my favorite music. After many hours, I have arrived, the place where my parents wanted me to go, London. I was stunned by what I saw. There are people who look nice and there are others who are not. That time, the airport was a bit crowded so I didn’t know where to go. I saw a vending machine and I bought a cup of coffee. As I turned back, I bumped into a guy… “Oops, I’m so sorry Sir, I didn’t mean to--” “God dammit! Look what you just did!”  he said as he wiped his jacket with coffee stains on it. “I’m so sorry Mister, I didn’t notice you were at my back.” I told him, and one thing had surprised by what I saw. This guy has the looks, but there’s no way that I’m going to like him, he has a very, very, very bad personality. “It’s your first time to be here in London right?” he said with his deep British accent voice. “Err, yep, first time…” I told him shyly. “Oh, well…” he said. “I’m so sorry again.” I said as I walk away from him. I realized that I didn’t know where to go. So I went to back to that Mr. Meanie “Urmm, excuse me, do you know where this place is?” I asked him politely as I had him a piece of paper with the address. “Miss, get a cab and ask the driver okay?” he told me arrogantly. “Ah, okay. Thanks, by the way.” This guy really wants to make me mad. I hate him, I hate guys like him. A guy with no manners and have no respect with girls like me.