I Wanna Be Yours

Prologue

"Why are you applying for a U.S. Visa?"

Leah Olivar smiled confidently, completely prepared for the question. "I am going to the U.S. branch of my company, Art Mart, to work on an advertising campaign for a specific client for six months."

"And your company is sponsoring your work visa?" The immigrations woman asked.

"Yes, ma'm," Leah nodded.

"What is your position in this company?"

"I am a copywriter, ma'm."

"Why do they need you, Ms. Olivar? They could have anyone do this job, why you?"

"From what I understand, ma'm, the client is Filipino and they want someone who can launch their business to an American audience while still maintaining the Filipino values and traditions. My former boss, who is now the Executive Creative Director at Art Mart San Francisco, recommended me for this role."

Her former boss is also now her current boyfriend but Leah kept quiet about this little tidbit.

"I see." The woman studied her long and hard and Leah shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Is work the only reason you're going to the States?"

"Wha-what do you mean, Ma'm?" Leah's confidence wavered. This wasn't something she had prepared for.

"I don't think work is the only reason, I think you have something else in mind," she said bluntly. "Why do you really want to go to the States?"

She was caught out because that was true and she was sure the guilt was written all over her face. There a lot of reasons why Leah wants to go to the States.

One, it has been her lifelong dream since she was a girl to go to the U.S. to make a better life for herself and her family.

Two, this campaign could be her biggest break yet. If she does well, she's almost guaranteed a promotion and a permanent job at Art Mart San Francisco.

Three, her boyfriend lives in San Francisco and she hasn't seen him in person in a year.

But the biggest reason that Leah is so desperate to get approved for this visa and fly to the U.S., the one foremost in her mind is...

"I'm going there for my mother," She blurted out.

The woman frowned at her. "Your mother. I see. She lives there?"

"No, ma'm. She died there," Leah corrected.

"I'm sorry." The woman's face softens. "Pardon my asking but what does your mother's death have to do with your trip to the States?"

"My mother is buried there. When I go to your country, I'll visit her grave. If I go there, I feel like I'll be close to her."

The woman looks at her for a long time, Leah can see the pity in her eyes. The same pity she sees when she tells anyone the story of her mom. She hoped the woman could see the sincerity in her own eyes. What she said was completely true. Out of all of the reasons that Leah has for going to the U.S., finding Nanang was the most important to her.

The woman stamped her paper and handed it across to Leah.

She couldn't believe the one word stamped across it.

"Approved!" She yelled into the phone as soon she was outside of the U.S. Embassy. "U.S.A, here I come!"

"Yes!" Simon cried excitedly from the other end. "I knew it! Didn't I tell you, Leah? Kayang Kaya mo 'yan!"