My American Love

Chapter 1: Economy Class

I ran with my luggage and purse when the taxi stopped at the drop off lane of the airport.

"Bakit kasi naisipan mo pang uminom kagabi Ysabelle?!"

I'm cursing in my head while running with my heels. The airplane I will ride to go back to California is already calling all the passengers at nandito pa rin ako sa luggage check. Ang haba ng pila bes!

"Last call for flight B1O9E5I3N2G..."

I missed my flight.

Napasabunot na lang ako sa sarili ko sa sobrang inis. People are looking at me but I don't care. Sinong hindi maiinis? I need to wait 8 hours for the next flight going to California.

I had no choice, I have to wait.

Pumunta muna ako sa Jollibee dito sa loob ng Airport para kumain ng umagahan at tanghalian ko. Mamimiss ko ang Jollibee dito sa Pilipinas. May Jollibee na rin naman sa America pero iba pa rin ang lasa ng Jollibee dito sa Pilipinas. The best. Filipino style.

Napatingin ako sa entrance ng Airport and flashbacks plays on my head.

Flashback...

We head to the airport with a load of nerves, anxiety, fear and excitement all brewing together in the pit of my stomach.

"Take care." I said as I hugged them tight. "I'll be strong and I'll be back."

I told myself I wouldn't cry when I said goodbye to my parents, But I find myself shedding a few tears before we go our separate ways and head through the security check ready to embark on a new chapter of your life.

Today, is my flight going to California. For good.

Yes.

I'm an immigrant.

The date creeps up faster than I could have imagined, one second it was just an idea and the next thing I know I'm trying to read up on what to pack and the destination last night. Then, today, it's my flight to the place where I will soon be calling home. California. At first I wonder what I got myself into. Some thoughts of regret find their way into my mind underneath all the excitement I am feeling. My social life, my comfort life, mawawala. Lahat magiging bago sakin.

end of flashback...

There's a lot of new things I learn and experience in the last three years. Yes. I'm still a green card holder, I need 2 more years to be a US citizen. Last month lang ulit ako nakabalik ng Pilipinas tapos eto ako ngayon pabalik na ulit ng America. Ang bilis. Ang dami ko pang gustong ganon sa Pilipinas eh. Bitin. I opened my laptop at the waiting area and start to do some work from my business email. Eto na lang ang gagawin ko kesa mainis. Kasalanan ko rin naman. I drink too much last night but I don't regret it. It's illegal to drink under 21 in the state and city I live kaya naman talagang namiss ko lalo na't kasama ko ang mga kaibigan ko. Unlike Philippines, you can drink whatever your age. You can go to bars and clubs or wherever once your 18 and sometimes even below 18. In the Philippines you can die on the street and people will just stare at you. But in America they have common respect for life.  The average American on the street when you are crossing the street and a car is coming? They will stop for you to cross the street! You fell unconscious? someone in the crowd will call 911 and probably, someone will know CPR and apply it. A dog is hurt on the interstate? They will rescue the dog. You're underage? They won't let you do it.