What happened?

Part 2: The Hitchhiker

Lisa

So, I landed in Manila after 14 hours. It was a strange feeling to fly after I was separated to my family. It was my first lonely flight obviously. Like, I toured with my sisters, I flew to NorCal and SoCal to see my family. So, I actually always toured with or for family.

Well, it was around 8am and I was dead tired. I went to a little airport Cafe to get a coffee and something for breakfast. How should I start? I started questioning myself if I'm really able to do that...on my own... I had no idea where to start. Ugh Lisa! get your thoughts together!!

I imagined things like Katherine coming in the next minute because she works at the airport.... easy dream - not happening.

Great, so I sat on my table and watched the video a few times to see if there's anything I could hold on. But... nothing. I decided to ask the waitress.

"Excuse me?" I turned around to the waitress.

"Yes?" she came up to me.

"Could you tell me if you know where this is?" I asked and showed her the video. Unfortunately, but clearly, she shook her head.

"No, sorry. There's nothing I could hold on... But maybe you can ask in the tourism center at the other side of the airport." she said and pointed out of the Cafe.

"Thank you, I will try." I said. I went to the spot she pointed on. The tourism center.

"Excuse me?" I asked once again.

"Hello. What's up?" the man asked.

"Do you know where this is? It's important.." I said and he watched the video but again... he shook his head.

"Thank you anyway. Is there anyone else who could know it?"

"I really don't know, I'm sorry. Try to ask around or something." he said. I thanked him and left the airport then.

I saved up the money I made (not much) the past years and took some little day jobs the past 3 weeks). I started to ask around. Nobody could help me. The only thing that a guy noticed was that there's a little statue thing in the back - but he didn't know where it was. During the nights, I stayed in a tent and sleeping bag (Of course, on a given place for "camping". Not like a homeless man in the street...).

That questioning held on for 2 weeks. Everyday. I didn't get ANY clue. But one day, I met an old man who actually remembered that statue. I told him why I need to know it and he told me a story about the fact that he used to live in that part of the country years ago. The usual old man stories.

"...and well to sum up I wanna say that this is the SOCCSKSARGEN Region. It's all the way down in the South and I've been at this place. I lived in Cotabato but I can't tell you the name of the place the video was filmed. I can't remember what it is called. But I'm 100% sure it's in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region." he said. I was so unbelievable happy in that moment. He was actually sure in which region it is!! He showed me that place on the map. It was really all the way down in the South. I had no idea how to get there because I couldn't afford the money for a second flight. But I had to follow this clue, it has been my only clue. I jumped into his arms and hugged him. He was so kind.

"Thank you so much!" I said and kissed him on the cheek.

"Oh my gosh. No problem!" he said and blushed and smiled.

"Good Luck with you search. I will cross my fingers for you." He said before he waved and left. It was late afternoon/early evening/sunset. I was so happy to know where I have to search for her - at least the region. I sat down on a stone wall and watched the sunset. If I don't have money, I would need to do hitchhiking.

It took me 3 weeks to get there. Ferry and truck. All the time. Of course it was really dangerous to do hitchhiking, but I had no chance. Years ago, I would've never imagined to do that. I had the money... but that time I actually realized that there's a different life to what I had. In between ferries and trucks, I also stayed in motels for some nights. Like showering and taking a little break.

When I finally arrived in Cotabato, it has been 4 or 5 in the afternoon. I was really stressed out by the travel. And if I say stressed out, I mean dead. I took a room for the first night. I took a shower and then I fell asleep. Not planned, but I was done.

The next morning, my search continued. I asked around and I was so sad when nobody knew, but after a few days, someone could tell me the exact place it was filmed in. That guy took me to that place with his Rickshaw (kind of a bicycle with seats). It was really hot. The sun was burning. I arrived after about 45 minutes.

"The place you're looking for is about 10 minutes away from here. I'm sorry, I can't take you anymore. It's an overcrowded poor district. I can't go to the center with a Rickshaw. Just head forward." he said.

"Thank you so much. I don't know how to thank you for taking me." I said and then he left. I walked straight forward but guess what: I got lost really soon. So many paths that looked the same. I was so annoyed and kind of angry. I protested and just sat down on a stone. Suddenly, I got a can on my arm. Seriously?!

"Ouch!" I let a little cream out. Three kids ran up to me.

"Sorry." they said.

"No problem, but what are playing?" I asked. I heard of games with cans but I had never seen it before.

"Can soccer." they said. In that moment I had the idea to ask them where I should go.

"Cool, would you help me really quick?" I asked and they nodded. I showed them the video and they nodded again. They gave me a sign to follow them. We walked along the path until we got there. And really: It was the place of the video. I MADE IT!! I was seriously there.

"Thank you." I said and took a deep breathe because I couldn't believe it. I was one step closer.

So, I got there every day around 6am and left when it got dark. Sounds pretty weird but it was worth it for me. I really hoped that she would show up. I didn't give up for 3 weeks. I made it through the weeks. But with each day, my hope left. Everyday before I got there, I prayed. When I was about to leave in the sunset, I whispered to myself:

"One more day left... Maybe tomorrow."

But after almost a month, I was literally about to give up. It was hopeless for me. I lost the confidence in myself.

"It could've been any other girl, get over it Lisa! You were wrong!"

"There's no chance she's gonna get back!"

These thoughts went on in my head. Terrible thoughts.

I decided to make it three more days until I get back to Cotabato. Nothing for the next two days.

"Please, be there tomorrow..." I prayed before I went back to the room stay I took.

The next day I went back to that place. Nothing again. I decided to leave earlier, because it made no sense for me anymore. I took my stuff and started to walk past the afternoon sun. I was really sad. But then the shock of my life happened. I heard a warm known voice behind me. I turned around and I couldn't trust my eyes. I rushed behind a stone stair and watched them on the other side of the street. I couldn't see them correctly. A woman and three boys. They started dancing and then my heart stopped. The woman turned around. It was Katherine. I started crying but stayed behind the stairs, because I didn't know what to do. I cried my eyes out and slipped down the stairs until I sat on the bottom. I covered my mouth with my hand. I still listened and watched them. After they finished the performance, I came closer and Katherine prayed. She included me and my sisters in it. My heart was beating really fast. I stood behind her when she finished the prayer. Then I touched her shoulder.

"..Katherine?" I asked with a shaking voice. You could notice Katherine's shock because she winced. Then she slowly turned around. She saw me and I stood in front of her. We both started crying and hugged each other thinking about not letting each of us go again. We even fell on the bottom and people stood around us. They started cheering.

We were so happy. It was worth it.