LEILA

Chapter 1: 12 Years After

The City of Pasay had been filled up with many taxis, as well as plenty of passengers that arrived to be sent home to their families in many parts of the metropolis and the provinces. Being the main airport hub didn't exactly help matters in terms of the many people who came and went.

A young man stepped out of the sliding doors of the terminal, and he was definitely reluctant to return to his homeland. He never announced to his family that he would return today, especially since 12 years had passed since he first stepped on the grounds of his native country. Probably they would have forgotten him by now, he thought.

That aside, he was able to flag a taxi, and entered the backseat door. At least the driver was sympathetic to him, as he gave a look of concern towards the passenger.

"Ayos ka lang, Sir?" the driver began. 

The taxi began to drive forward, exiting the airport terminal parking and building.

"Ayos lang, po, Manong." the young man responded, even if his skill in speaking the native tongue was rusty. It was really a long time that passed. 

"Mabuti pa, ikaw ay marunong magsalita ng Filipino, kahit hindi ka dumalaw rito na madalas." 

The taxi began to travel towards Newport City, where the young man decided to check in a hotel earlier before the flight to stay in for the night. Traffic almost made the trip unbearable. It wasn't long before the driver began speaking again.

"Taga-saan ka?"

The young man tried his best to translate what the driver had said, mentally. He then responded with:

"Galing ako sa Roxas."

The driver's eyebrows raised, looking at the rear-view mirror.

"Doon sa Capiz?"

The young man nodded. His home province from his childhood was his first home. He considered answering Madrid, but he knew he would be lying to his true heritage.

"Eh, bakit ka pumunta sa ibang lugar?"

Though reluctant, the young man replied with:

"Dahil...sinabi niya sa akin na wala akong kinabukasan dito sa Pilipinas."

"Hah? Sino?" the driver was shocked and confused.

This time, the young man hesitated to answer back. His mama told him that him being sent to Europe was to help on his future, but he couldn't blame her for anything. So he chose not to answer at all. It was also the right timing, because they reached the front doors to the hotel. The young man instantly grabbed his luggage, exited the backseats, and before he went inside the hotel, he looked back at the driver, who shot him a gaze of warning.

"Capizeno ka, diba?" 

The young man nodded. Where was this whole thing going?

"May narinig ko na may Aswang sa Lungsod ng Roxas. Huwag ka nang pumunta doon."

An Aswang? That shape-shifting creature that walks freely during the day, and eats people's guts at night? This was ridiculous. Never did he expect the driver to say something about those creatures.

"Bakit po, Manong?" 

The reply wasn't out right away, but the only answer he got was...

"Ikaw ay nasa panganib, hijo. Ang tao na ang inyong kaibigan ay hindi dapat maghabilin mo."

Then the driver drove off, leaving the young man confused. Who was this friend the driver was speaking of, and why wasn't he supposed to trust him or her back in Roxas? And what was the danger from just being friends with someone from his past? The more the words repeated in his head, the more he had second thoughts coming home. However, he didn't have time to contemplate on the driver's supposed omen, as a hotel bellboy already spotted him and offered to carry his bags.

Settling into his hotel room, the young man exhaled and placed his luggage to the side. The flight was very long and tiring, and even if he had a good rest before travel, the relaxation just ran out. It happened to be an even longer day for him, as his cellphone suddenly rang from the bedside table. Groaning, he picked it up and held it close to his ear.

"Hello?...Yes, this is Michael..."

The other line happened to speak the native tongue, as the man, now named Michael replied with:

"Nandito ako sa Pasay. Naka-check-in ako sa Hotel."

Michael nodded a few times, listening to the speaker's words, before finally concluding with:

"Babalik ako bukas, huwag mag-alala."

The call ended, and he plopped down on the bed, exhausted from a long flight from Europe to Asia. That should give him plenty of rest for tomorrow's next flight, which is back to his home province in Capiz. Where he could hopefully meet up with old times, close relatives, and childhood friends. 

Friends...

He wondered if she still remembered him after all those years apart.