Through Your Eyes

One: Uncertain Beeline to Fate

Sigh.

Mom is calling.

“Hello?” I immediately answered.

“ Where are you, sweet pea?. You should’ve asked me or your father to come with you.  I’vejustfinishedunpackingyourstuff. Whatdoyouwantfordinner I’mgonnapickupsomethingsatthesupermarketand—“ she started to panic, afraid that something bad might happen to me.

“Mom, slow down” I sort of laughed, she started to speak so fast that I can’t make sense of what she’s saying, “you’re being tense again. Don’t worry, I just took Sandy  for a walk.”

“Tama ang nanay mo, uwi ka na, anak.(Your mother’s right, you should come home now.)” Dad starts to speak in Tagalog, just to assure me that he hasn’t gone into panic mode like mother, it's amazing how he keeps calm even though Mom is already nervous.

“ Mom, tell Dad I’m on my way” I tell her, “ maybe a salad and some pasta, for dinner? Right, Sandy?”

“Woof!”  my dog barks and pants as if he’s been running like crazy.

“Sure, just be careful, okay?” she’s still slightly worried. 

“Para namang hindi po  tayo magkikita mamaya (as if we won’t be seeing each other later). Love you guys. Bye” and I hang up, slipping the phone into my right pocket.

The reason why mother’s kind of shaky is because we’re here in Miami. I was sent here by my school to represent my country in this year’s Eco-Friendly Youth Conference for one week. Though the event won’t be happening in few days, my parents and I have decided to go ahead of time, so that I can adjust to the environment.

Mom and Dad are always worried about me, even though I’m old enough to take care of myself. To lessen their anxiety, I always bring my dog, Sandy, with me. He’s a golden retriever. I named him Sandy because his fine coat feels like soft, cold sand.

Speaking of Sandy… where is that little fur ball? Just as I thought he was gone, he barked at me.

“It’s time to go home, boy.” I told him. Even though he kept whining, I insisted that we leave immediately by lightly tugging his leash.

We started to take the steps on the way home. I could feel the cold breeze starting to gently blow on my cheeks.

Then, suddenly, my dog stopped, and sniffed around. I could smell a meat pie being baked somewhere nearby. And, without even hesitating, my dong ran as fast as he could, dragging me as he kept barking.

“Sandy, heel! Slow down, boy, whoa!”

I tried to make him stop, but he wouldn’t listen. Turning left, and right, running to an unknown direction. “Stop, you might hurt people!” I shriek, and he kept tugging against his leash and leading me to only-God-knows-where.

He kept on barking and running, wait, judging by the sound of his paws I don’t think he’s running, he’s leaping like CRAZY!

“Sandyyyyyyyyyyy!”

Oh, dear Lord. I hope he doesn’t do anything silly.

“Wroof!” he barked in protest.

“S-stop… running!” I’m already shaking.

The scent of the meat pie was starting to get stronger, along with a distinct aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans, and by the time I arrived at what I think is a coffee shop, I crashed into something… or someone…