Bukas na ang flight ko. Well, actually mamaya na, since 2AM ang flight ko at 11PM na. Papaalis na ang sasakyan namin, with my tatay as the driver. I’m hugging my mom as I’m texting goodbyes to all of my acquaintances dito sa Pinas. Si Kim, sa airport na lang daw ako hihintayin. Atleast that’s that. At nang pagdating ko sa airport, ay nakasalubong ko ang isang pamilyar na mukha. Maxine.
“Di mo man lang sinabi sa’kin na aalis ka” sabi niya sakin, habang nakatitig siya. “Ang alam ko, wala ka nang pakialam sakin eh. You’ve ended it up, remember?” Sagot ko na lang sa kanya.
“I know. And I’m sorry. Desisyon mo yan eh.” Lumakad siya palayo, nang biglang may umakbay at may humawak ng kamay niya na lalaki. Tsk. Sabi na eh. Kaya pala.
“Well I guess that’s that, Prince. Yaan mo na yan!” Biglang singit ni Kim “Baka maiwan ka ng eroplano. 1:50 na oh.” Agad akong nagpaalam kay mama, na niyakap ako ng mahigpit, kay papa, na nakangiti sa akin, kay Kim, na binatukan ako at hinalikan ako sa pisngi, at kay Rain, na nagpahabol ng salitang “Magpadala ka ha? Kahit dutch na chicks ayos na!”. Letseng bata.
Magsisimula na lamang ako ng bagong buhay. Well, ganun lang naman talaga eh. May darating, may aalis. Parang etong airport. Maraming dumarating, maraming umaalis. At may babangga na lang sayo bigla na parang etong babaeng nasa harap kong binangga na lamang ako. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.” nagmamadali niyang sabi. Tinulungan ko siyang pulutin yung hand bag niya. Ambigat. Laptop, maybe? Anyway, matapos kong damputin ay sinauli niya sakin, at ang kapalit ay ang pag-aayos niya sa damit kong medyo nagusot. “I’m really really sorry. I’m almost late for my flight.”. Sambit niya habang tinitingnan kung may damage ang dala nya. Nagkusa na akong tulungan siya at mukhang madaling-madali na talaga siya. Man, talk about being late for your flight.
“It’s okay, really. By the way, where are you headed to, miss... uuhh... “
“Carina. My name’s Carina. And you?” Inayos niya ang buhok at damit nya and she flashed me a smile that can make Uncle Scrooge's lips form into a whole-hearted smile.
“Prince. “ Inabot ko ang kamay ko, signalling to shake hands at malugod naman niyang tinanggap yun.
“I’m heading to Delft, Prince. I’ll be studying there for my Master’s Degree, in Aerospace Engineering”
“Really? I’m actually heading there. May I ask if your flight number is AF211?”
And to my surprise, parehas kami ng flight number. New friend agad!
"I guess we're on a tight time limit. Wanna join my conquest as I run through the vast sea of adventurers, princess?" I exclaimed habang inaabot sa kanya ang iba niyang gamit.
"You're funny, Prince. Maybe after I get a coffee first? Let's go!" She held out her hand, and in return, hinawakan ko yun at inakay siya papunta sa isang coffee kiosk. Agad kaming umorder at saka tumakbo matapos naming bayaran iyon.
"Let me guess, you're sitting on the first class seats, right?" Tanong ko habang tumatakbo kami papunta sa designated gate ayon sa ticket namin,
"Wait, how did you know?" Tanong nya, at sa di namin inaakalang rason ay nasa gate na kami.
"I just guessed, Carina. Anyway, I'll be in the business class by the way. So I'll take the opprotunity here to ask you..." I held her both hands" "when we land, may we hangout after this flight?" Inabot ko sa security ang boarding pass at passport ko at ang mga gamit ko.
"Sorry but I'll be busy for the whole day..." Nabasag ang puso ko bigla. Sayang. Pero di ko aakalaing may pahabol na...
"But tomorrow might be nice. Look for me at the gate when we arrive. I'll be waiting there."
