Always Been You

Twenty five

Comeback

I hold a tight grip on my Allsaints light brown shoulder bag.  The tires from my luggage expressed an excitement screech from the tiled floor as I pulled it while heading towards the lounge area of the arrival in fast pace manner.

I opted to have my other belongings be sent through fast cargo instead so to ease the load of baggages I'll be bringing with me.

I expected a humble arrival since my family didn't have any idea of my unannounced return.  They are now in Davao City thinking my presence is still in the foreign land of Glendale.  Much that I never mention even once in any of my plan.

I lazily put two boxes on the cart including my handcarry trolley bag.  Naglalaman ito ng mga pasalubong para sa kanila at importanteng gamit ko.  Naramdaman ko na ang tinatawag nilang jetlag habang binaybay ko ang pasilyo ng airport kasama ang dagat ng mga pasahero. Medyo uminit ang buong katawan ko na parang nilalagnat.  My head's spinning.

I pushed the cart with my entire body force applied on it para mas lalo mapabilis ang lakad ko. Kaibahan ako sa mga kasama kong pasahero na nag uusap since they came as a family or with friends.  they walked in a controlled pace.

Binabaybay ko ang daan palabas na ng airport only to be surprised of a sight like to that of the celebrity.  They are the one considered VIP passengers.  Bodyguard and airport escort accompanied them.  Crowd are starting to recognize their presence and somehow lose control of the spirit in them.  

Nangingisay na yung mga kabataang babae.  Traces of admirations are openly thrown in his every stride.  Sino pa ba ang magtataka, he is that famous I guess.

Halos hindi ako magalaw sa gulat.  I gathered as many air as I can to fill my lungs.  Pakiramdam ko, naninikip ang dibdib. Halos hindi ako makahinga. 

Are we on the same flight? Maybe not.  I may expect an encounter like this but why this early?  Nagpapawis na ang palad ko nakahawak sa handle ng cart. I should brough hoodie with me.  But what the heck.  Sobrang init kaya that I wanted to change into cotton sando and shorts to feel refreshed.

I can feel weakness of my knee unable to take more steps away from this place.  They could be meters away from me but sometimes the more you avoid chances like this, the more it will happen. 

I saw him walking side by side with an auburn haired woman. As she took steps, her body swayed gracefully.  Her fair skin screamed wealth.  Oh eh di siya na ang mayaman.

I raised my eyebrow seeing her right hand wrapped around his arm. They walked so proud of themselves.  Bagay nga sila.  So he is into PDA now? I should be the one to know since... oh never mind. 

I never thought seeing him again with another woman can still have this effect in me.  Such a masochist. Ipinilig ko ang akong ulo sa hindi magandang isipin.  This will do me no good at all.

Too bad I have to stop over in Manila for a day or two based on the guidelines stated.  I need to report to the counterpart of Glendale Medical Center here in the Philippines.  That, later did I know, it's the same hospital being referred to where Kaye is currently working at.

Lutang pa rin ang tulak kong patuloy na naglalakad taliwas sa daloy ng direksyon ng mga tao na narito.  Maybe because of the "celebrity's presence".  Nah.  I'm out of it.

Mas lalo naman akong nagulat ng mabungaran ko si Kaye at Josef sa bukana ng waiting area.  Why are they even here?  Could it be? Naputol ang mga tanong namumuo sa utak kong nung bigla niya tinawag ang pangalan ko.  

Napangiti akong mas binilisan pa ang lakad ko palapit sa kanila.  "Oh my God Kaye! It's good to see you here."  puno ng tanong ang mga mata ko sa kanya.  Siya naman ay ouno ng galak na makita ako.  

"I am surprise to know you finally decided. you know..."  nabitin ang mga sasabihin pa niya nang kinuha na ni Josef ang cart sa akin at iniabot sa porter.  Sinenyahan niya ito na dalhin sa parking lot malapit sa sasakyan nila.

A rush of humid air wrap around my body as I embarked inside the car.  Kasunod ko si Kaye na pumasok sa tabi ko.  Halos mapunit na ang mukha niya sa malapad na ngiti.  Looks like my decision is the best.  "Dr. Chad called me up and inform of your arrival.  timing naman na m,ay susunduin din si Josef kaya sabay na kaming pumunta dito.

Josef is still busy putting my bagages inside his SUV.  Di ko alam sino ang susunduin niya kung andito pa siya sa parking area.

My glimpse was caught by that auburn girl still clung into the arms of Matthew.  Palapit sila sa sasakyan ni Josef which the latter acknowledged.  

Sandali pa silang nag uusap.  Looks like ayaw pa siyang pakawalan ng babae, so typical of him.  Umiwas ako ng tingin at ibinaling sa mga pasahero sumasabay sa kani-kanilang sundo.  

Isang kasiyahan ang eksena makikita na nagkakasama ang pamilya sa bawat pagbabalik.  Taliwas sa naramdaman ko ngayon.  If this car has the ability to swallow me whole, I am the most willing victim.

In silent prayer, I beg for our peaceful exit leaving the two of them on whatever they wanted to do with their lives.  

I cringed as scenario of the two being left behind played on my mind.  The hell I care.  Ngayon pa ba?

Siniko ako ni Kaye habang nakatanaw sa labas sabay tanong, "Are you ready?"