Awake

TWO

Bergen Airport, Flesland
2:18 pm

I have finally accomplished my goal for this year, to travel alone in Norway. Nagpakalunod ako sa trabaho para lang makaipon para sa araw na to.

Sakay ng bus, muntik na akong umiyak habang kumukuha ng litrato this city is too beautiful for my eyes.

"Wow."

Pagkarating sa hotel na tutuluyan ko hinawi ko agad ng kurtina upang makita ang kabuuan ng Bergen. The overlooking sea that embraces me. The historical buildings in lively and vibrant colors. Finally I found my peace.

The next day, I boarded the cruise with a light heart. Wandering around in the beautiful fjords of Bergen. Pakiramdam ko nasa isang panaginip lang ako, panaginip kung saan ayaw ko ng magising.

I gently pinched my cheeks.. "ouch." Damn, this is not a dream.

"Hello anak?"

Idinikit ko ang telopono sa tenga ko.

"Dad? I'm okay here!"

"Muka nga. I saw the pictures you sent me. Just be careful. I called you because we'll be in Palawan tomorrow." Wedding anniversary na nila sa susunod na araw kaya mag babakasyon muna sila sa Palawan.

"Hindi po ako magtatampo." I laughed. "Enjoy! Send me pictures too!"

The call ended right away.

I ate at the buffet and took endless pictures. You really can help but contemplate the meaning of life at places like this. I used to be so pessimistic about life but to here in Bergen made me appreciate the people in my life and my own life. It feels like there will only be good events in my life from now on.

When the cruise arrived at the port. I took the train to my next destination.

"Hi, can I sit next to you?" Inangat ko ang tingin ko sa estranghero. Ngumiti lamang ako at tumango bago ako magpatuloy mag basa.

"I'm Daniel." I stared at him for a bit. Analyzing the situation.

"Hi."

"What's your name?" Hindi ako agad nakasagot. How am I suppose to react to this situation, I have trust issues.

"V." I lied.

He shrugged. "You're lying but okay V."

He took pictures with his Sony camera, similar to mine.

"You know this city is so picturesque. Every angle looks fantastic." I don't know why is he so talkative but he's got a point.

"It looks like you have interest in photography too." Nginuso niya ang camera ko naka patong sa lamesa. Mauubusan ako ng english sentences pag inentertain ko pa siya.

"Yea." I said hoping he takes the signal that I don't want to talk to him.

"Are you a professional or is it you're hobby?" Obviously he did not notice it.

"My hobby." He just nodded slowly.

I slept for one hour. I woke up when the train stopped for a while. Everyone is busy taking off the train.

"They said we can go down to take a look at the Falls." The guy named Daniel said while fixing his things.

Falls? Tumingin ako sa bintana. Wow! This is Fjord falls! Right in front of my eyes!

I opened my camera but it wasn't working.

"What?" I tried to open it again. Not now please!

"Bakit ayaw gumana?" I said to myself, frustrated.

"I can fix that for you." Muntik ko ng mahulog ang camera ko. Kailan pa siya nakasunod sakin?

"Pilipino ka pala?" Siya rin?

"Ikaw rin?"

He placed his right hand to his left chest. "Bayang Magiliw perlas ng silanganan..." the look on his face was anticipating me to laugh.

"Ayaw gumana?" Pag-iiba niya ng topic. Pagkatapos namin pag debatihan ang camera hinayaan ko siyang gawin ang gusto niya. Inalis niya ang battery at muli niya pinasok bago buksan ang ON ng camera. It worked.

"Thank you!" Bumaha ang pasasalamat ko sa ginawa niya.

"Sabi ko sayo e." He have this arrogant look on his face now. I spent the remaining minutes taking photographs and enjoyed it with my eyes. Daniel too was taking pictures. Somehow I felt comfortable with him.

Pagbalik ng train, I bought him coffee. In a matter of seconds, we were talking about photography stuffs. He showed me the pictures he took to. He's working as a professional photographer for artists, magazines, and landscapes.

"Ikaw? What do you do for living?" He asked.

"I'm a CPA."

"Wow." His mouth formed 'O'.

"Very impressive." He added.

Hours passed we were talking about random stuff. Sometimes he asks me personal questions and I answered them willingly.

When the announcer finally said the train arrived at our destination, I felt disappointed.

"San ka tutuloy?" Tanong niya habang nag-aabang ako ng masasakyan na bus.

"Secret." I joked.

"You're not here for work right?... Can we..um." He scratched the back of his head shyly.

"If you're bored.. you can meet me at this train station." He finally said.

"Bakit dito?"

"...for romantic purposes?" Tumawa siya.

"...You can always find me here. 24/7."

I couldn't clearly hear what he said. His voice echoed everywhere. It feels like my senses are not functioning.

"Hindi na natin kayang sustentohan yan! Hayaan na natin siya!"

"Ate please.."

Unfamiliar voices crept into my head and the darkness ruled me.

~•~•~

globalwriter_kim