Never in a Month of Sundays

001: Disastrous Comeback

"Stop worrying, mom. I still know the address so I guess I'll be home."

Honestly, I wasn't sure much about that. Though I knew the address by heart, it had been over four years since the last time I stepped foot on its ground. I only said it out of utterly exhaustion.

Today was noted to be the longest day of my life and even the only obstacle I had was the tedious airplane's couch, settling my body against its planate upholster for over half an earth full spin had brought tremendous stress to my being.

The voice on the other line was still talking but I had to interrupt. "I'm good, mom. I'm already inside the cab." I lied.

I couldn't wait for another freakin' hour. Why of all the things in the world my arrival was the one they had to forget? I had called them before the plane departed LAX. If that wasn't enough to remind them of my come back, I had posted photos on IG before the plane took off. Did they really care? I guess not.

I wasn't expecting for any grandiose homecoming surprises. But they shouldn't have forgotten the car that would bring me back home.

I called for taxi as soon as I dropped the call. Not that I was too excited to be home. I just wanted to lie my body on the comfort of my bed to rest.

"Where should I drop you, young lady?" The driver spoke, pulling me out of my reverie.

"Parkwood Subdivision. In Pasig!"

He started the engine almost immediately and drove our way out of the airport. Glad he didn't ask for directions. I honestly couldn't answer if he had asked me. Anyway, I had Waze installed so I was certain I wouldn't get lost.

I settled my stare at the window, watching the view outside as it changed leisurely to the tune of the roaring engine. It had been long four years and there were palpable changes I couldn't help but notice. There were strange structures stood proudly everywhere that I was pretty much sure weren't there when I left. I let a sigh out heavily.

What should I expect? As the quote said- There's no constant in this world but change; and this country, just one among many, had undergone changes.

And myself was no exemption. In fact, if there was a human definition for the word then it had to be me.

There was a long list of evident changes but one thing had opted to stay- traffic, and it seemed to get worse. I had thought it was an overstatement every time I read posts on Facebook describing how grave the congestion was in the country. Now I experienced it first hand, I could attest how severe it was and proved that one needed a bag full of patience to endure the on-road plight.

I was extremely tired and my eyelids were heavier than usual. I slouched my back on the leather seat and leaned the side of my head against the laminated glass window to find comfort.

The car was steady on its spot as the polluted gas from each vehicle slowly staining the surroundings. We were now stuck on the main road where vehicles started piling up creating a stationary parade of motors.

It wasn't my intention to slumber but when I knew that the car wasn't moving an inch, I finally dismissed. I shut my eyes close and prepared myself to be sent away to dreamland.

"We're here!"

The roar of the chauffeur was enough to drift me away from sleep. I abruptly opened my eyes and agilely searched for my wrist watch. I had slept for almost two hours but certainly not enough to heal my lassitude. I squinted outside the window to check.

PARKWOOD SUBDIVISION

We already reached our destination.

I ruminated on the visual before me and it made me think twice when I finally had a full glimpse of what was there in front of me.