When in France

5

Mon amie!

The flight was just a short trip and so far, it was good. I remember seeing the Eiffel Tower from the plane. The nostalgia...

Here we are now, Paris, the city of lights and France, the country of love.

Pagkasakay ko ng taxi sa labas ng airport, I decided na ipunta muna 'yung mga gamit ko sa apartment ko dito noong nag-aaral pa ako. As much as possible, ayaw kong mag-cross ang landas naming dalawa.

Habang nasa loob ako ng taxi, nadaanan namin 'yung Louvre Museum and it never failed in mesmerizing me with it's grandeur and beauty.

Being here in Paris feels like you're in another world.

Pagkadating ko sa aparyment building, tinulungan ako nung driver na ilabas 'yung mga bagahe ko at umalis na siya.

Pinagmasdan ko ang kabuuan ng building na nasa harapan ko ngayon at napangiti ako. It brings back a lot memories. Naalala ko noong nag-aaral pa ako dito sa Paris at dito ako nakatira. The apartment unit was bought by my father and he gave it to me as a gift . I lived there for how many years until I moved out.

Room 375

This is my unit at alam kong nandito siya. Hindi niya alam na darating ako. I think I will surprise her.

Kinuha ko yung susi sa bulsa ng pantalon ko at binuksan na yung pintuan at tahimik akong pumasok at hinanap siya. Tinignan ko siya sa kusina pero wala siya but then I heard a noise coming from the living room.

At doon nga, nakita ko siyang naka-upo sa sofa. Nasa likod niya ako kaya hindi niya napapansin. Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa likod niya...

"Boo!"

"Oh mon dieu!!" Sigaw biya at napatingin sa akin at haos lumuwa na 'yung mga mata niya dahil nanlalaki ito at napatakip siya sa bibig niya.

"Vous ěstes ici!!! Louise!! Vous ěstes ici!!"
(You're here!!! Louise!! You're here!!)

"Angeline, mon amie! Oui, je suis enfin là!"
(Angeline, my friend! Yes, i'm finally here!)

Sabi ko sabay yakap ng mahigpit sa kaniya at ganun din ang ginawa niya. Angeline Deneuve is my college best friend at literature student ito dati at naging kaklase ko ito noon sa literature kaya kami nagkakilala. We were inseparable before at kahit na pumunta ako sa England hindi parin nawawala ang communication namin.

"Mon dieu! You've gotten more beautiful, Louise! And still ginger as ever!" Sabi niya sabay gulo sa buhok ko. Magulo na nga eh, ginulo pa...

"Ta gueule! You know I'm not." Natatawang sabi ko at umiling siya. Why do a lot of people keeps on saying that I'm beautiful?

"Yes, you are." Sabi niya at ngumiti. "Hey, how are you now? It's been a long time since you come home. We need to talk like about everything!"

"Oh yes, that's right, mon amie. We need to cope up with each other."

Pagkatapos nang sandaling pag-uusap namin, ipinasok ko nayung nga gamit ko at tinulungan niya akong mag-ayos sa kuwarto ko. Pagkatapos naming mag-ayos, she said she wanted to have our time together outside.

I missed her so much! Maraming nagbago sa kaniya. Mas naging slim na ito at gumanda pa lalo. 'Yung dati niyang maikli na buhok ay ngayon hanggang sa beywang niya na and she have got rid of her piercings in her lips and ears.

I guess her emo days were over huh?

After naming maglakad-lakad sa labas, we decided to stop by on a Crepé restaurant. I remember this place, paborito naming tambayan ito noong college. Hindi ako makapankwala na meron pa pala ito and it looks like it's in still good shape and still receiving a lot of customers.

"You really surprised me back there! Why did you suddenly decided to go back here?" Tanong niya sa akin habang hinihintay namin yung order namin.

"I just need a break from work. These last 5 years was so exhausting."

"Oui, it's been a long time huh? But it's good to see you again, Louise."

"So am I." Sabi ko at nginitian siya.

"Kamusta na kayo ni Laurent ?" Bigla akong natigilan sa tanong niya at napatulala. Hindi ko inaasahan na tatanungin niya iyon bigla. Ang tagal narin simula nung huli kong narinig ang pangalan niya.

"Not...good." halos pabulong na sabi ko at tinignan niya ako na parang nag-aalala.

"I'm sorry to hear that," sabi niya at biglang nagbago yung expression ng mukha niya napara bang napa-isip. "Speaking of him, something had changed within him when I last saw him."

"What do you mean?" Of course, he will changed at dahil iyon sa akin.

"He got... cold? And he bearly smile at all." Nalungkot ako dahil sa sinabi niya.

"Don't worry. Magiging maayos din ang lahat."

"I hope so..."

Talking, giggling and teasing. Iyan ang ginawa namin buong hapon. Naka-ilang order din kami ng crepe kasi parang hindi kami mabusog-busog.

Nabanggit niya rin sa akin na since nandito naman na ako sa Paris, ako na daw ang bahala sa apartment at sakto dahil bukas ay aalis siya. She said may job offer siya sa spain bilang literature teacher and of course, I congratulate her at para makabawi din sa kaniya, ako ang nagbayad sa bill namin.

Kung kailan dumating na ako, aalis naman na siya. It's kind of sad but it's life...

"So what now? It's gettung dark maybe we should go home?" Tanong niya sa akin pagkalabas namin ng restaurant.

"Mauna ka nang bumalik. I'll just take a walk for awhile. Gusto ko ulit makita ang streets ng Paris." Sabi ko at yinakap niya lang ako.

"Okay, take your time and be careful, all right? Au revoir, mon amie!"

"Au revoir aussi et à plus tard."
(goodbye too and see you later)

All right... It's really good to be back again.

Paris, my wonderful world.