Forlorner: Fill The Space #Wattys2019

Chapter 1

Unang Kabanata.

Camera

"We've already started our descent procedure into Laguindingan Airport. We expect to land at nine o'clock. It is eight A.M. in Cagayan de Oro now. The weather in Cagayan de Oro city is sunny and the temperature is twenty-six degrees Celsius.

We wish you a pleasant stay in Cagayan de Oro and we hope to see you again very soon. On behalf of all our crew, thank you for choosing our company as your airline today."

I woke up when one of my colleagues shake my shoulder. Naabutan ko sila na naghahanda na sa aming pagbaba. When I looked down on my wristwatch, it was already an hour before our expected landing.

"Mag-ayos ka na. You'll talk to Sir Carlos later, right?" Julianna said, talking about our flight supervisor.

Magpapaalam ako kung puwedeng advanced ang leave ko for this month. My father called me before my scheduled flight, saying that my mother threatens to leave the house again. Iyon ang rason ng paghingi ko ng advanced leave.

Sinikap ko na magpakita ng masiglang ngiti kahit gusto na bumagsak ng mga talukap ng mata ko dahil sa antok. Hindi dapat mapansin ng senior crew namin ang pagkatamlay ko dahil baka ang hinihintay kong promotion into senior cabin crew ay mauwi sa wala.

I tightened my uniform ribbon located on my chest and walked into the airport. Siniko ako ni Julianna at binulungan sa aming paglalakad.

"I met someone cute back there." She started.

I wanted to roll my eyes. Palagi naman siyang ganiyan. Every end of flight, either short or long-haul, she always find someone worthy of her attention. She flirts with a cute or handsome man in a discreet way, kulang na lang ay huwag niyang tapusin ang shift niya.

"What's his name?" I ride in.

She salaciously grinned. "I'll check later. He gave me his calling card." I nudged her when one crew turned his head on our direction. "This is going to be a suave long trip."

"Stop toying men, Juli." I whispered. "Kapag ikaw, nakahanap ng katapat mo, tell me. I might as well laugh at you. You'll see."

Her eyes look at me, bored. "We'll see, Maeve. Kulang ka lang sa lalake kaya bitter ka."

I gave her a horrified look. "Just stop it, Juli! I am not looking for date." I defended myself.

"Ikaw ang bahala, Maeve." She finished.

Sumakay kami sa isang van na para sa amin ng mga kasamahan ko. The airlines provided housing for our every flight and gave us our daily allowance. Ang katabi ko na si Julianna ay inilabas na ang kaniyang cellphone.

"I've already planned our destination, Maeve." She muttered. "Take a look at this," Hinarap niya sa akin ang cellphone screen at tinuro ang mapa kung nasaan kami ngayon.

"We are staying in Chic Vacation House, which, according to my map source, is forty kilometers away from the Laguinduingan airport. There are many tourist spots near this airport---"

"We are not tourist, Juli." I reminded her. We are not tourist, sort of.

She rolled her eyes. "Count yourself as one, Maeve. You'll be joining me in this trip. Nandito ka na rin lang."

Dumoble ang pagtingin ko sa kaniya. "Don't think about it, Juli. I'll talk to Sir Carlos, hindi rin ako magtatagal dito." Striktong tugon ko sa kaniya.

She thinks I will pamper her requests. "Come on, Maeve. You are twenty-three and not getting any younger! Hindi mo pa nalilibot ang mundo pero kung magsalita ka riyan. You sounded like a boring old woman."