The moment I stepped into this familiar land, I knew everything will completely change. Change for the good.
I inhaled and exhaled sharply for the nth time before pulling my luggage and started to walk outside of NAIA.
My heart can't stop beating fast as I finally reach the main entrance.
Eunice, let's go.
Eunice, you can do it.
Eunice, for the better let's do this.
"Bestfriend!" Agad bumaling ang aking atensyon kung saan nanggagaling ang pamilyar na boses na iyon.
And then I saw a man wearing a plain shirt and a ripped jeans with sunglasses on waving a sign board saying "Welcome back Eunice!"
Yro!
I ran towards his direction and jump on him excitedly. I miss him!
I miss my bestfriend.
I felt my tears were rolling at my cheeks. It's a tears of so much joyfulness. I'm happy to finally hug and see my bestfriend again.
"You've changed a lot, eunice" he said while still hugging me tightly
Napaghiwalay na lamang kami nang isang malalim na tikhim.
Nanlaki ang aking mata nang makita kung sino iyon, It's my mom! My ever beautiful mom.
"Mommy" my voice trembled as i say those words para akong batang nagsumbong sa nanay ang tono ng boses ko.
I felt her warm hugs. The hugs and kisses I longed for a long time.
Ah, this is home.
After a long emotional scene at the airport, we're finally on the way to our house in La Union. San Fernando City is four to five hours away from Manila so it is again a long drive. All the way from Manila to La Union, I was staring outside the window.
"Grabe ang ganda mo na anak, Dalagang dalaga ka na" my mom keeps on saying those words.
It was already past six nang huminto saglit ang sasakyan sa harap ng gate na may naka-ukit sa itaas na "Casa de Soliven" at pumasok nang pagbuksan ng dalawang security guard. This is my home. This is where I grew up. I miss this.
The exterior of the house has changed a lot. It became more modern. The only thing that hasn't changed except for the grand fountain at the center is the feeling of peace, love and home. Casa Soliven is not only a mansion or a house, It's my home.
I quickly stepped out of the van and ran inside. I roamed my eyes around and embraced all the positive feelings. This is life.
Sana always.
We ate at the long table for our dinner. Parang fiesta sa sobrang dami. I was overwhelmed nang makitang halos nandito lahat ng pinsan,tito at tita ko from mother side.
I was just smiling and giggling the whole time and also glaring at my bestfriend who keeps on pissing me off.
"Ang ganda talaga dito" I said while sitting here at the balcony after that long and happy dinner. Kitang kita mula dito ang magandang paglubog ng araw.
"Mas maganda ka" I felt his arm snaked on my shoulder and rest his chin there.
Sweet. Babaero moves talaga netong Yro na ito eh.
"Sus. Ilan na ba ulit girlfriends mo?" I teased and giggled
"Wala, ikaw lang. Huwag kang mag-alala" he then teased me back.
Hindi na ako nagsalita at hinayaan na lamang siyang nakahawak ng ganoon sa akin at nilalaro ang aking buhok.
I feel peace when I'm here, when I'm with Yro. He always make me feel secured. He was always there for me. Always.
"How are you?" he suddenly asked out of the blue.
"I'm happy right now" sagot ko
He then faced me and cupped my face. Tinitigan niya ako na parang bang iniinspeksyon kung tama ba ang sinasabi ko. But it's true, I'm happy.
Iniwas ko ang aking tingin nang medyo tumagal ang kanyang mga titig sa akin. Bakit parang naiilang ako?
"Yro, I'm planning to study here" pag-iiba ko ng usapan
"Nasabi nga ni tita, Saan ka mag-aaral?" he asked.
"Sa school mo" I smiled widely.
His eyes widened. Bakas ang excitement sa mga mata nito nang bumaling ang atensyon niya sa akin.
"You sure?" he asked
"Ibig kong sabihin, May mga nagkalat nang iba't-ibang private schools dito sa City. Bakit sa Unibersidad ng La Union ulit?" tanong niya.
Parang ayaw pa ata ako netong makasama sa iisang school. Marami sigurong mga babae ito roon.
I mentally laughed because of that.
"Bakit ba? Ayaw mo ba akong makasama sa school?" umirap pa ako at kunyareng nagtatampo ng very light.
He chuckled at ginulo ang buhok ko."Hindi naman, Ang problema lang two weeks from now ay pasukan na namin.Hindi ka makakapag pahinga at makakapag-adjust agad dito" dire-diretso niyang sabi.
I rolled my eyes. "Ako pa? Kaya ko 'to no!"
He chuckled and didn't answer back. We stayed at that position for an hour at hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na ako sa kanyang mga bisig. I hope this will never be the last time that I would feel again the peace and love.
