The Black Suitcase

uno

Agad-agad kong tinago ang brief na hawak ko sa likod. My gosh Calli. Nakakahiya.

"We'll take it from here sir," the handsome guy told the staff. Tumango naman ang staff at tsaka naglakad palayo. Now it's just the both of us.

"So, how did you manage to get my brief out of my suitcase if you don't know my combination?" Paninimula ni Kuya. Oh yeah. That part. Should I tell him that I ignored all logic that's why I broke his suitcase?

"Well, um. There's actually a funny back story to it. You see, I-"

"If you wouldn't mind, can I get my suitcase now? I'm really tired from the flight and I just want to change into some comfortable clothes," he cut me off.

"Uh, sure! Just wait there for a second. Or a minute. How 'bout you get my suitcase from your room para hindi ka na magpabalik-balik dito? Yeah? That sounds good? Sige!" And then I slammed the door in front of his face. Rude, I know but I have to buy time para maibalik ko sa taas yung zipper na  nasira ko.

I quickly kneeled down next to the suitcase and stuffed back the brief inside. Siya na bahalang magrolyo ulit niyan. That is none of my concern right now. Mano-mano kong zinip ulit yung ulo pabalik doon sa parang lock. I did at as fast as I can but it really took me 5 minutes or so to accomplish my task. Tumayo ako at tsaka tinignan ang suitcase if hindi ba halata na sira na yung zipper.

"Miss, I have your suitcase with me. Can I get mine now?" I was startled when that handsome guy knocked again on the door. I gave the suitcase one final glance before bringing it close to the door. I took one deep breath before opening the door.

"Here's your suitcase. Thank you for delivering mine here. I hope we'll see each other again," I pushed his suitcase towards him and pulled my suitcase inside my room. I gave him a big grin before slamming the door on his face, again. My gosh! How rude of me! And no, I didn't mean it when I said that I hope to see him again because by that time, he would've known that I broke his suitcase.

Tinapat ko ang tenga ko sa pintuan para makinig ng ingay. Pero it was quiet outside, kaya nagconclude ako na umalis na rin si Kuyang gwapo na nakaupo sa likod ko kanina. I better find another nickname for him because damn that's a long nickname.

With a tired expression on my face, I rolled my suitcase papunta sa bed ko and kneeled infront of it. In-input ko ang combination and this time, the lock freely let go of the zipper's handle. Napabuga ako ng hangin. Why do I have to encounter that scene? Sobrang nakakahiya!

I opened my suitcase and looked for my charger. Noong nakita ko na yun, I stood up, grabbed my dead phone and looked for a charging outlet. Once I saw na nagchacharge na ito, I got some comfortable clothes from my suitcase at pumasok ng banyo para maligo. It has been a long day. I deserve a break.

It was already dark when I woke up. I checked my phone which was charging on the nightstand. 6:15 P.M. Well, it's time to eat dinner. Bumangon ako at nag-unat before getting my scrunchie from the nighstand. I stood up and grabbed some clothes from the closet, na inayos ko kanina bago natulog, and changed to make myself presentable. In-unplug ko yung cellphone ko mula sa pagkaka charge nito at kinuha ang wallet at room key and headed out of the door. Once I made sure na locked na yung room ko, I went down to the restaurant.

The resort has a restaurant that faces the sea. Walang salamin na pumapagitna kaya doon ko naisipang magdinner. I looked for a table that has a great view of the sea and sat down. I was offered a menu afterwards. Habang nag-iisip ako kung anong oorderin, I felt someone pass by my side so napatingin ako. And kung mamalasin ka nga naman, it was Kuya na gwapo na naka-upo sa likod ko kanina whose suitcase I broke. At sa lahat pa talaga ng pwede niyang pag-upuan, sa katapat ko pa talagang lamesa. Could this day get any worse?

I brought the menu higher to cover my face while I looked for another vacant table but it seems like all the people decided to eat dinner at 6 P.M. dahil wala akong makitang bakante. Shuta!

"Ma'am, have you chosen your order?" Nagulat ako ng may lumapit sa akin na staff. I just nodded and pointed at the dish and drink I want to have. Ayokong magsalita kasi baka makilala ni Kuya gwapo yung  boses ko at baka kwestyunin ako kung paano ko sinira yung suitcase niya.

"Will that be all ma'am?" Tanong ng staff habang sinusulat yung order ko. Tumango lang ako to confirm, still having the menu as a shield from embarassment.

"Okay ma'am, your dish will be served after 30 minutes. Have a good evening ma'am," sabi ng staff at tsaka inabot yung menu. Nagulat pa ako nung inabot niya yung menu kaya hinila ko palapit sa akin ang menu. Nabigla naman si ate kaya muntikan pa siyang matumba pero buti na lang at hindi.

"Omo! I'm sorry," I apologized as I made sure she's okay. She smiled at me pero for sure, sa kaloob-looban niya, gusto niya na akong buhusan ng kumukulong sabaw. I gave her the menu and she walked away. I watch her figure disappear into the kitchen. I slouched down my chair and blew away the strands of hair that was covering my face. Magdidinner na nga lang, mapapahamak pa talaga.

Then the guy in front of me snickered. He was trying. Take note! Trying! He was TRYING to hide his laughs as he was ordering but that just irritated me more. I rolled my eyes at him at inis na kinuha ang phone ko. I unlocked it and saw I have 6 unopened messages from Ate Mia.

From: Ate Mia😈

Have you arrived na sa hotel mo?

From: Ate Mia😈

Hoy! Uso reply

From: Ate Mia😈

Wala ka bang pangload? Panghotel meron ka tapos pangload wala?

From: Ate Mia😈

Sabi mo tatawag ka. But you didn't! You broke my heart Calli!

From: Ate Mia😈

Seriously though, have you arrived safely? Call me once you get my TEXTS

From: Ate Mia😈

Di kaya nakidnap ka na jan? Reply din hoy! Tumawag ka once nakuha mo na mga texts ko. Gusto kang makausap ni Kora before siya matulog.

Agad-agad akong nagtipa ng reply.

To: Ate Mia😈

Ang drama mo, alam mo yun? Yuh. I got here safe. No need to worry. Di lang ako nakatawag kasi lowbatt ako at tsaka inatake din ako ni jetlag. And omoooo! I have kwento for you later! I'll call na talaga once I get back to my room. I'm having my dinner pa. Say hi to Kora for me.

At tsaka ko clinick and send button. Then I went to Facebook to browse and entertain myself for the next 30 minutes. Once in a while, I would lift my gaze up from my phone and see what Kuya gwapo is doing. He's doing the same thing as I am. Minus the palihim na pagtingin part. 30 minutes went by fast and soon, my order was served on my table. Kuya gwapo's order was served shortly aftet mine.

I ate my dinner in silence. After I finished it, I drank the juice I ordered and drank the water too. I got my phone and opened it to send my sister a message.

To: Ate Mia😈

Tapos na ako sa dinner ko. Paakyat na ako. Is Kora still awake?

I was about to hit the send button when I felt a presence beside me. I quickly looked up and was astonished to see Kuya gwapo beside me.

"Y-yes?" I stuttered. Calm yourself Calli.

"I think this belongs to you," at tsaka nilapag ang isang puting shoelace sa lamesa. The hell?! I forgot to remove my shoelace from his suitcase! I felt my face heat up and I'm sure as hell I'm as red as a tomato right now.

"I must admit, what you did was amusing and in some way, witty. But next time, I think you shouldn't go destroying suitcases that are not yours," he said in a matter-of-fact tone with a dash of a teasing tone which doubled up my annoyance.

"Enjoy your evening," and then he walked away.

Binitawan ko ang hininga na hindi ko namalayang kanina ko pa pala pinipigilang lumabas. It's official! I declare this vacation a major mess!