Under The Burning Skies

Simula

a/n: hi! i did some proofreading and edited few things. have fun reading, i guess ^^

Simula

"This is the final call for flight BA154 bound to Manila. Please make your way to Gate 99. Thank you."

Nang marinig iyon ay agad na akong nagmadaling maglakad at dumiretso sa gate ng terminal. Muntik pa akong mahuli sa flight ko. I was too pre-occupied with work at nawala na sa isip ko ito. It was a good thing that I packed my stuff earlier. Kaunti lang naman iyon.

"May I see your passport and boarding pass, please?" one of the flight attendants at the gate asked me.

"Here."

"You're all set. This way, please."

"Thank you." I smiled.

I immediately searched for my seat. Agad ko rin naman itong nahanap. I placed my small luggage in the overhead bin and settled myself in my seat.

I just boarded my flight to Manila. Wala na talaga akong planong umuwi pa dapat sa Pinas. If only my Mom didn't beg me to go home for a potential client. Hindi dapat ako nagpadala, e. I was already busy here in Sydney with all of my cases anyway.

But I kind of think that this is still good. I also missed my friends. It's been ages since we last saw each other. Athena and Grant visit me sometimes. Sa bahay sila laging natutulog since I have spare rooms.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be taking off shortly. Please make sure that your seat belt is securely fastened. Thank you."

I was living alone here in Sydney for 4 years now. My parents stayed in the Philippines habang ang dalawa ko namang kapatid ay nasa Europe. Binibisita rin naman nila ako minsan para i-check kung maayos ba ang takbo ng law firm.

Napatingin ako sa relo ko. It's past ten in the morning. I looked outside the plane window. The sun once again took her rightful place on the horizon. Her rays illuminate the world, bringing the scene to full view. Even as a kid, I was always fascinated by the sun. I always wonder how one could shine so bright. Like a ball of fire right above our heads.

Lagi akong lalabas ng bahay at magpapa-araw sa ilalim ng init nito. Before we had anything, the sun was our marker of time. We have no means to measure the day other than its rhythmic rise and fall.

Ang araw, para sa'kin, ang nagsisilbing paalala para lumaban muli. Para umahon at bumangon sa lungkot na dulot ng gabi. Whenever I feel sad, I always find comfort in the sun. Aside from its colorful hues, the heat also makes you feel alive.

Alone in the skies, but still, it shines bright.

Pagkatapos ng mahigit kumulang walong oras ay naaaninag ko na ang kabuuan ng Manila sa himpapawid. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba. Finally... after 4 years.

"Surprise! Welcome back, Caileigh!"

"Oh my gosh! You're sexier now! Look at that butt!" si Ciara.

Paglabas ko ng airport ay nagulat ako dahil nakita ko agad sila sa labas. I didn't tell them na uuwi ako. Maybe Mom did? Athena, Grant, Jordan, Astrid and Ciara are here. Kumpleto. I smiled widely. Isa-isa ko naman silang ni-hug.

"Whatever! Kayo talaga! Sinundo niyo pa ko. Don't you all have work?" sabi ko. Touched that they made time for me. I really missed them!

"Work can wait, Cai. How was your flight?" si Jordan.