Elysian Skies

Prologue

"Ria!" I fumbled hurriedly behind my vanity table. Oh c'mon! Nasaan na ba 'yon? I push myself further as I reach closer and closer.

"Yes, I got it!" I cheered happily.

Nagmamadali kong niligpit lahat ng mga damit ko at diretsahang nilagay lahat sa maleta. I heard heavy footsteps approaching my bedroom door. I carried my luggage's toward the small window of my room. I peeked on it, my car was already there, I lift one of my luggage—ready to throw it outside.

"Ria! Buksan mo ang pinto!" Malakas na kumalabog ang pinto dahil sa sunod sunod na pagkatok, aksidente kong nabitawan ang maletang hawak ko. Mabuti nalang at saktong sa sasakyan ito nahulog.

"Ria! Open the door or I will call the cops!"

Gosh! My mom was so desperate. I tucked my passport inside my tote bag and wear my leather jacket. Wala na akong oras para ligpitin lahat ng kalat ko sa kwarto. I throw the last luggage on the car, I took a last glance of my room.

I'm surely gonna miss this place, it's been my comfort zone for all these years. I bid my goodbyes to my room before skidding down on the water pipes beside the small window.

"Ow!" Napahawak ako sa pwet, ang sakit ng pagkabagsak ko.

"Aires! Bumalik ka dito!" Oh no. Nagmadali kong pinagpagan ang sarili at tumakbo papasok ng sasakyan.

"Shit. Shit. Shit." Di ko mapigilan ang sariling magmura nang makita si mom na nakasilip na sa labas ng bintana ng kwarto ko. Nanginginig ang kamay kong humahanap ng susi sa loob ng bag. I succeeded on starting the engine and was ready to go.

"You ungrateful daughter! Bumalik ka dito!" Galit na galit na sigaw niya. Pinagtitinginan na kami ng mga kapitbahay kaya pinaharurot ko na ang sasakyan paalis ng Green Heights.

I felt sorry for my mom, I know she only wanted what's the best for me but that's not what I wanted. I have a big dream that's waiting for me to fulfill, I already promised to myself that the remaining 2 years of college would be on my own choice and I choose to study overseas.

All these recent years, I was trapped by the things that keep blocking my way to aim high. I wanted to feel just once... only just this time that I can also decide good on my own, I wanted to be independent.

Nagmatiyag ako sa paligid, napahugot ako ng hininga, di naman siguro ako pinasundan ni mom sa mga body guards niya. Nilagay ko ang buong atensyon sa daan, hindi ko alam kung saan ako nito dumiretso. I already did book a flight to Colorado Springs. I was thinking of where should I supposed to stay when I get there.

I don't have any relatives there to live with and definitely don't have any friends to call for an assistance. Guess I have to figure this out by myself. I reach for my phone on the dash board and find Austin's name on my contacts. I pressed the call button and put in on loud speaker while waiting for him to answer.

"Hey, what's up? I heard—"

"Austin, I need your help!" I absentmindedly bit my lower lip.

"Ria, where are you? Your mom called, she said you left home with your luggage's. Everyone's worried about you." He said in a soft voice.

"I'm sorry, please I needed your help right now," Napatingin ako sa orasan. "Listen, I don't have time to explain now but I want you to meet me at Starbucks, the one which is on the NAIA Terminal 3."

"W-what, why? I don—" I cut him for the second time.

"Please Austin! Pangako mag-eexplain ako. J-just...trust me on this." Nagmamakaawang saad ko. Narinig ko siyang bumuntong hininga.