The Tale of Astro

Chapter 01: A Not So Unexpected Flight

July 18

Sigrid's P.O.V.

"Please remember me, continue your life without me," maluha-luhang sabi ni Stella habang pinag-i-intertwine ang mga kamay nila ni Liam.

"Hey, don't be too upset about it. You're next to exaggeration, Tesoro. Susunod ka din naman after a couple of days, ah. Don't worry, I'll keep in touch."

"By the way, here. Para naman may remembrance ako sa'yo kahit papaano. Alam mo na, 'pag nami-miss mo ako," Stella said while giving Liam a pink heart-shaped lamp.

"Thanks for the effort but don't worry, I won't miss you." Agad na nanlisik ang mga mata ni Stella matapos marinig ang sagot ni Liam. Muntikan pa niyang mailaglag ang bracelet na ibinigay ng baliw sa kanya. "I'm just kidding. To be honest... I will really, really, really, really miss you, Tesoro."

"I'll miss you more."

"I'll miss you most."

"I'll miss you more than most."

"I'll miss you most than most."

"I'll miss you moster than most."

I rolled my eyes. They are killing me, metaphorically. Hindi ba sila aware na kanina pa akong kinakagat ng mga langgam dito sa harapan nila? Parang wala nang bukas ang katamisan tapos sa harap ko pa na isang bitter, jokijoki lang. Pero magmula ng dumating kami dito sa airport, daig pa nila ang conjoined twins dahil hindi talaga sila mapaghiwalay. Hays, hindi na ako nasanay.

It felt like I'm burning in hell for hours. Imagine, we got here at exactly five in the morning and it's already one in the afternoon. Ginto ba ang eroplanong 'yon para paghintayin kami ng ganito katagal? Pinagsisisihan ko tuloy ang pagtanggi kay Dad na sa private plane na lang kami sumakay.

Maybe, just maybe, I am capable of waiting for a plane for an entire day. But being with a couple this ridiculous is something completely different. Kanina pa akong nabibingi sa drama ng dalawang nasa harapan ko at kulang na lang talaga ma-cancel na ng tuluyan ang flight namin ni Liam pabalik ng Pilipinas para hindi na siya mawalay sa tesoro-chuchu niya.

"Eh, mahal naman kita!" Hindi talaga magpapatalo ang Lopez na 'to. Grabe. Napa-facepalm na lang ako sa kabaliwan nila.

"Mas mahal kita!" I can't bear this two anymore!

Tumayo na lang ako para bumili ng soda or coffee or anything. Well, I do remember seeing some vending machine here somewhere. At isa pa, mukhang hindi na darating si Dad to bid his farewell. It's sad 'cause the last time I saw him was last night, no single shadow for me this morning. Sabi ni Kuya Roro maaga daw umalis para sa work.

Kung hindi ko kilala si Dad, aakalain ko na hindi niya ako mahal dahilan para ni pagpapaalam ay hindi niya magawa. But Dad is Dad. He hates goodbyes and is also not good at it. He refuse to see someone leave, he refuse to be seen by someone when he's crying. Alam ko naman na masakit din para kay Dad ang pagpapaalis niya sa 'kin pero wala na talaga siyang choice. Kung bakit ba naman kasi ayaw pang lumabas ng mga muscles ko tuwing nagte-training kami ni Kuya. I hate it that I'm too weak to protect myself.

Dad even did something that's off the mark for someone. Since Dad has great power, he took advantage of that omnipotence to summon a star to guide me. But... since I know nothing about that 'star' he have declared, I exerted none of the effort to learn more. I'm willing to wait for the right moment just like my promise to Mom. Well, so much for that.

"Anything you want to eat?" Tanong ko kina Stella at Liam na busy sa pagiging sweet. Sorry but I have to bother you lovebirds for a second or two.