Gate 26 bound for Palawan is now open. Gates are open for boarding.
I lifted my head from my laptop as I heard the announcement. I'm on my way to Palawan to panel another undergrad research expo.
I immediately closed my laptop and prepared my stuff for boarding.
"Ria, charger mo," Lloyd pointed out as he was still fixing his stuff.
"Thanks," I answered him and flashed a smile.
"Makalimutan mo ulit gaya ng dati. Remember, Palawan 'to. And I think our place there would not have access on cities that much," he mumbled.
Parang tatay ko talaga'to.
"Opo, dad," I sarcastically answered him.
He just shrugged off what I said and helped me with my carry-on baggage as he noticed that I have too much in my hands.
I just let him carry my things tutal wala rin naman s'yang masydong bitbit.
Lloyd. I think he has been my research partner for 4 years na? And we've been paneling other researches since last year kaya sanay na akong magtravel with him.
We both lined up for the business class. Yes, we can afford.
I reached the pocket of my coat for my boarding pass; and was alarmed nang 'di ko iyon makapa.
"If you're looking for your boarding pass, I have it here," Lloyd reassured me as he showed me mine with his.
I gave him a confused look. Bakit nasa kanya 'yon?
He smirked as if he knew my question. "You handed me this earlier. You told me to hold this for you because you might lose it."
I gritted my jaw in embarrassment.
"Thank you, Lloydie. What would I do without you?" I jokingly told him as I reached for my boarding pass.
"Try me, I told you," he answered me with conviction.
Have I told you how persistent Lloyd is towards me? He keeps on telling me stuff like that pero he never really confessed. Pero hindi na rin naman ako bata para magmanhid-manhiran sa mga ganyan.
Inirapan ko na lang s'ya.
We showed our boarding pass to the flight attendant and entered the gate.
As we entered the plane, we were immediately greeted by the crew and were guided to our seats. They have us assisted with our carry-ons.
I sat at my seat beside the window, at si Lloyd naman ay naupo sa tabi ko.
It will take a while for the airplane to be filled kasi kami ang unang sumakay. I reached for my laptop again and started brainstorming for another research probably with Lloyd again and our other colleagues.
"Lloyd, do you think we can find some tamilok in Palawan? Wala pa kasi masyadong researches patungkol dito. What do you think?" I asked for Lloyd's opinion as I took a sip from the juice that was offered to me earlier.
"Hmm. Pwede rin. We could extend our stay sa Palawan to further study their habitat and such," Lloyd suggested.
"Okay! Thanks," I enthusiastically typed down this idea on my laptop.
With my reply, Lloyd chuckled. He saw me confused with his response.
"Nothing. I'm just amused by your passion in research," he answered me as he took a sip from his coffee.
I shrugged it off and continued brainstorming ideas.
Well, he's not wrong naman. This is really my passion. And I am always fascinated on how and why things exist. That's why I chose this field—a biologist researcher. I took up masters and a doctoral degree in biology.
