Scintilla and Scent

I: Where everything started

Chapter 1

What is your favorite scent? Do you have a favorite perfume? Do you love the scent of flowers? How about candles? Was there a scent that soothes your soul? Do you ever smell a familiar scent and memories haunt you down?

I believe that scent triggers nostalgia. Scent brings back happy moments and sometimes, it brings back memories, we totally want to forget.

For some, when they randomly smell a specific scent, they remember a person, a memory, or an experience. But for me, scent is somehow fearful.

"Flight to Manila Philippines is now boarding, please proceed to the gate 26," I stood as I took a deep breath. This is it, the day I've been waiting for. I will go home and finally discover my entire identity.

"Iha- ikaw lang ba mag-isa ang uuwi?" an old lady asked. I guess, she's in her 60's already. Siya ang katabi ko sa upuan. I rarely talk to anyone, as much as possible gusto kong iwasan makipag-usap sa ibang tao. But in Filipino culture, it's an insult if I'll not answer her.

"Hmm... opo-" I answered. I saw her smiled. Gladly, maya-maya nag-serve na ng food ang flight attendant. I just want this flight to end. I am not comfortable already. I feel that I'm sweating badly, even though it's cold.

"Iha- masama ba ang pakiramdam mo?" the old lady asked again. I think she noticed the uneasiness I felt. If she only knew why?

I hope she can meet her family first before it happens. She's so kind and caring and she deserves it.

"Hmm... I'm okay po-" I gulped. "Excited lang po akong maka-uwi."

"Ako rin iha-- naghihintay na kasi ang mga apo ko, at ang mga anak ko sa'kin," she smiled. "Ako nga pala si Florinda ikaw?"

"Huh? A-ako po," I stuttered. "Hmm... Kallia po."

"Ang gandang pangalan, bagay sa'yo," she said as she looked at me. "Para kang manika na binihisan."

"H-hindi naman po, p-pero salamat po," I tried to smile. Even though deep inside, my heart was aching, for her.

We talked for a few minutes and afterwards, she fell asleep. As I looked at her, bakas pa rin sa mukha nito ang sobrang saya. Who will not be happy if the long time you've been waiting for, will finally happen?

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Cebu Pacific welcomes you to Manila," the flight attendant announced. I gently tapped the shoulder of the old lady beside me.

"Nandito na po tayo," I said. She replied me with a sweet smile. We separated our ways when we reached the arrival area. She even waved her hand at me.

"Pinsan! Nandito kami!" I heard a familiar voice. I saw my only cousin, Bently and uncle Benildo, my mom's only brother.

"Hello po uncle," nagmano ako sa kanya. He also helped me to carry my baggages after.

"Tara na sa van pinsan- naghihintay na si lola sa bahay," Bentley added.

My lola Ingrid, I really miss her so much. The only person who makes me feel I am worthy of her love, that I am important.

"Tumabi kayo! Tabi! Padaanin n'yo ang medic!" I heard a loud shout. When I glanced back, I saw the old lady who was my seatmate in plane earlier, lying on the floor. She was put in a stretcher, and afterwards brought inside the ambulance. But I knew, she was dead already. Her other family members who were left, were crying heavily. I pity for them so bad.

I covered my mouth, but my hands were trembling. I was right all throughout our trip. I thought it was just her perfume, umasa ako na mali ako. But death is like a thief, it comes when you least expect it. Pero kahit papano, she was able to see her family before she died.