"Thank you for your service, Captain Villanueva."
Napangiti ako at pumalakpak. That was our Captain's last flight at magreretire na siya sa pagiging isang piloto ngayon. Captain Villanueva was close to my heart, at tumayo siya bilang isang ama sa akin sa nakalipas na limang taon. Nakakalungkot nga lang dahil ngayon, magreretire na siya dahil sa kanyang edad.
"Thank you to all the cabin crew who worked with me on flights. Continue pursuing your dreams and never stop striving. Make passengers feel safe when they're with you. Salamat sa mahigit tatlumpung taon sa serbisyo," our Captain gave his speech before smiling at us whole-heartedly.
Pagod kaming lahat dahil sa flight galing New York to Manila pero tiniis namin iyon para mag-paalam kay Captain Villanueva. We were all tired because of hours of standing and smiling to passengers but upon hearing Captain Villanueva's words, it seemed like those tired eyes of ours were replaced with sadness.
Isa-isa niya kaming niyakap at nang makarating siya sa akin, hindi ko napigilang mapaluha. "Ingat po, Captain."
He smiled, "Ikaw din, Bella. Alagaan mo ang sarili mo, ha. Always wear that gorgeous smile of yours."
He pulled his suitcase with him after saying his last goodbyes to everyone. He walked away from us and the moment he steps out of the airport, he isn't a pilot anymore.
"May flight ba kayo papuntang Brazil? May show 'yung kaibigan ko doon! Libre niya daw tickets basta sa akin!" masayang sabi ni Lily, isang flight attendant rin, matapos ang ilang minutong katahimikan.
"Wala ako, 'e. Ikaw ba, Bella?" tanong ni Sadie, my co-worker and friend.
"Teka, tignan ko." Nilabas ko ang cellphone ko at tinignan ang calendar kung saan naka-indicate doon lahat ng flights ko. "Wala din. Next flight ko is papuntang Paris tapos yung iba local na."
"Ay, sayang!" Lily frowned. "Sige, okay lang. Tara kain tayo sa labas! Sadie, libre mo nga."
"Hoy! Bakit ako? Wala akong pera," reklamo naman ng kaibigan namin. "Si Bella nalang!"
"Hindi ako sasama," seryosong saad ko sa kanilang dalawa. "May naghihintay sa akin sa bahay."
"Kaibigan o kalandian?" natatawang sabi ni Lily. Sadie laughed at that and they hit each other's arms, laughing until they looked like they couldn't breathe.
"Putangina mo," I cursed. "Kaibigan kasi!"
"Weh, 'di namin sure," they laughed.
"Ulol! Diyan na nga kayo!" naiiritang sabi ko at lumabas na sa airport. Nagtawag ako ng taxi at sinabi sa driver ang address ng condominium ng kaibigan kong si Yasmine. I wasn't lying when I said that a friend was waiting for me!
Dumating na rin ako kaagad sa unit niya at kumatok sa pinto noon. Tatlong beses akong kumatok roon dahil walang sumasagot mula sa loob. She told me she was waiting for me!
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Venomous Cure (Katipunan Series #1)
RomanceKATIPUNAN SERIES #1 UST Tourism's Isabella Rivera hasn't always had it easy. She's had to deal with a partner who sent her conflicting signals, unpredictability in her finances, and attempting to do well in school for the sake of her family. She was...
