LEAP OF FAITH "A man named Seb"

Chapter 1 : Paris, France

"Here is your key my dear." Anais mom handed me the key to my new place. It's actually theirs and they made me rent it. 

Full support is an understatement, ibang pag aalaga ginagawa sakin ng buong family ni Anais. Being in a foreign country was never easy but them being here to help me means so much.

"Merci, Tantine." She gave me a really tight hug. 

"Tu vas devoir m'appeler maman ." (You can call me mom). As she gave me kisses on both cheeks.

"Let's go?" Sulpot ni Anais sa tabi ko.

We stayed at their place simula pag dating ko, her parents insisted and they want to schedule a dinner so I can meet everyone.

Kaso Anais wants it to be rescheduled since her brother, Sebastian have to leave on a last minute because of something. Di ko na din nasundan yung pag eexplain niya kanina kasi I was so beat. Nakalutang na sa ulap yung utak ko. Basta gusto niya kasama si Seb e sabi naman ng parents nila it is fine. We can have another dinner pag balik ni Seb.

"Sebastian better be there on my birthday if not I will choke him." 

"I am pretty sure he will be. If not I will hold him while you choke him." Hagalpakan nila ng tawa. Sobrang nakakatuwa kasama tong mag jowang to.

"Meow~" Agaw atensyon ni Marlowe na nasa cage niya ngayon. 

"He must be tired too."

"I bet, I am too." I complained as she is opening the front door of the house that I will be staying at. Walking distance lang ito from their house.

"Also during our camping and driving, maybe Seb can babysit Marlowe?" Pag paalala niya sakin. 

"Oh yeah! You're right I remember." tampal ko sa ulo ko.

"Even if you forget about it last minute, I will be here to pick you up still. I can even help you pack if you want." Her laughter filled the whole room. I caught Julio admiring her laugh. My heart feels so happy for both of them.

"Marlowe, get down." I commanded my cat as he impatiently jumped on the kitchen counter. Di din makapag hintay tong pusang to sa pag kain e.

I cannot blame him tho, ganyan din naman ako kagutom kanina.

Natapos ko na din mag ayos ng mga gamit ko, mga damit at pati na rin ng litter box ni Marlowe.

I looked around and went straight to the balcony. I sat there and looked around. I see people walking, couples taking pictures, across the street is a family owned cafe, meron din mga nakaupo sa labas kahit maliit lang yung lugar na yun, I can smell the coffee and baked good filling the air.

I inhaled deeply, it is so weird to feel this but I feel like I belong in this place. The warm afternoon with a hint of orange as the sunset was lightly hitting the building.

Nag bukas na din ang mga ilaw sa paligid and it made the whole street sparkle na para bang christmas light.

It is already 8:30pm and the sun is still about to set. 

Sumandal ako and ipinikit ang mga mata ko ng magulat ako ng tumalon si Marlowe sa lap ko. He looked at me and meow... mabilis din naagaw ang atensyon niya sa mga batang nag tatakbuhan sa baba.

Now that I think about it, I need to go to the grocery store para narin may maialmusal ako bukas. 

As I took a stroll, I cannot help but to fall inlove with this place.

Everyone is really sweet and nice. Buti na lang talaga at marunong akong mag French, if not baka mag kulong na lang ako sa bahay.

The way the sun hit the corner of the building made me stop my tract, sobrang instagram feed yung ichura.

I stepped back while trying to make it fit in the peepglass ng camera film na hawak ko. If there is one thing I love, it is taking pictures.

At talagang umayon pa tong pinapakinggan kong kanta, every type of love song will fit how lovely this place is.

I didn't realize as I was stepping back when I tripped, the sidewalk ran out and all I can remember is I was falling. I shut my eyes tight as I was just waiting to hit the ground I pray it won't happen but maybe it is what it is.

It took me a second when surprisingly I did not fall, but instead I feel warmth, kind of like being hugged, but more on para akong nasalo.

I opened my eyes and saw this man just staring at me back.

"Be careful." He simply said but I really cannot move. I understand na Paris is like a perfect venue for love stories to be written and movies to be filmed, but this moment is like straight out of love stories.

"Ah... Merci." Ng maalalayan niya akong tumayo. I honestly don't know how long we stayed like that like everything stopped.

He bent down and picked up the hat that I dropped and gave it to me. "I believed this is yours." He smiled at me. 

"Thank you." I sincerely smiled at him. This man over here is making me speechless.

"Tourist?" Pambasag niya ng katahimikan. 

"Yes." I answered without thinking. Wait, am I a tourist? I am technically staying here for good.

"Explains a lot with the camera." He looked at the camera I am holding.

"AH! Haha!" I laughed awkwardly "This place is a beauty." I looked around. "Can't help but to take pictures."

"I agree." He smiled sincerely. Hala this man over here is too attractive. 

Natigil ako sa pag titig sa kanya ng may sumigaw. Another attractive gentleman. Kailan ba ako masasanay sa lugar na to, halos lahat naman ng nakikita ko dito may mga itchura. Pero may pag ka blonde ang buhok niya at medyo maliit. Baka kapatid?? Pero di sila magkahawig e.

"Allons-y Seb!" Sigaw sa kanya ng lalaki na hindi malayo samin. 

"Ouais!" Sigaw niya din.

He looked at me again "My brother is calling me, I better get going. It is nice to meet you. Please enjoy the rest of Paris." He waved and run towards hi brother.

So ako naman din tumalikod na.

"By the way!" He shouted and got my attention. "You should visit Panthéon! Pay a visit to that place... you might like it!" and waved while running backwards.

Ganito ba ka friendly mga tao dito?

"I will!" I shouted back.

"What the hell Seb." Kantyaw sa kanya nung lalaki at inakbayan na din niya, I even caught him looking back at me, lumalakad nanaman sya paatras at kumaway ulit. 

Napailing na lang ako sa kulit niya. I waved back and entered the bakery.