Sing Me a Song, Soleil

Chapter 29: Autumn Leaves

*Soleil's POV*

Kinabukasan, maaga kaming pumunta sa airport to catch our flight for LA, California. It was for an overseas concert featuring The Sunday Rush's resident celebrities. Naging tradition na ng TSR na magconcert overseas once every two years at dinadagsa ito palagi ng OFWs at Filipino immigrants sa ibang bansa. This year, I was lucky enough to be a part of the show despite being a new artist. 

Paolo warned me that this will be a 15-hour long flight, so I prepared a few stuff to keep myself entertained sa buong byahe; earphones, and a book. Naghanda na rin ako ng neck pillow at maliit na kumot just in case makatulog ako. I was recounting the things I prepared while searching for my seat in the cabin, but when I saw Santi sitting right next to my assigned seat, I froze on the spot.

Saglit na tumayo lang ako sa gitna ng aisle, habang tinitignan ng maayos ang seat number sa ticket ko at sa upuang katabi ni Santi.

It can't be, right? Katabi ko si Santi for the next fifteen hours? Looks like Christmas came early for Soleil Hidalgo.

"Everything all right, Ma'am?" untag sa akin ng flight attendant.

"Yeah. All good, thanks," I beamed, settling on the empty seat next to Santi.

I looked at him and smiled. He smiled back and I felt my face flare. Napahugot ako ng malalim na hininga habang nireremind ang sarili ko na huwag masyadong magpapahalata.

"Seatmates tayo?" he asked in a sing-song. "I should warn you, madaldal akong katabi."

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya saka tinaas ang hawak kong earphones.

"Ayos lang, may dala akong panangga sa madadaldal," sagot ko kaya natawa rin siya.

He did his thing with his tablet so I decided to mind my own business too. The plane took off soon after and we had to keep our devices away. Nang maging stable na ang eroplano, pinayagan na ulit kaming mag-gadget. Habang hinahanap ang tablet ko sa bag, naramdaman ko ang pagkalabit ni Santi sa balikat ko.

"Excuse me. Pwede padaan?" he asked politely so I shifted in my seat while nodding.

The seats in Premium Economy had enough legroom but not enough for a person to pass through without disturbing another person who is sitting.

"Thank you. Gusto mo palit tayo ng upuan?" he offered and I was tempted to accept right away.

Nasa window seat kasi siya at gustong-gusto ko ang window seat dahil bukod sa view, may privacy din kasi hindi ka nadadaanan ng mga tao sa aisle.

I shook my head. "No, I'm fine. It's your seat."

"Sige na, ayos lang. I have a habit of frequenting the restroom while in a flight, so, sure ako 'di ito ang unang beses na iistorbohin kita buong flight."

I said I was fine, but I was low key hoping he would insist. Now I'm glad he did. Still, I tried not to show that I was happy to switch seats with him. Like how I was trying not to show that I was delighted to be sitting next to him.

"Thanks," I muttered and he smiled before walking away.

I resumed my search for my tablet but it was nowhere to be found. How convenient. Kahit gaano ka-careful magprepare para sa mga bagay-bagay, meron at meron talagang magiging issue along the way. Good thing there's WiFi so I was able to use Spotify.

Patuloy lang siya sa pagkapa sa bulsa ng pants at jacket niya, pero hindi niya pa rin nahahanap. He soon gave up and sighed, frustrated. I handed the left earphone to him in an attempt to help. He stared at it for a while before looking at me with a hesitant smile.