Ex Lovers

Chapter 1 - Return

2019

" We will be arriving at the gate momentarily. Please remain in your seats with your seat belt securely fastened until the aircraft has come to a complete stop at the terminal gate. " The pilot stated through the speakers which brought me back to reality.

Reality.

" Please check around you to ensure you have all your belongings before leaving the aircraft. Mabuhay. " Gaano katagal na ba akong nakatulala sa labas ng bintana ko? 3 hours? 2 hours? Half the trip? Hell, hindi nga ako nakatulog ng maayos. 'Di ko lang alam kung dahil ba to sa jetlag or.. something else.

I took off my neck pillow, rummaged through my hand bag to get my sunglasses, and got ready. Nang makalapag na ang eroplano, nagsimula nang magsitayuan ang mga ibang passengers except me. Ayokong makipagsabayan at makipagsiksikan, I'll just wait for them to go out first. Hindi naman ako nagmamadali, I have all the time..

" Thank you. Welcome back to the Philippines, ms. Lustre. " Bati ng immigration desk clerk sa akin ng nakangiti.

Welcome back to the Philippines, ms. Lustre. Napangiti ako.

I retrieved my passport and my remaining luggages and started to walk for the doors.

The moment I stepped out of the airport, binati na ako agad ng Manila heat. It's 12:30 pm, Tuesday.

For a brief moment when I thought nobody was looking at me, I moved my sunglasses up my forehead and closed my eyes. Gusto ko lang naman sulitin tong moment na to.. because there's no place like home.

" And I'm home, baby. " I whispered to myself with a grin.

Beads of sweat starting to form around my neck.. But I didn't mind, I've missed this.

I fished my phone inside my bag to book a car. Hindi na ako nakapagsabi sa mga kaibigan ko dito tungkol sa pagdating ko, baka kasi busy sila. Kailangan ko rin naman ng oras mag-isa to settle and re-

My thoughts were cut short nang may biglang humila ng high pony tail ko, " What the- Mika!!!!!!!? " At hindi ko na napigilan mapasigaw. It's Mika, my bestfriend since high school. Wala na kaming sinayang na oras at niyakap ang isa't isa!

" I missed you! Gago ka! Bakit ngayon ka lang nagpakita! " And we burst into laughing.

" This is how you greet me now! You're bestest friend na hindi mo nakita after ilang taon? Gago ka rin! " I said still laughing.

While walking to the parking lot together where she parked her car, bigla siya napatigil sa likod ko. Huh? So I turned around and gave her a questioning look.

She shamelessly surveyed me from head to toe.

" Oh. My. Gosh. Paano ko to hindi napansin kanina! Nadine, anong ginawa ng America sayo at naging ganyan ka kaganda! " Exaggerated niyang sabi.

" Totoo ba? " Natatawang sagot ko na lang.

Napatingin ako sa sahig. Para sa akin, madami na rin talaga ang nagbago sa sarili ko. Hindi lang emotionally, pati na rin physically. Back then, ako yung tipo na late bloomer. I got braves for a long time, eye glasses na pagkakapal-kapal, and the worst baduy na style. You can call me a nerd noon, pero wala naman kasi akong nakikitang masama doon kaya hindi ko masyado binigyang pansin noon.

Mika caught up by my side and linked her arm with mine, " I guess 13 years in the States really changed you, Nadz.. "

" For the better? " I asked mocking her with a playful smile.

" For the better. " She replied with a smile that matched mine.

***

" So.. "

I grabbed my iced coffee and looked up at Mika in front of me.

" What is it, Mika? Kanina pa yang itsura mo, kilala kita. What's in your mind? " Natatawang tanong ko.

" You came back all the way from the States just for your mom's ano ba yon- Children's Foundation.. thing here?" Ah.

" Uh, yes. ", I grabbed some napkin and wiped my mouth.

" Honestly, pupunta ako doon because I need the pictures. There. For my exhibit back home. " That's the truth. My photography career in the States has been growing. Mas dumadami na ang opportunities and offers sa akin. And this, is my chance to prove myself more. Nag-isip isip ako ng kakaibang subject ng mga pictures ko for this project, and I thought of going outside the country. Bakit dito sa Philippines ko? Kasi why not?

Tinitigan lang niya ako na para bang may hindi pa ako sinasabi sa kanga. Na para bang may kulang pa sa sinabi ko. Huh.

" At syempre dahil sayo rin. Yieee! Kikiligin na yan. " I teased her, hoping na makalusot sa mga possible questions pa niya.

Ngumiti naman siya at tumigil na. We checked our phones and just relaxed.

" What's with the look? " Napansin ko nanaman siya. Tss. This girl never fails to make me laugh. Ang laki ng mga mata niya staring at her phone.

Nang hindi pa rin niya ako pinapansin, I snatched her phone from her hand, " Ano ba yan ah? Boyfrie- " She tried to snatch it back from my hands pero it's too late.

Nawala ang mga ngiti ko. Sa dinami-dami ng pwede kong makita sa phone niya, ito pa?

" James.. your ex? He's single now. "