PROVING MYSELF

ARRIVAL

Phew! I just arrived here in the country were I was born. Philippines. I can call it as home, but I feel like America is now my home. I will always end up there with my family. I grew up here and lived here in the Philippines for 14 years of my life. It feels different now that after 10 years. 14 + 10 = 24 yup! turning 24 this year, in 4 months.

"Yow Girl! Your zoned out again. What's wrong?" Anne

I just got back into my senses when Anne shook me. I didn't realized I was staring outside while the plane is trying to park on its designated spot.

"I'm nervous honestly. I don't know what to expect. I haven't been here in a long time and I've been expecting this to happen, but I don't know what will really happen. I mean my family, my friends, and everyone else. I don't know really." I replied and sighed. Huhu! Help me!

"You'll be fine. Come on. This is your time to shine and prove to them that you've changed and your not letting them step on you." Anne while rolling her eyes and trying to get her bag under her seat.

I nodded and tried to get my bag too so I can fix myself before I get out. I sprayed water on my face to wash it and put moisturizer.

"Attention all passengers. We have arrived in Mactan International Airport...." Flight attendant.

I didn't hear anything after that 'cause I was breathing in and out so fast from anxiety. Anne took my hands and squeezed it to give me assurance that everything will be fine. So I stared into her eyes and inhaled and exhaled. Breathe in and breathe out. This is what usually happens before I get on stage. I let out my nervousness out so I can relax. I usually do a singer siren, but since I'm inside the airplane I can't and jumping is not an option either.

Anne stood up still holding my hand while her other hand is holding her bag. I took my hand off from her grip and arranged my things I pulled out and stood up next to her. She reached for the head cabin to get our small luggages and handed mine to me. As she got her luggage she slowly followed the women in front of her walking down the aisle to the plane's exit.

I gasp as I realized that my Uncle will be the one picking me up from the airport. My favorite uncle. The youngest brother of my mom also named Max. I haven't seen him for a very long time. He cried when I left for America. It was hilarious, but so touching at the same time because I made him cry. That made me excited.

As our head popped out from the plane door,

"HELLO PHILIPPINES!", Anne shouted and I just chuckled.

It's been our dream and we've been planning this trip since we were freshmen in high school. We saved up for it on our Junior year when we started working, but spend it towards our first car instead. Since, we are now working we saved our 2 years salary that we get from Backstage, our management agency. Mostly it is from the pay we get for modeling stuff that includes, photoshoots for local magazine covers, runway shows from boutiques around the city and clothing companies.

"I won! You cried! Hahaha!" Anne

I was awaken from my daydream when Anne slapped my arm. I then narrowed my eyes on her and realized my face was wet. So I bowed my head and just smiled at Anne's excitement. I walked down the stair to the Airport entrance. While I was walking though, Anne grabbed my arm and took a picture of us with the plane behind us. She's a snapchat girl. She even introduced it to me, but not really active on it. So anyways, I just grabbed her and said,

"Let's go! We need our luggages and I am tired!" then she just rolled her eyes and said,

"Haven't you even smelled the Philippine breeze. Girl, I know you miss this. Your just caught up with your anxiety and not savoring the moment that you just got back here. And plus, your ruining my moment. You forgot it's my first time chica!" She said while pouting her lips and blinked her eyes a few times.