"Happy Birthday, Ate!!"
Nagulat ako sa pagbukas ng pinto sa kwarto ko. Nakita ko si Nicole at si Mommy na may dalang cake at nakangiti sa akin. Kasama din nila ang aso kong si Shane.
"Mom, it's too early." I rolled my eyes, stretching. "But thank you."
"Ate, it's not early? It's 6am already. It's your birthday!" Binagsak ni Nicole ang sarili niya sa kama ko.
"Your sister is right, Nikki. Bangon na and blow the candles na rin." Mom showed me the cake.
Tumayo ako't lumapit sa kanya. Suot ko lang ngayon ang terno kong silver silk na pantulog. Nag wish muna ako at pinikit ang mga mata bago ko hinipan ang kandila.
"Happy Birthday, Ate!!" Sigaw ni Nicole.
"Mom, do you think it's time for us to go back to the Philippines?" I suddenly asked out of nowhere while we were in the kitchen.
"Are you sure you can go back? I mean... We can't go back with you, sweetie. Nicole's still in Grade 1. Hassle naman 'yun kung magta-transfer siya sa pilipinas." Mom said while cooking.
"Pwede naman akong umuwi mag isa." I smiled.
"Are you sure?" She's not yet convinced.
"Of course, Mom." I assured her. "And besides... I just can't be here forever. Yes, I'm an international model and that's part of my job, but... Iba pa rin talaga kapag sa pilipinas ako magtrabaho."
There's nothing better than home, I guess. Philippines is still my home even if I lived here for like... 7 years?
"Good Morning! Welcome on board ma'am." bati sa akin ng flight attendant.
After I told Mommy about my plan, agad niya akong inutusang mag book ng ticket sa nearest flight papuntang Manila. But first of all, I asked my bestfriend if when's her next flight para isa siya sa maging flight attendant ng flight ko.
"Thank you Mrs. Suarez." I winked.
"Silly. Doon ka na nga, marami pang pasahero." Inirapan lang ako ni Isabel. Siya ang kaibigan kong flight attendant. Madalas kaming nagkikita kapag pumupunta siya dito sa San Francisco.
"Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen."
I stopped when i heard a familiar voice from the cockpit.
"Welcome on board."
Sa bawat salitang naririnig ko, kumakabog din ang dibdib ko. Dahan dahan akong umupo sa upuan ko.
"This is Captain Garcia speaking."
I knew it.
Hindi na ako makagalaw. Halos hindi ko na maramdaman ang kamay ko. Para akong nanlalamig na kinakabahan at namamanhid. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko.
"Hey? Okay ka lang?" Sab asked when she passed by me.
"S-sino captain niyo?" Nanginginig kong tanong sa kanya. 'Di pa rin inaalis ang paningin sa cockpit.
"Mich? Who's our Captain nga pala?" Tanong niya sa kasamahan.
"Bakit hindi mo alam?" I rolled my eyes.
"Nag cancel kasi ng Flights ngayon si Captain Dela Cruz and may pumalit sa kanya." Pagpapaliwanag ni Sab. "And kanina lang nangyari 'yun. I'm late. Inalagaan ko pa si bagets."
"Si Captain Garcia daw, Sab." Sambit ng isang flight attendant.
Mas kinabahan ako.
"Garcia?" Napakunot ang noo ko sa reaksyon ni Sab. Mas gulat pa sa akin. "Garcia, as in Shean Garcia??"
"Oo, bakit? Close kayo nun, 'di ba?" Tanong ni Michelle.
He's here.
Shit.
"Are you sure, you're okay?" Tanong ni Sab. I just nodded and gesture her to go to her position.
"The cabin crew will be coming around in about twenty minutes to offer you a light snack and beverage, and the inflight movie will begin shortly after that." Napatulala ulit ako after hearing his voice. "I'll talk to you again before we reach our destination. Until then, sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the flight. Cabin Crew, prepare for take off."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the captain has turned off the fasten seat belt sign, and you may now move around the cabin." Boses na ni Sab ang naririnig ko. "However, we always recommend to keep your seatbelt while you're seated. In a few minutes, our flight attendants will be passing around the cabin to offer you some drinks to eat, as well as breakfast. Thank you, and enjoy the flight."
I just can't help but smile. She deserved to be honored by her friends. Like... Dati lang, sabay sabay kaming nangangarap. Tapos ngayon... We're here! We've reached so far.
Narating na namin ang tuktok ng tagumpay. Except for Kira. Medyo masilan pa ang kalagayan niya ngayon. One reason kung bakit ginusto kong magbalik sa pilipinas.
"Ma'am, malalim po ata ang iniisip natin diyan?" Napaangat ang tingin ko kay Sab, dala dala ang trolley. "Coffee po for better heart? O gusto niyo po ibigay ko nalang po sa inyo ang piloto namin?"
"Sab?" Tawag ko sa kanya.
"Yes?" Taas kilay niyang sagot.
"Do you love your job?" I raised a brow. Tinawanan niya lang ako. Naglagay siya ng orange juice sa glass at clubhouse sandwich saka binigay sa akin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the crew I ask that you please direct your attention to the monitors above as we review the emergency procedures."
His voice are music to my ears. Bagay sa kanyang boses ang pagiging piloto.
"Titig na titig sa cockpit ah." Pang aasar muli ni Sab. "Gusto mong puntahan pilot namin?"
He's the Pilot of the plane I am riding.
Shean Garcia.
The reason why I lived in San Francisco for almost 7 years.
He's my one that got away.
The one that I love.
