From Ash to Flame

29

Maaga kaming pumunta sa airport. Wala pa sina Carl at Diesel nang makarating kami ro'n ni Steel. Siguro ay natraffic na naman ang mga 'yon. Diesel also wanted to come but his Dad's business-which he will be managing soon-needs to be supervised.

"Baby, are you alright?" malambing na tanong ni Steel saka lumapit sa akin.

"Oo naman. Excited lang ako kasi 'di ba nga, I met Jonathan sa Nevis Bungy tapos ayon, I'm just happy for them," sabi ko.

"Good people deserve good things. Like what you've told me before, they really do love each other so that's what happens to people who are kindhearted, they become happy," said Steel.

"Feeling ko kasi masyado nang maganda ang lahat e. Everything is fine, everyone's happy. Natatakot lang ako one day, things will turn upside down. Baka mamaya, sobrang bigat ng balik."

"You're overthinking again. Stop that baby," sabi niya bago guluhin ang buhok ko.

"Hoy, bruha. Hello Steel. Sorry na-late kami, medyo traffic na kahit umaga pa lang. Oh, ba't emote emote ka riyan?" bungad ni Carl.

"Good morning, Steel, Flame. Hayaan mo na nga, sige na ingat kayo ro'n ha?" bati ni Diesel bago lumingon kay Carly.

"Sige, ikaw rin ha?" sagot naman ng bruha.

"You update me, alright?" said Steel before kissing my forehead.

"Sige. Babye," pagpapaalam ko.

Kumapit ako sa braso ni Carl bago kami maglakad. I slept the whole trip and let Carl rest too. Chinat ko muna si Jonathan na on the way na kami before turning my phone in an airplane mode.

Thailand is like a Philippines version two. The weather and surroundings here really look like the ones we have in our country. The sidewalks, the people, parehong-pareho. Maybe the only difference Thailand has is their temples.

"Sawasdee kha," bati ko sa babaeng sumalubong sa'min.

"Sawasdee khap," bati naman ni Carl bago mag-wai.

"Wadee kha," she greeted back. Jonathan told me the location of the hotel we will be staying in. Filipina rin naman ang sumundo sa'min kaya keri lang din naman.

"Girl, ba't pa tayo nag-wai and sawasdee e Filipina pala si Ate Girl," tanong ni Carly.

I heard Ate Edna, the woman who met with us, laugh. "Eh para naman feel na feel niyo ang pagpunta rito. Tsaka unang lapag ko rito sa Thailand, nagsawasdee kha lang ako maghapon," natatawang sabi niya.

"Oh 'di ba, bongga. Ay Ate, kaano-ano niyo pala sila Jonathan?" I asked.

"Ah, 'yong mama ko kasi, mayordoma nila Sir Chester. Since dito naman sila ikakasal, I offered a help na rin. Ang bait din kasi ng family nila kaya super thankful din ako at si Mama," pagkukwento niya.

"Ay sister, matagal na bang magjowa 'yang si Jonathan at Chester?" Carly asked Ate Edna while pulling his luggage. Chikadora talaga 'tong bruhang 'to!

"Ay opo, Sir. Sa pagkakaalam ko, nagstart sila no'ng college pero palihim lang."

"My ghad Ate, one more 'Sir' and you'll be dead! Jusko sa pretty kong 'to. Anyway, secret love song naman pala ang theme ng mga bruha. Why can't you hold me in the street-" He started singing so I had to cut him off.

"Okay na bakla. The weather today is fine, 'wag sirain, parang awa mo na girl," sabi ko nang natatawa. Nakitawa rin si Ate Edna kaya mas lalong nagsungit ang bruha.

"Tse! Inggit ka lang sa angelic voice ko. Tara na nga," sabi niya bago naunang maglakad and stopped midway.

"Oh, ano? Drama drama ka, 'di mo alam kung sa'n pupunta," sabi ko nang makarating sa tabi niya.