Chasing Sunset

PROLOGUE

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, schools, characters, places, events, people, and incidents are either product of the author's imagination or used in fictitious manner. Any resemblance of actual people, dead or living,  or any actual events is purely coincidental.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just landed Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Local time is 10:00 am. It's drizzling outside, but there are umbrellas provided on your way out. Please check around your seat for any personal belongings you may have brought on board with you and please use caution when opening the overhead bins, as heavy articles may have shifted around during the flight."

I fix myself first before standing and waited for the person beside me to stand up. "Miss gusto mong umuna?"

I smiled at the guy beside me, "Thank you" baka napansin niya na mukhang nagmamadali ako. I off my airplane mode at andaming texts ni Ava! 'tong babae talaga hindi makapaghintay sakin. Halatang miss niya ako masyado.

I already got off from the plane at pumuntang immigration and girl! Ang taas ng linya dito, puno ng mga Koreans and Chinese. Ah right! Its summer here in Philippines kaya madaming tourista.

Matapos ko sa immigration, pumunta ako sa baggage area. Ang laking pinagbago ng Cebu especially may Terminal 2 na dito for International Routes. Parang nasa ibang bansa lang ako dahil sa architectural design neto.

I was waiting for my bags when my phone rings, si Ava.

"Bruha, san ka na ba? Kanina pa kami dito ah!" nilayo ko yung phone sa tenga. Gosh! Parang di lang kami nagkita sa LA neto.

"Palabas na madam" then I ended the call. Kinuha ko na yung bagahe ko at nilagay sa cart. I didn't bring too much kasi babalik din naman ako. Wala naman akong maiiwan dito. Well except for my family, of course.

"Elaine, welcome home!" tumawa ako and remove my sunglasses. Ang gaga may dalang paper pa na nakasulat yung pangalan ko.

"I miss you bff!" at niyakap niya ako. "I miss you too, parang kakakita lang natin last last week ah"

"Ganyan talaga pag maganda!" I rolled my eyes at her.

"Napaka hangin mo, dude" Isla, one of my college buddies.

"Come on! I'm hungry and so sleepy" I said, gusto ko nang umuwi dahil sa byahe. Gusto ko nang matulog. Sumakay na kami sa sasakyan na naka park. Isla is driving.

"So, how was LA?" still holding on

"Its fine. Sanay nang mag isa" its been what? 5 years already since I left Cebu. Since I left my life here.

"Wag kana kasing bumalik sa LA. Dito ka nalang tutal tapos ka namang mag aral dun"

"Oo nga, tama si Isla, Elaine" seryosong sabi ni Ava.

"Pag iisipan ko" I just said that one pero the truth is I don't want to stay here because it reminded me of him. I don't want to stay because I'm afraid I might see him again.

I focus my attention outside the window, I miss Cebu. I miss my life in here. I miss home.

"Elaine, anak! Its good to see you home" my mama welcome me with open arms. Hinaplos nya yung buhok ko and kiss my cheek.

"I miss you too, mama" at nung bumitaw, I smile to her.

Pumunta na kami sa dining para kumain, "Elle, nandun na pala yung gown mo sa kwarto for your cousin's wedding tomorrow" If it wouldn't be my cousin's wedding, I will not be going back here. Kinuha kasi akong bridesmaid niya and who am I to decline? Minsan lang naman.

"Yep, thanks mama. Can I go to my room na po? I'm so tired from the flight"

"Yes of course, anak" I kissed her cheek and say good night.

I kissed Ava and Isla's cheek too, "Thank you for fetching me at the airport. Let's hang out some time"

Ava whisper to me, "wag umiyak ha" I pinched her side. Ang daldal neto talaga!

Pumunta na ako sa kwarto, took shower and did my night skincare. I was exhausted today. I need to have a good sleep for the event tomorrow. Pinatay ko na yung ilaw at iniwan lang yung ilaw sa lamp ko.

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Alcazar!"

Pumasok yung pinsan ko at yung napangasawa niya sa ballroom. They look so happy, I'm happy for my cousin too. At least she already found someone she could spend her life forever with.

As I watch the lovely couple dancing, I feel a little jealous. I was one, a hopeful person that someday at this age, I will be marrying him. That after reaching our dreams together, we will be happily married.

But guess, di talaga kami para sa isa't isa. I drink my wine straight. I don't wanna be so nega especially I'm attending a wedding.

As I was too pre-occupied with my thoughts, a little girl run towards me and crying, "My doll!".

Ha? Wala naman akong doll dito tapos sakin siya umiiyak. She bent down and tug my dress, "yes, baby? You are looking for your doll?"

Ang ganda naman ng batang 'to. She has long eyelashes, brown eyes, and curly hair.

"Ayesha!" The little girl keep crying and tugging my dress.

"D-daddy! M-my doll!" Pointin down towards my feet. Ay napaka gaga mo talaga Elaine! Natapakan ko yung doll niya.

"Oh my! I'm so so—" I stop.

Theo.

Papalapit siya dito. He look very worried to the kid. Bakit siya nandito? Anong ginagawa niya dito? Nag mature siya, he looks very handsome on his suit.

After 5 years, ngayon lang kami ulit nagkita.

"D-doll!" I'm a little bit embarassed. Kinuha ko agad yung manika and give it to his daughter?

Wait, he's married already?

"I'm sorry baby, I didn't know I was already stepping on it."

Her daughter wipe her tears and put her thumb on her mouth. She's still sobbing, "I-it's okay po. I hope she's not hurt" referring to her doll she's hugging.

"What happen Ayesha? Shhh" Theo, kneel down to hug her daughter. I look away, I'm embarass but at the same time ayaw ko na makita niya ako.

"It's okay baby. Daddy's here." Patting his daughter's back.

Maybe he doesn't see me or maybe he doesn't recognize me. I slowly sit down when he called me.

"Nice to see you again, Elaine"

Elaine. Not Elle.

I look at him again, "Nice to see you too, Theodore. I'm sorry I step on your daughter's doll"

I was just thinking earlier about what if we got married already at this age. But guess, we don't have a chance anymore.

Theodore Andre Salazar. The man who promise me that he will never leave me.

Who promise, that he will not break my heart.

The man, who promise me a lifetime.

Who is now moving on and here I am, don't know if I can move my feet away from him.