Pagkapalapag palang ng Eroplano na sinakyan namin ay kinakabahan na ako. I've been away from 10 fucking years, Ano na kayang nagbago dito? I didn't have time to asked if what happened here.
"Thank you for choosing our airlines to ride with Ma'am!" Nakangiting sabi samin ng Flight Attendant. Ngumiti lang ako at tumango sa kanila. Pagbaba ko palang ay nakikita ko na ang mga media na naka abang sa pagdating ko. They probably know that I'll be here in Philippines. I take off my aviators and roam around the airport. Kami ang huling lumabas dahil ayokong makisiksikan sa mga tao.
It's good to be back here in Philippines, it's been 10 years and I miss the hot air. Bumaba ako habang nasa gilid ko ang anak ko at nasa kamay parin niya ang stuffed toy niya. You can't take away the stuffed toy she holds or she'll be mad.
Nasa likod ko lang ang manager ko at ang Make-up at Hairstylist ko. Nangingiti rin si Athena habang pababa kami ng eroplano. May lumapit sakin isang babae na naka business attire. Maybe she's a secretary? I don't know.
"Goodmorning Miss! I'm Angelica Ramos, I'm the Secretary of Mrs. Eliza Gomez and she told me to accompnay you because she's busy right now. And by the way Miss, welcome back to the philippines." Nakangiti sabi niya. I gave her a small smile.
"Thank you!" I said and answered the call.
"Yes Tita?" I answered and wear my aviators again. It's already 7am but the sun is hitting my body.
"Mommy, it's hot!" Reklamo ng anak ko habang kinakalabit ako.
"Wait baby! I'm still talking to MommyLa..." I said. Kinuha naman siya ni Kuya Rod at pinaypayan.
"What is it again Tita?"
"As I was saying, were already here outside. Were waiting for you.." sabi niya. Yes, I told her to pick us up. I don't have a car here yet and I don't have plan to buy too. It's a waste of money, Nag-iipon ako for Desiree's future.
"Okay, We'll be there.." I said and hang up.
"Let's go!" I said to my team.
Naglalakad na kami papasok ng airport at good thing my bouncer na nakahilera sa paligid. Thank god Mrs. Gomez provide me a bouncer because I don't think I can handle this media. I have my daughter here.
"Ms. Velasquez are you here because you'll be modeling RaCars?"
"Ms. Velasquez how old is your daughter?"
"Ms. Velasquez what are you wearing?"
That's a random ask for those reporter, I'm just wearing a floral bodycon dress. This is not sponsored by anyone, I just bought it myself. Huminto ako para sagutin ang isang reporter na nagtanong kung anong suot ko. Isn't obvious? It's just a bodycon, as long as gusto kung umirap but I don't want to be rude baka yan pa ang dahilan para maging laman ng balita.
I just sweetly smiled. "I'm just wearing a simple floral bodycon dress. This is not sponsored by any designer, I just bought it. Excuse me!" Sabi ko at nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad palabas ng airport . Hindi narin sumunod ang mga reporter dahil nakaharang na ang mga bouncer sa gilid namin.
"Hi, Miss Velasquez! Can I take a picture with you?" Alanganing sabi ng isang babae sakin. I think she's teenager. Hinarangan siya ng bouncer but I stoped them.
"It's fine, come here lady." I said then gave her a smile. Her mother took us a picture, malapad ang ngiti niya ng magpasalamat siya sakin.
Nakita ko sa labas ang SUV Van nina Tita at nakita ko siyang malaki na ang ngiti habang nakatingin samin. Nilagay na ng isang lalaki sa likod ng Van yung luggage namin.
"MommyLa!!" Masayang sabi ng anak ko at tumakbo kay Tita.
"Katey baby!" Sabi ni Tita at nilahad ang braso niya para sa isang yakap sa anak ko. Lumingon ako sa Team ko.
"You can now get inside, I'll just talk to Mrs. Gomez secretary.." sabi ko sa kanila. Nakangiti namang tumango ang tatlo.
"Thank you for accompanying us Angelica, please tell Mrs. Gomez that I want to have dinner to her just to personally thank her for everything." Nakangiting sabi ko sa kay Angelica.
"I will Ma'am! Please enjoy your stay here.." I'll surely will.
Nagpaalam lang ako sa kanila at tsaka sumakay na ako sa Van. Si Tito ang nagmamaneho at busy narin si Tita makipag chikahan kay Desiree.
•••
Nagpahatid lang kami kay Tita sa Hidalgo Place which is located at the Rockwell Center, Makati. It's a 24-story building, I bought one of the place at 16th Floor. Hidalgo Place is the first towers completed in Rockwell Center. It's a few block away from the Makati Central Business District when living in the area.
Like with the rest resedential towers in Rockwell Center, almost everything is also within walking distance of Hidalgo, including shops, cafès, Power Plant Mall, and the Rockwell Club.
And this 24-story building there a swimming pool, a gym, functions room, and a library at the 20th floor I guess. Hindi pa ako nakapasok sa building na 'yan, ngayon pa lang ata. It was my first time being there, yan din ang pinili ko dahil malapit lang sa shops.
Buti nalang walang media na sumunod samin at kung meron nalintik na talaga. Ayoko pa naman sanang ma-isturbo ngayon dahil pagod ako sa byahe. I want to rest first.
•••
Pagkapasok ko sa loob ay ang ganda may limang kwarto at ang luwag ng sala. There are center table and a rose in the center, and may malaking TV din sa harapan. Katapat nun ang malaking sofa at ang apat na couch sa gilid. Ang dining naman ay 10 seaters ang laki, and the kitchen is big too. May isang malaking ref at mga cabinet sa baba at kompleto narin yun sa mga gamit.
Ganito na nga ata 'to simula ng mabili ko, it's not that bad though. I like it, may wine station din sa loob. Perfect! You can drink here if you're not in the mood to go in a bar. Pumasok ako sa pang-apat na kwarto at maluwag din yun, may queen size bed, bedside table, sofa in the edge of the bed. May table rin dun at may flatscreen na TV. Sa gilid naman ang walk-in closet at ang CR, pumasok ako dun at plain white ang paligid at may mga bulaklak na plastic at bath-tub sa gilid bago ang shower room.
May salamin rin sa harap ng sink at may lalagyan ng mga skincare ko yun. I like my room. Nilagay ko kaagad ang mga gamit ko sa walk-in closet bago lumabas ng kwarto. Kilala ako ng may-ari ng building nato that's why ang ganda na ng pinili niya for me. He wants to sponsored but I refuse because it's beautiful, but I'll just pay this half because that's what he wanted.
Biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko. Si Drake tumawag na naman. Ano na naman ang kailangan ng lalaki 'to?
"Oh?" Sabi ko. Abala ang mga kasama ko sa mga ginagawa nila. Bumalik ulit ako sa loob ng kwarto ko at pumasok sa Veranda it's breath-taking.
"Ang aga ang sungit mo, mayroon ka ba?- Ouch!" Natawa ako. Mukhang binatukan siya ni Monica.
"Don't say it, you might offend her." Pinigilan ko nalang matawa sa dalawang 'to.
"Why did you call? I'm tired drake don't try my patience.." naiinip na sabi ko. I want to rest first.
"We'll be having a vacation in the philippines.. Can you join us?" Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. What the fuck? Kahit wala ako dito sa pilipinas hindi parin ako sasama sa kanila dahil may anak ako.
"Are you dumb? I'm in the philippines and even though I'm not here I can't still accompany you. I have daughter to take care of moron." Sabi ko sa kaniya. He won't be offended because sanay na siya.
"Are you in the philippines? Really?!" Gulat na sabi niya.
"Yes, And I can't promise to accompany you both because I have an offer here and I'm attending my bestfriend's wedding. Understand?" Diritsang sagot ko.
It's nice to go back here and feel the air and the view. Philippines is always be the best place to me, no matter what. Kahit dito sa pilipinas ko naranasan mawalan ng pamilya, sa pilipinas ko naranasan masaktan, at tumakbo ako paalis ng pilipinas para takasan ang sakit na yun.
But Philippines will always be the comfort zone for me. This is where I raise, pero nabahidan lang yun ng sakit, galit, at pagluluksa dahil sa nangyari. But I'm not blaming this nation for what happened in my life.
Nung una kung sumakay ng eroplano patungo sa New York ay kinakabahan ako. Naiisip ko yung dahilan kung bakit nawala ang pamilya ko. But Tita assured me that everything will be fine. She was there when I need someone to rely on. And starting from that day I promise myself that if I could go back in the philippines, I'll bury those pain, and forget everything.
And start over again.
_______________________________________________
:> ❤️❤️❤️