Clark Quintana

CHAPTER 1

CLARK

Calling all the remaining passengers with flight number PR518 from JFK to Manila, Philippines, please board the plane. This is your last call.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fucking fuck!"

Sunod-sunod ang pagmumura ni Clark habang nagmamadaling naglalakad papunta sa boarding gate ng kanyang flight pauwi ng Pilipinas. Na-late kasi ito ng gising kanina. Muntik pa nga niyang makalimutan na ngayon na pala ang flight niya.

"Hi! Good morning! May I see your plane ticket?" Nakangiting sabi sa kanya ng nagbabantay sa boarding gate. Kahit hinihinginal pa mula sa pagmamadali, he immediately gave the piece of paper to the lady who hasn't remove its smile on her face.

Madali at mabilis na chineck ito ng babae at ini-abot ulit ito sa kanya. "Here you go! You're good to go! Have a safe flight," bati sa kanya nito.

"Thanks!" He beamed at tuluyan na siyang pumasok sa sa eroplanong sasakyan niya.

Pagkadating sa loob, hindi niya inakalang ganito kalaki ang seat niya sa business class. Ang OA talaga ni Norman kahit kailan. He first settled his things and then himself to his business class seat. Once settled, he then took his phone out of his pocket and open his Telegram.

He then open his conversation thread with Norman and sent a message.

I'm at the plane already waiting to take off, love. Ang OA mo talaga, sabing economy na lang ang i-book. Btw, thanks for the wonderful send off last night! Kitakits dito pag-uwi mo! 😘 Ayaw mo pa kasi sumabay sakin!😤

After sending the message, he followed opening the group chat with his friends. The Fantastic Four.

Hi guys! Just waiting the plane to take off. Can't wait to see all of you soon! 💗

Hindi na niya hinintay ang mga reply ng mga ito sa kanya at itinago na ulit ang cellphone sa bulsa.

Nagpakawala siya ng isang malalim na buntong hininga at isinandal ang sarili sa komportableng upuan niya sa eroplano at tumingin sa labas mula sa bintana ng eroplano. Sa wakas, pagkatapos ng walong taon, makakauwi na rin siya ng Pilipinas, sabi niya sa isip niya.

"Good day Sir! Would you like to have some some water? Coffee? Or snacks?" Masigla at magalang na bati sa kanya ng stewardess.

"No, I'm good but thank you so much. I'll let you know if I will have anything I need," he said while giving a friendly smile and the lady dismissed herself.

Habang naghihintay siya na makalipad ang eroplano, hindi niya maiwasan isipin ang mga magagandang pangyayaring naranasan niya mula sa halos isang dekadang pagkawala niya sa Pilipinas. It was eight years to be exact.

Ang pagbabago ng buhay ni Clark ay nagsimula walong taon na ang nakakaraan ng ibalita sa kanya na nakatanggap siya ng isang scholarship grant para makapag-aral sa Amerika. The offer that was given to him was all expenses paid. Starting from his plane ticket, visa, his dorm and daily allowances, tuition fees, and everything. He just had to study hard, do what he wanted to do and that's it. It was a dream that he never thought that will came true.

He got to finished his Multimedia Arts degree while studying Music and Marketing Management as his minors. While studying he let himself took some part time jobs that he knew will help him propel to his greatness. Halos lahat na yata ng trabaho ay kinuha niya -- associate curator sa isang museum, freelance website designer and digital artist, and also he hopped into curating and organizing underground indie gigs for the up and coming artists and artisits in New York.

After graduating,  he have worked with some of the amazing artists within and outside of the US. He got to experience lots of wonderful things. But out of those the vast options in his field, he settled in film photography.