Time and Again

[87] Escape Route

Isabel felt desperate to hold Ken. She took the ancient pocket watch and pointed its hands at exactly 12:00. She was hoping that she would turn back into an old woman so that the immigration security would mistake her for another woman and would just let her pass. She waited for a few minutes but nothing happened. As soon as she realized that she would not transform into an old woman, she went out immediately from the toilet. She didn't want to make Ken worry about her.

Ken raised the white board with the following message, 'Are you ok?'.

Isabel smiled and gave him two thumbs up. Ken's face suddenly turned from happiness to worriment.

"Run, Isabel. You're glowing. Look for a place to hide." Ken shouted at Isabel. He was tapping the glass window hysterically.

Isabel couldn't understand what Ken was saying. She noticed a bright light emitting around her body. She realized what he meant. She ran as fast as she could inside the toilet. She was just in time inside the toilet when the brightest light emitted out from her body. She sighed a heavy breath of relief. She hoped that the CCTV camera in the airport didn't notice that it was her body that emitted the bright light.

"Hey, did you just notice a very bright light emitting somewhere near the door from where you are standing." A woman asked who just went out from the cubicle.

Isabel was startled by her presence.

"Nope." Isabel answered nervously.

She went inside the cubicle immediately to avoid her interrogation. She pretended to be peeing and then flushed the toilet as if nothing had happened. When she opened the door, she saw the curious woman again who almost saw her transformation. She was busy applying her lipstick. She preferred to ignore her to avoid triggering her curiosity about the emittance of the bright light.

"You know what, I'm really curious about the very bright light that just emitted a few minutes ago."

"Actually, I didn't notice the light. I have a very poor eyesight. Maybe I could also see it if I'm wearing my glasses right now. Unfortunately, I left my glasses." Isabel answered with a hint of annoyance. She wanted the annoying woman to go away and leave her alone.

"I'm so sorry, madam for bothering you about the bright light. I thought you also see it. Is there anything I can help you?"

"No, thank you."

Isabel started to like the curious woman. She didn't see her as annoying but just curious. She was glad to see her went out from the toilet.

Isabel went out from the toilet. She was excited to see Ken and his reaction. She hoped that she would be able to pass under the noses of the immigration security.

Isabel never took her eyes off Ken as she approached towards him. She was afraid to lost him in a blink of an eye.

Ken's reaction was priceless when he saw the old version of Isabel. His jaw dropped as if he saw the most beautiful and sexiest woman in Thailand. Isabel paused in front of him. She winked and blew him a kiss.

That was it; the most awaited time for Isabel. She had to pass the security check, otherwise she would lost Ken forever. She would never have a chance to see him again.

Isabel waited patiently in line. She handed her passport to the immigration personnel. Her heart beat faster when he looked at her passport and scanned his computer.

"Have you ever been in Thailand before?"

"No dear. It's actually my first time to visit your country."

"Are you sure?"

The immigration personnel was a little bit skeptical with her answer.

"Yes dear. I'm 100% sure."

"It showed in our system that you came here in Thailand a few days ago."

"Maybe you mistake me for someone else. My granddaughter came here in Thailand a few days ago. We have the same first and last name, Maria Isabel Zobel. Is that what you see in your computer?"

"Yes madam."

"We may have the same name but we have a big difference in our age. I hope you will not mistake us with our age."

The immigration personnel smiled.

"You have a very beautiful smile my dear. You light up the day of every passengers whenever you smile."

"Thank you. Do you know anyone here in Thailand?"

Isabel didn't anticipate the question. They didn't ask her any question the first time she arrived in Thailand with Ken. They just check their passports and let them pass.

Isabel must be quick in thinking of a good answer to his question. If she will say 'No', they will not let her pass the security check for sure. Who will be there for her if something bad will happen to her? They will not trust an old and frail woman to stand on her own in case of emergency. If she will say 'Yes', they will ask her a series of follow-up questions. Her answer was very critical towards her destiny.

"I'm sorry my dear. What is your question again?" Isabel asked again to buy more time to think of a good answer to his question.

"Do you know anyone here in Thailand?"

"Yes." Isabel blurted out. She regretted immediately for answering his question. Her heart was beating faster in the anticipation of his next question.

"Can I have the name and the phone number of your contact person."

"His name is Ken Lin. He is waiting for me right now. He is standing right there. I can call him for you."

Isabel pointed out where Ken was standing.

"How did you know him?"

"He is the boyfriend of my granddaughter? Do you remember my granddaughter? She was the one who came to your country several hours ago but you didn't let her in. You told her that someone blacklisted her in your country for no valid reason at all."

"Yes, we know her. She came here several hours ago but we didn't allow her to pass the security check. We don't have any personal grudge against her. We are just simply doing our job. In fact, we like her because she is very friendly and kind to us. Even if she was blacklisted, we allowed her to stay in the airport. We didn't see her anymore after her interview from our supervisor. We are wondering where she is now."

"She went back to the Philippines to mend her broken heart. She told me everything that happened to her. As a grandmother who loves her granddaughter so dearly, I will do anything to help her. I didn't come here to blame Ken or the person who blacklisted her. I just came here to meet Ken personally and to know if he is worthy for my granddaughter's love. If I see him unworthy for my granddaughter, I will urge her to move on and find someone that deserves her and who is far better than him."

"I can see that you have a very strong bond with your granddaughter. I wish I have a grandmother like you, who is willing to risk her life just to mend my broken heart."

"Thank you. You are also like a grandson to me."

"That's very sweet of you. Just wait here first, I will go to my supervisor and tell her about your case."

"Are you also going to request for my deportation like what you did to my granddaughter?"

"Of course not. I will only ask my supervisor's approval."

"Thank you."