Secrets and Lies

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 12 - BAGUIO: CONFESSION

MARIA YVETTE AMYLASE DEL FIERRO

___________________________________________

WE ARRIVE AT Laoag International Airport on time. Simon booked our tickets last minute, sabi niya kaninang umaga lang daw niya pina-booked sa kaibigan niya. Can you believe it? I'm going to Baguio with the one and only, Joseph Simon Araneta Marcos?! 'Cause if you believed it, well, not me. Goodness! I'm a grown ass woman, at ang asta ko kapag may nagugustuhan ay parang college pa rin. Pakipot, in denial, higit sa lahat, TAKOT SA COMMITMENT! Nag-take a risk lang naman ako kay Jerrich, so, he's not counted, because until now takot pq rin ako sa commitment. And I think it got worse because of what happened between me and Jerrich.

He parked his car nang makarating kami sa airport at may pinagbilinan siya nito. I think one of their driver or friends, not so sure.

"Let's go, they're waiting for us." I nodded.

He walks before me dahil wala akong balak sumabay sa kaniya sa paglalakad. Girl, sa sobrang daming tao dito sa airport at sa pagiging kilala ng pamilya niya, it was impossible for anyone to take a photo of him secretly. And I don't want an issue. Pero, kahit siguro mauna o mahuli ako nang paglalakad sa kaniya, he will really find a way just so that we can walk together. Makulit talaga.

Ending, we walked side to side. Hinyaan ko na lang dahil kahit anong iwas ko wala naman akong magagawa. He will always find a way for everything. That's him.

May kinausap lang siya doon sa front desk at may ibinigay na tickets kay Simon. After their small talk ay binalikan niya ako kung saan ako nakaupo at hinihintay siya.

"Here's your ticket. Let's go." he said enthusiastically. I took the plane ticket from his hand, and then I realized something.

"I DIDN'T HAVE MY PASSPORT WITH ME!" I panicked as the realization hit me like a ton of bricks. He looked at me and smile.

"Here," he said and handed me my passport. How the hell-? "When I told your parents about this surprise, they sneak into your room and took your passport and gave it to me. They know that you don't bring this kind of things when you go out with your friends."

I sighed, "Y'all will give me a heart attack."

"I'm sorry, but at least you have your passport with you na." he said habang natatawa pa.

"Yeah? Well, I don't have ANYTHING with me, except this bag." sabi ko at pinikita ang handbag na tanging dala ko, na ang laman ay wallet, makeup na pang retouch lang, cards, phone, and meds for my allergies. That's all.

"Just like I said, we'll work on that," nakangiti niyang sabi "Tara na, boarding na tayo." he said and gestures me to walk beside him.

I couldn't help but laugh at Simon's carefree attitude and his ability to find solutions to unexpected slash EXPECTED problems. As much as his surprises could catch me off guard, I was starting to appreciate his efforts and the way he took charge of situations.

"Alright, let's go," I replied, shaking my head in amusement. "But seriously, you and my parents are quite the team."

We joined the queue for boarding, and as we settled into our seats on the plane, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Baguio held a special place in my heart, and experiencing it with Simon. Girl who wouldn't???

Throughout the flight, we engaged in light-hearted conversations, sharing stories and laughing together. Simon's enthusiasm and charm were infectious, and he had a way of making me forget about my reservations and fears. He was slowly breaking down the walls I had built around my heart. Did I built a wall around my heart for him? or just for others who tries to enter and ruin my inner peace?