A Six-Word Story II

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: People don't live in the past forever

My hand tightened around the strap of my bag as I looked around the airport. I'm back. Two long years... I swallowed hard.  No one knew about my plans to come back here in the Philippines. Well, except for Maki. He was supposed to be with me, but something came up and he had to stay in New York for a couple of months more. Actually, I even thought of waiting for him because I was really scared to come back. But Maki convinced me to go back and face my fears. 

Nag-taxi na lang ako at nagpahatid sa condo ko. Dumagsa ang mga alaala ng kahapon pagaka-pasok ko sa loob. Malinis ang loob ng unit ko. Kuya took care of it for me while I was away. Iniwan ko ang mga gamit sa sala at pumunta sa kwarto ko. 

Nothing has changed. I suddenly felt so nostalgic. The memories from the past came running back to me that it made my eyes brim with tears. I sat on the bed and touched it. Then my eyes caught the picture frame on the bedside table.

I reached out and picked it up. A tear rolled down my cheek. We looked so happy in the picture. So in love. Jeck... I hugged it to my chest and let my tears fall. 

I miss you so much, babe. 

The next day, I decided to visit kuya and his family. I missed them. Dahil wala akong sasakyan ay nag-taxi lang ako. Isang katulong ang nag-bukas ng pinto. But I was told that they weren't home and had gone to the club house because there was a get together party there.

Walang pag-mamadali akong nag-tungo sa club house. I missed this village. I missed my friends. Kamusta na kaya sila? Si Missy lang ang tanging nakakausap ko kahit nung nasa ibang bansa ako. Nawalan ako ng communication sa ibang mga kaibigan ko. Partly because it was my choice. Dinig ko ang musika na nang-gagaling sa club house. For a moment there I hesitated to go inside.

"Honey, bilisan mo na!" 

I knew that voice. Tamara. Kaagad akong lumingon. Napangiti ako ng makita ko siya. Mas lalo siyang gumanda. Hinihila niya ang asawang si Shin na mukhang hindi interesado. 

"Tamara," I muttered.

Tumigil siya at tumingin sa gawi ko. Her forehead creased a bit. I smiled and took off my wayfarer. Namilog ang mga mata niya.

"Xie-xie!"

"Yes, it's me," I answered smiling widely.

Mabilis siyang lumapit sa akin at niyakap ako. "Ikaw nga! Xie-xie! I missed you!"

I hugged her back. "I missed you, too."

Kumawala siya at tinitigan ako. "I didn't recognize you right away. You've changed. Pati buhok mo hindi na kulot."

Nakangiting hinawakan ko ang buhok. Ang dating may pagka-kulot kong buhok na mahaba ay tuwid na at hanggang lagpas balikat na lang. 

"Welcome back, Dixie," said Shin.

I smiled at him. "Thank you. Kamusta na?"

"Good," he responded with a small smile.

"Kelan ka pa nakabalik?" Tamara asked.

"Kahapon lang."

She pouted her lips. "Ang tagal mong nawala. Buti naman naisipan mong bumalik na. Bigla ka na lang nawala 2 years ago. Si Jeck nga akala ko maba-" 

Shin covered his wife's mouth. "Don't mind her," he said.

Isang pilit na ngiti ang ibinigay ko. Si Tamara naman ay naka-ngiwi. She gave me an apologetic look. Nginitian ko na lang siya.