Saint Claire Series: My Forever Love

Chapter Two: We Meet Again

Hindi mapakali si Anika habang lulan siya ng eroplano pauwing San Francisco, her hometown.

Yes.. She left seven years ago but the memories had not erased on her mind. It was there. So vivid that she didn't know what to do kapag nakaharap na niya ang binatang laman ng isip niya sa nakalipas na pitong taon... 

No. She shouldn't be like this. Ayaw niyang saktan si Shelly. Kaya niyang pigilan ang nararamdaman para sa bestfriend. Natiis na niya ng ganun katagal.. Siguro naman makakaya niya pa.. Sana. 

 "Hi!"She looked at the beautiful girl sitting next to her with a friendly smile.

She smiled back. "Hello."

"I'm Irish. Are you a tourist or a balikbayan?" Inilahad nito ang kamay na tinanggap niya. Hindi niya alam pero magaan ang loob niya rito. 

"Anika. Balikbayan. I am from San Francisco. "Lalong lumaki ang ngiti nito. And she's not so sure pero parang nakita niya ang saglit na panlalaki ng mata nito dahil sa gulat pero nawala din agad.

"Me too! I just got back from Baguio, though." Kwento nito habang tinatanggal ang headphone sa tainga nito."And you know what? You actually look familiar to me. Nag-aral ka ba sa Saint Claire College?" She continued while looking at her intently. 

She looked at her na parang inaalala din ang mukha nito pero hindi niya ito kilala. "Yes. I did. Since kindergarten up to high school. Batch 2011." 

Napatango ito. "Well, you're just two years ahead of me. Where did you go to College?" 

"Yale University." 

Napa Oh ito sa sinabi niya. 

"Wow! Are you staying here for good?" 

Saglit siyang natigilan. Actually ayaw nga niyang umuwi. Mas gusto niyang mag stay sa Manila at dun mag work sa construction business nila pero pinakiusapan siya ng mommy niya na siya na muna ang bahala sa Hotel and Resort nila dito sa Palawan. Her older brother Luis Victor is the one handling the construction business in Manila while their father, the CEO, is enjoying a vacation with their mother. 

Her parents are actually on a Cruise Ship having a World Tour. And she is very happy for them. Naiinggit siya sa magulang. They found each other. Samantalang siya.. Hanggang ngayon umaasa... Yeah. But not anymore. Tama na ang pagiging martir niya and being a hopeless romantic will not give her happiness. 

"I-I am actually not sure.. I'm just here to manage our business. The Lady Vivian Hotel and Resort. " Tugon niya kapagkuwan. 

"You own that? I actually enjoyed everytime I stayed there." Hindi makapaniwalang saad nito.

"Well, actually, my family does.. thanks. I hope you could come back there. It's an invitation." Hindi niya alam pero may naalala siya sa ngiti nito. May kaparehas iyon. 

"Sure. I will drop by one day." Irish said excitedly. 

Nag-usap pa ulet sila and they actually having a good conversation. She's not the type na nakakapalagayang loob ang ibang tao sa unang kita pa lang but kakaiba si Irish. It seems that they are connected one way or another.Namalayan na lang nila na lalapag na pala ang eroplano. They both fix their things. Nagsabay na din sila palabas sa airport.

"My brother will pick me up." Nakangiting wika ni Irish. She sensed happiness in her voice. Or was it kilig that she saw? 

"I will go ahead then. I didn't tell anyone about my flight." She shrugged. Balak niyang mag taxi na lang. Nalaman niya kasi na maysakit ang driver nilang si Mang Lito. She didn't call Shelly since alam niyang busy ito sa restaurant business nito.