The Day I Saw You

Prologue

It was a sunny day when we arrived at the airport. I silently observed the people. Some of them were all smiles when someone is going near them and gives them a hug afterwards. Most of the employees are focused on their respective jobs. Flight attendants are also making their way out of the airport. It was something new to me because this is the first time I went to an airport. I was in New York for too long, I was born and raised there. But being at a big city doesn't mean I already got used of being with the crowd. 

I don't like being with the crowd. However, there are times I don't have a choice especially if it is family gatherings or events. I would just show up and sit on our table until the program ends. 

I left the city who made me what I am today. I left the city who made me fall a hundred times. I left it because it brought so much pain in me. I really want to leave because of what happened to me there. Good thing my parents liked the idea of leaving that city. I should thank our business here in Manila. It was the perfect excuse for us to leave. 

Leaving that city changed me. I changed. Everything changed. 

It's been two months since we came here. I woke up early because of the noise I heard from the outside of my room. I'm finally entering College here. Manila is really different from New York. I still have to adopt the new environment here since I'm going to live here for a couple of years or I think we're staying here for good. 

I heard a knock from my door. I slightly opened my eyes but is still lazy to get up. 

"Issa, wake up. We have important things to do." I heard Kuya Archer's voice. The moment I heard footsteps of him walking away from my room, I got up then prepared. After my usual routine, I'm going to wear a black halter tank top paired with high waist denim shorts.

"Good morning, Miss Issa, nandoon na po sila sa dining area hinihintay kayo," wika ni Manang Fel pagkalabas ko. She was all smiles at me but I just gave her a weak smile. 

Marunong akong magtagalog dahil Pilipina ang naging yaya ko sa New York. Purong Pilipino rin ang parents ko sadyang sa ibang bansa lang ako lumaki. Mula pagsilang ko ay nandoon na ako, ang sabi ni Mommy ito'y dahil naging maselan ang pagbubuntis niya sa akin. Kailangan maayos at good environment ang nakikita niya para less stress sa kanya at sa akin. 

Pababa pa lang ako ng hagdan ay naririnig ko na ang halakhak ni Daddy. Pagdating ko sa dining area ay may kasama silang mukhang mag-ina na natutuwa rin sa pinag-uusapan nila. Mukhang matagal na silang magkakakilala base sa kwentuhan at tawanan nila. They are just so happy; I hope I could smile and laugh like that. When I sat down on my designated chair, the girl sweetly smiled at me but I just looked at her and smiled weakly. 

"Anyway, Grace, this is Issa, and Issa, this is your Tita Grace and her daughter Bella." pormal na pagpapakilala ni Mommy nang nagsimula akong kumain. Tinignan ko lang silang mag-ina at napatingin naman si Tita Grace kay Mommny na nagkibit-balikat lang sa naging response ko. Mukhang nasabi na kanina kung anong ugali ko sa mga bisita. Mabuti nalang at maintindihin si Tita, minsan kasi, lalo na sa mga formal events, iniisip nilang spoiled at bastos ako, hindi nila alam na ganito talaga ako. Sa huli, hihingi ako ng pasensya at pilit na makikisama sa kanila. 

My parents and Tita Grace would talk about business and something not related there too. I think they know each other for so long. Bella on the other side is as silent as me but there are times, I would catch her looking at me. This is not their first visit here; Mommy would just remind me over and over again of their names.

For the past two months, I just lock myself here in the house. I don't have friends. I don't go out. I would watch Netflix and read books. Every month Mommy or Kuya Archer would hand me new books so I won't get bored.