Chapter 08

17:15

Ala sais ang flight namin at nandito na kami ngayon sa airport.

Nilingon ko si Leila na tahimik na naka-upo sa tabi ko. Hindi pa din siya nagsasalita hanggang ngayon. I called Mom last night and they didn't mention anything from me.

"Hey." she didn't heard me so I poke her arms.

She turn her head towards me. "Did you say anything?" she asked. Spaced out.

"No, you okay?" I asked her but she only gave me a small smile.

"Yeah," she just answered and faced her phone and put her airpods just to avoid a conversation to anyone.

I tapped her shoulders then stood up to buy some chocolate bar for her, because that would cheer her up.

"San ka boi?" biglang sulpot ni Sam sa tabi ko.

"Impyerno, sama ka?" pagbibiro ko.

"Sige." sagot niya lang at tsaka sumanay sakin sa paglalakad.

"Wala namang masama kung aamin kang may gusto ka sakin," sabi ko sakanya dahil tulala lang siya habang naglalakad. Nilingon niya ko at sinamaan ng tingin.

"Tangina mo, di ako bading." sabi niya sakin sabay bunggo sa braso ko na kinatawa ko. "Kanina pa tayo naglalakad, san ka ba talaga?" sabi niya nang mapansin lakad lang kami ng lakad.

"Bili ng chocolate bar." sagot ko sakanya habang naghahanap ng chocolate bar sa paligid.

"Gago ka, nalagpasan na natin." sabi niya sabay hila sakin pabalik.

Kumuha ako ng tatlong bar tsaka binayaran yun sa counter. Dumaan na din kami ng Starbucks dahil may Statbucks dito sa loob, para bilhan si Leila ng frappuccino na parati niyang binibili.

"Sana all, may kuya." sabi ni Sam habang nagbabayad ako.

"Di naman mahirap sabihin ang libre." sabi ko sakanya. "Ano bang gusto mo?" sabi ko at oorderan na sana siya.

"Ikaw." sabi niya sabay ngumisi sakin.

"You sure?" I teased that's when he look so disgusted.

"The fuck." he said then act like he's going to throw up.

"Can you just place your order?" sabi ko dahil tagal na namin dito, para siyang tanga.

"Peach Cloud with Jelly." sabi niya sa babae with all smiles, ngumiti naman yung babae at tumingin sakin.

"Sangria Hibiscus Cold Brew." I said then she smiled and nodded.

* * *

"Hey," I called Leila whose still on her airpods.

She turn her gaze on me then saw what I was carrying.

She smiled a little then took the chocolate bars and the frappuccino, but she stopped mid way when she saw what I was holding on my right hand.

"Is that a sangria?" I nodded. "Can we exchange?" she asked.

"But that's your fave?" tanong ko habang nakakunot ang noo.

"I don't want a frappuccino today." she said then grabbed my sangria then replaced it with her frappuccino. 

Buti nalang di ko pa naiinuman yung sangria na yun.

* * *

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mountain Airlines welcomes you to Manila. The local time is 7:09 PM. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened and keep the aisle clear until we are parked at the gate. The Captain will then turn off the 'Fasten Seat Belt' sign, indicating it is safe to stand. Please use caution when opening the overhead compartments and removing items, since articles may have shifted during flight."

"Leila, we're here." I said tapping Leila's shoulder.

Agad naman siyang umayos ng pagkaka-upo at tumingin lang sa bintana pagtapos.

She took a nap just to avoid me from asking her about our parents 

"MANILA!" sigaw nung isang empleyado na nagpalingon sa ibang mga pasahero na naglalakad papasok sa loob ng airport. Hindi siya pinansin nung mga kasama niya.

Kinakahiya yata.

* * *

Palabas na kaming lahat ng airport nang huminto si Leila. Nilingon ko siya nang nakakunot ang noo.

"Anong tinatayo mo dyan?" tanong ko dahil nakatigil lang siya don, parang timang.

"Malapit na din next flight ko." sabi niya sabay turo sa likod niya.

"Huh?"

"Mom already booked a flight for me last night." she smiled but didn't reach her eyes.

"What about your clothes at the condo?" tanong ko dahil may naiwan pa siya dun.

"Dun na muna yun, balikan ko nalang next na uwi ko. Andito naman na sakin mga kailangan ko." sabi niya.

Naglakad ako palapit sakanya tsaka siya hinalikan sa noo niya.

"Take care and please don't cry again." sabi ko sabay gulo sa buhok niya. Agad naman niyang tinapik yung kamay ko at sinamaan ako ng tingin.

"Who cried?" she asked.

"Yeah right." sabi ko sabay gulo ulit sa buhok niya.

"Kuya!!" gigil na sabi niya.

Natawa ako dahil sa itsura niya.

"Safe flight." sabi ko sakanya at niyakap naman niya ko.

"Thank you," she while she buried her face on my chest.

"Yeah, yeah. Alis ka na." pagtataboy ko sakanya. She pouted.

Atleast she's kinda back to her self.

"Already going back?" singit ni Jin sa gilid ko.

Leila nodded. "Mom already booked a flight." she answered.

"Oh, too bad you can't stay for a little while." sabi ni Jin na kala mo kinokonsensya si Leila.

"Yeah, maybe I'll be back on my Christmas break." she shrugged. "With Mom and Dad, ofcourse." pahabol niya.

"See you on Christmas break then, Yoda." sabi ni Jin.

Sinamaan siya ni Leila ng tingin.

He chuckled. "Safe flight, Dobby." Jin laugh when she saw how ugly Leila's face right now. I also laugh because of it.

"Sige na, alis na." sabi ko sakanya.

"Bye! See you on Christmas!" sabi niya habang naglalakad pabalik sa gate.

Pagkaalis niya ay tinext ko si Mama.

To: Mama

Talk to her, don't make her cry.

Nagulat naman ako nang magreply agad si Mama.

From: Mama

Cry?

To: Mama

She won't tell me why, just go easy on her.

From: Mama

I will, it's for her own good anyway.

The hecks wrong with them keeping things from me? Maybe I should go back there on Christmas.