I was laying in a sunny backyard, surrounded by lush lawns that stretched as far as the eye could see, shortly before my ringtone went off. I realized that today would not be like any other day when I awoke from a horrible dream.

I sighed as I stretched my arm to reach for my phone. I answered it without looking at the name of the caller.

"Hi, my love." I was greeted by my mother's soothing voice.

"Mom," I greeted back.

"How's it going? Are you okay?"

"Pretty good. How 'bout you, mom? Dad? How's he?"

"We're fine, nak. Your father's busy with his new big project. He's been very workaholic in these past few weeks. Hay!" She sounded stressed in her voice.

"Not so surprising, ma. You know that dad is really passionate about his work. He has always been like that." My father's a well-known professional engineer not even in the Philippines but in other countries as well. He started building his name before he even married my mother.

"Did he even call you to ask you if you're alright or what? Nothing, right?" She's really upset right now.

"I understand naman, ma. I know dad's doing something important."

"Stop depending him. I might think that you like your father more than me." And now she's sulking. I chuckled by her remarks.

"Ehem. Enough with your father. So, when are you coming back, my love." Back to her soothing voice.

"I'm still taking care of something else, mom. Maybe in three weeks I will be home." I've been living in our house in Wengen, Switzerland for a year now.

"Oh my! That's great! I'm excited for you to come home na, nak. Let's have a welcoming home party for you, okay? I will prepare a lot. Lalo na ang mga paborito mong pagkain. I know you miss it. I'll invite our relatives. You should also invite your friends."  The excitement is obvious in her voice.

"Calm down, ma. You can do whatever you want, but please make it simple. Let's just invite some of our close relatives and friends." I suggested. Ayokong sirain ang excitement na nararamdaman niya. It's the least I can do as her daughter.

"Alright. I'm going na, nak. May meeting ako with a client. Let's talk again later."

"Okay, mom. Ikamusta mo na lang po ako kay dad."

"I will. I'll see you soon, my love. Always take care of yourself. I love you."

"You, too. I love you both always. Bye." I got up from where I was lying and get inside our house. Ako lang mag-isa ang nakatira dito. Once a week ay napunta dito ang helper na kinuha ni mom to take care of some things.

I just spent the entire day watching movies in my room. Nang malaman kong hapon na ay lumabas ako ng kwarto ko. I went to the kitchen to make coffee. I also made pancakes as my snacks and put it on a tray and left the kitchen. I also took my laptop that was on the center table in the living room.

I sat in my favorite spot next to the circular glass wall of the house and put the tray and my laptop on the table. As I look outside, I was greeted by the breathtaking view of this village. It has stunning mountains, breathtaking lakes, and picturesque houses. The idea of breathing in the fresh mountain air while surrounded by the amazing natural beauty is simply too alluring.

I turned on the laptop and decided to browse through my social media accounts.

While scrolling, I saw a new post of Maui, one of my close friends. Based on the picture, I think she's at a bar now. I remembered that Philippines is 6 hours ahead of Switzerland. I checked the time on my laptop screen and it's now 11:00 pm in the Philippines since it's only 5 in the afternoon here.

Tinignan ko ang bagong post ni Maui at nalaman kong kasama niya ang iba naming kaibigan. I reacted on it.

Maya-maya ay tumunog ang laptop. Someone just sent me a private message. It's Maui and she just sent me a picture of their silly situation now. Maui was smiling widely in front of the camera she was holding. Behind her is Tatiana with one arm raised while waving her blazer while the other hand holds a glass of wine. I see she's only wearing her brassiere now as her top. This bitch, hayst. Relfaia was already sleeping on the sofa while Elowynne  was sitting and crying like a kid and Jelone's hand on the woman's back with an inexplicable face. They all look wasted.

I saw Maui's name appear on the laptop screen. I pressed the green button to accept her invitation for a video call. Bumungad sa akin ang malakas na tugtug sa background.

"Syl, my girl!" She greeted excitedly with her high-pitched voice.

"He--" I was't able to finished my word when Tiana grabbed the phone from Maui's grip. I heard the woman groaned.

"Hi, hon!" Bati ni Tiana tapos ay kumindat pa.

"Hey, me first!" Rinig kong palatak ni Maui then nakita ko ang pagmumuka niya sa laptop screen ko.

"Gurl, can you please come how na?! I really can't stand them anymore! Baka magkaroon na ako ng white hairs because of them! Gosh!" Na-sstress na sabi niya. Nakita ko ang paglapit ni Elowynne kay Maui.

"B-bibi, wala na akong k-kakampi. Di nila a-ako bati lagi!" Parang batang sumbong ni Elowynne habang nagkukusot ng mata at umiiyak.

"Oh my gad! Wipe your snots, Wynne. Ang dugyot mo!" Maarte namang sabi ni Jelone habang nakakrus ang mga braso sa dibdib. Nasa likod siya ni Maui.

"Can you put some freaking clothes on, Tatiana Hadi Allegre?! Those bulldogs are irritating!" Inis na dagdag niya at binato ang napulot niyang blazer ni Tiana sa kaniya. I heard the woman laugh because of her remarks.

"No need to mention my full name, honey. I know it's pretty. And na-uh, let them drool over me, babe. It's fun, c'mon." Malanding sabi ni Tiana.

"You are really frustrating!" May anger issue talaga sa katawan si Jelone. Lagi na lang siyang galit. Kahit yata ang huminga kinagagalit niya. Naghalumbaba ako sa lamesa at pinanood ang palabas nila.

"Aist! Ang ingay niyo mga bruha! Yung boses mo Jelone nangingibaw!" Rinig kong reklamo ni Relfaia.

"Kung sinabi mo'ng gusto mo ng tahimik, edi sana sa simbahan ka pumunta! Magkumpisal ka na rin kasi makasalanan ka naman. Baka tanggapin ka pa sa itaas kung sakaling ipaadvance ko ang meet-and-greet niyo ni San Pedro!" Ramdam ko yung gigil niya. Siya na. Siya na talaga.

Kita ko ang stress na pagmumukha ni Maui habang nanonood sa kanila.

"Geh, pababasbasan na rin kita para mawala na 'yang masamang esperitu sa katawan mong dalawang dekada mong tinatago!" Relfaia rebutted. Hindi ko man kita ang reaksyon ni Jelone ay alam kong nakakunot noo na 'yan at nagngingit-ngit na sa galit. Sige. Mag-away lang kayo. Okay lang ako dito. Okay lang talaga.

"Seriously, girls? I'm talking to Syl kaya." Pagsingit ni Maui at ginalaw ang phone. Nakita ko ang mga pagmumukha nila. Bored ko lang silang tinignan na nakahalumbaba pa rin.

"Yow." Bati ko sa kanila. Kita ko ang mabilis na paglapit ni Relfaia at muntik pang matumba na buti ay nahawakan agad ni Wynne na pansin kong may luha pa rin sa mukha.

"Sai-sai, uwe ka na. 'Di na 'ko galit. Si Jelone lang naman itong laging may sama ng loob." Nakanguso niyang sabi.

"Alam mo namang kasing baba ng alcohol tolerance mo ang pasensiya niyang si Jelone." Nakita ko ang masamang tingin ni Jelone sa'kin. Kung siguro katabi lang ako ng babaeng 'yan nabatukan na ako. Pero seriously, she's a good friend naman.

"Excuse me! I have a high alcohol tolerance, noh." Jelone said na nakaakbay kay Wynne na nakanguso lang na parang bata.

"Yeah, right. Para mo na 'ring sinabing imposibleng bumait si Jelone."

"Shut up, Louan!" Inis nanamang sabi ni Jelone.

"When are you coming back, hon?" Pagsingit ni Tiana sa gitna ni Maui na may hawak ng Phone at Faia na nakaakbay pa rin kay Wynne. Suot na niya ngayon ang damit niya.

"In three weeks, I guess." Sagot ko at sumimsim ng coffee.

"Really?! So what's the plan?" Excited na sabi ni Maui.

"A simple celebration lang sa bahay. Right, you can come."

"Ay ganon? Parang napilitan mag-invite? Ayoko na. Galit na ulit ako sa'yo."  She then rolled her eyes on me.

"Eh 'di 'wag kang pumunta."

"Hoy, Jelone! Kelan pa kayo naging magkabudhi netong si Sai-sai?!" Tapos ay tinuro pa ako.

"Ang arte mo kasi. Hindi ka naman maganda." Sagot ni Jelone. Natawa naman ako.

"Hah! Ayoko na! Ayoko na talaga. Ang sama ng mga ugali niyo!" Tapos ay naghalukipkip siya sa sofa. Baliw talaga ang babaeng 'yon.

"By the way, where's Rhuan?"

"She chose to read those thick books over us." Papaiyak nanaman na sumbong ni Wynne.

"Dummy. It's their exam tomorrow, eh." Sabi naman ni Maui at pinitik ang noo ni Wynne. The girl just pout. What a cutie.

"I'll end the call na. Bye."

"Right. Guys, say bye to Syl na."

Wynne just weakly wave her right hand at me.

"Goodnight, hon. See you." Nagflying kiss pa si Tiana. Kita ko ang pagtango ni Jolene at ang pag-irap ni Faia pero nakanguso naman.

"Bye bye, Syl. Uwi ka na." Paalam ni Maui and I ended the call.

I continued browsing my facebook account then I ate my dinner after.

°°°

After three weeks

'Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. This is a pre-boarding announcement for flight 74B to Hong kong. We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time~~'

I'm in Zürich-Kloten Airport for my flight to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. May stop-over lang sa Hong Kong International Airport, China for about 2 hours. Naglakad na ako sa gate 8 for my boarding. They checked my boarding pass as well as my identification card.

Nakasakay na ako sa plane at nilagay ko na ang dala kong maliit na maleta sa compartment at naupo. Nagtake off na ang plane and we have to travel for 9 hours para makarating sa Hong kong. Natulog na lang ako since maaga akong nagising kanina.

I'm in Hong Kong International Airport waiting for my next flight to Manila.

I fished out my phone from my blazer's pocket when I heard my ringtone.

"Hello." I greeted the caller.

"Syl, It's Maui." ohh. Ang mahal kaya ng international call. Yaman naman.

"Why? Dapat online ka na lang tumawag. This call is expensive." Reklamo ko. I heard her laugh on the other line.

"You're not online kaya." Napa-ah na lang ako.

"What's with the call?" Tanong ko.

"Right. Tita, your mom, asked me kung anong oras daw ang dating mo sa airport so we can fetch you?" I checked my watched on my left wrist.

"9 in the evening." I answered after calculating my travel hours.

"Okay. See you, Syl. Take care. Bye." I ended the call after bidding my goodbye.

I still have 30 minutes before my next flight kaya nagpunta muna ako ng rest room to freshen up. While washing my hands, I heard a woman sobbing.

'It's not a ghost, right?' Kumbinsi ko sa sarili ko. Rinig ko pa rin 'yung iyak.

I checked the other cubicles kung may tao ba. Nasa third cubicle na'ko pero nakalock 'yun. I knocked on the door two times to know kung occupied talaga.

"What do you want?" Hala ang cute ng boses. Para siyang inis pero naging cute dahil sa pag-iyak niya siguro.

"Do you need help?" I politely asked.

"No. Leave me alone." Rinig ko ulit na suminghot siya. Napangiti na lang ako. Wala namang nakakakita so bakit ko pipigilan?

"You sure?" Tanong ko ulit.

"Yes." Pinal na sagot niya. Napanguso naman ako tapos ay may kinuha sa loob ng bag ko.

"Here. At least, take this." I handed her my handkerchief. I extended my right arm above the door para maabot niya 'yun. Matangkad naman ako kaya okay lang.

"I don't need it." Ang tigas ng ulo. Pramis.

"Just take it, please. My arm is starting to feel sore." Kahit hindi. Rinig ko ang munting ingay sa cubicle niya at naramdaman ko na lang nawala na ang panyo sa kamay ko. Napangiti ulit ako dahil dun. Is she from here or taga ibang country siya?

"Do you want me to sing?" Offer ko. Sulitin na natin.

"No. Just leave." Mataray niyang sabi.

"Okay, I'll sing." Rinig ko pa ang pag-tsk niya dahil sa di'ko pagpansin sa sinabi niya.

'A, B, C, D, E, F, G
H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P
Q, R, S, T, U, V
W, X, Y, and Z,

Johnny, Johnny, yes papa
eating sugar, no papa
telling your light, no papa
Open you mouth, HA HA HA.'

I heard her faint laugh kaya mas pinagbutihan ko ang performance ko.

'The wheels on the bus
go round and round
round and round
round and round

The wheels on the bus
go round and round
all through the town.'

Pagtatapos ko ng kanta. I cleared my throat.

"Seriously? What kind of song was that?" Yie. Nagpipigil pa ng tawa eh hala naman. Success!

"One of my country's specialties." I said

"What is it?" Tanong niya. Hindi na siya naiyak. Buti naman.

"To make people like you smile." Nakangiti kong sabi kahit hindi niya nakikita. Buti wala pang napasok dahil baka magmukha akong tanga dahil sa pagkanta ko.

"This is the final boarding call for flight 74B to Philippines. All passengers should be on board at this time. If you are still in the terminal, please proceed to gate 12 immediately. The gate will close in ten minutes~~"

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang tinawag na ang flight ko. Hindi ko namalayan na nag pre-boarding announcement na pala. Shet.

"Miss, I have to go. Ahm, Fighting!" Wala sa wisyo kong sabi at dali-dali na para lumabas. Before I got to fully exit the area, narinig ko pa siya magsalita.

"Thank you. It's trully your country's specialty." Malawak akong napangiti dahil 'dun.

'Tama na muna, Syl. Jusko Maiiwan ka na ng eroplano!'

Hinihingal ako nang nakasakay ako sa eroplano. Hanep! Muntik na akong maiwan.

After four hours of travelling, the plane arrived in NAIA. 9 pm na nga nang nakarating ako.

Dala-dala ko ang dalawa kong maleta at nakapatong doon ang isang travel bag at pack bag. Naglalakad na ako palabas ng airport.

I texted Maui to update her about my current location. She didn't bother to reply at tinawagan na lang ako.

"I'm here. Where are you?"

Tinignan ko naman kung nasaan akong part at sinabi 'yun. After few minutes ay nakita ko na siya.

"On your right." Nakita ko ang paglingon niya sa pwesto at malawak itong napangiti nang makita ako. Pinatay ko ang tawag nang tatakbo itong lumapit sa pwesto ko.

"Oh my God, Syl!!" Sigaw niya at niyakap ako bigla ng mahigpit pagkalapit sa'kin. Tumalon-talon pa'to habang nakayakap ang dalawang braso sa leeg ko. Medyo napayuko pa ako dahil mas matangkad ako sa kaniya. Binalik ko na lang ang yakap niya. Namiss ko ang babaeng 'to.

"Let me see you." Sabi niya at tinitigan ako mula ulo hanggang paa. Naconcious naman ako bigla.

"Wow! Mas lalo kang tumangkad. You're more sexy now and oh still gorgeous, huh." Napailing na lang ako sa mga pinagsasabi niya.

"You're still noisy." Pang-asar ko na kinairap niya.

"Fresh from Switzerland ang panlalait, grabe!" May paghawak pa sa kaniyang dibdib. Natawa naman ako.

"So, ikaw lang sumundo sa'kin? Where are the others?" Tukoy ko sa ibang kaibigan namin at kila mom.

"They're at your house na. Remember? May party na hinanda si tita."

"Akala ko bukas pa? Hello? Di pwede magpahinga muna ako?" Reklamo ko. 15 hours kaya naging biyahe ko.

"Girl, hindi na uso ang jetlag. Shot puno na agad. Besides, bukas pa yung main party. Tayo-tayo lang na barkada ang nasa house mo ngayon. Bukas pa ang dating ng ibang relatives mo." Pambihira. Napailing na lang ako.

"Let's go? They are excited to see you." Nakangiti niyang sabi kaya tumango na ako at nilagay na ang mga gamit ko sa compartment ng sasakyan at sumakay na sa passenger seat. Tumingin ako sa labas through the window.

'I wonder if she's okay now? I hope to meet her again and i'll gladly make her smile everyday.'

Maliit akong napangiti dahil sa naisip ko at pumikit na to take a nap.