Song: Barcelona- Ed Sheeran

Map

I loaded my last baggage inside the car. Hinarap ko naman muli sila Mommy at Daddy na pinapanood lang ako.

"So..." I started. Ngumiti silang dalawa sa akin.

My father asked someone to do all the work for me. From booking my ticket to looking for a hotel room, silang lahat ang nagasikaso. I insisted at first but then my parents keeps on initiating. Kaya sa huli ay wala nalang rin akong nagawa.

"I'll see you both again after a month, I guess?" I pursed my lips. Ngumisi si Daddy sa akin.

"Enjoy your stay in Barcelona, Kels. Don't worry about us so much here. Maayos lang kami rito." Aniya.

"I will." Nginitian ko siya.

"Have fun, sweetie. I know you've been looking forward to this day. Kaya you should enjoy as much as you can." Sabi naman ni Mommy. I nod my head.

Before I get inside the car ay niyakap ko muna sila pareho. Gusto pa nga nila noong una ay ihatid pa ako hanggang sa airport. Pero alanganin kasi sa oras. They have a meeting to attend to. Mas importante iyon.

"Are you sure you don't want us to come?" my Mommy asked.

"Hindi na, Mommy. It's almost time for work for the both of you. May meeting pa po kayo hindi ba? Kaya mas pagtuunan niyo nalang po ng pansin iyon." my mother smiled sadly at me. Pero sa huli ay napatango nalang siya.

I waved at them for the last time before I entered the car. I signaled Manong Roly that we can go already. Nang umandar naman ang sasakyan ay tsaka sila kumaway sa akin. Nawala lang ang tingin ko sakanila nang tuluyan nang makalayo ang sasakyan.

Manong Roly helped me unload my bags when we reached the airport. Nagpasalamat ako sakanya at tsaka dumiretso na sa departure area.

Nasa immigration area na ako nang makatanggap ako ng tawag mula kay Jeya. Tumigil ako sa ginagawa at tsaka sinagot ang tawag niya.

Hindi pa ako nakakapag hello ay nagsalita na agad siya.

"Why didn't you tell us you were leaving for Barcelona?!" salubong niya sa akin sa kabilang linya.

"Hello, Jeya." Sabi ko.

"Tss, Kelsey! Ganyan ka na ba ngayon ha? Nagtatago ka na ng sikreto sa amin?!" I can hear disappointment in her voice. I sighed heavily.

"Nakalimutan ko lang sabihin since ang dami mo kasing kwento ng araw na 'yon!" reklamo ko.

"Sana siningit mo sa usapan! Kung alam lang sana namin edi sana nakipagkita pa ulit kami sa'yo!"

"Hindi na naman importante 'yon. Babalik rin naman agad ako."

I heard her sigh heavily on the other line. "How long will you stay there?"

"For about a month."

"A month?! Bakit ang tagal naman?"

"I have so many things to do in Barcelona. Sa tingin ko hindi sapat iyong isang linggo o dalawa."

"How did you know by the way?" I asked when she turned silent.

"E, nandito kaya kami sa bahay niyo ngayon!" my eyes widened at that. Sila rin 'tong pabigla bigla, e! Hindi man lang nagsasabi na pupunta!

"W-Why didn't you tell me?!"

"It wouldn't be a surprise visit if we'll tell you. Duh!"

"Tss..."

"But seriously, Kels? What's with the sudden decision?"

Inipit ko naman ang aking cellphone sa pagitan ng aking tainga at balikat. Kinuha ko iyong mga papeles na kailangan para rito sa pag-alis ko.

"I'm going there for work, Jeya. May panibago kasing high end project ang kompanya and I needed more inspiration with my designs. You know how great Barcelona is when it comes to architecture."

I feel like Jeya nodded her head when I told her this. Ganoon naman lagi ang ekspresyon niya sa tuwing may pinapaliwanag ako sakanya.

"Kasama mo ba si Troy?" tanong ko.

"Oo. Siya nga itong nag-aya, e. And I can't believe you didn't even tell him that you were leaving!"

"E, kasi nga we were so busy catching up na hindi ko na naisingit pa iyon sa usapan!"

"Sus! 'Yan tuloy at mukhang nagtatampo iyon sa'yo."

Kumunot ang noo ko. That is so not him! Kahit kailan hindi nagtampo sa akin si Troy kahit na may hindi ako sinasabi sakanya!

"Huh? Hindi naman mahilig magtampo iyong si Troy!"

"E, malay ko! Mukha kayang nagtatampo. Kaya ayun at kinakausap ang Mommy mo ngayon. Iniimagine siguro na ikaw kausap niya kasi kamukhang kamukha mo si Tita Tin!"

Napailing nalang ako nang dahil sa sinabi niya. Parang ewan talaga 'tong si Jeya! Kung ano-ano na lang ang sinasabi.

Mamaya maya pa ay nakita kong sinesenyasan ako ng guard. I raised my brow at him to ask him what it is. Tinuro niya naman ang aking cellphone at agad kong nakuha iyong gusto niyang iparating. Tinanguan ko siya.

Nasa immigration nga pala ako.

"Uh... Jeya, I have to hang up now. Mapapagalitan na ako ng guard kung itutuloy ko pa 'tong usapan. I'm at the immigration area already. I'll call you when I'm done here."

"Sus! Guard nalang natatakot ka pa! Pabayaan mo 'yan! Dali na kausapin mo pa ako. Gusto ko pang chumika!"

I chuckled lightly. Napailing nalang ako nang dahil sa kakulitan niya.

"Hindi na, Jeya. I really have to hang up now. Baka maiwan na ako ng flight ko. Marami pa namang oras para makapag-usap tayo kaya sige na! I have to hang up now."

"E, kasi naman, Kels-"

"Okay! Bye, Jeya!"

Hindi ko na pinatapos pa ang dapat niyang sasabihin dahil binaba ko na ang tawag. I mumbled an apology to the security guard. Hindi ko rin naman siya masisisi dahil ginagawa niya lang naman iyong trabaho niya.

Nang matapos ako sa immigration ay dumiretso na ako patungo sa waiting area. Doon ko muling tinawagan si Jeya. Sa tawag na iyon ay napakarami niyang sinabi! Hindi na ata matitigil ang bunganga niya sa kakadaldal.

Nakausap ko rin si Troy. He asked me to take care of myself since I'll be travelling alone. Binantaan niya rin ako na uso raw ang pick-pocketing sa Barcelona kaya dapat daw ay magdoble ingat ako. He keeps on reminding things to me like an older brother. I really appreciate it.

When it's almost time for my flight, I sent a message to my parents. They're probably at the meeting right now but I just want them to know that my plane is about to leave now.

Matapos kong isend iyon ay pinatay ko na ang cellphone ko. I stared outside the airplane's window until I can finally feel my eyes closing.

When I arrived in Barcelona, I went straight to my hotel. I didn't have the time to admire my surroundings since the flight made me exhausted.

Aalis rin naman ako bukas para mamasyal kaya marami pa akong oras makapaglibot at makapagpantasya sa bansang 'to.

Pagkapasok ko ng kwarto ko ay agad akong nahiga sa kama sa sobrang kapaguran. I sighed heavily. That was such a long flight! Sobrang nakakapagod! Wala na sa priority ko ang ayusin pa ang gamit ko dahil ang gusto ko lang gawin ngayon ay ang matulog!

When I woke up the next morning, ay tsaka ko lang inayos ang gamit ko. I brought a lot of clothes with me since I'll be staying here for a month. I promised myself not to spend too much money on clothes. Marami pa naman kasi akong damit at hindi ko pa naman kailangan ng bago.

Nang matapos kong ayusin ang gamit ay tsaka ako nagsearch sa internet ng mga dapat kong mapuntahan dito sa Barcelona. Most of the things that popped out were Antoni Gaudi's works.

Antoni Gaudi was one of the architects that I look up to. His works are very detailed and breathtaking. Sobrang gaganda ng mga gawa niya and they're very classical, too.

I decided to enroll in a class for architecture at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia. I had to pay a big amount of money since I'll only be taking it for a month. Pero hindi na alintala sa akin iyon. Marami naman akong matututunan, e.

I informed my parents about it and I expected that they will initiate to pay the class for me. Pero hindi ko hinayaang gawin nila iyon.

"Are you sure, Kels? I mean, your mother and I can pay for it. Baka maubos iyang dala mong pera-"

"Dad, I brought my credit card with me. You don't need to worry." I heard him sighed on the other line. Kahit kailan talaga hindi nila ako mapipilit na sila ang gumatos para sa akin kahit na may trabaho na ako.

I know my limits as a child. I let them pay for my school kaya ngayong tapos na ako, hindi ko hahayaang gumastos pa sila nang dahil sa akin. This is my way of giving back to them. Dapat ngayong matanda na sila, ineenjoy nalang nila iyong pera na meron sila. Hindi iyong paggagastosan pa nila ako gayong kumikita na naman ako.

"Kelsey, pupwede namang-" sisingit pa sana si Mommy sa usapan pero binigyan ko na siya ng makahulogang tingin. She closed her mouth.

"Sige na nga, Bernard. Wag na nating pilitin 'tong si Kelsey. Nagiging matigas ang ulo nito pag dating dyan, e." my mother pouted.

Tumawa ako. "I promise, Mom. I still have enough money left. I can still pay for that class."

Sa huli ay nakumbinsi ko rin sila. Nang matapos kami sa pagvivideo call ay nag-ayos na ako ng sarili. This is my first day of roaming around Barcelona. I plan to go to Sagrada Familia first since it was quite near the hotel I'm currently staying at.

I wore my lace silk black cami top and I paired it with a grey plaid pants. I curled the ends of my hair at tsaka sinuot iyong gold necklace na binigay sa akin ni Daddy noong birthday ko. I checked myself out in the mirror before I grab my bag and head out.

Inayos ko ang aking shoulder bag at tsaka inipit ang takas na buhok sa likod ng aking tainga. A bell boy smiled at me when I was on my way to the elevator. I returned the gesture.

I haven't eaten my breakfast yet. I heard there's this famous restaurant near Sagrada Familia so I might as well check that one out.

I took a cab and told him to bring me to my destination. Buong magdamag lang ata ako nakatingin sa labas dahil sa sobrang pagkamangha sa mga arkitektura ng bansang 'to. I can't even stop myself from taking pictures! Turistang-turista ang dating ko sa lagay ko na 'to!

I paid the taxi the right amount at tsaka bumaba na. My mouth parted at the sight. This is amazing! This is very, very pretty. I can't believe that one of the most famous architectures in the world is now in front of my eyes!

I smiled. "Wow..."

I roamed my eyes around. There's a lot of people around the area. Some people are sitting next to their lovers at the bench, some are taking photos, and some are making a sketch of the place.

I quickly rummage through my things to get my phone. I opened my camera at tsaka tinapat iyon sa Sagrada Familia. I was about to take a photo when someone bumped into me. Muntikan ko nang mabitawan ang cellphone ko!

"Oops..." I heard the guy spoke. Hindi ko na nalingon pa ang nakabunggo sa akin dahil may mga grupo ng mga turista ang dumaan sa gilid namin. Mas natuon ang pansin ko doon.

The guy who bumped into me stayed behind my back while he's talking to someone over the phone. Pinanood ko naman iyong grupo at tsaka sila sinundan ng tingin. Nang makalagpas sila ay tsaka naglakad paalis iyong nakabunggo sa akin. He didn't even bother to ask for an apology since he seems so engrossed with his phone call.

"Yes, Britt. I'll buy it for you! You don't have to cry!" I heard him spoke when he passed me by. Kumunot ang noo ko at tsaka umiling. Hindi man lang nag-sorry!

Siguro naman naramdaman niyang tumama iyong katawan niya sa akin para malaman niya na may nabunggo siyang tao! The guy is very tall. Kaya imposibleng hindi niya ako mapansin gayong mas maliit ako sakanya. He looks like a Hollywood actor based on his stance. Likod palang aakalain mong parang artista.

Siguro nga artista ko kaya ganon nalang umasta! 

Hindi ko nalang iyon pinansin pa at tsaka tinuloy na ang pagkuha ng litrato sa Sagrada Familia. When I finished taking a photo, I look for an unoccupied bench. Nang makahanap ay tsaka ako umupo doon. I grab my sketchpad and pencil inside my bag to make a quick sketch of the architecture in front of me.

Ilang oras ata ang inabot ko doon at hindi ko na napansin pa ang gutom ko. When I finished, I leaned in against the bench. I craned my neck from side to side. Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga at tsaka tiningnan ang natapos kong drawing.

I smiled in satisfaction. This is definitely one of the most beautiful places I've been to kahit na iisang tourist spot palang ang napupuntahan ko dito.

Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata at tsaka sandaling dinama ang ihip ng hangin. My eyes quickly opened when I heard a familiar voice mumbling something under his breath. Nilingon ko ang pinanggalingan ng boses na iyon. 

"Where the hell is fucking Nouvum?!" the guy groaned. Kumunot naman ang noo ko dahil mukhang pamilyar ang lalaking ito sa akin.

Was this the guy who bumped into me a while ago? Tinitigan ko siya ng maigi. He's also wearing the same white polo as the guy who bumped into me! The guy removed his sunglasses with so much frustration.

My jaw dropped. What the hell? What is he doing here?

Sa dinami-rami pa naman ng lugar sa mundo, akalain mo nga naman na dito pa kami ulit magkikita! Natawa nalang ako bigla sa nangyari.

Napaiwas naman agad ako ng tingin nang nagawi ang mga mata niya sa pwesto ko. Inalis ko ang pagkakaipit ng aking buhok sa likod ng aking tainga upang itago ang mukha ko. Dali-dali kong pinasok ang aking mga gamit sa loob ng bag.

But before I can fully put my sketchpad inside, nagulat nalang ako nang may tumawag ng pangalan ko. Nang dahil rin doon ay nalaglag ang sketchpad ko sa sahig.

I was about to get it when he did the work for me. Inangat ko ang tingin sakanya at nakitang nakatingin na siya doon sa drawing ko.

"You did this?" Benjamin asked.

"Uh..." I struggled to find the right words. Inalis niya ang tingin sa aking sketchpad at tsaka binaling ito sa akin. He smirked.

So much have changed in him. He's gotten more matured. Kung dati ay medyo hindi pa gaano kalaki ang kanyang pangangatawan ngayon ay mas lumaki ito. His built made him look manlier. There are stubble around his face and that suits him.

Oh my goodness, Kelsey! Why are you admiring his features?! Nagmature lang napatitig ka na bigla sakanya!

"This is amazing." He complimented my drawing.

"Thanks." I said. Nagulat naman ako nang bigla siyang tumabi sa akin. I moved a little to give space for him.

"I knew it was you," aniya sabay binalik sa akin ang aking sketchpad. "Magtatago ka pa ha?"

Tumawa siya nang sinabi niya iyon. Habang ako naman ay napakunot nalang ng aking noo. Well, something in him didn't change. 'Yun ay 'yung hilig niya sa pang-aasar.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I'm-" hindi ko pa masyadong nasisimulan ang sasabihin ko nang magsalita siyang muli.

"Sinusundan mo ako no?" he asked confidently. Umirap ako.

Hindi parin pala nawawala sakanya 'yung kakapalan ng mukha niya! After three years of not seeing him, ito ang isasalubong niya sa akin? Wow talaga!

"Wow! You're still so full of yourself!" suplada kong iniwas ang tingin sakanya. Tumawa siya ng dahil doon.

"And you're still masungit." He teased. Ngumuso ako.

I got up from my sit. Naramdaman ko namang sinundan niya ako ng tingin.

"You're leaving now?" I nod my head. Tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay dahil hindi ko nagets kung bakit mukhang hindi niya inaasahan na aalis agad ako. 

Does he expect me to spend time with him? No way! 

"Yes. I have to go and grab some lunch."

"Can I join you?" nagulat naman ako nang dahil sa tanong niyang iyon. My eyes widened.

"No." agad kong sinagot. He smirked like he expected that answer from me. Tumango siya.

"Okay, then."

Kumunot ang noo ko nang dahil sa ekspresyon na ibinibigay niya sa akin ngayon. I don't know if he's teasing me or what. Or maybe this was his normal stare. I really don't know.

Nang wala na siyang sinabi ay tsaka ako tumalikod sakanya. Hindi pa ako masyadong nakakalayo nang makahabol siya sa akin.

"Hey, wait."

Hinawakan niya ako sa aking balikat upang palingunin akong muli sakanya. Tiningnan ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa balikat ko. Nang makita niyang tinititigan ko ito ay mabilis niyang inalis iyon.

I don't know what made me look at his hand on my shoulder. But his touch feels so weird on my skin. It feels... weird that I felt something from his touch.

"What?" I asked.

"Do you know where Nouvum is?" tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Brittany was asking me to buy her something from this so called store and I-"

"I just got here yesterday. I am still not familiar with this place. And... do I look like a tour guide to you?"

"Sungit talaga," he mumbled under his breath. "Sorry. My bad." Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. At tsaka tiningnan ako mula ulo hanggang paa. "Then I'll just have to find that store by myself then."

He pouted like a baby. Tumalikod siya sa akin para hanapin na muli iyong store na sinasabi niya. Kinamot niya ang kanyang ulo. Umirap naman ako.

What's the use of having his phone with him if he's not using it properly? This is why technology is very in demand these days! It gives you the answer to your questions in less than a minute! Hindi katulad ng ginagawa niya. He's asking everyone around him about the store. And not everyone is familiar with that!

Baka kung ipagpapatuloy niya itong ginagawa niya baka abutin na siya hanggang bukas.

"Hey," I called. He turns to me quickly. He raised his brows at me.

"Give me your phone," I instructed him. Kumunot naman ang noo niya sa inutos ko. I sighed heavily at tsaka naglakad patungo sakanya.

"You have your phone for a reason, Benjamin." Tiningnan ko siya at tsaka inilapit ang aking palad sakanya.

"You know pick-pocketing is very common in this country. Are you one of those people who does that?"

Umirap ako. "Oh. Please. Don't get me started. Just give me your phone."

Sa huli ay wala siyang nagawa kaya ay binigay niya sa akin ang cellphone niya. Mas lalo atang sumakit iyong ulo ko sakanya nang makita kong nakadownload pa ang app na google maps sa cellphone niya!

So what is this app for on his phone huh? A freaking display!?

I look at him like he's so unbelievable. Tinaasan niya akong muli ng kilay. Umiling ako at pinagpatuloy nalang ang ginagawa. I typed the store that he mentioned and the app immediately gave me the direction. I handed him back his phone.

"This is what google maps is for, okay?"

Kinuha niya sa akin ang kanyang telepono at tsaka tiningnan iyong ginawa ko. He returns his gaze at me at tsaka ako nginisian.

"Nice. Thanks, princess."

I sighed heavily. And he's still not over with that princess thing even after three years of not seeing and talking to each other!