Song: Anyone- Justin Bieber

Ticket

Mas humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa maleta ko habang nakatingala kay Archer. The ghost smile on his lips didn't leave his face as he continue to stare at me in amusement.

My eyes lingered over to his crew who are all looking at us now. Some of them even have this curious look on their faces, lalo na iyong dalawang flight attendants na sa gilid niya.

Napansin rin siguro ni Archer na nakatingin ako sa mga kasama niya kaya niya nilingon ang mga ito.

"You may go ahead now. Sunod nalang ako." aniya.

Tumango ang co-pilot niya at inaya na ang mga kasamang flight attendants na mag-tungo na sa service nila. When his crew are completely out of our sight now, Archer looks at me again. He smirked.

"So, what are you doing here?" He asks.

"Uh... I'm here for a vacation." I answered and smiled a little.

Nang humakbang siya, sumunod naman ako. I struggled a bit because I have another bag on top of my luggage and it almost fell. Hindi na ako kumuha pa ng airport cart since kaya ko naman itong hilahin nalang. Pero sa gulat ko atang may nakitang kakilala dito ay biglang akong 'di magkanda-ugaga. Aayusin ko na sana iyon pabalik sa ibabaw ng maleta ko nang kunin naman ni Archer sa akin iyon.

"Let me help you with that."

Bumuka ang bibig ko at gulat na pinanood siyang isukbit ang bag ko sa balikat niya. Napakurap ako pero sa huli, wala rin akong nagawa pa.

"Oh! Thanks..."

Sabay kaming nag-lakad patungo sa arrival area.

"So, you're here for a vacation huh? Wala kang trabaho?"

"Well, we've been given a 2-week break so I decided to travel since I also want to unwind for a while. Internship has been a lot more stressful these days."

The side of Archer's lips rose. "How long are you going to stay here?"

"A week."

"Alone?!" tanong niya, medyo gulat pa. Humarap siya sa akin nang medyo namimilog ang mga mata.

I scoffed. "Of course not. I have a cousin who resides here with her husband. Siya ang makakasama ko habang nandito ako. How about you? Matagal ang lay-over niyo dito?"

"Yeah, for about 4 days. What are your plans during this trip though?"

Nilingon ko siya at tinaasan ng kilay. May mapaglarong ngisi ang gumuhit sa aking labi.

"Bakit sasamahan mo ko?" mapang-asar kong tanong.

"Gusto mo?" ganti naman niya.

Napangiti at natawa ako sa sinabi niya. Gano'n rin ang naging reaksyon niya.

"I'm also planning to visit my mother since I'm already here in Europe. Siguro mga 1-week rin ako dito sa Europe. Germany is just near though."

"Ah... send my regards to your Mom even if she doesn't know me. I hope she's fine."

"Well... she is." he said, slightly unsure.

Bahagyang kumunot ko. Sa huli ipinasawalang bahala ko nalang iyon. We are nearing the arrival area now so I took this chance to ask him about his sister's condition.

"Oh, and by the way... I heard you were at the hospital the other day. Treatment cycle ulit si Aya? How is she?"

"Yes, she has and I accompanied her together with her mother. She's doing great. They changed the dose of her drug because the previous ones didn't work on her."

My eyes widened a bit. Well, I didn't know about that! I could've gone through her charts but she's not my patient anymore and I'm no longer in their department. But Archer told me he's going to update me about it.

However, it's been months since he last updated me about Aya! Tingnan mo nga naman ang isang 'to. Scam!

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked and frowned a bit.

Agad siyang napaiwas ng tingin. He scratches the back of his head as he thinks of an excuse.

"You seem busy. I didn't want to disturb you."

Bumagsak ang balikat ko. Hindi naman siya nag-kakamali doon. Dahil siguro kaunting buwan nalang bago matapos ang internship namin, kaya masyadong naging toxic ang bawat rounds namin.

"Well, you're right. But I'll make it up to your sister though once I cleared up my schedule. Please tell her that."

Ngumisi siya at tumango. "Sure."

"Make sure to update me as well, okay? You didn't update me for the past months, you know. What's up with you?"

"Okay, Ma'am. This time I'll update you again. Baka magalit ka pa, e."

Pairap kong iniwas ang tingin sa kanya sabay bahagyang tumawa.

Nang makarating kami sa arrival area, agad kong nakita si Ate Stella na kasama ang asawa niya. Mukhang natanaw niya na rin ako kaya masaya siyang kumaway sa akin.

Napansin kong may hawak pa siyang print-out ng pangalan ko. Hindi ko maiwasang matawa sa nakita. Akala mo balikbayan, e.

"So... uh, dito na ko. Andyan na 'yung susundo sa akin. Ikaw saan ka?" sabi ko nang hinarap kong muli si Archer.

"Well, I'll probably just stay inside the hotel for now and rest. Do you need your bag now? But I can help you bring it over towards your cousin."

I smiled. "Hindi na. Okay lang. Salamat, Archer."

Tumango siya at ipinatong nang muli ang isa pang bag na dala ko sa ibabaw ng maleta ko. Umayos siya ng tayo. He inserted his free hand inside his pocket.

"Sige, dito nalang ako. See you around though!" sabi ko at humakbang na. Tumigil lang muli nang may nakalimutang sabihin. "Oh! And please keep in touch!"

Hindi naman nakatakas sa mga mata ko ang namuong ngisi sa kanyang labi nang dahil sa sinabi ko.

"Okay, Felicity..."

Iyon na ang huli niyang sinabi bago ako tuluyang nag-paalam sa kanya. I waved at him and he did the same. Pagkatapos naman noon ay dumiretso na ako sa kanila Ate Stella.

"Fely!" masaya niyang salubong.

Agad siyang yumakap sa akin nang magkalapit kami. Iyong asawa niya naman, agad na kinuha ang maleta ko para tulungan ako.

"Ah, thank you po." sabi ko sabay bati sa kanya.

Bumalik naman ako kay Ate Stella na siyang sinalubong ako ng mahigpit na yakap. Ang hawak niyang print-out na may pangalan ko ay nagusot na dahil sa excitement niya.

"It's been a long time! Mabuti at dito mo naisipan mag-bakasyon 'no? I missed you!"

"Oo nga, Ate, e. Balita ko ang lalaki na ng mga anak mo ah? Gising pa ba sila?"

"Pagdating natin sa bahay? 'Di ko lang sigurado. Pero malay natin! Sinabi ko kasi na may bisita kaya baka maexcite ang mga 'yun! It's their first time to see you kaya siguro matutuwa ang mga 'yon."

Ngumiti ako. It's good to be surrounded by kids again. Simula nang mag-umpisa ang internship, hindi na ako masyadong nagagawi sa bahay nila Ate Margaux upang i-baby sit si George.

And I also feel like she's pregnant with their second baby now so maybe I'll come by again once she gave birth. Kahit wala pa siyang sinasabi sa amin, may pakiramdam na talaga ako na buntis siya.

I remember telling her to take a pregnancy test since she's been feeling light headed lately. Sensitive din ang pang-amoy sa tuwing nakikikain ako sa opisina niya. But she only laughed about it nervously and refused to do my advice.

Panay ang tanong ni Ate Stella sa akin habang patungo kami sa sasakyan nila sa parking. Mukhang miss na miss na niyang bumalik ng Pilipinas.

"E, si Dom? Balita ko asawa no'n sikat na modelo ha?"

"Oo, Ate. Si Serena de Chavez. Classmate ko siya actually noong Senior High. Nagulat na nga lang ako kilala siya ni Kuya. Akalain mong makakabingwit ng gano'n si Kuya Dom! Ginayuma ata." biro ko.

Humalakhak si Ate Stella at pabiro akong binunggo. Tinuro niya sa akin kung saan nakaparada ang sasakyan nila kaya doon kami dumiretso.

"Loka ka talaga! E, si Gio? Dalawa na anak?"

I nod my head. "Nauna pang makabuo ng pangalawa kaysa kay Ate Margaux."

Ate Stella smiled. "Nakakamiss naman umuwi ng Pinas. Kung kaya lang siguro namin maiwan ang trabaho, talagang uuwi kami doon."

Ate Stella and I talked non-stop during our whole trip going back to their house. Si Kuya Mark kahit abala sa pagmamaneho, nakikisali rin paminsan-minsan.

It's obvious that Ate Stella missed the Philippines so much. Mahirap din kaya kapag nawawalay sa pamilya.

Kagaya ngayon... wala pa akong isang araw dito sa Vienna, tinatawagan ko na agad sila Mommy.

I feel a bit anxious because it's my first time travelling alone. Kung wala siguro si Ate Stella, baka ngumangawa na ako sa kanila Mommy ngayon. Mabuti at gising pa sila. Mukhang hinintay talaga nila na makatawag ako ah?

"Fely! Did you just land?" salubong ni Mommy matapos sagutin ang tawag ko.

"No, Mom. I landed a few hours ago already. I'm here at Ate Stella's house now. Na-meet ko na rin ang mga anak niya. Ang kukulit!"

My mother chuckled on the other line.

"Baka natuwa dahil ngayon nalang may bumisita sa kanila," she paused for a while. May kung ano siyang tiningala. Mamaya maya pa ay nakita kong bumungad na si Daddy sa camera. "O siya... ang daddy mo."

Ngumisi ako at napairap. Hay nako, Daddy! Baka mang-intriga na naman siya ah?

"Kumusta? Ayos ka lang ba diyan?"

"Opo. Medyo napagod lang sa byahe pero okay naman po. Kayo diyan? Sabi po ni Kuya Gio, bibisita sila ah? Nandiyan parin po ba sila?"

"Ah, oo. Dito natulog dahil gusto ng mga bata. Mabuti at napatawag ka. Saan naman ang tungo mo bukas?"

"Uh, 'di ko pa alam, Dad. Mag-search palang ako ng pwedeng puntahan."

Tumango siya. At dahil nga istrikto siya sa amin, ilang paalala din ang binigay niya sa akin.

"'Wag kang mag-lalasing diyan at walang maghahatid sa'yo pauwi kapag nangyari 'yon. Nakakahiya sa kanila Stella at Mark."

Napangisi akong muli. Actually, Dad... nandito nga din 'yung nag-hatid sa akin nung huli kong beses na nalasing, e. Who would've thought, right? Out of all the pilots we have in the Philippines, talagang si Archer pa ang natapat sa flight ko!

"Luh! Dad, 'di naman po 'yon ang pinunta ko dito. At tsaka, alam ko na po... 'di na po mauulit 'yon."

"As you should, Felicity," he said seriously. "O siya... you look exhausted. I'll hang up now so you can take a rest. Enjoy your stay. Don't forget to update us all the time, okay?"

Ngumiti ako at kumaway sa camera.

"Bye, Dad! Sleep now, okay? Love you!"

Tango lang ang iginawad niya bago niya ibaba ang tawag.

Pagkatapos kong mag-ayos ng gamit ay naligo muna ako saglit. I wore my silk PJ's after I finished and immediately dunked down on the bed comfortably.

I'm staying at Ate Stella's guest bedroom. It's quite spacious though at may sarili ring banyo. Mabuti at sa tinagal na nila dito, nakapag-pundar rin sila ng ganito kaganda at kalaking bahay.

After I talked to my family, si Carmela naman ang kinausap ko. She told me she can't answer the phone since she's partying with our co-interns.

Hanep din talaga! Akala ko ba mag-aaral sila buong 2-week break namin? Bakit may party?

Kaya naman sa halip na tumawag, nag-chat nalang kami.

Carmela Ann Patricio:

Kumusta flight?

Felicity Marie Jane Donovan:

Okay naman. It was exhausting but it was worth it. Ang ganda dito! Nakakagulat nga rin dahil saktong si Archer pa ang naging piloto nung flight ko.

Carmela Ann Patricio:

HA?!

SI ARCHER?

BAKIT SIYA?

I MEAN TALAGA BA?

Bahagya akong natawa sa mga sunod-sunod niyang mensahe. Halatang gulat na gulat sa nalaman.

Felicity Marie Jane Donovan:

Oo, siya. Bakit? Bawal ba? Nagulat nga rin ako habang may announcement, e. And I bumped into him at the airport.

Carmela Ann Patricio:

Really?! Oh my god! That is so meant to be! I'm so happy! My ship is sailing!

I smiled as I type my reply.

Felicity Marie Jane Donovan:

Baliw.

Carmela Ann Patricio:

Anong baliw? Isipin mo ha... sa dinami-rami ng pupwede mong makabangga diyan, siya pa talaga! Tapos sakto pang siya ang pilot ng flight mo. 'Di ba tadhana na 'yun?

Felicity Marie Jane Donovan:

Nasaktohan lang, Carms. Akala mo naman...

Carmela Ann Patricio:

Ah, sige! Deny pa! Dami niyo nang instances na nasa iisang lugar kayo na hindi niyo alam. Kung sa ospital kayo madalas mag-kita, gets ko pa. Pero sa labas? That is something else, Felicity!

I read her message and thought about what Kuya Dominic told me months ago during our video call.

Kung para talaga kayo sa isa't isa, hahanap at hahanap ng paraan ang tadhana na pag-tagpuin kayong muli.

I immediately shudder when I realized what I was thinking. I made a face and shake my head.

Not me thinking Archer and I are meant to be! Gosh!

I admit that Archer is a very good-looking guy. If only I wasn't so in love with the idea of Lucas, I would have considered Archer as one of the guys I would definitely swoon over.

He's kind and a gentleman. He's family-oriented. He cares so much for his sister. He's also responsible and hard-working. He can be funny at times. He's respectful. And... he's very understanding, too.

Oh my god! I probably already noticed a lot of things about him to be talking about him like this! Ni hindi ko nga namamalayan sa sarili ko na napapansin ko na pala ang mga bagay na iyon. Ngayon lang! Kung hindi ko pa inisip!

But... the hell, Felicity?! What are you even talking about?!

Umiling akong muli at nag-tipa nalang ng mensahe kay Carmela.

Felicity Marie Jane Donovan:

Gabi na dito. Matutulog na ko, Carms. Napagod ako sa byahe. Umuwi ka na rin at late na! Talk to you tomorrow!

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga at binagsak ang telepono sa gilid ko. I stared at the ceiling and instead of drifting off to sleep, here I am, thinking about what Carmela just said.

What if Archer and I are really... wait no! Why am I thinking about that kind of thing? Sa sobrang pagod ata, kung ano-ano na ang iniisip ko. I'm going insane!

Umikot ako sa kama at pumikit. Sinubukan kong matulog na pero ni hindi man lang ako dinalaw ng antok. I sighed heavily and turned to the other side.

Saktong pag-palit ko naman ng pwesto ay napansin kong umilaw ang telepono ko. Umangat ako ng kaunti upang tingnan kung ano ang notification na iyon.

My eyes widened when I saw Archer's name popped out of the screen.

This is so weird... I was just thinking of non-sensical things about him and now... he left me a message?

I scoff sarcastically when I felt my heart beating faster. Hinawakan ko pa ang dibdib ko para lang siguraduhin na mabilis nga ang tibok no'n.

Ugh! This doesn't even make sense.

I shrug that thing off and decided to read his message.

Archer Emmanuel Olivarez:

I forgot to tell you while ago but have a nice stay in Vienna, Felicity. Good night.

Napanguso ako habang binabasa ang mensahe niya. To be honest, the more I read his message the more my heart beats faster. This is so annoying. I don't even know why I'm suddenly acting like this.

I tried to shudder off the idea again and ended up replying to his message.

Felicity Marie Jane Donovan:

You already told that in the plane. But I will. Thanks, Archer. Have a nice stay as well!

Agad rin naman siyang nag-reply.

Archer Emmanuel Olivarez:

You were at my flight?

Felicity Marie Jane Donovan:

Yes.

Archer Emmanuel Olivarez:

How was the flight though? Did you feel comfortable?

Ngumisi ako habang nag-titipa ng mensahe.

Felicity Marie Jane Donovan:

Puro turbulence naman.

Talagang nang-asar pa nga! Umangat ang kilay ko nang makitang typing na siya agad.

Archer Emmanuel Olivarez:

What? I only encountered one and it wasn't that serious. What are you talking about? Talaga bang nasa flight kita? O... inaasar mo lang ako?

I chuckled when he eventually realized that I was just teasing him.

Felicity Marie Jane Donovan:

I'm just kidding. It was smooth, I guess? I still felt comfortable sleeping. And I'm also too engrossed with what I'm watching so I probably didn't notice anything serious.

Archer Emmanuel Olivarez:

Well, I'm glad to hear that. Where are you headed tomorrow? Got any plans?

Felicity Marie Jane Donovan:

Bakit aayain mo ako?

I chuckled again. Not me trying to flirt with him! Damn you, Felicity! Pagod ka na nga at kung ano-ano na ang ginagawa mo!

Archer Emmanuel Olivarez:

Bakit gusto mo bang kasama ako?

And not him trying flirt back! What the actual hell!

Felicity Marie Jane Donovan:

Baka ikaw. Ikaw nag-tatanong, e.

Archer Emmanuel Olivarez:

Oo, gusto kitang kasama.

Agad-agad na namilog ang mga mata ko. Napaahon pa ako sa kama nang dahil sa gulat at napasinghap. I held my mouth in surprise. I felt my cheeks flushing and my heart beating even faster because of that. I'm suddenly becoming tachycardic because of that one simple message!

Sinubukan kong kumalma habang nag-titipa ng mensahe. Ang dami kong sinubukan na sabihin sa totoo lang. Panay ako type pero agad ko rin namang binubura.

I don't even know what to say! Hindi ko naman inexpect na biglang ganoon ang sagot niya!

But was he serious about that though? Paano kung nang-aasar lang din pala siya?

'Yan, Felicity... hilig mong umasa talaga!

I took a deep breath and tried to type a reply.

Felicity Marie Jane Donovan:

Malas mo. May lakad kami ng pinsan ko bukas, e. But let's just see each other around nalang. Vienna's not too big for us to not bump with each other. I'm going to sleep now. Good night!

And then there was me... who suddenly ended the conversation because I seriously don't know what to reply anymore!

Sinabi kong may lakad kami ni Ate Stella bukas kahit wala pa naman talaga kaming napapagplanuhan! Ayan tuloy parang required ko na siyang pilitin na i-tour na niya ako dito sa Vienna.

Hindi ko rin ba maintindihan sarili ko. Ako 'tong unang nang-asar tapos ako din itong unang susuko. Ano kaya 'yun?

Sa halip na isipin pa ulit ang nangyari ay sinikap ko nalang matulog. Jine-jet lag ata ako pero sinubukan ko paring antukin para naman mawala na ang bagay na iyon sa isip ko. Wala rin namang mangyayari kung patuloy ko pang iisipin kaya itutulog ko nalang.

I woke up late the next day. Hindi naman ako inistorbo nila Ate Stella dahil siguro alam rin nilang pagod ako sa byahe kahapon.

Medyo nasayangan nga ako sa oras, e. Kung nagising lang sana ako ng maaga, marami na sana kaming napuntahan ngayon. But it's fine though. We can still go out at night.

Pagkatapos mag-hilamos ay kinuha ko ang salamin ko at sinuot ito. I don't usually wear this all the time. I only wear it whenever I feel like my eyes are too tired. Sinikop ko naman ang buhok ko at itinali ito.

"Good afternoon, Fel! How was your sleep? Did you feel comfortable?" salubong ni Ate Stella.

Nakaharap siya sa kanyang laptop ngayon pero dahil agaw pansin ang pag-baba ko sa hagdan, agad niya akong natanaw.

Ngumiti ako at tumango.

"I had trouble sleeping last night but it's okay."

Saglit niya namang tinabi ang kanyang laptop upang tumayo. I think she's working, based on the many documents that's opened in her laptop. Lumapit siya sa akin at giniya ako papuntang dining nila.

"Wala dito ang mga bata at namasyal. I told them that we'll also go out tonight pero nagpupumilit na mag-punta sa park. Pinagbigyan na namin," she chuckled a bit. "Kain ka na."

Nginitian ko siyang muli at naupo na sa harap ng lamesa. Habang nag-sasalin siya ng tubig para sa akin, nag-tanong naman siya kung ano ang plano ko ngayong bakasyon ko.

"I searched some places before I went here. Unang-una talaga sa bucketlist ko iyong Vienna State Opera at mga museums."

Sumilay ang ngiti sa labi ni Ate Stella nang dahil sa sinabi ko. Naupo naman siya sa katabing upuan at humilig sa lamesa.

"That's good. I plan on buying the both of us a box ticket at the opera house for tomorrow. Buti at nasabi mong gusto mong mag-punta doon. Sige, mamaya kuha agad ako. We'll try to go tomorrow night. Sana hindi ako busy para matuloy."

Tumango ako. Sinabi ko naman sa kanya na pupwede kaming mag-punta nalang sa Leopoldstadt ngayon dahil mukhang maganda din doon kapag gabi at marami ring cafés at restaurants. Iyon nalang rin naman ang maaari naming maging lakad ngayong araw dahil late na rin akong nagising.

Nakabalik na ang mga bata ilang oras pagkatapos kong magising. Nakipaglaro muna ako sa kanila bago ako tuluyang pumanik pabalik sa kwarto upang makapag-ayos na.

After I took a bath, I started to decide what I'm going to wear tonight. I ended up wearing an oversized knit sweater and a pleated white skirt. I partnered my outfit with my Chanel slingback flats.

I tied my hair in a low ponytail and fixed my bangs. I applied a natural lip color and sprayed my favorite perfume all over my body.

Tapos na rin naman gumayak ang mga kasama ko nang matapos ako kaya agad rin kaming umalis. Kahit nasa loob lang ng sasakyan ay hindi ko parin maiwasang mamangha sa nakikita ko.

I can't wait to tour around tomorrow. I'm pretty sure it will be even more breathtaking.

Ate Stella and her family brought me to a restaurant they usually dine in. Sila na rin ang pinapili ko para sa akin since mas may alam sila kung ano ang masarap.

I didn't regret what I ate though. The food just quickly melts into my mouth. Baka naman pag-alis ko dito, hanap-hanapin ko ang Viennese food. Makabili na nga ng maraming Vienna sausage pag-uwi.

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay nilibot naman nila ako sa Leopoldstadt. Mabuti nalang at dala ko ang camera kaya nakapag-picture ako.

Nang mapagod ang mga bata ay napagdesisyonan na naming bumalik. Saglit lang ang naging pag-iikot namin kaya naman kinabukasan ay sinigurado kong maaga akong magigising.

Ate Stella told me that she already got us a ticket so while preparing for my tour today, I decided to dress up a bit.

Ate Brittany and Kuya Kiel got this for me during Christmas but I didn't get a chance to wear it anywhere since I'm at the hospital most of the time and it's not really a place to dress up.

Kaya ngayong nasa bakasyon ako, masaya ako at nadala ko iyon. It's a tale blue Alice McCall two-piece suit. It comes with a crop top of the same color and a blazer and a skirt. I partnered it with a black sock boots.

I then curled my hair after and put a beret on. I grabbed my sling bag and went out of the room. Ate Stella smiled once she saw me going down the stairs. I smiled back at her.

"You look so pretty, Felicity!" She complimented.

"You, too, Ate!"

She's wearing a white long dress with a lantern sleeve. She put her hair up in a bun and added a natural make-up on. She looks heavenly—just like a princess who is on her way to her castle.

Ate Stella and I took the public transport so we could have more time to explore. The first place we went to was The Hofburg Palace and Museum.

"Wow! This place is so nice!" I couldn't help but comment as we went inside.

Ngumiti si Ate Stella at nag-simula nang kumuha ng litrato. Tumingin ako sa kanya.

"You look like you live in this palace, Ate!"

She giggled and thanked me for my compliment. There are also lots of people here but thankfully we still managed to tour around peacefully inside.

The next places that we went to were some history arts and museum and some breathtaking streets here in Vienna. I feel like I'm on fairytale really. The architectures here are so nice and classy. Pakiramdam ko nasa sinaunang panahon ako dahil sa estilo ng mga arkitektura dito.

Our last agenda for today is to watch an opera show at the Vienna State Opera. Nasa akin na ang ticket dahil binigay ito ni Ate Stella kasama ang kanya.

We were at the St. Stephen's Cathedral when Ate Stella decided to take a call. Kanina pa nag-riring ang phone niya pero binabalewala niya iyon dahil abala siya sa pag-tour sa akin.

Ngunit dahil nainis na ata siya, sandali siyang umalis sa tabi ko para sagutin ang tawag na iyon. I stayed in front of the cathedral and took a picture of the place.

According to Ate Stella the Vienna State Opera is just a walking distance from here. Bago sana kami mag-punta doon ay kakain na kami ng dinner.

"Was? Warum gibt es ein Problem? Ich habe dafür gesorgt, dass ich das Richtige getan habe, bevor ich mir einen Tag frei genommen habe! Worüber redest du?" it was Ate Stella.

Bahagyang tumataas na ang boses niya dahil sa kausap niya sa kabilang linya. Napanguso ako nang makita ko siyang hinihilot ang kanyang sentido. She looks so stressed out. I wonder what happened.

"Okay, okay... beruhige dich. Ich bin gleich da." Iyon ang huli niyang sinabi bago pinatay ang linya.

Ate Stella immediately gave me an apologetic smile when she went back to me. Nagtataka ko siyang tinaasan ng kilay.

"I'm really sorry, Fel. But I have to go. There's been a problem at work and I need to be there as soon as possible to solve it."

My mouth parted. Woah! I wasn't expecting this to happen at all!

"But I-"

"'Di bale ipapasundo kita sa Kuya Mark mo para hindi ka mamoblema pauwi. There are a lot of shops around and you can just go there for the mean time. Sorry talaga, Fel. Sobrang importante lang... babawi ako."

"Pero 'yung..." hindi ko pa natatapos ang sasabihin ko ay umalis na siya sa harap ko. "...ticket."

Kasabay naman noon ay bumagsak ang balikat ko. So, what am I supposed to do now? Watch the freaking show on my own? Sayang iyong ticket niya!

Mukhang 'di lang si Ate Stella ang stressed. Mukhang ako na rin!

I tried to think of ways not to let the other ticket go to waste. Mahal iyon at masasayang lang kung hindi magagamit. I can't ask a stranger to join me because God knows what they might do to me when we're left alone in the box that we reserved.

So, to solve my problem... I decided to call the person I know who is on the same city as me.

Once I connected my phone on the free Wi-Fi, I immediately typed his name and called him. I just hope that he's online so he can answer my call.

I have no choice and he's the only person I know who can join me! Hindi pupwedeng mag-aya nalang ako ng kung sino o kaya sayangin iyong ticket!

"Yes, Felicity Marie Jane Donovan? What can I do for you?" he said after he answered my call.

Bahagya pa akong nagulat nang sagutin niya ang tawag ko matapos ang ilang ring.

"Are you free today?" I asked immediately.

"Why? Is there any problem?"

"Oh, no, no! Everything's good. But I'm just wondering since I have an extra ticket to this show and my cousin couldn't make it since she has an emergency at work. I wonder if you... could join me? I mean, it's okay if you can't. I will understand. And you're the only person I know who's in Vienna, too, so I thought of asking you because why not-"

"Woah, woah, woah," he chuckled. "Calm down, Felicity. It's fine with me. Where are you? Puntahan kita."

My eyes widened a little. I wasn't expecting him to agree so quickly!

At talaga nga namang siya pa ang unang pumasok sa isip ko para ayain dito. I could've asked Kuya Mark para diretso uwi na kami pagkatapos pero hindi ko 'yon ginawa!

Baka kasi gusto mo rin kasama...

What?! No way!

"Are you alone now? You must be cold. Do you have a coat with you?"

Tsaka nalang bumalik sa tamang pag-iisip ang utak ko nang dahil sa tanong niyang iyon. Malamig ang panahon pero bakit naman nag-iinit ang pisngi ko!?

"U-Uh... oo. M-Meron naman. Pero wait... Okay lang talaga sa'yo? Hindi ba kayo nag-lilibot rin ng mga kasama mo?"

I bit my lower lip as I wait for him to talk. I felt bad that I suddenly have to cut his time off with his crew because I asked him to join me watch that show.

At tsaka... hindi ko rin alam kung gusto niya ba ng mga ganoong bagay. I should've just let the other ticket go to waste.

'Di mo ginawa kasi gusto mo ring kasama...

I groaned to myself because the voice in my head is becoming too annoying now. Kagabi pa 'to ah? What's up with this and why is this trying to mess with me?

"Yeah, my crew can tour on their own. They can survive without me. So, where are you?"

"Oh... uh... I'm in front of the St. Stephen's Cathedral. But I can wait for you at the plague column so we can easily see each other once you're near."

"Alright, I'm just nearby. I'll be right there."