"As much as I wanted to stay, I still have studies to finish in the Philippines."

I scratched my head when my sister maintained her grip on my belongings. She looks like she wanted to cry and I can't help but chuckle. I let out a laugh when she glared at me.

"Ilang linggo ka lang dito tapos aalis ka na agad." Napangiti ako nang punasan nito ang gilid ng mata niya, nagpapanggap na umiiyak.

"I will pay a visit soon. Maybe after this school year." Sinabi ko na ang bagay na pwede kong sabihin para lang paalisin niya na ako. Baka ma-late pa ako sa flight ko.

"Hon, he'll visit you soon. Don't be sad. He'll be late in his flight." Thankfully, I have here her boyfriend.

"Sure? I'll wait for that. Dito ka na lang tumira next year." I chuckled when she made a sad face. She pinched me again which made me flinch. Mapanakit talaga. I shook my head at the thought.

"Yeah, yeah. So, I'm going now." I smiled at her. Tinanguan ko lang si Aeron para magpaalam.

"You sure you can go to the airport alone, bro? I can accompany you."

"No thanks. I can handle myself. Thank you for letting me stay here and take care of my sister. I gotta go."

I carried my bag to the elevator. Hanggang sa pinto lang ako ng unit nagpahatid kay ate. I saw her will to follow me but she stopped herself. Of course, she's a sister. Madalang lang kaming magkasamang magkakapatid and I understand her for being this clingy.

When I reached the ground floor, I immediately look for taxi. Thankfully, hindi ako nagkakaroon ng problema sa paghahanap ng masasakyan. Even the first day of staying here.

"EW8, Paya Lebar station," I told the driver.

'Yon kasi ang pinakamalapit na MRT Station mula sa lugar ko. I just wore earphones to let the driver know I was not entertaining conversation. That's the politest way to show that you're not into talking.

Hindi pa man ako nakakalabas ng bansa, parang gusto ko na ulit bumalik. Ganito siguro talaga ang pakiramdam kapag nakapunta ka sa pangarap mong lugar. You will always feel that feeling that you don't want to go back to your original place.

Tumingin na lang ako sa labas habang nasa biyahe. The buildings, the gardens, the trees, plants, cars, the people - I will miss this place. I will surely go back here once I am done with my business in the Philippines.

Hindi ko na alam kung gaano katagal ang biyahe. Basta pagmulat ko ng mata ko, naririnig ko na ang tunog ng train kasabay ng pagtigil ng sasakyan. Tinulungan lang ako ng driver na ibaba ang mga gamit ko bago ito umalis.

"Ah, I'm sorry."

Agad akong humingi ng tawad sa lalaking nakabangga ko. He's on his phone that's why he didn't even glance at me. He just continues walking as if nothing happened. I shook my head. Hindi ko na lang pinansin 'yon at naghintay na lang sa pagdating ng train na sasakyan ko papuntang airport.

Nang dumating ang tren, nakipagsiksikan ako para makaunang makasakay. Wala akong panahon para maging maginoo ngayon. I have to be early so that I won't be late in my flight.

Ilang sandali lang ay umalis na rin ang tren. Hindi ko na inabala ang sarili ko na makipag-usap sa ibang tao na nasa loob ng tren. We were just silent. Some are talking but in a minimized voice, almost a whisper. Some busied themselves with their phone and I am one of them.

Nakakangalay tumayo, honestly speaking. Marami akong nakikitang nakaupo at mas lalo lang akong nangangalay kapag nakikita kung gaano sila ka-komportable. Napabuntong hininga ako't napatingin sa relo ko. Gabi ang flight ko at magdidilim pa lang.

I watched how the sun goes down beyond the horizon. I watched how the darkness conquered everything. I watched how the city lit up. I watched how the cold breeze of the wind sent shivers to the trees. I watched them all until we reached Changi Airport.

"Good evening, passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 89B to the Philippines. We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes time. Thank you."

Luckily, I made it on time. Nakita ko ang pag-usad ng mga tao na kapareho ko ng destination kaya nakilinya na rin ako. I took out my boarding pass for me to have less hassle when they came to check it.

"Your boarding pass and ID, please..."

I looked for my seat when I entered the airplane. The attendant guided me to my seat but her stares made me uncomfortable. I diverted my gaze on her and pretended that I was doing something under my seat.

"Do you need any help, sir?"

"Ah, no." I declined her offer. Her voice is flirty and I hate it. She smiled at me before bowing her head and leaving me peacefully. Napahinga ako nang maluwag.

Ilang minuto lang din ay naramdaman ko na ang pag-andar ng eroplano. I even smiled when I felt the tickling sensation of the takeoff. Hindi ko alam but anytime I am in the airplane, I love to feel that sensation.

The whole time, I busied myself with the phone. Nasabi ko na rin sa mga kaibigan ko na ngayon ang uwi ko sa Pilipinas and of course, Kyla being Kyla, she's super excited.

Gusto ko sana silang uwian ng Chicken Rice which is really popular in the Singapore. Ilang beses ko siyang kinain sa mga kainan sa Orchard Road. Parang gusto ko tuloy aralin ang recipe at magluto ng sarili. I mockingly laughed at myself.

How can I if I can't even fry eggs properly?

I slept when I felt bored. Wala rin naman akong makikita kung titingin ako sa labas. The sound of the airplane commends the peaceful ambiance of the night sky. Pakiramdam ko, nakaka-relax ang lahat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Cathay Pacific Flight welcomes you to Manila. The local time is 9:30 in the evening. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened and keep the aisles 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."

I opened my eyes and the same atmosphere welcomed me. Inayos ko ang sarili habang hinihintay ang sign na pwede nang tanggalin ang seat belt.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have not yet reached the gate. Please remain seated until the Captain turns off the "Fasten Seat Belt" sign. Thank you."

I checked my belongings so I wouldn't lose something once I left the plane.

Ilang sandali pa ay nag-announce na ang pilot na nakalapag na kami. The attendants assisted us to the airplane door. It was a relief na ibang FA ang nakasabay ko't hindi ang babae kanina.

"CALLAN! OMG!"

I wandered my eyes around the port just to see Kyla running in my direction. She's wearing a brown cotton jacket with her pink ear-bunny headband. Carleen is behind her, with her welcoming smile.

"Wow, amoy sirenang-leon." She sniffed me. Napatawa naman ako nang mahina sa pinaggagawa niya. "Wala akong pasalubong? Char. Syempre meron, duh."

"Kumusta ang Singapore, Callan?" Carleen went to pat my shoulder.

"It's fine." I nod at them. "Kanina pa ba kayo naghihintay?"

"Hindi ah." Tumingin si Carleen sa kaniyang likuran. "Siya ang kanina pa naghihintay."

I looked at where Carleen pointed. My smile faded when I saw him approaching. He looks good with his maroon t-shirt and maong jeans. His hair is a little bit messy but he's still looking good with those. Nakalagay sa loob ng bulsa niya ang kanyang mga kamay habang naglalakad palapit sa 'kin.

"Pagdating namin, nand'yan na siya."

Our eyes met and I don't know if I was just imagining things when I saw how his eyes glistened. A smirk plastered on his lips when he saw me. I faced him to acknowledge his presence.

"It's been weeks. Almost a month," I greeted him.

"Yeah, been weeks." He looked at my luggage before staring back at my face. His smirk turned into a genuine smile which sent a thousand butterflies within me. "Hope you enjoy the stay."

"Of course."

Silence. There is nothing I can hear but my loud thoughts and my heartbeat while we we're staring at each other's eyes. 

"Wo xiangnian ni."