Chapter 17: Chain of Events
"Sigurado ka bang kaya mo umalis? Alam mo ba na isang linggo kang hindi lumalabas ng kwarto mo?"
"Oo naman, Mommy. Malamang ako yung nasa loob ng kwarto kaya alam ko kung gaano ako katagal dun."
"Tapos bigla kitang makikitang lumabas na naka pang-airport tapos may dalang maleta?"
"Ma, Okay lang ako. Okay na okay na okay na ako, kaya ko lumipad papuntang Africa ngayon."
Lumabas na ako ng bahay dahil naghihintay na si Mang Pio sa sasakyan para ihatid ako sa airport. Hindi alam ng mga kasamahan ko na sasama pa rin ako and I hope they'll be shock by then. I only slept while on the way to the airport until Mang Pio tapped my shoulder and woke me up.
"Salamat po, Mag-iingat po kayo pauwi." Paalam ko kay Mang Pio.
Pumasok na ako ng airport para makapag check-in at dumiretso na sa waiting area.
"S-Serena? You're here?"
"Yeah! Syempre nandito ako noh alangan naman na multo ang nasa harapan niyo." I replied.
Si Samantha, Rico, at Paulo pala ang iba ko pang kasamahan sa misyon na ito. I saw Adam standing from their back and looked at him for a while but I didn't speak to him.
"Nag lunch na ba kayo? Let's have some bago tayo lumipad." Paulo suggested.
"Bakit libre mo ba?" Sagot ni Samantha.
"KKB, Sam."
"Sus, Lakas mo mag-aya pero di naman manlilibre."
"Tama na yan, Ako na bahala. Tara?" Sabat ko sa kanila.
"Bro? Lunch muna tayo." Pag-aaya ni Rico kay Adam.
Tumayo ito at sumama kay Rico at Paulo habang ako ay kasama ko si Samantha. Pumunta kami sa isang restaurant dito sa airport, dimsum ang pagkain dito kaya nagustuhan ko din agad.
"Isang siomai, spareribs, and iced tea please." I ordered.
Si Samantha ang katabi ko habang si Adam ay nasa tapat ko at katabi niya sina Rico at Paulo. Hindi kami nag-uusap simula kanina.
Niyaya ako ni Sam pumunta sa comfort room kaya sumunod din ako sa kanya.
"Ano bang problema niyo? Ano nangyari sayo? Bakit di ka nagparamdam ng apat na araw?"
Agarang tanong niya.
"Pagod lang talaga ko." Matabang na sagot ko sa kanya.
"Pagod? Saan? Kakaiyak?"
"Huy! Wag ka nga maingay. Okay lang ako."
"Nakita ko kasi yung picture ni Adam na kasama si blondinang epal." Kwento ko pa.
"Ayusin niyo na yan ah, Mahirap na wala kayong communication pag nasa misyon na tayo."
Bumalik na kami at pinipigilan kong umiyak sa harapan ni Samantha pero namumula na yung mata ko dahil dun.
"Are you okay, Serena? Bakit namamaga yung mata mo?" Tanong ni Paulo.
"Ahh, S-Sobra lang sa tulog kaya siguro maga. Okay lang ako."
I'm sure alam na nila yung issue between me and Adam. I received a text from him while I was eating so I read it.
Message from Adam:
I'm glad you're better, Let's talk? I want to fix this. Give me another chance.
Alright, I still can't look at him the way I did before. I was too hurt and too stupid to think that some men are different. But the rumors are not rumors, men can be easily deceived by coquettish women.
I finished my food then I started taking my medicines dahil ayaw kong atakihin sa loob ng eroplano.
Naglakad na kami pabalik ng waiting area dahil 10 minutes na lang ay magpapasok na sila. Nauna kami dahil first-to-board passengers kami.
"Diyan ka na, Tabi na kayo, Wag ka ng mag-inarte." Bulong ni Samatha sa akin.
Kinuha ko ang dala kong hand carry na backpack at ilalagay ko sana ito sa itaas pero may mas naunang kumuha nito sa akin.
"Ako na." Adam said.
"No, Kaya ko gawin 'to mag-isa."
Hindi na siya pumalag at hinayaan na niya akong ilagay ang backpack ko sa itaas na compartment.
Umupo ako sa tabi ng bintana at agad na sinuot ang seatbelt ko. Kinuha ko na rin ang phone ko pati na ang earphones. Sinuksok ko ito sa tainga ko. Huminga ako ng malalim at pinikit ang mga mata ko kasabay ng pag-akyat ng eroplano sa himpapawid.
"Ano ba yang pinapakinggan mo?" Tanong ni Adam habang kinuha ang isang earphone ko at iniligay sa tainga niya.
"Gago ka ba? Nananahimik ako dito eh!" Inis na sagot ko sa kanya.
"Hindi ako gago, Namimiss ko lang yung ingay mo nung unang beses na nagkasama tayo sa flight."
"Pwes, Masanay ka na ganto na ako. Pwede ba pabayaan mo muna ako mag-isa?" Pagsusungit ko.
Nanahimik ako at natulog muna dahil 16 hours ang biyahe papunta sa bansang pupuntahan namin. Nagkaroon ng stop-over sa iba't ibang bansa at siyudad kaya napagod na rin ako. I felt so fatigued during the whole time I was in the flight.
It was our last stop and we're in Ethiopia so we had 5 hours for our layover. It was sunrise when we arrived so I brought my phone out and took a picture of the rising sun. The feeling that I get whenever I wake up every morning is happiness and thankfulness because I have an another chance to live and breathe in the fresh air.
"You're good?" Adam asked me.
"Better, actually." I replied.
"I'm so—"
"Shut up. I heard that before so you don't have to say it to me once again. I'll forgive you when I finally see that you regret what you did."
"Okay, but i'm still your boyfriend. Remember that."
"Tssss, Asa ka pa"
Niyaya ko muna si Samantha mag-ikot sa airport dahil may duty free at souvenir shops dito. Syempre kung nasaan si Samantha nandun din sina Rico at Paulo pati na si Adam. Naalala ko tuloy nung may misyon kami sa Mexico, that was the first flight that I had with a man.
Dala dala ko ang maleta ko habang nag-iikot tapos nakasuot pa ang backpack ko sa likod ko.
"Ako na. Wag ka na magsalita dahil wala ka ng magagawa, alam ko pagod ka na. I'll carry your luggage." Adam took my luggage and carried it. I didn't resist because I was really exhausted.
Pumunta ako sa loob ng isang souvenir shop pero medyo mahal ang mga bilihin kaya key chain na lang ang nabili ko. Pumunta naman kami sa isang cafe para mag snacks at mag kape dahil madaling araw ngayon dito at bangag na bangag na ako.
"Hi! We'll get one Cafe Americano, Cafe Latte, Caramel Frappe." Samantha ordered for three of them.
"You go first." I said to Adam.
"Two Iced Caramel Macchiato." He ordered.
"Here, For you." Adam gave me the other drink.
"Thanks."
"So, Are we okay now?"
"Not yet." I replied.
We ate sandwiches and drank our drinks but we carried on so that we won't be late on our next flight.
"Ano? Okay na ba?" Tanong ni Sam nung binaywang niya ako.
"Di pa." I smirked.
We were waiting and waiting and waiting for our flight but someone sat beside me, It's Adam.
"What can I do to make you forgive me? It's been a week since we last talked." He asked.
"I just need time so give me time. Hindi ganun kadali makalimot, hindi ganun kadali gumaling ang mga sugat, at hindi ganun kadali magpatawad. Only time can heal the pain I have inside."
The attendant called our attention because they're now starting to board passengers. It's our last flight to Africa and I sat down again with Adam.
I was trying to hold my tears because I don't want anyone to see nor hear me crying, because I don't want people to think that i'm weak.
But I can't stop it, it was too painful for me. I was crying but I was quiet.
"I'm sorry that you'll have to go through all this, I'm sorry if I had to hurt you, I'm sorry if I cheated on you."
I thought he didn't hear me but I was wrong. He heard me crying and still I didn't reply back to him.
Tinulog ko na lang ang sakit na nararamdaman ko dahil ganun naman talaga siguro, minsan hindi na natin alam kung paano maiibsan ang sakit nararamdaman natin kaya itinutulog nalang natin.
"Serena? Huy! Tara na! Palapag na yung eroplano. Mamaya ka na uli matulog."
Nagulat ako dahil si Samantha na yung katabi ko. Narinig ko din mula sa kapitan ng eroplano na palapag na daw.
I straightened my seat and wore my seatbelt for safety. It was a long flight and finally it's over. Inantay ko ang bagaheng dala ko at kinuha ito mag-isa dahil kaya ko.
Dumiretso na ako sa mga van rentals para tignan ang pwede naming sakyan papunta sa hotel.
Pero natumba ako eh habang naglalakad. Sumisikip ang dibdib ko at parang may tumutusok sa puso ko. Ang sakit, not emotionally but really, masakit talaga.
"Serena!!! Ano nangyayari sayo?" Rico asked.
"Okay lang ako, Lampa lang" Itinawa ko na lang.
Sinubukan ko tumayo pero nalaglag muli ako.
"You know what? Let's just bring her to the clinic here in the hospital. Let's go." Samantha suggested.
"I'll carry her." Binuhat ako ni Adam papunta sa isang clinic sa airport.
Inihiga nila ako sa patient bed sa loob ng clinic. Tinignan nila ang blood pressure ko at pinakinggan ang heartbeat ko.
"The patient's heart rate was above normal that caused her to be lightheaded and fall down. But she'll be okay, she just have to take a rest. I think she was really exhausted and stressed." The doctor said to us.
"Okay na? Okay na ko. Let's go, punta na tayo sa hotel." Pagyaya ko sa kanila.
"Thank you, Doc." Paalam ko.
Bumili sila ng cold bottled water para sa akin at binigay ito habang naghihintay sa van rental namin.
"Kami na dito, Serena. Sam, pasok na kayo sa loob, kami na dito." Sabi ni Paulo.
Captain seat ang van na sinasakyan namin kaya mas kumportable ako dito. Para na akong lantang gulay dahil wala akong buhay kanina pa. Kanina pa masakit ang ulo ko baka talagang pagod lang ako sa biyahe kanina.
Tinulungan nila ako makababa ng van nung makarating na kami sa hotel na tutuluyan namin. Kasama ko si Samantha sa kwarto at ang mga boys ay magkakasama sa isang kwarto sa tapat namin.
"Okay ka na ba? Kain daw tayo late lunch after natin mag-ayos." Sabi ni Samantha.
"Yep, Okay na. Sure, ayusin ko lang gamit ko at maliligo ako dahil nanlalagkit na ako."
Kumukuha ako ng maisusuot nang may tumawag sa akin sa phone.
"Ate! Kamusta ka na po ba dyan?"
"Andrew? Hi! I'm okay here. Kayo?"
"Okay lang din po, Ate. I just called to check on you. I miss you! Ingat ka po dyan!"
"I missed you too."
I ended the call and started fixing my things. I bathed in cold running water. It was a bright and sunny day today in Johannesburg. I wore my yellow haltered knee-length dress and my white vans. I also wore my headband and put some makeup on me. I used my coral matte lipstick and baby powder.
"Um-outfit ka pa talaga ah. Well, Parehas tayo naka outfit and we both look so perfect and beautiful." Samantha complimented.
She was wearing a pink maxi dress and a hat. Baduy ba yung naka dress tapos naka sneaks? Di naman diba?
"Oo, Palabas na, Antayin niyo na kami dyan." Dinig ko kay Sam habang may kausap sa telepono.
"Let's go?" Yaya ko.
Lumabas na kami ng hotel room at siniguradong naka-lock ang kwarto namin.
"Wow." Sabi ni Rico.
"Thanks." Sagot ni Sam.
"Oo nga pala, Di ko pa nasasabi sa inyo that. Drum roll, Kami na ni Sam." Kwento ni Rico.
"Lolokohin ka lang niyan eh." Biro ko.
"Hindi ah, Mahal ko yan." Sagot ni Rico.
"Boyfriend mo na to? Lagot ka, Sam. Susumbong kita kay Mama Sitti. Di ka nagsasabi, Pinsan." Singit ni Paulo
"Nyeta! Pinsan mo 'to? Hahahahahahhahahahha! Di ako makapaniwala." Sabat ko sa kanila.
"Oh! Ito na pala si Adam eh."
I saw him wearing white polo and yellow shorts. He had his sunnies on his eyes. His hair is much thicker now and a little messy.
"Ang gulo ng buhok mo." Sabi ko habang inaayos ang buhok niya.
He stared at me even when i'm done fixing his hair.
"Tara na. Gutom na ako." Tawag ko sa kanila.
We rode the van we rented and went to the restaurant that the driver suggested. It is a luxurious restaurant with great wine.
We ordered various meals but I ordered Caesar Salad and Grilled Lamb Cutlets. We also ordered the best bottle of Champagne.
"So, Meron tayong 4 days para dito. For our first day, Rest day ito after long flight hours. They are giving us three days for us to finish the mission." Rico explained.
"Okay, I'll go with the team on the site." I said.
"No. You're staying with Sam." Adam said.
"I am the best on my field and I know what i'll do. Paulo and Sam will be on the communications and the cameras. Rico and Adam will be on the field with me. Alright?"
I exclaimed.
They all agreed with me and started having our late lunch. After this, They decided to go to the mall so that we can shop and buy things for ourselves before we go on a mission but I won't go with them. I'll go trekking at the Mafadi Mountain. It really is part of my bucketlist. Kahit hindi sa tuktok basta maka-akyat lang ako, I'm happy with that.
"Guys, Can I go back to the hotel? I think I need to take a rest." Kunwaring paalam ko.
"Sige, Kaya mo ba mag-isa? Pahatid ka na lang sa driver."
Lumabas na ako pero kumuha muna ako ng litrato sa restaurant.
"Sir? Let's go back to the hotel, Thank You."
Paalis na kami pero may humabol sa sasakyan namin kaya tinigil ng driver yung sasakyan.
"I won't let you go anywhere without me." Adam said when I opened the door.
"Hop in."
It took us 15 minutes to drive back to the hotel and I quickly got into my room to pack my backpack with extra clothes, money, essentials, and medicine. I have a flight going to Cape Town. It's a 3 hour-long flight. I'll return early in the morning.
"Where are you going?" Adam asked when he saw me get out of my room.
"D-Dyan lang sa lobby."
"Lobby pero naka backpack? You're not leaving."
"Adam! Ano ba paraanin mo nga ako!! Baka malate ako!"
"San ka ba pupunta?"
"Sa buwan!!" Pilosopong sagot ko.
"Sasama ako."
"What? No way!" Sigaw ko.
"You're not going anywhere without me, Okay?"
Wala na akong nagawa kundi ang isama ang mokong na 'to sa akin. Masaya na sana nung mag-isa ako eh um-epal ang loko!
"Ang kupad mo, malelate na ako sa flight ko."
Nagpahatid kami papunta sa airport at nagmamadali na kami dahil isang oras na lang ay aalis na ang eroplano. Naabutan namin na boarding na ang mga pasahero buti na lang at nakahabol pa.
Bumili pa kasi kami ng ticket ng lalaking kasama ko. Buti na lang at umabot pa.
Itinulog ko na lang ang tatlong oras na nasa loob ako ng eroplano. Kahit may jet lag kanina kakayanin para masulit ang araw na ito.
"Huy! Nandito na tayo." Gising ko kay Adam.
Nauna na akong lumabas at pagkatapos dumaan sa immigration ay kumuha na kami ng taxi. Pumunta ako sa hotel na tutuluyan ko sa beach.
"Hi! Room for Serenity Williams." Sabi ko sa concierge.
She showed us the way to my room pero naawa ako dito sa lalaking to kaya pinatuloy ko na sa kwarto ko.
It was 7 in the evening when we got to the hotel so I decided to grab some drinks. Well, kasama ko siya.
I ordered cocktails while Adam ordered a glass of brandy. I am still wearing a dress. I danced and had a great time so I went to the beach to unwind a bit.
As I get closer to the water, I can now hear the waves that hit the sands. I can smell the fresh breeze of air. I can feel the cold wind that hugged me.
I sat down on the white sand under the big dark tree. I took a deep breath and felt every single moment I had. I heard children's voiced that were speaking happiness and joy, They are such a nice view.
"Look how happy they are. Sana isang araw, I could also have a happy family." I said.
"Again, I'm sorry for hurting you."
"You have been forgiven. Mahal pa rin kita kahit nasaktan mo ako ng sobra, Mahal pa rin kita kahit niloko mo ko. I don't know but I know that I love you so much and I can't live without you, Mr. Richardson."
"Mahal din kita, Marry me. I want you to be my wife. I want to spend my whole life with only you. I wanna be with you till my last day. Marry me, Serena."
My heart just dropped on its lowest rate and I couldn't feel anything but happiness and joy and love. It was just a month when I said Yes to him when he asked me to be his girlfriend.
"Yes, I will marry you!!"
"Pero kasi, Wala pa akong nabiling sing-sing. Ay! Eto na lang. This is a bangle that I bought when I graduated college and i'm giving it to you. I love you, Love."
"Exchange gift tayo? Eto yung necklace ko na may picture ko sa loob at gusto ko pag may sing-sing ka ng ibibigay sa akin, maglalagay ka ng picture sa loob ng heart necklace ko na yan."
"Deal. Is this you when you were a baby? Ang cute mo dito. Anong nangyare ngayon?"
"Hindi na tuloy ang kasal. Wag na tayo magpakasal. Siraulo ka, Richardson."
"Next time na yung kasal, Honeymoon muna ngayon."
He suddenly held my neck and kissed me passionately from my forehead down to my soft warm lips. I unbuttoned his shirt and now I can clearly see his chest. He unzipped my dress from my back and started kissing me on my shoulder. I can feel his hands reaching for my legs and I felt something came inside me. It was painful but it was worth the pain.
"Am I good, Love?" He asked in the middle of that moment.
"Shh."
He continued doing his thing and I am still stuck on that momentum he's been doing. I can hear him panting heavily and he can hear me moaning because of pain and pleasure.
We were quiet after what happened between the two of us, I was a bit dizzy because of the alcohol.
Shet! Hindi ko alam kung mahihiya ba ako, kung kikiligin ba ako. Wala ng tao sa paligid dahil napaka-lalim na ng gabi.
Nakatulog ako sa dibdib ni Adam, Don't worry nakabihis na ako, suot ko na uli yung dress kong pinamugaran na ng buhangin.
Nagising ako na paakyat na ang araw at pag-mulat ng mata ko ay may mga taong dumadaan sa harapan namin, titigil, tinititigan kami, tapos aalis. Shit! This is awkward.
Pagtayo ko ay may bahagyang sumakit sa pagitan ng hita ko pero tiniis ko na lang yun para makatakbo pabalik sa hotel.
"Is that how you're gonna treat your future husband after your honeymoon?"
"Uh, H-Hi. I'll go back f-for breakfast." I stuttered.
I can't believe that happened. It was just a week when we had that cheating issue, then I forgave him, then he proposed to me, then we had done that hell of a thing.
Masyado bang mabilis ang mga pangyayari? Masyado ba akong mabilis magpatawad? Sorry, Hindi ko siya matiis. Mahal ko nga lang siguro talaga siya. Hindi ko talaga kayang tiisin na magalit sa kanya.
Sabi nila ang tanga daw ng mga taong magmamahal pa uli ng taong nanakit sa kanila. Pero lahat ng iyon ay "daw" lang.
Nagmahal ako hindi nagpakatanga