"Meeting a Friend"
"So, you were already here for that long?"
"No, not that really. To be exact, one year," I said as I look at her. We are still sitting on that corner behind the shelves. Today, I'd realized that this pretty girl is a real friend. Actually, to my surprise, she is always willing to share her thoughts. We already discussed about her life ever since she was born, she never meet her father for he left them and her mother died on a car accident a year ago. Father Escalante, her uncle, adopted her as his own.
"You know what?"
"What?" she asked.
"This is the anniversary, that's why I want to be alone. I am still waiting for my mom."
"You're still hoping are you?"
"Actually I'm not. It just seems like I am only wishing- wishing for a thing with no assurance." I turn to face her. "I know you will never believe it but mommy and daddy never celebrated my birthday."
"Really?" she said with a pity look.
"Yup, that's why I don't even have any idea about it. But don't worry, I still have." She still looks at me with a confusing look. "Mother Abess told me that this day should be my day. Kind of kidding but. . ."
"But you love the idea?" I smile. "We're the same," she continues. "So you mean. . . ."
"Yes, why don't we celebrate this day? It's our birthday." She gets a plastic of pancake inside her bag. "Actually, uncle wants this to be special but I suggested that we must go here. We also brought some to the other children, but since you're here, I suppose, we must share these." She smiles again.
"You know what, this day is so memorable. . . ." Because you made it so special, I thought. "Wait, before we eat, I guess we must sing 'Happy Birthday' song. I have a candle here for us. I saw it there," I said as I point on the candle at the table. "I guess, you're right," she nods.
I get the candle then lit it first before I place it at the side table before us. We both sing the happy birthday song together, then after that we had our wishes as we both blow the candle. Honestly, this day is the very first time that I ever celebrated my birth anniversary. I guess, this is so special for I met someone whom I know, that somehow, will play a special role in my life- someone that is now already engrave in the depth of my heart.
We finished eating the pancakes while talking about things and sharing thoughts with each other. I already told her about my dream to become a seaman and somehow, I want to join the marines someday. Then, I will manage a ship line company and be the owner of thousands numbers of cruise.
"Actually, I already view myself as a successful professional someday," I tell her. "You? You still haven't told me about your dream. What do you want to be?"
"I want to enter a flying school."
"A lady pilot?"
"Isn't it possible? I mean, ever since, that is already my dream. I already read about Harriet Quimby and Mathilde Moisant," she said with despair.
"Harriet Quimby died in a tragic crashed and Mathilde Moisant hanged up her goggles after two crashed of her own. Aren't you afraid to take the risk?" I ask her with so much concern. She slowly shakes her head then she gave me a timid smile. "Actually, that is only part of the reason. Papa is a pilot. Mama always tells me everything about his adventures and successful flight. You know what? I always admired my mother because she never had hatred about him and she told me that I shouldn't be. After all, he's still my father and I want to be just like him. I want to become a pilot because I'm still longing that maybe, he will also consider seeing me, and even though he will deny that he is my father, I'm fine with that. It's just that, I am already contented on a short sight of him."
"I believe you," I said finally after a long silence. "You can do it. A lady pilot is not that bad." I smile as I look at her. I stare at her for a moment then I remembered the song that she sang a while ago.
"That song."
"Huh?"
"That song that you were singing a while ago. It's about flying, right?"
She smiles again. "You know what? My mother taught me that song. She said that dad always sings that."
"Original composition?"
"Guess so."
That treasured moment is the start of our strong friendship. From that day on, I promise myself that every Sunday, when Father Escalante comes back, I will hang out with her again. Of course, she always visits me and Ryle. We play about planes and cruise together in the orphanage garden then we will spend most of our hours on the library. Julia and I became best of friends- not only because we are almost the same but maybe because we really enjoy each other's company. Usually, we only see each other on weekends because she goes to school, while I also studies and the nuns here are my teachers. Mother Abess and the others founded a school and I am one of the scholars. On evenings, I write short stories, poems, and verses. I also spent some of my time on making a wooden jet plane. Of course, I will give it to Julia. I will give it to her to inspire her more on pursuing her dream to become a good pilot. Also, I will study hard to become a seaman.
That afternoon, I already finished the miniature model of my wooden jet plane, and I can say that the finished product is too perfect. Julia will be surprised! I rush on the corridor of the orphanage. With me is the wooden jet plane. Actually, I am planning to meet Julia at the gate and give it to her but I accidentally bump my head on a man in mid-forties. I fall on the floor and drop the miniature model of the jet plane in front of him.
"Mr. Villarta, what happened?!" I heard Mother Abess exclaimed as she approaches us. "No, no, no, sister. Just an accident. A little thing. Phew!" My eyes still focus on the wooden jet plane.
"Is this one yours, little boy?" the man said as he gives me the miniature model. I get it from his hand. The man smiles at me as he touches my head and squeezes my hair, then he stands up. "Let's go, sister," he said to Mother Abess and the old nun nods at him. The man still manages to smiles at me and the two head their way to the admission office. I still stare at him as I stand up. To my surprise, the man stops and gives me a glimpse. "By the way, it really is pretty," then he turns to Mother Abess' direction and walks away.