The bright blue sky with the accompaniment of the clouds are revealed in the horizon as the sun touches every surface of the earth. Alas dose na nang umaga no'ng lumapag ang eroplano sa airport.
Paglabas ko palang sa eroplano, napahinga ako ng malalim, habang ang mga mata ko naman ay nakatingin sa langit. Hindi ko alam ang dahilan kung bakit napakapamilyar ng tinititigan ko, tila ba'y may kahawig itong kulay sa mga pinapanaginipan ko.
Bumaba ako ng hagdan papunta sa sasakyan na humihintay sa'kin. I'm still wearing my Pilot uniform while my sunglasses are at the top of my head. I found myself smiling again. Noong araw lang, nanghihinayang akong umuwi dahil alam kong may alaala ako dito na ayaw kong mabalikan pero hindi ko naman mapapahinto ang mga tagpo sa buhay ko.
Some things doesn't have to be controlled.
I really need to face my past to be able to enjoy my present and build a brighter future for myself without looking back. Maybe this kind of motivation came from my own curiousity because of the dreams that I've been having.
Nang makapasok na ako sa sasakyan, I open my phone which was quickly swarmed with notifications that came from my social media accounts but I only opened the important ones.
"Aelin, may pupuntahan kapa ba?" Tanong ng ama kong nakasuot ng black Armani Suit. He currently has an iPad on his hands because he has a seminar here in the Philippines for his company.
I nodded. "Yes, pupunta pa ako sa office para maka-check in and then I have a private flight towards France this afternoon."
"Sige." He then turns towards our driver whose starting the vehicle. "Pakihatid kay Aelin d'yan sa airport." The man nodded and did what he was told to do.
"Anak, I don't know if my intuition is right. However, please know that any memory that comes back to you has a reason and you don't have to act irrationally because of what you see in your mind. Okay?" Mahabang paalala niya sa akin bago ako makalabas sa sasakyan.
Tumango ako at bumaba na. Then I went directly sa office at nag check in ng account ko. Right after I did that, my subordinates went towards me and talk about their flights and I happily listened and talked about mine.
"Ma'am, hindi ba may flight ka mamayang hapon papuntang France?" Tanong ni Maveen, naging flight attendant sa flight ko noon at ngayon ay piloto na.
I smiled. "Yeah, it's been a while since I've had a flight towards France, I'm excited."
Tumango na may dalang ngisi si Nicole, na matagal ko nang kasama sa mga flights ko. "Akala ko nga commercial flight, private flight pala. Baka nga private flight ng isang bachelor 'yan."
Tumango ako sa kaniya. "Mr. Romano already contacted me about the flight, its a business trip."
"Sana all," both of them gushed at the same time.
Hindi na ako kinabahan sa mga pinagsasabi nila, dahil na rin siguro sa part na kaya naming matignan ang isa't-isang tablet at maiintindihan kaagad namin ang tungkol sa mga flight na ipapalipad namin.
Nagkataon lang kasi na nakabukas ang tablet ko habang naglalakad kami sa Starbucks kung saan lahat ng mga taga-aviation ay suki.
Umorder muna kami at humanap ng aming mauupuan. Nang nakaupo na kami sa bakanteng lamesa na sakto lang sa aming tatlo, nagsimula na namang dumaldal ang dalawa. Hindi lang talaga ako mahilig makipag-usap pero marunong naman ako makisama kahit minsan lang ako nagsasalita. Bawal kasi masira ang mood ng mga Pilot kasi apektado ang lahat ng crew kung may topak ang tagalipad.
"Ma'am, alam mo ba ang pangalan ng may-ari ng eroplanong ipapalipad mo?" Tanong ni Maveen.
Bahagya akong natigilan at mabilis na binasa ang pangalan ng kliyente ko mamaya. His name sounds familiar yet so unrecognizable. May kaunting kurot sa ulo ko na nagsisimulang bumabagabag sa nararamdaman ko. I shook my head lightly and read his name out loud.
"Clevantoire V. Levinson."
I heard a short gasp that came out of Nicole's mouth. Kaagad niyang tinakpan ang bibig niya na nakaawang. My lips held a slight smile at her dramatic reaction. I raise my right eyebrow at her, asking if she knows this man that I'm going to meet later.
She turned her head towards Maveen whose eyes are almost out of its sockets. Mahinang napahiyaw si Nicole at tumingin sa akin na parang batang nakatanggap ng candy.
"OMG! Siya ang may-ari ng Levinson Buildings Corporation na kilala sa buong Asya. Siguro may deal siyang dapat ipapatupad doon sa kliyente niya sa France." Isang hiningang paliwanag ni Nicole sa'kin.
I slowly leaned my hands on the table as Maveen stood up to take our orders and quickly returned towards our table
When I took a bite on my ordered food, that's when I realized that I was actually starving. Hindi pala naparami ang kain ko sa airport doon sa San Francisco sa pagmamadali. Anyways, back to what Nicole have said. This man actually gained my attention. His business seems to be a success and it strangely makes me happy for him.
Hinayaan ko munang mag-usap ang dalawa habang dahan-dahang inuubos ang pagkain at inumin na inorder ko. After eating, I sigh and started on standing up and collect my black luggage that an airport crew dropped by. I didn't have any ounce of interest to what the both of them are talking about, I still have a flight to manage.
"Diba, Ma'am?" Tanong ni Maveen na bumalik sa'kin sa aking huwisyo.
"Bahala na kayong dalawa d'yan. Basta mauuna na ako," sabi ko habang tinitignan ang relo ko. I have five minutes to arrive at the location of the private aircraft which means when I finally get there, I'll be late.
Nagmamadaling lumabas ako sa Starbucks, pagkatapos kong mamaalam. I rushed to the office and checked out my account, I arrived at location of the plane ten minutes later, losing my breath in the process. I've never been so late before. This is too unprofessional!
While I'm cursing myself silently, I'm also calmly approaching the elegant looking private plane. Macy and Dave, they are the assigned private cabin crew with me as their pilot ㅡ are both already there, waiting for me outside the aircraft.
"I'm sorry, I've got distracted way too much and didn't notice the time." I apologized.
Both of the shook their heads and smiled at me, "Ayos lang, Captain. Wala pa naman ang may-ari kasi may tinatawagan pa." Sabi ni Dave. Medyo napahinahon ko na ang pagtibok ng puso ko sa kaba at tumango sa kanila with a welcoming smile.
"Mabuti naman," I mumbled, "let's get started with this brief meeting and let's go inside after that."
Both of them agreed to what I told them and we immediately started the brief meeting, consisting of informing them about the flight as I looked at the tablet and checking the current status of the aircraft that I'm about to maneuver later.
"So far, so good naman ang status ng aircraft natin," ani ko.
Ngumiti silang dalawa sa akin, which also made me smile. We then went inside and started taking care of the things that we have to start and settle. I personally went inside the cockpit.
I strip my suit off and hang it in the hanger and quickly do the things that I also have to do and check all of it accurately so that danger won't come at me later on. Sandali lang naman ang pag che-check ko at ng nakaupo na ako, doon ko lang napansin na pumapasok na pala ang may-ari ng eroplano.
"Good afternoon," bati ng dalawa kong kasama. Mga boses nilang mahina kong naririnig.
"Good afternoon, is the pilot here already?" Tanong ng isang baritonong boses na biglang nagpatigil sa'kin sa pagbubukas ng pintuan ng cockpit. Bakit napakpamilyar ng boses niya? Kilala ko ba 'tong lalaking 'to?
"Yes po, sir. Nasa cockpit na po," Sagot ni Dave. That's when I opened the door of the cockpit and smiled to greet him, after shaking the previous thoughts out of my head.
"Good afternoon. Aelin," he greets me. Our eyes locked together in a long while. The deep set of blue eyes stared at my hazel ones. How did he know me? His overall appearance is oddly similar to the man on my dreams, but I'm not sure. There was a familiar feeling deep in my heart. He probably knows me.
"Mr. Levinson, nice to meet you." I smiled and offered my hand. Kaagad niya itong tinanggap at hinawakan ng mahigpit. A sense of familiarity from the warm hands that he own surged through me as he holds it with mine. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, pulling my hands out of his hold. The feelings are all too familiar for me. Hindi ko alam at hindi ko rin maalala ang lalaking 'to. Perhaps, he was my schoolmate? or even more, so as a classmate?
The way my heart beats is different on the way it does a while ago. Hindi ko man alam kung ano pero alam kong malakas lang ang pagtibok nito. The urge to hug him is also strong, so hard to control.
Besides that, I feel this faint hatred deep within my heart. I feel like I know but I obviously don't remember him. His deep blue orbs looked at me as if I was dirt in his eyes after realizing that I didn't even acknowledge him, similarly as he did to me.
The way he looks at me, makes me feel irritated. aI mean, I don't really have to know you piece of hot fuck.
"Magkakilala kayo?" Tanong ng kasama niyang lalaki, na ang boses rin ay nakilala ko. The one who I was in call with, his assistant, Mr. Romano.
"No," "Yes," sabay naming sagot. His eyes are still staring at me intently as his hands are deeply dug in his pockets.
Mas lalong bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko, parang kinakapos na ako sa aking hininga. I gulp and look at Mr. Romano and smile.
"I don't know him actually. I've never seen him before," paliwanag ko.
"So, it seems that there's no one left outside. Let's go?" I ask them after a brief silence that almost made me faint in nervousness.
The three nodded their heads at me and went back to their assigned seats. The only one left was Mr. Levinson, I ignored him and turned towards the door so that I could start the aircraft immediately, when my wrist was suddenly held, I turn my head towards him.
"Yes?" I ask.
He looks at me up and down and sighs heavily. "So, ganito nalang tayo? Are we strangers now?" He mocks.
I raised my eyebrows at him and scoffed, taking my hands away from his grasp.
"Mister, I don't know you. I mean it. Hindi ako nagsisinungaling kaya bumalik ka na sa upuan mo at nang makaalis na tayo," I gently said, as if ang dugo ko - hindi kumukulo.
He scoffs. "Fine."
I rolled my eyes and went inside the cockpit and started the aircraft with the irritation buried deep inside me so that it wouldn't affect the flight. Hindi ako mapakali sa una pero sa magandang palad napakalma ko narin ang puso kong mabilis ang tibok. I did my job successfully and we landed safely in Paris, France. Shaking the thought that maybe he has a bigger role in my life and I'm not even sure about it.
After the safe flight, me and the two flight attendnts made our way towards the office right after we bid goodbye to him and his employees. Sinadya ko talagang magmadali kasi ayaw ko ng makipag-usap pa sa kaniya. The three of us decided to stay here for 2 days as we started checking in our accounts at the office.
May kaunting lungkot akong nararamdaman dahil hindi pa nga ako nakapalibot sa Pilipinas na padpad na naman ako sa ibang bansa. I inwardly sigh at my own thoughts. Tsaka ko lang naisip si Dad na hindi ko pa pala na tawagan.
Napahinto ako sa paglalakad at ang dalawa kong kasama ay napatingin sakin na magka salubong ang kilay. Plano kasi namin na magsama kaming tatlo pero sa totoo lang hindi ako medyo kampante na kasama sila.
"Napahinto ka, Cap?" Tanong ni Macy. I shake my head softly making their eyebrows come back to their original state in relief.
"Tatawagan ko pa pala si Dad. Mauna na kayo." I smiled.
Dave nodded. "Sige po, Captain. Text ka nalang po namin kung saan kami nag check-in na hotel."
"Sure. Mag-ingat kayo," sabi ko sa kanila.
"Ikaw rin, Captain." They smiled and started walking towards the exit of the airport. I got my phone from the pocket of my luggage and called my father. Gabi na siguro doon, kaya medyo natagalan sumagot si Papa.
[Yes, Aelin? May nangyari ba? Gabi na dito, mabuti na lang hindi pa ako nakakatulog.] Mahinahong saad nito.
I smiled softly. "It's nothing, Dad. I'm just sorry that I can't be there with you for 2 days. Nakapag desisyon na kasi kami na mag-stay muna."
[Ayos lang naman 'yon, anak. Matagal pa naman ang stay natin dito sa Pilipinas. Plus, do what you want, it's your life. Just stay safe. Alright?]
What he had said made me smile. Ever since I recovered from my operation 7 years ago, si Papa na ang kasama ko palagi. Mom and kuya rarely visits because they have a business to handle.
"Sige, dad. Mauuna na'ko. Take care of yourself. I'll see you soon," paalam ko.
After ending the call, I proceeded towards the exit and waited for a taxi while reading the name of the hotel that Dave sent me. Hindi ko na napansin na may sasakyan na palang nakaharang sa'kin.
"Oh my gosh!" Impit kong sigaw dahil bigla nalang akong hinila sa aking beywang ng isang matipunong braso. I immediately landed on a hard chest making me slightly stunned and freeze in place, my nose engulfed with the scent of Tom Ford Noir.
"Careful there, hon," a man's voice said. Talking above my head.
"Sino ba 'yang ka-text mo at hindi mo na namamalayan ang kapaligiran mo?" He slightly leaned in behind my ear and whispered. I slightly shiver from his tickling breath.
Doon ko lang napansin na marami na palang nakatingin sa amin at hindi pa niya pinapakalawan ang bewang ko. Kaagad kong tinabig ang braso niya at umalis sa kinatatayuan ko at madalian siyang hinarap.
"Ano baㅡ Oh, Mr. Levinson. How nice of you to save me?" I smiled, he chuckled in response.
"Paano ba 'yan? Mauuna nako," I continued after a minute of silence passed. He raised his right eyebrow at me. "Why don't you come with me instead?"
Bago pa man ako magkroon ng pagkakataong tumanggi, bigla niya na lang akong hinawakan sa braso at marahang hinila papunta sa sasakyan niya na malapit lang naka-park sa aking kinatatayuan kanina.
"Hey! What are you doing? May pupuntahan pa'ko! Ano ba?!" Sino ba naman ang hindi magagalit kung hinihila ka nalang basta ng taong hindi mo kilala?
He sighs. "Shut up, we have the same hotel to go to."
Napahinto ako sa sinabi niya. He turns to look at me after that.
"Mr. Levinsㅡ" Pagsisimula ko pero kaagad niya rin akong pinutulan. "It's Clive for you."
I rolled my eyes. "Ganoon na ba tayo ka-close para tawagin kita based on your first name?" Tanong ko.
He shrugs. "Well, based on our historyㅡ yes."
Bigla akong natigilan. History? Naging karelasyon ko ba siya noon?
Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko. "Anong history?" I asked.
He immediately shakes his head after staring at me for a long time. "I don't know, but maybe if you come with I'll tell you."
"I don't know either since I don't even know you," I remarked.
"That's not true. I know you and you know me," he stated.
"Hmm...really? How so?"
"This is not the place to have a talk, Ms. Novenche."
I know this isn't the place to talk but I'm not that stupid to follow a stranger that I barely know. Just because we have a history with eachother doesn't mean I already know him. I still can't remember my memories and until then I will acknowledge him. Well, yeah. He's attractive, I can't deny that but I won't let that face fool me.
"And? Why would I trust you?"
His eyes stared at me with such intensity that it almost made me nervous. "You really don't remember me, huh?"
"Is that a rhetorical question, because if not; Yes. I don't remember you."
"Fine. I'll just see you there," he huffs. I smiled at him before I find myself a ride to the hotel. I don't want to trust a stranger, especially when I am at a different country.
I'd rather take precautions for my own safety. After all, prevention is better than cure. It's not like he's a virus or something, but I'm a woman and he's a man: I think that's already a valid reason for me to avoid him.
As the taxi got nearer to my destination, I keep on thinking about what he said a while ago. What does it mean? Is our relation with each other much deeper than what I think right now?
I guess, I just have to find out for myself.
When I arrived at the hotel, I made my way to the reception table and ask for my room that Dave already reserved for me.
"It seems like we're really meant to be," his familiar voice teased, sounding from behind me.
Napailing ako. "Wag kang magbiro sa'kin, napapagod na'ko. Gusto ko nang matulog."
He smiles as he stood beside me. "I waited for you at the lobby but you didn't even approach me."
"Why would I?" The receptionist finally gave me my room card, that's the cue for me to leave him behind.
He sighed and secured his car, before catching up to me. I suddenly flinched as he put his hand in my lower back.
"Why are you following me?" He's so annoying, nakakabawas ng pogi points ang pagiging makulit niya.
"My room is right next to you."
"How did you know?" I walked fast with the luggage that I have been carrying to get myself away from his touch. I'm afraid that I'll fall on his trap once his hand keeps on touching my lower back as if he's doing magic to what I feel about him.
As we finally arrived at the 4th floor, I opened my door and planned on shutting it on his face, but before I can do that, he held the door as if the force doesn't matter to him.
"Stop bothering me, you piece of shit!" Bulyaw ko nang hindi ko na kinaya ang lakas niya.
"Fine...just give me a chance to have a lunch with you," he mutters. He stayed on the door way.
"Why would I say yes?" I asked, while raising my left eyebrow.
"Consider this as a tip for a client." He smiles.
Tinitigan ko siya ng matagal ay napabuntong-hininga na lamang. "Why are you doing this?"
"I want to talk to you," he answered. His eyes didn't waver from mine.
Wala akong magawa kundi tumango na lamang. There's nothing wrong with talking, right? Besides, he was my classmate - as he said. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
"Once you do something stupid, I will never talk to you again, or even see you."
"Of course. See you tomorrow at 7 in the evening," his smile widens as if my threat doesn't bother him. He finally walks away from my door, so I decided to close it. I need my beauty rest.
Pagkagising ko, gabi na kaya nagsimula na akong maghanda ng sarili ko bago sundin ang text sa akin ni Macy kung nasaan sila. I wore a white wide trousers using a Gucci belt to secure it and a black tight t-shirt, I finished the fit by wearing a black stilletos.
I finally arrived at the Restaurant and found the two of them talking while having a champagne glass in their hands. I greeted them before having my own as well.
"Did you both got enough rest?" They nodded their heads before including me with their talk. The rest of the dinner was a blur because right after it, we made our way to our own hotel room and have a good night rest. Syempre, hindi nawala ang paglilinis ko sa sarili ko.
The next day, I spoiled myself by shopping and tasting different desserts in Paris, France. My eyes are always full with sceneries of their buildings and of course, the Eiffel Tower.
Nang tumanghali na, umuwi na kaagad ako para magpahinga at ayusin ang sarili ko. I wore a white dress that fit perfectly against my body and ironed my hair. I paired it up with white stilletos and then I'm done.
As if on cue, the doorbell rang. I grabbed my black Gucci purse and opened it, seing the man before me wearing a white button down and black trousers secured with the same Gucci belt that I used the other night. I raised an eyebrow at his fit before walking out of the room. Okay, he'll get a point because he looks neat and handsome.
"Where are we gonna eat?"
"On my penthouse, I cooked a meal for the both of us." I nodded. "Okay, just don't do something stupid or I'll call the police."
When my eyes took glance at him, I caught his blue orbs already staring. My heart fluttered. "Bakit? Meron bang dumi sa itsura ko?" I ask, while touching my face hear and there.
He shakes his head. "Wala, ang ganda mo lang," he muttered. I can hear my heart beating. Inatake siguro ako sa puso.
I turn my head towards him and scoffed. "Bolero, kaya naging successful ka siguro sa business mo dahil d'yan eh."
He chuckled, "Kung naging successful man ako sa business ko dahil sa pagiging bolero ko. Edi sana naging tayo na noon pa kung palagi kitang binobola."
"Ano ba relasyon natin noon?" I ask him. He shakes his head. "It's quite complicated. I rather not tell you."
I nodded. Sabagay, sasakit na naman siguro ulo ko. Pero mas gusto kong malaman, hindi na ako mapakali. I shake the thought away for now. Baka mapunta na naman ako sa hospital. I can still remember how my family was worried about me that day and since then, hindi ko nalang pinilit na maalala pa ang mga nangyari.
Hindi ko namalayan na lumalakad na pala kami sa dalawang klase ng pintuan na brown. Ang gara ng design nito. Especially, when Clive opened the doors and the interior immediately blown me away. I can see that the colors like; brown, beige, and white with a hint of black is the theme of this penthouse. Napakalaki ng espasyo ng room na'to.
"Make yourself feel at home," he said and started walking towards the kitchen after he lead me to the dining table to sit. Hindi ko na muna siya pinansin at tumayo para tignan ng buo ang loob ng penthouse niya.
The couch formed an L-shaped and a rectangular transparent glass is in the middle with a vase of red roses stood in it. Nakaharap ang couch sa malaking bintana na nakasentro sa gitna ng salas.
The outside may look like it's still the old times of Paris but when you're inside, all you can see are modernized items and furniture. The television is nowhere to be found but behind the living room is the kitchen and beside it is another room.
Dumiretso ako sa kwarto na 'yun at binuksan. The room inside is a bit dark and it obviously stated that this is Clive's room.
The bed that lays in the middle has a grey and black color while the room is white but the light is turned off. Napakalinis tingnan ng kabuohan ng kuwarto niya. Soft white, grey and black. Parang dito ko nalang gusto matulog. I know that once I stepped inside, I'll disrespect his privacy so I decided to close it.
That's when my eyes caught a picture on his bedside table. My curiousity perked up, so without a thought I stepped inside and held the picture closer for me to analyse.
In the picture, a lady with a big smile on her face while hugging the waist of man beside her. They both wore a black with a purple graduation uniform cape and holds their diplomas with a happy face. Nakapalibot ang braso ng lalaki sa beywang nito at halatang may pagmamahal ang mga mata nito dahil sa pagtingin nito sa babae. The girl seems so unproblematic. So in love with the man she's hugging. In love?
Magkaibigan lang siguro sila, but...that lady is me. She looks like me. My heart started to hammer and I can hear it in my ear. Siya ba talaga ang lalaking hindi ko maalala? Ang lalaking palagi nasa panaginip ko?
A tear slid down my cheek as the door of the room opened. "Aelin? What are you doing heㅡ" Lumingon ako sa kaniya, with my blurred vision.
"Clive, what was my relationship with you?" Tanong ko, habang pinipigilan kong umiyak ng todo. If he's the man that I currently cannot remember, then what is the reason? What was our relationship? Kung may history man kami noon. Anong klaseng relasyon?
"Youㅡ I can't tell you. Baka mapahamak kaㅡ" pagdadahilan niya. I can see the way his whole body tensing up.
Alam kong pinipigilan niyang sabihin sa'kin ang totoo. Maybe...just maybe, he knows the symptoms of my current situation.
"I don't care. Gusto kong malaman, Clive. It's been 7 years since I've pressured my brain to remember things that I want to!" Pagpuputol ko sa pagdadahilan niya.
"I want to remember you," I muttered, "I've been having blurry dreams but it doesn't make any sense at all," I continued.
He sighs and walks towards me and stops in front of me. He gently holds both of my hands and kisses my forehead as he softly wipes the tears that slid down my cheeks.
"Are you sure?" he asks.
I nodded, making him sigh. "Alright."
"You were my girlfriend back then," Clive said softly.
Silence surrounded the whole room. My heart palpitated on my chest as I can barely breath. Confusion, resentment and fright came all at once in me. Hindi ako mapakali sa mga narinig ko mula sa labi niya.
Kaya ba mabilis ang pag hulog ng loob ko sa kanya dahil lang sa dahilan na
nagkarelasyon kaming dalawa? Is it also the reason why I found him annoying?
Maybe, my past self doesn't want to do anything with him because of something that he did that I simply still cannot remember. This kind of thought bothers me.
Why are we not together when I suddenly lose my memories? What happened between the both of us?
So many questions, only few can be answered. The only way to answer all of them at once is to obviously remember them. This struck of sudden idea almost made me lost my mind. Sinabi ko man kanina na hindi ako natatakot sa sakit dahil ilang taon ko na ring hindi pinilit na maalala ang nakaraan ko, sa totoo lang natatakot naman talaga ako.
The fear is suddenly erased by my own determination to find out things on my own. Kung hindi ko haharapin ang sakit, paano ko malalaman ang lahat ng katotohanan? Am I contented on being always kept in the dark?
Obviously, no.
Kaya sa huli kong desisyon sinimulan kong pilitin ang sarili kong isip na makaalala ng lahat ng nakaraan ko. Maliit man 'yan o malaking bagay. Suddenly, blurry images started to cloud my vision as the pain erupted in my head making me let out a startled gasp.
"Aelin!" Sigaw ni Clive and as he continued on calling out for my name, his voice started to get farther and farther away until I couldn't even hear him anymore as my vision was suddenly covered by a complete darkness.
"What's happening?"
Before I could ask again, the scene stops at the very end of my highschool years. And before I could process the scene before me, I began to black out. Memories started to surge in, in my head, overwhelming me to no end...