Hi! I'm Elizabeth Gonzaga, twenty years old and ready to embrace my final year of college. My older brother, Rune, is twenty-five and always keeps me grounded.
Right now, we're in Japan, preparing to fly back to the Philippines. I'm excited to continue my studies and finally graduate. More than anything, I'm eager to reunite with my one true friend, whom I had to leave behind ten years ago. Back then, my parents moved me here in Japan for school, and I never got to say a proper goodbye. I miss him dearly and worry whether he'll even recognize me after all this time, or if he'll want to welcome me back into his life.
Suddenly, a playful knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Hey, baby girl, are you dressed?" Rune's familiar voice broke the tension, filled with teasing warmth.
"Yes, kuya! I'm coming out now." I replied, a blush creeping on my cheeks.
Yes, you heard right, he calls me "baby girl," which makes me blush, but it's endearing nonetheless.
I step out of my room and make my way downstairs—because let's be real, sliding down the stairs would be ridiculous
"Eliza and Rune, before you head out, make sure you both have a good meal. I don't want you getting hungry on the way," our mom calls out.
"Mom, it's fine if I skip eating, but this baby girl of mine? Absolutely not!" Rune smirks, knowing how much I love to eat.
Okay, okay, I fully embrace my hearty appetite—it's really not my fault that mom's cooking is mouthwatering!
"Oh dear, eat up! You're not gaining weight anyway, haha! I made your favorite dishes so you can indulge," our mom insists.
I take a seat at the table, feeling surrounded by love. Mom and Kuya Rune are right there beside me, and I savor every bite, knowing these moments are precious.
"Eat more, you're too skinny," Rune teased, a playful glint in his eyes as he elbowed me lightly.
I shot him an exaggerated glare. "I'm not skinny; I'm sexy! If only I could throw a punch, I'd make you regret such comments!"
He let out a teasing laugh, his grin infectious. "Just kidding, baby girl. You know how much kuya loves you." His eyes sparkled, clearly reveling in the banter we shared.
"Whatever! I won't talk to you, then. You're just picking on me!" I stuck my tongue out, pretending to pout, but it was hard to hide my amusement.
"Hey, you two! Eat a bit faster, or you might miss your flight," Dad chimed in, his tone light but firm, breaking our playful atmosphere.
At his words, we both hurried, shoveling food into our mouths, the tension of time looming over us. Once we finished, Dad, Mom, and we set out for the airport. The drive felt suffocatingly long, the traffic creeping along, but thankfully, we arrived with just enough time to spare.
•At the Airport•
"Rune, make sure to look after your sister, alright? Don't let her go hungry; otherwise, she'll get even skinnier," Dad said, his voice teasing but underpinned by concern, a playful smile dancing on his lips.
"Sure thing, Dad." Kuya Rune replied, but I caught the flicker of worry in his eyes, beneath the tough exterior he always tried to project.
A lump formed in my throat, heavy and thick. The weight of impending separation settled upon me. I glanced at Mom and Dad, their faces filled with pride yet tinged with sadness. I was going to miss them more than I could put into words.
"Mom, Dad, I love you! I'll miss you both so much. Don't work too hard; remember to eat on time. Bye!" I said, giving them both a quick kisses on their cheeks, my heart aching with every goodbye.
"We love you too, sweetheart," Mom replied, her voice thick with emotion. "Honestly, I should be the one worrying about you. Be careful, Rune. Look after your sister." She enveloped us in a tight, lingering hug, her warmth and love wrapping around us like a protective blanket.
"I promise, Mom," Kuya Rune said, his gaze steady, determination etched on his face. He quietly linked his arm with mine as we stood there, a silent vow passing between us.
After they left, Kuya and I headed inside. We picked through our luggage, my stomach knotted with anxiety over the infamous "laglag bala" scam that lingered like a shadow over all travelers.
With a heavy heart, we boarded the plane.
"Kuya?" I hesitated, glancing sideways to see him adjusting his backpack, his face a mask of calm.
"What is it, baby girl?" he asked, his voice softening, instantly focused on me.
I turned my eyes away, peering out at the world rushing by. "It's nothing. I just love you!" I tried to sound carefree, but the words felt heavy on my tongue.
"That's not what you were going to say, was it?" His tone shifted, eyes narrowing slightly as he caught the unspoken worries weighing down my heart.
"Will Nathan still accept me? Will I be able to find him? Does he even remember me?" My voice trembled, barely a whisper. A wave of vulnerability washed over me, the fear of the unknown tightening around my chest.
"I don't know. If I say yes, you might build your hopes too high. If I say no, it might crush you," Kuya Rune responded, his tone contemplative, as though carefully weighing each word like a fragile treasure.
"You're right, kuya," I sighed, the weight of uncertainty pulling my shoulders down.
He nodded, and a comforting silence enveloped us, a fragile cocoon woven from shared fears and unspoken hopes. I drifted into a gentle slumber without even realizing it.
Suddenly, I was trapped in the echoes of my past. "Mom! Dad! Don't take me away!" My cries reverberated in the suffocating darkness.
"Kuya Rune, help me! I don't want to leave!" I pleaded, desperation clawing at my throat, each word a lifeline thrown into the void.
"Nathan! I can't stand the thought of being away from you again!" My heart raced, the pain of separation slicing through my dreamscape.
I jolted awake, drenched in sweat, my body trembling as remnants of fear clung to me like shadows.
"What's wrong, baby girl?" Kuya Rune asked, concern lacing his voice, his eyes wide and alert.
I clutched him tightly, my breath uneven. "Kuya, I had that dream again—the day when—"
He interrupted gently, his voice a soft balm. "Baby girl, I'm so sorry. Back then, we were just kids. I couldn't protect you," he murmured, his voice tinged with regret. "I remember when Dad picked you up, how you cried and reached for me. I wish I could have helped you."
His words wrapped around me like a warm embrace, pulling me from the darkness, igniting a flicker of hope amidst the chaos. In that moment, I realized I wasn't alone.
His tone revealed his self-blame, but I could never resent him. I understood the helplessness he felt. If I were in his shoes, I might have acted the same way.
"Kuya, I've never—"
"I know you don't blame me," he interjected, his voice thick with emotion, "but the hurt in your heart is real. It lingers, and it won't fade until we make things right again." His words hung in the air, heavy and undeniable.
He was right. Even after ten long years without Nathan, the ache in my heart felt as fresh as it had on that fateful day. He had been my only friend in a world that often felt so lonely—a soul I trusted completely, aside from Kuya and my family.
A few hours later, when we touched down at the airport in the Philippines, a wave of relief washed over me. We were finally home. Memories of my childhood surged like a tide, enveloping me in warmth.
As we disembarked from the plane, I couldn't contain my excitement. "BYE JAPAN, HELLO PHILIPPINES!"
"Hey, baby girl, that's embarrassing!" Kuya Rune teased, a grin breaking through his somber demeanor as he shook his head.
But I didn't care; I missed this place too much. Let them stare! I felt beautiful, alive; the warm breeze tousled my long hair, whisking away the remnants of worry—a familiar sensation of home crashing over me like a wave.
"Kuya, I'm just so happy," I exclaimed, my voice bubbling with joy. My radiant smile blossomed, infectious and unstoppable, echoing the overwhelming feeling of belonging that filled my heart.
"I'm happy too! BYE JAPAN, HELLO PHILIPPINES!" he shouted back, his voice echoing with infectious enthusiasm, a sparkle in his eyes that mirrored my own.
I turned to him, my laughter ringing out like a melody.
"Doesn't it feel amazing?" I asked, my heart racing with exhilaration.
"I only shouted like that to attract attention because, well, I'm handsome," Kuya Rune replied, flashing me a sly grin, confidence radiating from him like sunlight.
I rolled my eyes playfully, teasing him. "Whoo! The wind is so strong out here! Let's get moving." I joked, my tone light-hearted, but beneath it lay a current of excitement that urged us forward.
He chuckled in response, his laughter warm and inviting. As we stepped outside the airport, the familiar sights and sounds of home enveloped us. Our ride awaited, a beacon of adventure. We climbed in, stowing our luggage with eager hands, an electric buzz of anticipation humming between us.