I scowled, huffing. “You evil robot!” I whisper yelled, glaring at him. “Don’t take me for a fool! I know what you are doing! I’m gonna google it! Just you wait!”
“Miss?” A flight attendant came in sight, approaching me. Her eyes looked around and back to me, “I’m sorry but could you please keep it down? I’m afraid other passengers are being disturbed. Thank you so much.” She flashed me a small smile and walked away.
I threw daggers at the flight attendant’s retreating figure, fuming in anger. Argh! They always came in the ‘unexpected’ time to ruin my mood again!
Just like earlier, that other flight attendant who forced me to sit, and now her. Can’t they understand and blame the one who is really at fault? Why am I always the one who looks like it’s my fault?
I scoffed, shaking my head, and glared at the seat in front of me, burning holes in it. I grabbed my phone in anger from my backpack, almost breaking it on the way, opened it, and only to see the battery was low, with it having only 1% left. I pressed on again and this time it shut down to itself.
I snorted. Now, what will I do? I forgot to charge last night!
“Here.” Eion offered his phone.
I shook my head no, “No thank you.” I rolled my eyes childishly. “Maybe I can see something I… shouldn’t… see….” Hm, shouldn’t see…
I slowed down at what I said, a light bulb appearing in my head. Aha! That’s great! It’s the perfect opportunity! I can make fun of him!
Instantly, I reached out to his outstretched hand but he was fast enough to dock away. “Na uh uh, not so fast.”
Failing, I just rolled my eyes and stared at the window, crossing my arms together. “Whatever.”
“Whatever to you too.” He replied and closed his eyes, plugging his earphones to his ears.
I took a glance at him, “Then… what should I say if I say I love you?” I said in a low voice.
His closed eyes shot up open, removing his earphones from his ears, and turned to look at me. “What?”
I stared at him, “I said, what should I say if I say I love you in the Filipino language?”
He blinked at me, then nodded his head in understanding. “Uhm.. it’s…”
“It’s?”
“Mahal Kita.” He mumbled in a low voice, looking away at me and to the window.
“Again?” I couldn’t hear it clearly.
“No. I won’t say it again. Guess it.”
My ears perked up at this, “Are you challenging me? Hmm… Mahal Kita?”
He looked taken aback, “Again again?”
“Mahal kita!?” I asked, or more likely yelled.
He cupped his ears, “I can’t hear you.”
“I said, Mahal kita!” I yelled in frustration towards his ear.
He smirked. “Good.”
So it’s Mahal Kita… I love you… Wait, don’t tell me the meaning of it was what he wanted to hear…
He messed my hair up, ruffling it. “Remember, although most Filipinos can speak English, not all of them can. Bear that in mind.” He reminded me. “You have to be understanding and use common sense.”
I nodded. “Got it!”
Philippines here we go!
****
Eion sighed. “Come on out, don’t bother to hide.”
Silence.
Standing beside me, Eion sighed. “I know you’re in there. You have been following us for a while now.”
Luke, Hannah, Emma, Leroy, and Dax, all appeared from a thick wall, pushing each other on the way. They smiled nervously at us, and I flashed them a guilty smile for not even bothering to lie about it. “Hi!” They all greeted each other.
We arrived in the Philippines at seven o’clock in the evening. And now, standing in the lobby of the airport, our suitcases clutched in our hands, Eion and I waited. I don’t know for whom, or why, but Eion didn’t even make an effort to tell me about it despite my numerous questions.
“Eion.” It was Leroy who was first to speak up, “Long time no see man. Don’t know you’re here. What a coincidence.”
“You know, we were just here for a refreshing vacation,” Dax added.
I closed my eyes in frustration. Damn it! According to the squad’s “plan” was to make Eion believe we were not following him. But why bother to lie when he knows it already! It doesn’t take a genius to find out, and considering the remarks they just made, it proved him true. They just dug their own grave deeper. I shook my head.
“Fine then,” Eion said, glaring at them. He walked away, me tailing from behind him. He glanced at me, “Who said you’re coming with me?”
“Me?” I smiled.
He just ignored me and continued on walking. Spotting a white van parking outside, a man in his forties or so approached Eion. The man looked like he was waiting for Eion earlier. I continued on trailing along.
I glanced behind me to see the squad also discretely following us with a sullen look on their faces. I went towards them to join them.
Eion took long strides towards the man, “Good day sir.” The man said. Eion nodded his head and got inside the van. He didn’t close the van, and I just watched as he glared at us from inside. “Come faster!”
“What?” I asked dumbfoundedly.
“I’m hungry. Get in.” He said, to which we happily obliged with happy faces. We rushed in and I was the last one to sit before closing the door.
“Mercy, Eion!” Luke exclaimed.
“What changed your mind?” I asked Eion.
“Food. Let’s eat first. Let’s just talk about ‘it’ later.” He said, emphasizing the word it.
After an hour of getting stuck in traffic, we went to eat first in a restaurant we had to see near the airport.
As we had picked a table, I stared in space as I sat in my seat just beside Luke.
I’ve been traveling a lot since I was a kid but to this day, I’m still not used to it somehow. I massaged my temples to ease the pain. But this can’t stop me! Nothing will! Haha! Not even this stupid-
“Are you alright, Snow?” Luke asked, noticing my inner agony. I mumbled I’m fine and ignored the pain. As I had said, this stupid pain will just eventually go away.
Luke cleared his throat. “About us ending up here, Eion, let me explain-”
“Don’t.” Eion cut off. “I know it. I had expected it. He schemed this. He wants someone to babysit me here.”