Reaching The Brightest Star

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE

Chloe

The Longing Home

I came home with a heavy heart. The whole house was so quiet when I arrived, Aunt may still be in her office. The housemaids are in their own quarters and resting. When I left a while ago, they were in the kitchen while eating.

This house was a mansion inspired by nineteenth century houses. The big grand staircase is the first one you will see once you enter the main door. The typical houses here in Norway are attached to one another, colorful or mainly red and brown barn type looking, small and very tricky from afar. But this house was a whole lot different because it was inherited by Uncle Fredrick’s great grandfathers. A palace looking home. On my left side, you will see the kitchen and dining area. At the back is the laundry room and an area which we can hang our cleaned clothes to dry. On my right side is the living area where the three big sofas are arranged to welcome guests and the small center glass table in the middle. Under the grand staircase are the rooms assigned for the maids. Going to the second floor of the house are the four big rooms. My aunt's chamber and mine, the self made gym studio and at the library which covers half of this floor. 

I love reading. If I have my free time, I usually go to the library to pick a book to read. It was very overwhelming since most of the books in that room are historical, romance and contemporary. Reading is my pastime from all the studying or even after my hospital shifts when something gets toxic. My father said that I inherited my passion for books from my mom. She wants to collect books and sniff their pages especially when the book is very old and antiques. It tends to be more aromatic than new ones. She really took care of her books because there were no folded pages, ripped covers or spilled coffee on her books.

Outside the house you will see a beautiful garden layered with the fine green bermuda grass. My aunt is obsessed with gardening and that is also her pastime whenever she wants to. Every morning, I always found her there sitting at the bench with her morning coffee or watering her flowers and fully grown plants. At the center of this yard, there is an ancient hexagon shaped gazebo. I always like to read books in this place. Quiet, peaceful and the breeze from the wind is cold even in summertime, maybe because the gazebo is surrounded with trees and plants which gives coolness to the whole place.

In this country, summer was never an issue compared to the Philippines wherein the sun rays can make your skin burn. According to my Medicine professor, thirty seven percent of Norway are forests and there are at least four hundred and fifty thousand freshwater lakes. Most of it was created by glacial erosion. About two-thirds of Norway is mountains and some are fifty thousand islands.

I went straight to my bedroom once I finished wandering in the garden. I threw myself on my soft bed and it feels like all my energy was suctioned by the mattress. There are so many things happening today. And I just wished to be eaten by the soil to escape all the emotions I am feeling right now. Gab's mad at me, and my decision was never easy. It is so hard to leave this place, especially that I began to love it. I considered this as my second hometown but I should never forget where I came from.

I will always love Oslo, the northern lights were my favorite. Country of the voyagers. I always wanted to see the mountains here. Covered with the whitest snow or greenest grass or leaves by the trees. It will always have a place in my heart that I will always come back as a promise.

Coming back brings a lot of mixed emotions in my chest. Happy, excited and frightened. I am happy because I will visit my mom and dad at the cemetery. Excited because I will be with my friends for a very long time when I’m gone. And anxious because I will get to see him again. My friends were very vocal about Marco's life. His success, achievements and recent girlfriend. Dorothy is the name they are talking about and I saw in their eyes the hatred and annoyance whenever they talked about her. They were not fond of this woman and I don't know why. I never saw her in person, that's why I don't have the right to judge.

I left even without his approval. I have no other choice so we just parted our ways just like that, just like strangers. I don’t know his decision about that because when I asked him, he never answered. That was the last conversation we had before I left for Norway.

I know, I lied. He threw me away. Okay? He told me to go away and to never come back. He never even bothered to look at me when I exited his house. And that hurts me, knowing that he wanted to get rid of me just because I wanted to leave. I don’t want to admit it because I felt like a thousand knives were hitting my chest, slowly killing me from pain.

For six years, we haven't had any kind of communication. He never called or even bothered to send a message via chat applications in social media. I always ended up looking at his profile and found out that he’s online but a simple ‘how are you?’ from him, I never received. That was my hint that we’re officially over. I feel so anxious when the time comes that we will see each other again, he is already happy with someone else. He’s already been taken care of by another woman. All his attention was diverted and that woman will be so lucky. I am so scared that I might cry in front of him when I can no longer hold this pain inside of me. I might not be good at pretending.

For six years, he’s the one I only love. Every time I was on duty in the hospital, or taking care of my patients, he never left my mind. Wondering what he’s up to these days. Every night, whenever I tried to close my eyes, his face was the only thing I could see. I promised myself that I will never love a man more than him. Even when I see him with another woman.

I fell asleep thinking and woke up by the sound of my alarm in my cell phone. Today is Wednesday and my flight is at nine in the morning. It is still six in the morning and I am already taking my bath to feel cool. Finally, I am coming back home. I come down the grand staircase and go straight to the kitchen. The maids already made breakfast and served us.

“Come back here, my darling. I will wait for you, okay?” She waited for me at the main door and saw the black limousine parked in front.

"I'm missing you already,” she added.

I wanted her to take a rest today so she didn’t come with Mary to see me off at the airport. Her look is the resistance factor of her age. She looked seven years younger than her real age. She hates being called old so she did everything she could to be younger looking. It doesn’t bother us all as long as she is happy with whatever she is doing. But she never gets anything done under the knife. Even when Uncle Fred was still alive, she really took care of herself, especially her skin as she believed that this organ was the most vulnerable on a person’s eyes.

"Of course I will come back, I owe you everything on where I am now. I will never turn my back on you.” I smiled and hugged her one last time before entering the car.

While on the trip going to the airport, I oriented Mary on everything she needs to know on how to take care of my aunt. She is my closest friend inside the mansion. You wouldn't believe that she is just a quarter of my age but she has a daughter now. She named it Scarlet after my second name because she wanted to remember me when I am gone. I chose her because she is the only one that could accompany me today. 

"Mary, take care of Aunt. Make sure that she's taking all her medicines at the right time. Get enough sleep and rest. Make sure she eats only what is prescribed by the doctors and what’s healthy for her." I said.

"Got it, Chloe. You take care!" She smiled.

"I will. Give my hugs to your daughter. I'm gonna miss you also." I wrapped my hands around her and gave her the tightest embrace.

Because of my aunt’s age, she is taking some medications and maintenance. She always has a headache, maybe because of the stress and too much work. But I looked up to her because she can do it even when it's not obvious. It is so hard for me to leave because she gets used to my care. She was always with me when there are so many maids at the house that can render care for her as well. So it bothers me especially now that I am far away from her.

We finally arrived at the airport and are now waiting for the announcement of my flight schedule. I made myself amused by playing mobile offline games. I am very entertained while playing Plants versus Zombies. I feel so jubilant at the zombies while the plants are firing at them and doing their best so that they could not reach the inside of the house.

I felt like peeing so I went to the restroom. Good thing because I already checked in and the only bag I have right now is my hand carry. Afterwards, I washed my hands with soap and water. I looked up at the mirror to freshen up. I can still see the tint of my lipstick and blush so I just fixed the powder on my face.

I noticed the small glistening thing that is wrapped around my neck when the light touches it. A gold necklace with a simple design. It has only a gold chain and a round small pendant with a diamond at the center. I remembered that this necklace was given to me by Marco last time when we had our first day of dating. It is still around my neck, I caress it softly. The thin chains were almost invisible. It brings back so many memories. 

I like it small and simple when it comes to jewelry. In my opinion, it is more elegant and minimalist when the details of one jewelry is simple and almost unnoticeable.

I jumped a little when I heard the announcement of my flight schedule. I quickly arranged my things and get out of the restroom. Inside the plane, I immediately looked for my seat and luckily I got assigned at my favorite spot, the seat beside the window.

I am getting more nervous. I am not yet in Manila but I feel like I am so near. My chest is bumping so hard and I am sweating cold on my hands.

I finished my residency at the hospital where I was trained. I want to continue it to the Philippines as well as my fellowship. A lot of hospitals and medical centers are popping in my email offering me a position at their facility, especially when they found out my history here in Oslo. Ngunit isa lang ang dapat kong piliin kaya kailangan ko pang pag-isipan iyon ng mabuti. I got an offer as a professor in a University, some are being a clinical instructor of the Nursing students. Nursing was my pre-medicine course. But I will only choose one, and I need to be sure. Because I don't want special treatments. I received emails from different places like Laguna, Manila, Batangas, Cebu, Davao, Bicol and Cagayan De Oro.

The trip was about eight hours long and we made a stop over in Dubai. I strolled around the waiting area and saw some vendors selling souvenirs and snacks. If I buy each one of those, will it fit in my hand carry? My bag is already full of stuff that I cannot put in my check in luggage. I chose not to buy and went straight on the plane after I finished strolling around the area. Just a few more hours and we will take off again going to Manila. Another ten hours will fall before I finally land in Manila, which makes me nervous right now. The idea of getting off the NAIA and landing my feet to the Philippines soil, my chest wanted to burst.

I was woken up by the flight attendant and informed me that we had already landed at NAIA airport. Some of the passengers are already getting off this plane, waiting for their turn to the door. I glanced at the window beside me and confirmed that we had already landed. I can see the buildings from afar that only here in Manila I could find. 

This is indeed Manila!

I am in the Philippines right now!

My heart roared inside my chest. I don’t want to get off this plane. That was the first thing I could think of. I looked up at the airplane crew with anxiety, she just smiled. She is Egyptian and she knows Arabic as well. She is delighted that we arrived at our destination, but I’m not. It’s the opposite for me. My body seemed to be rooting in the chair as if unwilling to move.

This is the Philippines. I have waited long enough to come back here. But why do I feel like I just want to go back to Norway?

Five minutes passed before I could finally move and get off the plane. My hands and knees are trembling.

It smells like home. 

The sun rays immediately hit my skin.

It feels like home. 

While observing my surroundings my phone rings. Do I have a signal? Does the international line have a reception here? Really? Aunt Mercy called and I quickly answered. I cleared my throat before finally speaking.

"Hello?" Still stuttering for words.

"Hi, I missed you, dear. Did you arrive safely?" I walked with my luggages that was inside the trolley cart. I cannot carry them all at once. 

"Yes, Aunt Mercy. How are you? Are you taking your medicines at the right time?" I am still complacent about her. She may have forgotten to take her medicines even though I had already told Mary about that.

"I'm fine here, sweet. I texted you the address of your condo. Are you going there?" She’s really serious about the condo she bought for me.

"Yes, I’m gonna take a rest now. I felt some jetlag from the trip." I massaged the temples of my head and softly brushed my hair backwards using my fingers.

"Is that so? Okay then, take a rest now. I’ll call again later. I already called the chauffeur for you. Just wait for him there. Don't worry about anything okay?" Aunt ended the call right after she said that.

A chauffeur?

Does it mean that she also bought four wheels for me? Oh dear God!

I am right about my feelings. A black Nissan Murano stopped in front of me and an old man came out. His hair turns gray and his physique is thin. His eyes become deep and his wrinkles are visible. I was shocked when I finally recognized the person who came out of the car. 

“Sir Eboy! How are you? I haven’t seen you for so long.” He smiled at me and waved before taking my luggages to the compartment. 

“I’m good, Ma’am. You’ve grown so well. You are more beautiful than before.” I am so glad that he still recognized and remembered me.

“Just call me Chloe, please. As if we’re not like this before. You are always calling me ‘Let-let’, remember?” I said.

I tailed him towards the car. He just laughed at what I just said. Because of his age, I can see his slow movements but I do not mind at all. I am still amazed because he can still drive.

Sir Eboy is our longtime family driver. My parents hired him when we were still living in Calatagan, Batangas because they cannot accompany me on going to school because they left early everyday. My school starts at seven thirty in the morning while they usually leave the house around six. When my mom died, he also retired.

I suddenly missed our home back in Batangas. When I get there, I will pass by. What would it look like? Is it still the same? Is that still being taken care of?

“You too. Al lot has changed in you.” We laughed together and decided to take the road going home. He dropped me off at BGC where my condo is located. He helped me with my luggages and filed them at the sala.

“Ma’am Mercy brought you this unit?” He asked.

The interior of this unit was astonishing. Neat, clean and minimalistic. It doesn’t have any storey but it is still spacious. It also has three colors, white, midnight blue and sky blue. She really knows my favorite color.

“Yeah, she put this under my name. I cannot do anything to stop her. She just gave me too much.” He observed and admired the whole place while listening to me. When he’s done, he gave me the car key.

“You are a very lucky girl. You should never forget how to be thankful to the people who helped and are always there by your side, especially your aunt. You deserved all of these because you’re a good child. Do you know how to drive?” I grabbed the key to his hand and placed it on the center table beside the key to my condo.

“Yes Sir Eboy. I enrolled in driving lessons back in Norway because of my aunt. The driver was not always available so I have to be the substitute. Thank you so much. I’ll take it from here.” I smiled and he also smiled back.

“Sure. Take care always. Do not leave this main door open, better if you lock it every time. Especially that you live alone here.” He took his way out and locked my door.

This is a spacious unit. On my left side is the sala or living area with the long fashionable sofa paired with two single sofas. At the center is the small table and underneath are the magazines and newspapers that are updated from today’s date. Behind this living room are the two rooms. Why two? I will leave alone here. One should be enough. I don’t have much stuff anyway.

This was huge! Although I will not stay here for the whole day because I also have to get to work. So I don’t know how to clean this up all by myself.

There are some cleaning services I should consider that can help me. Good idea.

There is also a toilet near the two rooms. On my right side is the kitchen with a wide counter. The kitchen was about quarter of this whole unit. There is a fridge with double doors, hanging cabinets above the sink. And a complete set of gas stove!

My temples throbbed so I decided to go to my room and maybe take a rest. My stuff is still unpacked, I’ll take care of that later. My bedroom is also spacious and the colors are contrasted in the living room and it also was about a quarter of this condo. A queen size bed with two bedside tables. Opposite side of my bed is the walk-in closet. Inside the bathroom includes a bathtub that can turn into a jacuzzi beside the shower section. All things are complete with a vanity mirror as well. A tall cabinet full with toiletries and bathroom supplies.

This was a long day for me. Tiring and made me feel dizzy. My body felt so heavy as if I couldn’t control it any longer. I throw myself on the soft bed. It immediately gave me comfort and relief that I needed. My eyelids are getting heavier and I was no longer aware of my deep sleep.