Covered By My Own Umbrella

Black Hoodie Jacket

"What about Zachary Delos Reyes?" Abed butt in appears unexpectedly on the door.

"Huh?" Unconsciously, I asked.

"Who is Zachary Delos Reyes?" Abed queried, clarifying.

"Oh, nothing. It's just ahhh—, Cathy's secret admirer's name," I responded, winking at Cathy with my right eye.

"Really?" Abed asked.

"Okay, if that's what you meant. By the way, Eliah, your mom told me that you both need to get ready now because your uncle's departure is at 3 a.m.. They are now in the garage, getting the car and van ready," Abed gave us instructions.

"Okay, we are coming. Just tell mom that we're now getting ready. Thanks, Abed."

Abed goes downstairs and leaves the door open.

When Cathy suddenly approaches and confronts me.

"How come you lied to Abed when I thought you trusted him?" Cathy asked quietly.

"For the time being, I just want to keep it a secret. In fact, neither of us is certain if we will be able to find him," I explained.

"I'm sorry, Bes, but I wanted it to be this way for now. I'll let him know once we have found Z.D. Okay?" I tacked on.

"I understand, bestie. But promised me that you’ll tell him as well. I don’t want your friendship to be ruined,” Cathy replied, asking for me to promise something.

“Yes bestie, I promised,” I uttered with a smile on my face.

“Alright! So let's get ready now before your mom gets mad at us," Cathy said.

"Eliah!" yelled Mom from downstairs.

"Coming!" I exclaimed.

As we went down, we saw Grandma, Aunt Joce, Uncle Criz, Mom, Gabby, Cathy, and my cousins Sam and Leigh inside the black Mitsubishi Xpander car, while Uncle Charles was in the white Toyota van. Cathy and I decided to join Uncle Charles in the van since he doesn't have anyone to accompany him to the airport.

"Ok, let's go," Grandma said, looking excited.

As Cathy, Uncle Charles, and I are on our way to the airport, I stare out the window, pondering how I could reach Z.D while Cathy is sleeping beside me.

I wonder how I ended up in a situation where I'm looking for a guy I've never met deeper. Yes, he saved me that day, but when I look at myself now, I realize I'm doing just fine under my own umbrella.

I don't want to go back in the past anymore and humiliate myself again. But what is the real reason I'm looking for him? I feel like there is some outside force pushing me to do it that I can't seem to resist.

"What are you thinking, Eliah? You can sleep for a while since we are still one hour away from the airport," uncle Charles abruptly advised, driving.

"Nothing, uncle; I'm just looking out the window enjoying the night. It feels so soothing," I responded.

"Okay, but I assume there is something bothering you. Is it love?" uncle Charles said and looked at me for two seconds.

I stared at him and suddenly laughed.

"You know what Eliah, love has a way of making you think and feel. It's a beautiful feeling that you can't comprehend or even describe. But, whatever you think, remember to always listen to what your heart tells you. You don't have to answer all of your questions in your head or figure everything out right away; instead, you just need to pay attention to what your heart is telling you. You know your heart, even if it sometimes deceives you," uncle Charles seriously uttered.

"Wow, I had no idea you had changed careers, uncle. 'Charles, the love expert!'" I laughed in response.

"Nye!" Uncle Charles added as he laughed as well.

Cathy finally awakens from her nap and asks, "Are we here?"

"Yes, we're here. All I need to do now is find a parking spot," uncle Charles spoke up.

"OK, uncle Charles," Cathy said as she redressed herself.

"I'm going to call Mom to see if they've arrived. What would I tell them if they asked where we are?" I inquired.

"Tell your mom we're on the third floor of the parking lot, near the guard's post," Uncle replied, still driving.

We spotted their car driving toward us after speaking with Mom on the phone. Uncle Criz parked the Mitsubishi Xpander car next to our van as well.

Aunt Joce told us to stay in the van with our other cousins, and that only Grandma, Uncle Charles, Uncle Criz, Mom, and her would go inside and pick up uncle Richard and his family.

"So we're going inside now. Just stay in the van, okay?" Aunt Joce spoke up.

"Eliah, take charge because you are the eldest," Mom said.

They have now gone inside, while I invite Sam, Leigh, and Gabby to join Cathy and I in the van. We stayed inside, but we left the van door open because it might suffocate us if it is closed.

"Omo, I'm so excited to see uncle Richard and his new family," Sam exclaimed, her face beaming.

"I'm going to teach Amriel how to play basketball. What would I teach him first? Dribbling or tricks already?" Leigh asked Gabby.

"They are all excited to meet your cousins, but you're still thinking Z.D the guy," Cathy spoke to me in hushed tones.

"No, I am not. I'm just hungry, which is why I'm quiet," I responded.

"Really?" Cathy questioned once more.

"Oh, I see, I just heard your stomach grumbling," Cathy added.

"I'll go inside the airport and find a restaurant, then just take the food out. I'll also get some food for everyone. Bestie, can you look after my cousins for a while?" I asked Cathy for a favor.

"No problem, I'll do it. Make it quick," Cathy stated.

As I enter Manila Airport Terminal 3, I am astounded by the building's structure. I noticed the escalator balustrades, which are made of glass which are displaying running water.

The airport also has this amazing view in its second floor area at the center, where there is a large aquarium full of different types of fish. I thought it was an ocean park. And when I look up, I see the glass roof that overlooks the clouds outside.

"Wow, this place is amazing. I have no idea there is indeed a place like this in Manila," I thought to myself.

"Oh my gosh, I forgot. I'm still looking for a restaurant."

I'm looking for a restaurant to order from when I come across a clothing store near the departure lounge. I noticed an oversized black hoodie jacket with the initials Z.D imprinted on it hanging in one of the store's clothing racks.

As I dash into the clothing store to get a good look at the jacket, my eyes light up.

"It's really lovely. Is the initials Z.D the name of this clothing store or is it really a design?" I thought to myself as I looked around for a saleslady.

When a saleslady appeared from behind, I was surprised.

"No, ma'am, that is not the name of the clothing store, but rather a design of it," the saleslady explained.

"Oh, I see. Thanks!" I quickly responded.

"You're welcome, ma'am; please call me if you have any further questions," the saleslady said.

I simply nodded, indicating a yes.

"Omo, I'm gonna buy this. When I found Z.D, I wanted to make it as a gift for him. But for now, I am just hoping that I'll be able to meet him again," I muttered.

As I am about to grab the jacket to buy it, someone quickly tries to snatch the jacket from me.

"Hey, it's mine! Take off your hand!" a guy said out loud.

I was startled, so I raised my head to look at the tall guy who yelled, and I saw him looking at me arrogantly, his strong brows fleeking on me and well-defined jaws causing me to clench my teeth 'coz he is a total dapper.

He is dressed in a black Tommy oversized hoodie, ripped denim jeans, and Vans Old Skool shoes. I noticed that he is carrying a white suitcase and a green backpack, which led me to believe that he is either leaving the country or had recently arrived in the Philippines.

"Hey, miss! I said, this is mine now. Could you please take your hands off this jacket?" He said aloud that prompted me to return to my senses.

"Huh? What? NO! I was the one who found and touched this jacket first!" I argued quite loudly as I snatched the jacket from him.

"No, you don't. I was the one who first touched it!" He claimed, trying to re-snatch the jacket from me.

"Excuse me, Mr. Arrogant Disgusting Post, I was the first to find and touch this jacket. You just came second to me. But if you really want this type of jacket, ask the saleslady at the counter for it," I explained, gripping my jacket tightly in the same way he is.

"This is the last jacket they have, which is destined for me to buy. If you don't mind, I'll just pay you twice the price of this jacket," he suggested proudly, offering the forty dollars money to me.

"No, I don't want to. I got this first, so I have a greater right to this jacket," I argued vehemently.

(Indistinct chattering outside the clothing store)

"Look, miss! Harry Styles passed by the store!" He yelled.

I quickly turn around and run out of the store to see if it is true, only to find out it is a hoax. When I returned to the store, I saw the guy running outside who had just checked out the jacket he had stolen from me.

He even smiled sarcastically as he waved goodbye.

"How did he manage to fool me so quickly? Eliah, you are smart, so why did you let yourself be duped?" I was furiously telling myself.

My phone rings, Cathy calls.

"Hello bestie?" I talked.

"Hello, where are you now? Your mom texted me, saying that they had finally picked your uncle and his family. You should return here immediately before they arrive," Cathy said.

"Alright bestie, I'll be there in 10 minutes," I responded.

After I've ordered food from Gillate's restaurant, I dash back to the parking lot, still mad about what happened but in control of it.

"Sam, Leigh, and Gabby, here's your food. Just eat inside the car, but don't leave your litter behind; mom said they are on their way back," I told my cousins and brother.

"Bes, here's your food," I told Cathy as I tumbled inside the van.

"Wait a minute. Someone does not appear to be in the mood to eat. I assumed you were hungry?" Cathy queried, curious as to why I behaved in this manner.

"I've already eaten something inside. Don't worry about me," I said, feeling annoyed.

"Oh, why do you have such a long face? Was there something bad that happened?" Cathy inquired, attempting to sit beside me and eat.

"There was, indeed. I was looking for a restaurant to order food from earlier when I came across a clothing store. I saw a black oversized jacket that really caught my interest, so I went there to grab and buy it, but an arrogant disgusting guy came up and snatched the jacket from me, claiming that he was the one who found it first when, in fact, I was the one who first found it," I told the story, feeling so irked.

"He was also so arrogant that he boasted about his money to me, saying he would just pay me double the price of the jacket. I refused, but he's a thief for fooling me into thinking that Harry Styles passed by the store, so I ran out of the store to see if Harry Styles was really there, but he wasn't. Until I noticed that arrogant guy running out of the store, who had already checked out the jacket," I tacked on.

While I was waiting for Cathy to respond to what I told her, she was too preoccupied with eating the food I had brought her.

"Why aren't you reacting, bestie?" I inquired, intrigued.

"Wait. I'm just going to finish chewing this chicken," she responded.

"Hmmm, was the guy handsome? Foreigner?" Cathy asked, moving her head close to mine.

"Bes, where did you get that question?" I responded, a little disappointed.

"I'm just joking. But, you can still purchase the same jacket from other stores. Don’t worry, I'll help you find one!" Cathy suggested, smirking.

"Yeah, okay," I said, still disappointed that I didn't get the jacket.