SUNNY SIDE UP

CHAPTER 1 - THE SUNFLOWER

DALA’S POV

Have you ever heard about the term 'notional reality'?

It's actually a kind of reality created by society. It's that reality that we tend to believe in too much that we usually get stuck with the concept of it, to the point that our actions and decisions in life are all based on what other people have been telling us to do, what the society thinks is right. 

We're too stuck in it, to the point that we, sometimes, don't realize that we already depend on it and are being controlled by it. We're like a bird born and lived inside a cage, that we didn't know we aren't free, unless we come out and face change.

Before that happens, we tend to be afraid, because change is scary because we see the negativity of it, more than the other side, the sunny side.

Now, I know I’m already saying a lot but I like to tell my story -- of change, acceptance, and love and all the struggles I’ve been through to see the sunny side up.

I'm Amidala Sol Ramirez, by the way. You can call me Dala... because that's obviously more convenient. I'm a Filipina, born and raised in the Philippines, and a certified sunflower. Why am I a sunflower? Well, my name 'Amidala' is an Italian name for a 'beautiful flower' and 'Sol' literally means 'sun' in Spanish, so yeah... a sunflower. My parents named me after it because it’s my mom’s favorite. It symbolizes happiness, loyalty, and luck; they wish me to have these characteristics.

Also, we all know that women are typically symbolized by roses and I am a bit different... in a way.

Have you ever watched the movie 'Sierra Burgess is a Loser'? Well, Sierra, the protagonist, characterizes herself as a sunflower too: a little funny, quite weird, somehow different, somehow ordinary. It’s really complicated but I could totally relate to her. Pretty much, actually. 

Growing up in an Asian household, my life had been quite predictable. I grew up as an overly optimistic and obedient kid who does what she was told to do. I am the first born and have a 17-year-old younger brother who’s as stubborn as can be. As the eldest, I have the responsibility to protect my family in the future, in all aspects, especially financially. That's why I took a degree, passed and ranked as the third placer in the national exam, earned my license, and got a high-paying job as a newly-hired accountant executive. Cool, right? *awkward laugh*

Is that what I really wanted? I don't know. I guess I accepted the fact that this is what I was destined to do and decided to shut all other opportunities whenever I encounter them so I won't feel bad: both for my parents and for my own decisions.

Also, having strict parents, I was never allowed to go to parties, drink with friends, or have a boyfriend until I reached 18. I hadn't had any problem with that. I surrounded myself with friends who share the same story, but then when we all reached the legal age, they started to go all out while I decided to stay in my comfort zone. Besides, I never really liked the scent of alcohol. 

When it comes to having a boyfriend, well, no one ever tried hitting on me anyways, so no problem about that too. I've never been in any romantic relationships nor ever experienced being loved in a romantic kind of way. I've never had any experience, like anything. I usually didn't bother, but at the age of 21, I'm starting to get alarmed a bit.

I tried asking my friends if I'm really not that interesting, but they all said that I'm okay; you know, I'm that average-looking, family-oriented, smart type who can cook and does have a potentially stable career. So, I guess, there's nothing wrong with me. I'll just have to wait then, for the perfect timing.

************

*phone buzzing*

I hesitantly grabbed my phone inside the bag as I was wiping my sweat off my face. I got my hair all messed up as if I did a lot of headbanging in a heavy metal concert and my hands trembled with panic.

"He..Hello?"

"HELLO?! SERIOUSLY?! WHERE ARE YOU? WE ARE ABOUT TO MISS THE FLIGHT! HURRY!"

That was Cali, my oh-so-supportive best friend and a certified Thai fan. She’s just obsessed with the Thai culture, their food, series, movies, and...actors. She even learned the language so she could understand what they are talking about during live interviews since there’s no English subtitles.

Actually, we’re quite the same. I've been a fangirl of Thai actors for quite a while, just not as obsessed as she is.

Now, she just banged my eardrums so hard. Imagine yelling at you through the phone, right straight to your right ear. I’m telling you, it’s horrible. But, I can’t blame her because she’s so excited and we’re about to miss out on a flight to Thailand because of me... and the alarm. Most of it is because of the alarm, okay, not me.

Maybe you are wondering why I’m going to Thailand. Well, it’s a business trip, and I can bring a ‘plus-one’, so I brought her so we could fangirl together, after I deal with ‘business-kinda’ things.

 I’m about to meet Mr. Wongsawat, a powerful Thai business tycoon, and our potential investor. 

You might ask, ‘Why me?’

Well, because first, I am a very competent accountant; second, my boss loves me so much; third, that she knows that I can speak Thai and have a background on the culture; and fourth, she says it’s better to talk to him directly than through an interpreter. Plus, my boss is my aunt; my mother’s second cousin.

Guess I have the connection, but I want to prove that I have the skills and capacity to do it, which gives me more pressure to seal the deal.

Now where were we? Right, I’m talking to Cali.

“I’m on my way. I’m sorry, okay. I’ll surely get there in time. I’m sure.”

I assured her, even though I’m quite not sure we would make it in time because all I see are cars with displeasing red lights bumper-to-bumper with each other, but hopefully we would. No, I know we would. Let’s claim it.

“HURRYYY!”

“I’m almost there.”

The cab stopped by the entrance at the airport near those yellow and black parking blocks. I ran quickly to Cali, with all the heavy luggage and gladly made it in time to board the plane.

Once all the passengers were all set, the plane took off. To be frank, this is my first flight and surprisingly I feel calm. It's like I’m just sitting on a chair, well maybe it felt a bit weird on the stomach while the plane’s going up. Usually, people during their first flights tend to vomit with eyes full of fear, but luckily I am not one of them. Though, I might feel a little nervous, but here’s Cali with me. I’m not alone.

About Cali, we haven’t talked about what happened earlier. Actually, we haven’t said anything to each other besides ‘Hurry!’ and ‘We made it!’

I took a deep breath, then patted Cali’s right shoulder.

Hey! Sorry about a while ago,” I said with a matching peace sign.

“You should be thankful we made it or else you’re dead meat. My hubbies sare waiting for me in Thailand”

“Well, you wouldn’t meet them if it weren’t for me. So…”

I wasn’t able to finish my sentence because, all of a sudden, she hit me on my nape, a casual brutal thing we do to each other when we find the other annoying.

“What was that for? Ugh. By the way, I’m glad your boyfriend’s okay with you going to Thailand and hunting for Thai men.”

“I’m not hunting for them, just fulfilling my personal desires. It’s not that I’ll flirt with them… well maybe just a bit. But, yeah, there is nothing to be worried about, my BOYFRIEND knows how much I love him. You should be the one looking for a boyfriend, you VIRGIN.”

“HEEEY! THAT’S NOT FAIR! ENOUGH WITH THE V WORD! IT’S EMBARRASSING!”

I mean, I get it. But she doesn’t have to point it out, right?

“See! You can’t even say it.”

Seriously, Cali?! Why are you doing this?

“I can.”

I assured her, making sure my eyes are giving her a piercing stare.

“You can’t!”

Ugh!

“I CAN!”

I can say it, okay. I’m a virgin who never had a boyfriend. So what?

“Okay, fine. But you can’t stop me from finding you a match”

I don’t want to argue with her anymore. I have an important presentation to think about.

“Ugh. Fine. Whatever floats your boat.”

I shrugged. The flight would only take around three and a half hours anyway. I should prepare myself for the presentation this afternoon.

“I’ll get some sleep first. I woke up too early, not like this girl beside me.”

The sarcasm in her voice, seriously. 

“Fine. Sleep tight.”

Cali reached out for her pink unicorn eye mask in the left pocket of her bag and fixed the black neck pillow around her nape.

I grabbed the documents and scanned my notes, while mustering all the courage I could get for later. While I was minding my own business on my own bubble, Cali was there, peacefully sleeping, with her mouth opened wide. 

Seriously, Cali?! 

How could you sleep so comfortably on a plane?

Honestly, I have a feeling that this trip to Thailand would change my life. This time, things will change. I can feel it… in my gut.