ENCHANTED TO MEET YOU

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight PA3 with service from Philippines to Los Angeles. We are currently third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes time. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing Philippine Airlines. Enjoy your flight. As I heard the scripted call of the flight I fastened my seatbelt, turned my phone off and sit comfortably then close my eyes. The moment my eyes shut, memories from home flows into my mind. This wasn't my original idea at all, yes I love traveling to different places but that's because I have a purpose and a goal. As a writer, i have to travel to different places to get inspiration, new ideas and bases for the story I am writing. I love my job, I get to visit different places and enjoy new environment. In every places I visit where no one knows me, I feel free and I'm not afraid of judgement. I'm not going to let this freedom go. But my family has their own plan for me. They kept telling me to get married and stop fooling around. Who's fooling around by the way? I'm enjoying my job, who's fooling around? But of course they couldn't understand that, nothing's important to them but business and I am included with that business. "Stop fooling around Christine, stop that good for nothing job of yours and settle down. Please listen to me". I've been hearing this from my mother since I applied for writing job 3 years ago. She wanted me to marry the son of her high school best friend from London which I haven't seen. I only know aunt Annabelle mommy's best friend but not her son. Everytime they visit here in Philippines, I always make sure that I'm out of town wanting to avoid meeting that supposed to be husband of mine. I heard from my father that aunt Annabelle's son also weren't around everytime aunt Annabelle visit our house. So i guess her son doesn't want to get married too. That made me happy though, at least I know now that somehow marriage will not going to happen for us, but not until last summer. Aunt Annabelle visited again this time she was with her son. My father always update me on what's going on in our house everytime I'm away because he knows I'm really against of marrying. I'm a daddy's girl and I'm thankful having my dad as my dad but when it comes to Mom, he has no voice. I guess he loves her very much and if ever I marry someone, I want someone like my dad. "Please Tine, meet your aunt Annabelle and her son. Don't embarrass me this time". Mom's almost pleading. I love my mom but I love my freedom too. Besides I'm just 26 , i think I'm too young to get married. I feel sorry for mom though. She and aunt Annabelle made a promise that they'll going to marry each other's child in the future and now I'm forced to fulfill that promise. How I wish I had siblings. " I'll, I'll meet aunt Annabelle". I finally agreed and I saw how happy my mom was. "But in one condition", I added. "What is it?". Mom asked still smiling. "I know I don't have any choice but to marry him for you but after this meeting, can I breathe somewhere far from here? can you give me two weeks to finally accept it ?". I said almost tearing up. "Of course sweetheart, of course. ". I can see how happy my mom is. But will I be able to be happy too? "Tom Bradley International Airport", "Los Angeles huh?". I muttered to myself. Dad suggested that I should go here, that this place could help me absorb the situation I'm in right now. He even booked a hotel room for me already. It was all settled. He also said that I can be as free as i want while I'm here but after two weeks I must go home. "Two weeks, what can I do in just two weeks?". Now that I'm here, I forget what I have to do or what I want to do. Would two weeks be enough? Will I be ready by then? Is there no way out? These questions kept coming to my mind until my ride stopped in front of a luxury hotel. "Hyatt Place" , I was in an awe looking how huge the hotel is. It's making me feel dizzy. My eyes wandered to admire the beautiful view when I heard voices behind me. "Are you sure you're not going tonight?" I heard one of the four men behind me. They walked past me so I get so see their faces. "Popogi. hehe". I muttered to myself with a small smile. I was about to walk to get inside when I saw one of them looked at me which make my step halted. I looked at him with "what are you looking at" look. But he just smiled. "Baliw". I said again a bit louder this time. I heard someone laugh and when I look to find where it came from, O saw him laughing. It was that man again. Did he understands what I said? But that's impossible he doesn't look like a Filipino, there's no way he understands. I continue my halted step to get inside the hotel, go to my room and rest. "Good luck Christine Aria Rosales". I muttered and sleep.