A Night With You

Chapter 7: Destination

It was already afternoon when the bus came to a halt. The place was already their destination. The province of Kira's mother; Leyte.

They got off from the bus. Kira roamed his eyes around the city. This city is also progressing. And she knows that one time, this city will rise and the economy will grow too.

The noise of the barkers that were calling the attention of the passengers who wants to ride the public transportation that were available there; the colorful jeepneys.

"Ma'am. Sakay na. Duha nala!" Said one man. But Kira's mother declined the offer of the ride.

"Why did you refused Mom? We can take that seat and just go home. I mean I am exhausted and all." Kira said as she pulled her big suitcase.

"No can do sweetheart. I know what are the likes of riding that vehicle and I know that you will not be comfortable. We will ride the coaster. It is the easier way and it will be a lot comfortable. It's an hour ride from here to our house."

"What does our house looks like? Is someone currently living there and will just you know - evacuate when we got there or what?" To that question, her mother chuckled a bit.

"Silly. No one is at the house. I had it prepared for three months already just before I decided to stay here for good."

"What about me Mom? Am I going to find a job again?"

"Oh no no no! You will be the one to manage our start up business here. I will see if you can make tons of money out of a penny. Time to apply a lot of effort and muster up all courage from deep within."

"You don't love me. Do you?"

"Me? Oh come on Kira! Me? I am your mother and I am the one who loves you, unconditionally. Regardless of how hard headed you are. I don't have a choice but to accept you."

"You make it sound like I am a prodigal daughter of some sort." Her mother laughed at her antics.

"Come on Kira. We need to go to the coaster. It will leave minutes from now."

"Okay."

They soon board the coaster and they were seated to seat numbers 15 and 16. Only the sound of the machine and the air conditioning system were heard. Some of the passengers were taking a nap.

Soon enough, the coaster started to get out from the parking area. Slow turns after slow turns.

"Mommy, do we have complete things to be used at home?" Kira asked all of the sudden.

"Oh no worries. I made your Auntie Greta buy those stuffs weeks ago. Rest assured that everything is set."

Kira just nodded and silently looked at the scenery that they passed on. The tall mountains that were having hues of mixed violet, blue and green. The sides of the road has many trees and the greenery were a sight to behold.

The houses here doesn't look grand and luxurious. No tall buildings. No factories that emits dark smoke that causes pollution. It was a living full of simplicity and nature. A life that is worth to barter money.

The people seemed to look friendly. There are a lot who were outside their houses and were chatting with their peers and laughing at their hearts content. A life that you can say a happy one despite of the surge of problems that comes to their ways. A life to behold.

As the coaster went farther and farther from the City, Kira saw that what was left was simplicity - but of course poverty can still be clearly pointed out just by looking at those dilapidated shanties and small houses made of bamboo and nipa. The provincial life indeed.

She thinks about a lot of things. Things such as? How can these people manage to survive? How can they smile still despite the odds that they are facing? And during rough times of their lives, they even manage to spread positivity and hope.

Then her mind suddenly diverted back to the man who keeps robbing her peace of mind and soul; Vin. She wondered what is happening to him? Is he okay? Does he find someone else? Maybe he forgot about her already?

She looked at the ring on her right ring finger. The beautiful gold and diamond ring that sparkles under the light. He clearly proposed to her but she shook the idea away and started to close her eyes.

"It is. It's our family's heirloom. And I'm giving it to you." He showed her the ring. And the fluorescent made a streak of light on the precious thing.

"Why is that?" Curiosity invaded her very being. She was clueless as to why Vin would give her a ring. For Pete's sake they just only met.

"Because I know that you're the one." Taking her hand, he slipped the cold ring on her ring finger and kissed it afterwards.

Kira abruptly opened her eyes as soon as the surge of thought about Vin came back like a wave hitting the cast hard. She was shaken to the core. She played with the ring and bit her lower lip.

"I wish he is okay now. I am wishing that he finds the one that he truly loves. I am so sorry Vin. I am sorry for leaving you like that. I love you but I have a family who needs me too. If permitted by destiny and time, we will see each other again. We will meet each other at the most unexpected way. The universe works without our permission. And I hope that it will work for us to be together again." She silently mumbled at her brain. That made her feel better.

The coaster came to a halt after an hour. Kira's mother started to descend the stairs - of course, tailing her was a groggy Kira who's eyelids were seem to close at any moment now.

A two storey house made of concrete and corrugated galvanized iron sheets  came to their vision. The roofs were painted with cobalt blue and the walls of the house were painted with pale thistle. A simple yet elegant house.

"Welcome to our new home sweetheart. Do you like it?"

"It resembles a lot of our old house," commented Kira.

"Well, I don't want you to be uncomfortable while we are staying here. I know you still need a lot of time to adjust but I hope that this idea hasten that process. And another thing, I miss your Dad. He was the one who designed that old house and I can't seem to forget about him. I tried to but it just hurt me when I do so. You know how much I love your Dad." Her mother's voice cracked. Kira hugged her mother to comfort her.

"Shh! Hush now Mom. Dad will be sad if you are crying. You know him. He is so protective about you and he see to it that not a single year can be shed in your eyes. So please stop crying okay?"

Her mother nodded and sniffed. Her mother smiled warmly and hugged her back.

"Time will come sweetheart and you will feel what I feel. The love that you can never replace. The lover that you can't ever forget. And the moments that will never regret."

"I think I do Mommy." Kira said at her mind only. Afraid that her mother will hear those words. She hopes too. She hopes for her greatest love but she reigned her mind and her heart. The chance of meeting him is very slim. He's half the globe away.