When We Collide (Book 1 of When Trilogy)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Gorgeous

I just finished packing the things that I'll need for our one week vacation in Boracay. Sinilip ko ang oras sa phone ko. Alas diyes na pala ng gabi. Masyado akong nawili sa kakapili kung ano ang mga isusuot ko.

But the thing that I'm really excited to wear is my new maroon two piece bikini. I bought it the day after I found out about our vacation.

Papasok na sana ako ng banyo para maligo kahit katawan lang nang biglang mag ring ang phone ko na nasa ibabaw ng kama ko. It was from my brother.

"Hello, Colton?" Bungad ko.

"Hey, you done packing your whole closet?"

Napairap ako. Tumawag lang ba siya para alaskahin ako?

"I packed light. Surprise? I don't care. What do you want?"

Narinig ko siyang tumikhim mula sa kabilang linya. "Uhm... Nothing, nothing.... I just called to tell you that I can't come tomorrow."

My eyes widened in shock. What the actual f**k? Do I have too much earwax?

"You gotta be kidding me..." I said while shaking my head.

"I wish I was but a work is a work, sister."

"Well, a family is a family, too, Colton at bukas wala ka na no'n kapag hindi ka nagpakita!"

"That is why I'm calling you tonight... You got me, right? Ikaw na ang bahalang mag explain kay mama."

Bumuntong hininga ako. "Do you realize that you'll hurt mama's feelings because of this? Umaasa siya na darating ka." Mariin kong sabi.

He let out a frustrated and guilty sigh. "I know but what can I do? This is my job."

Pumalatak ako. "O sige na, sige na. Ako na ang bahalang magpaliwanag nito kina mama't papa, actually wala ka naman problema kay papa si mama lang talaga. Pero siguraduhin mo na hahabol ka."

He's a pilot and his flights are mostly domestic. Malay mo may flight pala siya to Caticlan or Aklan! Bahala na siyang dumiskarte kapag gano'n.

"I'm not so sure about that," I was about to let out a groan in protest pero pinangunahan na niya ako kaagad. "Pero babawi ako. I swear. I'll stay in our house for three days pagkagaling niyong Boracay at isasama ko yung kaibigan ko."

"Ewan ko sa'yo, Colton." Sabi ko at hindi pinansin ang sinabi niya. Akala ba niya ay makukuha niya kami sa pagano'n-gano'n niya? Minsan na nga lang kami makumpleto ay ganyan pa siya.

Since the day he moved out scenarios like this always happen... 'I'm sorry, I can't come.' 'I'm still out of town.' 'Hindi muna ako makakauwi.'

He's been very busy with his life, nakalimutan niya na pati sina mama ay tumatanda na rin. He just love his job so much, I won't be even surprised if one day he marries one of the planes that he's flying.

"Trix, please understand... I know I'm always MIA pero bumabawi naman ako at babawi ulit ako." Pangako niya.

Totoo naman ang sinasabi niya. Hindi namin siya madalas makasama but he never failed to spoil us with things that my mother think we don't actually need because it's his presence that we've been longing for... Well, my mother can be right with that but hey, having new watch and new designer bags is not a bad thing.

I let out a deep, deep sigh. "Alright, alright... Ako na ang bahala sa inyo El Capitan!"

He let out a relieved sigh.

"Love you." Sabi niya. I rolled my eyes in the air and chuckled. He's using that style again. Ganyan siya kapag may kasalanan, e.

"Love you, too." At alam ko na kahit gaano kagasgas ang istilo niyang iyon ay hindi ko pa rin matanggihan.

-

"Colton called last night..." Anunsyo ko sa kalagitnaan ng pagkain namin ng almusal. I tried to make my voice sound casual as f**k pero sa totoo lang ay kinakabahan ako.

Mamayang alas dos na ang flight namin at ito ang araw kung kailan ko nakatakdang basagin ang balita at ang pag-asa ng mga magulang namin.

"What did he say?" Mama asked, shifting her attention on me.

"Well... He said that he's excited to come with us but his schedule is not so..." I paused and gulped. Damn! Damn you, Colton!

Ma's jaw slacked and his eyes are full of anticipation. "So?" She pressed.

"So he can't come with us. Oh God, I need to brush my teet—"

When I saw the disbelief in my parents' face, I took that as my cue to leave after dropping the lamest excuse of the century but before I could even stand up my mother stopped me right away.

"Anong sinabi mo, Beatrix?" Aniya at umaasa na mali ang kanyang dinig.

I am deeply sorry, mother but what you've heard is right. Reality could be bitter sometimes. f**k it.

"Ma, importante daw talaga 'yon." sabi ko kahit wala naman talagang sinabi si Colton na ganoon-pero sigurado naman ako na importante talaga iyon dahil hindi naman niya iindianin ang pamilya niya kung wala iyong kwenta.

"No! He promised! Ang sabi niya ay makakasama siya sa atin." May pagtatampo sa boses ni mama.

Kaagad naman siyang hinawakan sa balikat ni papa para pakalmahin.

"I know ma. Pero alam mo naman sa trabaho ni Colton. Hindi niya hawak ang oras niya." Pagtatakip ko sa kapatid ko.

Well, at least I'm covering him up using those relevant excuses. I'm not that bad. Totoo naman kasi. Hindi hawak ni Colton ang oras niya.

Kung minsan ay do'n sa ilang araw niyang pagpapahinga dito sa bahay o kaya sa pad niya ay ipinapatawag pa siya para magpalipad ng eroplano. And during holidays ay wala din siya dahil doon mas aligaga ang mga tao na mag out of town o di kaya'y out of the country.

His work is very demanding during holidays kaya hindi talaga ako mag-aasawa ng piloto. Baka mamaya paskong-pasko solo flight ako!

"I don't understand your brother, Beatrix. Ang papa mo nga ay nag leave sa trabaho para lamang makumpleto tayo tapos hindi na naman siya sisipot! Dios mio, Ronan! I don't know what am I going to do with your son! Hindi ko siya pinalaki nang ganyan!"

Disappointment is written all over her face while exaggeration is all over her words.

It saddens me to see mama like this but what can we do? That's Colton's job— his dream job. Kung ano man ang narating ni Colton ngayon ay lahat nang iyon ay pinaghirapan at pinagsikapan niya.

"Ma, si Papa ang boss kaya pwedeng-pwede siyang mag leave." Sabi ko na lang.

My Papa graduated as a civil engineer while my Mama is a highschool graduate. Pero kahit gano'n we never felt ashamed to have her as our mother. She's wonderful, smart, and cook the best dishes in the world.

She dreamed of being a chef pero mahirap daw kasi talaga ang buhay nila noon kaya hindi siya nagkaroon ng privilege para matupad ang mga pangarap niya. That is why both my parents never pressured us in pursuing the course that we really want.

Kung tutuusin dapat civil na lang din ang ipina-take nila papa kay Colton pero hindi. Ayaw nila kaming pilitin sa mga bagay na hindi naman kami masaya.

On the other hand, Papa was born with a silver spoon on his mouth that's why he was able to graduate in a course that he wanted and that is Civil engineering.

He once worked for the government but eventually resigned when he met my mother and started his own company.

Ang gusto daw niya kasi ay mabigyan ng magandang buhay si mama at ang mga magiging anak nila (and that's Colton and me) kaya bumuo siya ng sarili niya dahil minsan hindi sasapat ang kinikita niya kung nagta-trabaho lang siya para sa iba.

I adore how my father exerts efforts just to give the world to my mother.

I want that old fashion love— the love that is willing to climb every mountain and swim every sea.

"Kahit na!" Kahit na ano talaga ang sabihin ko ay masakit pa rin sa loob ni mama.

"Hayaan mo na. Hindi naman natin pwedeng i-cancel ito, sayang naman. I can't file another leave..." Si papa na ang nagsalita. Tumango-tango naman ako at sumubo ng toasted bread.

"Pero kasi..." hindi maituloy-tuloy ni mama ang protesta niya dahil masuyo siyang tinignan ni papa. In the end she just sighed and nodded her head.

--

"Ma, picture!" Sigaw ko habang pasakay kami sa eroplano. My phone's in frontcam. Kanina pa ako nag se-selfie dito kasama si papa at si mama lang itong hindi nakikisali kaya kinuha ko na ang atensyon niya. Masyado niya kasing iniisip si Colton.

Speaking of Colton, I saw him here in Clark International Airport awhile ago and when I was about to call him the sneaky asshole just put his index finger in front of his lips. Napailing na lang ako sabay irap. He didn't do or say anything after that basta nagmadali na lang siyang umalis. Of course, he'd be doomed kapag nakita siya ni mama dito.

Sana lang talaga totoo iyong sinasabi niyang uuwi siya at mags-stay sa bahay ng tatlong araw dahil kung hindi, itatakwil na siya ni mama.

Pasakay pa lamang kami ng eroplano ay tanaw na tanaw ko na ang mga flight stewardess na naka-abang sa may entrance at kulay pula ang mga suot nila. They were all greeting the passengers one by one.

Si Papa na ang naglagay ng mga bagahe sa luggage compartment pagkatapos no'n ay si mama na ang pinauna niyang umupo dahil gustong-gusto niya sa may bintana...

If you'd ask me, I love sitting near the airplane window so that I could get a better view of the skies and how the huge buildings are slowly getting smaller and smaller during the take off. Pero si mama na muna... she needs something to divert her attention.

Si Papa ang pumwesto sa middle seat at ako naman ang sa may pinakaunahan. While I was sitting, inayos ko ang suot kong denim jacket na may spaghetti strap top sa loob... I decided to dress casual today. Okay naman, it's just a simple outfit but I'm confident with it kaya keri lang.

It will took a few minutes before the plane would take off so while I was waiting for it, isinuksok ko na lamang ang earphones ko sa magkabila kong tenga upang makinig ng music.

I played Taylor Swift's new released album called 'Reputation'. I tapped the shuffle button and the first song that played is 'Gorgeous'. Dang! I really love this song. I love the beat, the lyrics, just everything. Walang tapon.

Nang saktong chorus na ay napatingin ako sa may right side ko and I don't know what happened but it seems like my eyes were suddenly glued to this stranger guy who seems comfortable on his seat.

Kunsabagay, sino ba namang hindi? The first two seats from his row were unoccupied. Solong-solo niya ang isang row and I suddenly felt this strange urge to transfer beside him.

The back of his head is rested on his seat at mula dito sa pwesto ko ay saganang-sagana ako sa side view niya. His prominent jaw that God himself has carved is on full show... It was solidly clenched and it looked so fantastically perfect.

Maging ang katangusan ng kanyang ilong ay naghuhumiyaw rin mula dito sa aking pwesto... What kind of scent does his nostrils allowed to fill in?

Pati ang kanyang makakapal at itim na pares ng kilay ay hindi rin nagpatalo... I can see them clearly because his jetblack hair is brushed up.

His luscious lips are slightly parted and I wonder how many girls have already kissed those? Iniisip ko pa lang ang mga babaeng nakahalik na sa mga labi niyang iyon ay parang gusto ng magpuyos ng damdamin ko— I don't even know who this guy is!

I pressed my lips together before scolding myself to stop checking this gorgeous stranger out but I guess my eyes are as stubborn as me dahil wala pa mang limang segundo ang nakalilipas ay muli ko na namang nahanap ang sarili ko na nakatitig sa kanya.

Nakaramdam ako ng kaunting pagkadismaya nang mabigo akong matitigan ang kanyang mga mata dahil kasalukuyan itong natutulog. But on the bright side, I get to look at those perfect curvy lashes since he's currently asleep.

The light coming from the window is illuminating his face not missing to light up every inch of his perfect features and just by looking at him felt like I was already flying even though the plane hasn't took off yet.

Mariin kong kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi ko.

Gorgeous. Saktong-sakto sa kanya ang kantang pinakikinggan ko because this man is no doubt a drop dead gorgeous creature.

Pull yourself together, Beatrix. What is wrong with you? Why are you suddenly checking out this sleeping man whose few seats away from you?

I'm just being appreciative to God's work of art! Depensa ng kabilang parte ng aking utak. This is not the first time that I saw a handsome (well, not as handsome as him) stranger, right? Sooner or later I will forget about his perfect features that I studied just a while ago. Just like how it goes everytime.

Well, maybe this memory will flashed through my mind while I'm staring through the ceiling (when I should be studying) but all I can see was his blurry face no matter how hard I try to remember his features that I tried to memorize seconds ago.

Ganoon naman palagi. I get attracted easily, yes, but the good thing is I move on easily, too. Mabilis akong makalimot sa mga bagay na isang beses ko nang kinahumalingan.

Love at first sight? That thing doesn't work for me. It was always infatuation. Seeing a handsome stranger guy can get me infatuated. The feeling is there but it easily fades away.

Iniwas ko na lamang ang tingin ko sa estrangherong lalaki na ilang upuan ang pagitan sa'kin. This may be the last time that I will remember his face dahil sa susunod man na magkasalubong kami, limot ko na ang mukha niya.

It was nice appreciating his beautiful face, though. Kahit papaano ay nawala ang inip ko sa paghihintay ng take off.

Nang muli kong ibalik ang tingin ko nang diretso ay saka ko lamang narealize na tapos na pala ang flight stewardess na magdemo sa harapan. After the announcement of the take off, may isang flight stewardess na lumapit sa'kin.

"Ma'am, please put your seatbelt on." Magalang nitong sabi habang nakangiti sa akin.

Para naman akong binuhusan nang malamig na tubig at ramdam ko ang pamumula ng aking magkabilang pisngi habang tumatango at hindi makapagsalita dahil sa hiya. Damn! How could I forget about wearing a damn seatbelt?

Maraming beses na akong nakasakay ng eroplano ngunit ito ang kauna-unahang beses na nakalimutan kong mag seatbelt.

Nang maikabit ko na ang seatbelt ko ay nginitian lamang ako noong flight attendant akala ko ay iiwan na niya ako ngunit nagbaba siya nang tingin sa phone ko.

"And phone off, please..." She smiled and I suddenly felt this urge to roll my eyes at her. Tangina!

Pinatay ko ang phone ko at hindi niya talaga ako iniwan hangga't hindi ito nagsha-shut down.

Umayos ako ng upo at pasimpleng sinulyapan ang lalaking kanina ko pa pinagmamasdan. Lumawak ang aking mga mata nang magtama ang aming mga tingin, parang napaso akong kaagad na nag-iwas.

Fucking hell! He's awake and my eyes met his! Hindi ko mawari kung anong kulay ang mga iyon pero tangina, gising siya at nakita niya kung paano ako nasita! A heat began invading my whole face... f**k! f**k it!

"Are you okay?" Papa asked.

I wet my lips. "Y-Yeah..." I replied and shut my eyes tight. Don't look at him, Beatrix. Don't look at him!

I suck an air in and let it go afterwards. It's nothing, Beatrix. Ano naman ngayon kung nakita niyang nasita ka?

When I'm in a bar, I've never felt ashamed to dance and party hard dahil ang mindset ko, hindi naman ako kilala ng mga tao dito at hindi ko na rin naman sila makikita pa so why not enjoy the moment? They can go screw themselves while I dance here like nobody's watching.

Same goes here, this gorgeous guy can watch me embarrass myself for all I care. Hindi naman niya ako kilala at hindi na rin naman kami magkikita pa.

"You're awake..." I heard the same voice that embarrassed (kind of) me awhile ago coming from my right side. Naimulat ko ang aking mga mata.

Don't tell me....

"You want some snacks?" Dinig kong pang tanong nito na naging dahilan upang maintriga ako.

The curiosity is killing me slowly kaya kahit ano mang pigil ko sa sarili kong tumingin sa direksyon no'ng etrangherong lalaki. Hindi ako mapakali.

Pasimple akong sumulyap sa direksyon niya at awtomatikong naningkit ang mga mata ko nang makita ko ang flight stewardess na sumita sa akin na kasalukuyang nakatayo sa tapat nung lalaki.

Do they do know each other? Isa pa, the flight stewardess is not carrying the big stuff with her na may laman na mga snacks na ibinebenta dito sa eroplano ah pero bakit tinatanong niya na ito kung gusto niya ng snacks?

"No, thank you." Nanigas ako sa kinauupuan ko nang marinig ko ang kanyang baritonong boses. 

Wow. No, thank you. I've never appreciated those words before like I do right now. No. Thank. You. Damn! Those were just three simple english words but they sound pleasing to my ears.

Fuck! Even his voice can make a woman go gaga!

"Are you sure?" Tanong pa nito.

He already said it! Bakit ba hindi pa siya tantanan nitong babaeng 'to?

Do they live in the same village or what? Ah, whatever. Basta ang malinaw lang sa'kin ay kung paano nagpapansin ang babaeng ito sa gorgeous na stranger na ito.

It doesn't matter kung sa paanong paraan sila magkakilala but seeing this girl talking to this guy that I've been dying to talk to is pissing me off.

This stewardess is just quite taller than me and yes, she's pretty and a morena but still not that impactful for my brain to remember her features clearly. She's not the morena type that will get my attention fully, unlike Jess. Plus, I can't really tell kung maganda pa ba siya kapag inalis na niya ang make up niya.

"I'm sure, Honey. Go back to your work."

My brain went blank for a moment after hearing the word "honey". Damn it! Para akong nabingi at parang hindi kayang iproseso ito ng utak ko.

Honey. He called her 'honey'.

"Alright... I'll see you later." Sagot niya at nginitian pa ito bago tuluyang naglakad paalis.

I clenched my teeth before sitting properly. I rested my head on the head rest before shutting my eyes again.

I see... He's taken. Well, what the f**k, Beatrix? Everyone is in a relationship now except you! Lahat ng tao may jowa na ngayon... Bakit pa ba ako magtataka kung taken na rin ang isang ito?

I mean, he's gorgeous! He can get any girl he wants without lifting a finger pero bakit ito pa ang pinili niya? A girlfriend who don't know how to separate her personal life from her work. She's clearly flirting with him while she's on duty!

She can't even wait for the airplane to land.

What did this gorgeous stranger saw in her girlfriend? I try to remember her face.

Ang kanyang mga mata ay bilugan kumpara sa mga mata kong malalalim at kulay brown.

Her brows are brown and thin at the edge. Mine are naturally thick and dark. Medyo sabog pa ang mga dulo na nagpapagitna sa aking nose bridge.

Her lips are thick and pouty. Hindi katulad ng akin na maliit lang, kaya nga nahihirapan akong maglagay ng lipstick dahil malawak pa ang ulo ng lipstick kaysa sa mga labi ko.

Ang kanyang ilong ay hindi matangos, hindi rin pango. Ang sa akin naman ay hindi sobrang tangos pero maliit lang. When it comes to our skin, she's the morena type ako naman iyong tisay. I even have some freckles on my face. Good thing konti lang.

And yes... I just compared myself with this stewardess. Because dang! I want to know what she have for her to capture this drop dead gorgeous man next to me!

Magkaibang-magkaiba kami. Even our skin tone alone is already contradicting each other. Siguro ang mga tipo niya ay iyong pilipinang-pilipina ang mga datingan.

Ano naman ngayon? I'm not going to change myself just so I can fit to the standards of the guy that I like— wait, I don't even like him! Ngayon ko pa lamang siya nakita.

At isa pa, may girlfriend na siya.

Nakaramdam ako ng pamilyar na pagpupuyos ng damdamin sa tuwing hindi ko nakukuha ang mga gusto ko sa mga pagkakataon na gustong-gusto ko itong makuha.

In that case, nakukuha ko rin naman sila eventually but this is different.

Out of all the things that I craved for in life... this is the only thing that no matter how I want it, I can't just have it.

Hindi pwede. He already has this red warning sign plastered on his forehead.

The flight attendants are now roaming and asking every passengers if they want to order some snacks. My eyes remained shut as I pretends to be asleep just to ignore being asked by them.

'Di nagtagal ay ang pagkukunwari kong natutulog ay nauwi sa totohanan.

Ilang sandali pa ay naramdaman ko ang marahang pagyugyog sa aking balikat. Unti-unti kong minulat ang aking mga mata at bumungad sa akin ang mukha ni Papa.

"Beatrix, we're already here in Kalibo." Papa announced.

I found myself tilting my head on the right side as if my instincts were programmed to seek for his presence. 

I felt a pit of disappointment in my stomach because an empty seat was the first thing that I saw. 

He's gone... and I know that I will never see him again.