Rebel Hearts

Soraia Sholla Dy

Soraia Sholla Dy

My back hurt from sitting long hours on the plane. The flight from Vienna, Austria took so long. When I got out of the plane, the humid air of the Philippines welcomed me. Sweat covered my body immediately. The cool air inside the airport eased the sweat.

I wanted to remove my sunglasses but the bright lights inside the airport almost blinded me. My eyes and body were exhausted from the long flight. The thirteen-hour flight took a toll on my body. It was tiring considering I just finished my last recital in Vienna.

“Soraia, this way,” Paula, my manager, managed to usher me peacefully towards the exit of the airport.

The van was waiting outside the airport. We went inside and waited for the bodyguards to finish loading the suitcases in the car. The air conditioner blasted coldly inside the van. Paula handed me a cold tumbler.

“Iced Americano, madam. It’s too hot in the Philippines because it’s April,” Paula flashed a friendly smile. I returned it with a warm smile. Paula has been my manager since high school. She accompanied me throughout my journey as a pianist.

“It’s been so long,” I whispered and stared to the window beside me.

I entertained myself with the billboards standing along the highways and buildings. The city buzzed so much with hundreds of cars. The traffic was heavy. My exhausted eyes fluttered open and gazed outside.

My breathing hitched when the rough image of a man flashed on the digital billboard. Sleepiness left me as I gazed outside. I squinted my eyes against the window of the car. I bit my lip as his image attacked my memories.

My hands started sweating when another series of images flashed on the screen. I moved uncomfortably on my seat. I wanted to jump out of the van. I wanted to move closer to look at it.

“Madam?” Paula asked softly beside. I whipped my head in her direction. Her forehead knotted while looking at me questioningly.

I forced a smile and settled again on my seat. I became thrilled with just mere images of him.

“Is there something wrong? You’re sweating so much,” she looked at me curiously.

“I’m fine. It’s okay,” I smiled. I crumpled the tissue paper she gave me. I looked at it intently.

I wanted to cry my heart out. My eyes stung with unshed tears. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.

I don’t have the right to feel this way. I shouldn’t feel this way at all. The things I had done to him were unforgivable. I couldn’t forgive myself. I hated myself so much since then.

“We’re early on schedule, madam. What do you want to do?” Paula spoke, startling me.

My mind rushed to many places.

“Mall,” I whispered.

“Okay,” she nodded. “Please drive us to the mall.”

The driver obliged and drove us to the mall. I remained quiet as we arrived at the mall. Paula accompanied me inside. The mall buzzed with people strolling and talking to each other.

I enjoyed walks in malls but my mind has been boggled with painful images recently. I couldn’t smile. Paula’s animated talks turned into air. I couldn’t focus on anything.

“I think there is something over there,” Paula pointed to a distance. My attention was seized when people screamed from the distance.

Paula immediately went in front of me as if shielding me from people running towards the event. The two bodyguards around me positioned themselves to protect me but I saw it unnecessary.

“It’s fine. You don’t have to do that. It’s probably an actor doing a mall show,” I sighed and continued walking on.

I fished out my phone from my clutch bag while slowly walking away from the crowd.

“Paula, please rearrange my schedule after I go home.”

“Madam!” she screamed instead of answering me.

I was about to ask her why when my head bumped into a wall. Frowning, I looked up to see what it was. I felt blood ran out of my face when the wall turned out to be him. A gasp left my mouth.

“Are you okay, madam? Are you hurt?” Paula rushed to my side. She scanned my body for supposed injuries.

“Long time no see, Raya,” his deep baritone voice assaulted my ears. I wanted to sigh but my body became immobile.

The phone slipped from my hand and fell on the floor. I saw in the corners of my eyes how Paula rushed to pick up my fallen phone from the floor.

My eyes carefully glanced at the crowd of people and saw a shiny car rotating on a platform. A car showcase. The mall was hosting a car showcase. Oh, no.

“Vincent…” I stuttered.

I watched his eyes flashed different emotions I couldn’t fathom. His tall physique towered over me. The lights above dimmed by his tall figure. I couldn’t see anything besides him.

“You’re back,” his lips turned into a thin line. I couldn’t answer back.

My eyes wandered down to his cheekbones, lips, and down to his chest. I couldn’t handle his dark eyes gazing down on me.

I caught his shoes moved backward. Without any more words, he walked past me. He didn’t bother saying any more words and left me standing in the middle of the crowd.

This is the most unimaginable encounter I could think of. Slowly, tears flowed down my face. Strength left my body just like how he left me standing in the middle of the crowd. I looked down, ashamed of myself.

I fisted my hand and roughly hit my chest to ease the pain in my heart.

I’m sorry.

I lamented inside my head. If time reversed itself, I would gladly do it again for him.