Kabanata 1: Wansapanataym

Nora walked down the plane's stairs with her LV trolley bag in hand, wearing her Prada shoes, when her cellphone suddenly rang.

"Hello, Mamshy."

"Child, did you arrive?" It was the voice of her loving mother.

"Yes, I did."

"Why did you decide to go alone? You should've brought your father and your sibling along. We also want to travel abroad with you."

Nora felt a slight disappointment in her mother's voice for not bringing the family along with her. She had wanted to go on this vacation alone—she had been so focused on her career that she hadn't done anything for herself. This time, she was on her own.

She knew her family would have wanted to join her if she had told them about her plan to tour. That's why she decided to let them know when she was already boarding the plane. She had three months all to herself.

But now that she had said it, there was a sharp pang in her heart when she heard her mother's voice.

"Mama, we're always together. Next time, I'll bring all of you. For now, I just want to be alone."

"I wish you had at least informed us," her mother replied.

"Oh, Mama, you're something. Well, I'm heading to Immigration now. No phones allowed there. I'll call you again."

Click.

Nora heard her mother trying to say something more, but she knew it would be more drama, so she decided to end the call.

Since childhood, Nora had always been ambitious. Her dream was to lift her family out of poverty, so she worked hard. She became a scholar and a working student, graduated, and immediately found a job. Eventually, she flew to another country when her employer transferred her to a new location. That's where her career started to rise. One success after another followed. Because of this, she was able to send her younger sibling to school and support her family.

She touched her "N" necklace, a gift her parents had saved for to give her when she graduated from college. Though not extravagant, they saved to give her this precious memento she would never forget.

Nora smiled. At over thirty, she was still unmarried—she had prioritized her family. Now that the family business was settled, she decided to fly out and finally dedicate some time to herself.

"New adventure… or not?" she whispered to herself as she stretched after clearing Immigration. She was starting to get bored with her life. She had almost done everything she wanted, but it felt like something was missing.

Hopefully, this trip would change that.

With a bright step, Nora walked out of the airport, thinking of all the possible new opportunities—

BANG!

A gunshot.

BANG!

Not one, but two. Chaos erupted among the crowd. She turned toward the source of the shouting.

"NO ONE MOVE, OR I WILL BOMB THIS PLACE!" screamed a man holding a gun. He seemed to be impersonating an airport security guard with his uniform.

Nora didn't move and quickly assessed the situation. Several armed men appeared and blocked the civilians from running.

They seemed to be the terrorists reported on the news yesterday. What great timing.

Nora sighed. She was finally vacationing alone, and this chaos happened. Was she really that unlucky?

"I wish they waited for me to get out before starting this mayhem. My goodness."

As she was about to step onto the floor, she noticed a crying child calling for its mother. The child had been left in the middle of the chaos.

Nora glanced at the leader of the terrorists. There was no trace of compassion in his face. He was about to raise his gun toward the child—

Something tugged at Nora's foot.

Before she could process her fear, she ran toward the child and embraced it.

BANG.

Hot. Painful.

Nora felt a sharp pain in her back. The child stopped crying, but Nora could hardly hold back her tears from the intense pain.

"Ugh... I came here for a vacation… but this is the vacation I'm going to."

She stroked the child's head, forcing a smile despite the searing pain in her body.

She didn't let go of the child.

Her eyelids began to feel heavy. In her final moments, she thought of her family.

"I should've done a despedida before leaving."

What a waste.

Not because she wouldn't see her family and friends again, but because of her own life.

What a waste…

…that she spent her youth and womanhood for others, leaving nothing for herself.

…that she spent every second chasing success, but never knew how to love.

…that she achieved almost all of her dreams, but wasn't truly happy.

She felt a warm tear fall down her cheek.

She closed her eyes for good.

In her last moments, she heard the wail of sirens and the shouts of people—until there was nothing left.