Kabanata 3

MARIA

We were in NAIA as to what mom told me. She even told me the history about why this airport was called NAIA. Like, who the fuck cares? So what if the senator was killed because he went to the States. Does that even count as a crime that he went to the States for medication? People here in the Philippines are C.R.A.Z.Y.

My sister and I was just chilling on the metal benches while my mom was telling a bitch to stay the fuck away from my dad. I love my mom when she goes beast mode. Made me realize why did I had this attitude all along.

I saw a guard walking towards where my mom and dad were. Somewhat sorting out a solution when he was clearly making the situation worse. It made me laugh a bit inside.

I waited for like an hour for the plane to arrive. How the fuck that these planes here are freaking late?

I slid my hand through the side pockets of my jeans and took out my new cell. I bought it since my phone didn't work in this country. I opened my social media accounts and saw Oz' pictures. He was at a race car event at New Jersey, he won first prize and most of the people commented to congratulate him.

I opened some messages and opened to Ella's chat.

Ella : My mom asked if all of you are okay.

Me : We're fine, thank you.

I closed the chat and looked passed my phone. I saw a guy in tattered jeans and a navy blue hoodie. He had pale skin, pointed nose and red lips. He looked more like a vampire. Or maybe just some emo guy that wants to look at the world and talk deeper meanings in life.

He looked at my direction and I covered my face with my bag. I felt my cheeks begin to heat, that was close and embarrassing. I took a peep and saw his sister staring at me.

"Ate, let's go to the restroom." Said my bitch of a little sister.

"Why don't you go alone. I'm tired."

She tried calling my mom and I just escorted her to the powder room. I hate her, everyday of my entire life. She made my days into a living hell at home. It's like I'm the slave in this family. Her requests, I offer.

After going out of the powder room, I went and sat on the benches. Then my mom and dad called us. "Let's get inside the plane. I hate the environment here, it's very disrespectful."

"Ria carry my bag please." The little brat commanded.

"No." I walked away from her just to walk away from her having fits. She's annoying as fuck I tell y'all. When something does not go what she wanted, she's piss me off. So I walked without my sister while my mom calmed my bratty sister the fuck down.

As we got inside the plane, I went to the flight attendant and asked her if there was a charging area for the phones. She said no and I walked to where I was seated.

But then I saw this little girl who was really familiar. It was the little girl who was with that emo dude!

"Hey, are you lost little girl?" I asked her. She nodded and I kneel in front of her. "I'll call an attendant and tell her you got lost."

I gave her a key chain, the key chain had a design of the Eiffel tower of Paris. She took it and gave me a sincere smile. I got up and she held my had with her little hands on it.

I called the attendants attention and told her, "This child was looking for her family. Can you please help us?"

"Oh my God thank you so much for bringing her to us miss." She said and she took the little girl from me. But after that happened, she gave me her mickey mouse stuff toy. Looks like she's been in Disneyland before the trip.

'I hated shit like this. But I've earned this kind of gift.'

As I got to my respected seat in this plane, I glanced at my sister who stole my blanket and played some weird game in her Tab.

I sat down, probably tired to argue with the little bitch beside me and as far as the trip went, I just fell asleep.

Hours passed and I can see the land, tall skyscrapers and two bridges connected from one island to another.

Then my sister blocked the whole window with her wide face. I rolled my eyes and thought of opening my phone and play some games.

Truth is, I'm very tempted to contact Oz and congratulate him. It's been a day and I haven't contacted him. He's just a person that I'm really comfortable to talk to.

When the plane landed, I get my knapsack and placed the stuffed Mickey Mouse inside it. Then my hella bitch of a little sister then asked, "Can I have that?"

I immediately said no and waited for my luggage. She then tugged Mickey's arm. I shifted my gaze at her and made a fierce glare at her. She fired back with her nostrils that looks like twin O's. Try'na feel like she's a grown up huh?

I tugged Mickey Mouse and put him inside my bag. This little bitch needs a little spank on the butt.

Just when I was about to scold her, she cried. And the people around us just stared in confusion and irritation. I didn't mind my sister, really. She can be a pretentious little bitch and still she needs a little work on her attitude.

My mom and dad came, scolded me because for what happened and apologized for the noise.

"What are you two doing? Ria, that's your little sister. Why don't you let her borrow that toy of yours?" Mom said and tried to open my knapsack. But then she found out that it was locked and it needed a key.

"No thanks mom. She did that with my precious Hello Kitty toy that she promised to give it back but didn't. Plus this toy was a gift that I earned more than she did." My mom glared at me and comforted my little sister.

I won't say that 'I can be a bitch', because 'I am the bitch'. People get mistaken by my outer aura because I look so pretty and innocent. Bitch I've even seen some things that young people should not see.

Mom just hushed my little sister and carried her out of the terminal to meet up her siblings. Me and Dad got the luggages and carried it to the gates.

"Oh there's my eldest child and my husband. She's the one whom you've met before." Mom rushed towards us.

I saw three people, looking like in their mid Forties. They stared at me and exchanged looks. Maybe because I was wearing a mask in order to protect my nose from allergies like dust.

"You're daughter is so beautiful. She has the same skin color as you." One of the women said while I did my 'mano'.

True, my dad was from latin descent but he was fair skinned. My mom however had very nice tan skin. I got most of my mom's features but my nose and height as they say is from my dad.

As we got into the van, they all talked at the back while I was at the front seat of the car and listened to some good mixes on my phone.

"You good Ri?" My mom asked and the whole van went silent like they've noticed I wasn't talking too much.

"Yeah." I replied. Then they started conversing on how my mom was so lucky to have a great partner like my dad and so much more. I was busy looking at the streets here in Cebu, and boy was it really heavy. There were a lot of dust and the sun was so hot even if the van was air condition.

"Excuse me, can we turn up the AC a little bit?" I told the driver who was my uncle. He smiled and turned on the radio instead.

Everyone in the van started to sing to the crappy music. I was a little bit annoyed by this and just looked through the glass window to lessen my anger.

I think this is going to be fine, I guess. Until the next twenty four hours of being here wouldn't kill me.