Chapter 2

"Hello, Ma'am. Are you still on the line? Doña Estrella is here now," Lilia repeated.

"Yes, Ma'am. Alright, thank you," she replied.

"Hello, Deanna, hija," the old woman greeted.

"Hello, po. Wait—how do you know me?" Deanna asked, surprised. She thought Doña Estrella wouldn't recognize her. She had planned to introduce herself as Grandma Delilah's granddaughter, but it seemed like the old woman already knew exactly who she was.

"Of course, I know you, Hija. By the way, how is Delilah? Is she still alive?" she asked bluntly, making Deanna wince.

Deanna swallowed hard. The old woman seemed to know that her grandma was already on the verge of passing.

"My grandma has passed away," she answered sadly.

"Well, that's good," Doña Estrella said.

Deanna's eyes widened in shock. She frowned and asked, "Huh? Why would you say that? That's so mean, Doña Estrella. You're not even sad or surprised by the news."

"Did she never tell you that she called me several times, saying she missed her dear abunjing-abunjing?" the old woman asked.

"No, she didn't. But I do know she was really looking forward to… you know, dying. Honestly, it kind of hurt," Deanna shared.

"There you have it. Even I felt hurt by her," Doña Estrella sighed.

"Don't worry, Doña Estrella. I think it's fifty-fifty in heaven now because we're both upset with her," Deanna rolled her eyes.

"Let's hope so. Anyway, Hija, get ready because I'm sending someone to pick you up tomorrow. Do you know the airport there? The one in Legazpi?"

"Yes, I do. I just need to take a jeep. But isn't this a bit sudden?" she asked.

"You need to catch up on the first semester of college. That's why you have to come here immediately," the old woman explained.

"Oh, I see. Alright, Doña Estrella," Deanna answered, a bit excited. She really wanted to study and finally finish college.

"Good. Tomorrow, before two in the afternoon, you should be at the airport. My secretary, Lilia, will call you and take care of everything," the old woman instructed.

"Okay. Thank you," she replied with a smile.

"Alright, Hija." The call ended.

"Yes! I finally get to ride an airplane and go to college!" she cheered. She reached for an old album inside her bag. "Hi, my sweetheart! I'm going to find you, and you will be my husband. Just stay right there, okay?" she whispered while looking at an old photo of her younger self.

In that picture, a young boy had been captured on the side of the frame. She had been staring at that photo for years, and she had made a promise to herself—she would find that boy, and he would be the only man she would ever love.

She started packing her things for tomorrow. Even though it hurt to leave Bicol, she knew she had to. If she wanted to study and build a future, this was her only chance.

That night, she visited her grandparents' graves one last time.

"Grandpa, Grandma… I'm leaving Bicol tomorrow. I'll finally be able to go to college. I promise I'll come back, but I don't know when. If only you both hadn't left so soon, I wouldn't have to go. But what can I do? I don't have any other family… You're both gone," she said with a deep sigh. "I feel like there's something I don't know. It's like you already planned this, like you knew you were going to send me to Doña Estrella when you were both gone—especially you, Grandma! No wonder you always made me speak in Tagalog and never let me use Bicolano. You were preparing me for Manila all along! That's unfair, tsk. But fine. I'll also find my abunjing-abunjing! Hmm. Goodbye, you two. I love you both," she said, her voice filled with emotions as she bid them farewell.

The next morning, she woke up early. She said goodbye to her neighbors and entrusted them with the small hut and land she was leaving behind.

"I really have to go because I need to study in college. I don't even know if I'll ever come back. I might have to live there forever," she told Mrs. Fe.

"We'll miss you, dear," Mrs. Gracia said, eyes welling up with tears.

"I'll miss you all, too. Please take care of yourselves," Deanna said, her own tears threatening to fall.

Her departure was bittersweet for the entire neighborhood. Everyone loved her dearly—not only because she was kind but also because she was helpful. She was never spoiled or picky. Ever since her grandfather passed away, she had helped her grandma with farming, their main source of income. They also raised animals, but she had to sell all of them when her grandma fell ill. She had planned to use the money for medical expenses, but her grandma refused to go to the hospital. Instead, Deanna spent most of it on the funeral, keeping whatever little was left.

After lunch, she left for Legazpi Airport, taking a jeepney to get there.

When she arrived, she received a call—it was Doña Estrella's secretary.

"Hi, Deanna. Where are you?"

"I'm outside the passenger terminal building. I'm wearing blue," she responded.

"Okay, I'll be right there. Just don't hang up, please," the woman said.

"Okay, Ma'am," she replied.

Good thing I understand English! she thought to herself.

"Hi. Are you Deanna?" a woman suddenly appeared in front of her, making her jump a little. She was momentarily stunned by the woman's beauty.

"O-oh… Yes, that's me," she stammered.

"Okay, please follow me," the woman said before turning around.

This was Lilia Dizon, Doña Estrella's thirty-three-year-old secretary. Tall, beautiful, and highly competent, she was someone the old woman trusted completely.

"Ma'am, don't we need a passport to board the plane?" Deanna asked as she hurriedly followed Lilia, struggling to keep up with the woman's long strides.

"Don't worry about it. I've got it covered," Lilia smiled and winked at her.

"Okay, Ma'am," Deanna smiled back.

They waited for a while in the terminal, but soon enough, Lilia led her onto the plane. Excitement bubbled inside her—this was her first time riding an airplane!

As the plane took off, a wave of sadness washed over her. She was leaving behind everything she had ever known. The place she grew up in, the memories she made with her grandparents—they would all remain in her heart forever.