Lost but not Forgotten

Sometimes those short and sweet moments are the ones that stayed long in our memories.

Tatlong buwan na ang nakalipas noong una ko siyang makita. Papunta ako noon sa Cagayan de Oro. I was sent by the company I’m working with to help out on the event. That was my first time to travel alone.

My flight was delayed for about an hour or two. I was reading “To Kill a Mockingbird” while waiting for the plane. It was past two o clock then when the crew announced that we can already board the plane. Magkahalong kaba at excitement ang naramdaman ko. Kaba, dahil naiimagine ko, pa’no kung bumagsak yung eroplano? Excitement naman dahil unang pagkakataon kong makapunta sa Mindanao, na dati’y sa mapa ko lang nakikita. Akala ko sa tabi ako ng bintana mauupo, pero hindi pala.

Lumapit siya sa pwesto ko, at sa tabi ng bintana naupo. Kapansin-pansin ang pagiging friendly niya. Habang naghihintay pa kami sa pagsakay ng ibang pasahero, nakipagkwentuhan na siya.

“Hi! Delay ang flight noh.”

“Oo nga eh.”

“Sa’n punta mo?”

“Cagayan De Oro.”

“Bisaya ka?”

“Ahm, hindi.”

Medyo matipid pa ang mga sagot ko sa kanya noong una, dahil kinakabahan pa rin akong mag-isa. Pero napansin ko na mukha naman siyang mapagkakatiwalaan, kaya para mabawasan ang takot at kaba, nakipagkwentuhan na rin ako. Isa pa, matagal-tagal rin ang byahe namin.

“Ikaw, sa’n ka?”, pahabol na sabi ko.

“Sa Cagayan de Oro din. Anong gagawin mo sa Cagayan?”

“Ah, work-related, may event lang kami.”

“Ikaw lang mag-isa?”

“Oo eh, pero may susundo naman sa akin pagbaba sa airport.”

“Ah, mabuti naman. Which company are you related with?”

“With a publishing company. Ikaw?”

“Ako, sa Isuzu. May seminar kami sa Laguna, work-related din, kaya ako napunta dito”.

Parang ang bilis ng isang oras at apatnapung minuto na magkausap kami. We shared little stories, short experiences, smiles and laughter. He described how he was fascinated with the simplicity of living in the province. He showed me a glimpse of Cagayan de Oro through his eyes. He told me how he strived from being a working student to a supervisor at their office. He shared with me how he also wanted to explore Manila and discover new places. In the same way, I also shared a little about myself. I enjoyed that moment with him, approximately 35, 000 feet from the ground, feelings and emotions are floating in the air.

When we already reached, Lagunduingan airport, he requested me to wait for him. He was at first hesitant, but then, he still asked.

“Pwede ko bang makuha number mo?”

“Ahm, sige.”

Sinamahan niya ako hanggang sa paglabas ng airport. Hinintay niya ako hanggang sa dumating na ang sundo ko. Nakatingin siya habang pasakay ako ng kotse. Nakatingin ako sa kanya habang unti-unti na kaming papalayo.