There Must Be a Reason
God actually read my last letter.
Last Monday, I and my teammates boarded PR 730 to Bangkok for business. While we were already 1 hour into the flight, above the South China Sea, this announcement interrupted the Xmen 3 movie I was watching:
"Good morning ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain speaking. I regret to inform you that there *seems* to be fire in one of the engines. It may be a false alarm but, for safety reasons we shall be flying back to Manila. We shall keep you updated. Thank you very much."
The plane became very very quiet. And to think they've just served lunch, I don't think anybody liked their food anymore.
Two of our teammates were seated at the tailend, quite able to hear snippets of the flight attendants' conversation. Something like "Confirmed daw, may sunog. ... O get ready ha? get ready..." As if that wasn't enough, since they were seated by the exit door, the FAs approached them and instructed them how to open the doors in an emergency. One of our teammates began to cry; the other one, who must have taken too much anti-biyahilo tablets before takeoff, said to her, "O kapag may mangyari, nasa ilalim lang ng upuan mo ang lifevest, ha?" sabay smile.
I began to bargain with God what I'd do if He brings us back alive. ( It was foolish, I know. And I broke my promise anyway... I am actually in hell right now.)
We arrived at Manila shaken like leaves. The moment we touched ground, a giant sigh of relief erupted from everybody, and everybody started talking about the whole thing. The group of Japanese tourist were furious. They were cursing PAL in the language they know, but even we understood. We rushed out into the terminal, thankful we didn't become a tragedy in the open sea.
We boarded a new plane 2 hours later (in hindsight, I can't believe we did). The Japanese tourists were gone. And I lost my brand new Sarge Lacuesta book....darn. I tried not to think about dying, but then it kept creeping up in the 3 hour plane ride. Why was I still alive?
That was just Monday. When Tuesday night descended on Bangkok, the Thai Military declared coup d'etat. That's another interesting story.
Letters from Bangkok
Dear C --
It's been ages, but I can still remember your birthday without fail. It's as if I'm on auto, and Sept 17ths makes my memory jerk like a seizure. You can probably brag to anyone that even to a woman, you have this effect on people, the kind that makes them want to linger, and wait, and see if there's something coming up.
Happy Birthday.
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Dear K --
Belated Happy Birthday! Like I said, I never thought we'd be friends this long. God knows how opposite we are in clothing, size, upbringing, type of music, tastes in men (yours exist, mine doesn't) ... thank heavens we agree on books.
I'll see when I get back. Then let's get on with the party...
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Dear M --
Somebody told me you've got issues. With me, of all people. This is something you don't want to drag to your wedding day.
My door's open, we can talk about it.
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Dear J --
Did I ever thank you for letting me in on the Spec Fic secret? :-)
Thanks. Thanks. Thanks.
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Dear O --
No words can describe how envious I am.
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Dear A (or D)--
I've just realized that you have a girl in every city - KL, Bangkok, and Makati.
It doesn't make me feel special anymore.
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Dear Y --
Isn't your birthday every 2nd of Sept? Where are you, girl? Has America been good to you? I've been desperately searching contacts -- addresses, digits, email. But it looks like you've opted to dissolve into your new space, and live like we never existed.
Miss you.
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Dear C --
Your birthday falls 2 days after the first C. And like Y, you've poofed into thin air. I remember your long black hair and how you've kept the length and shine. We theorized that it could only come from roots of your hair sucking all the protein from your body. Thus the very thin and fragile frame you can't seem to add weight to.
Advanced Happy Birthday.
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Dear R --
I wish there was a way I can correct your impression of me.
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Dear G --
You know how lost I am. Please don't let me die on the plane. Or, please don't let me die just yet. I want to go back home and be more responsible, and feel what it is to be fulfilled, stronger, selfless, dutiful.
I have lessons to learn and I haven't done my homework. Please send me a teacher.
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End.
