A Short Story’s Prologue

“Can I have some light. Please?”, asked Tom.

Julie gave him her lighter without uttering single word.

“Where are you going? You look  awfully serious back there.”

“Nowhere special. I just want to get out of the city so I bought the cheapest tickets available.” replied Lola, wondering why this guy is suddenly interested.

It has been so long since she was in a shallow conversation with someone. And she remembers hating it back then. All she cared about before was doing her cases and speaking to fellow lawyers, clients & judges. She never really bothered to make social contacts. And now this. She doesn’t know if she is welcoming the feeling or not. He does look cute though, she thought.

“My name is Tom by the way. I’m headed to my first ever trip outside of Manila. I’ve always wanted to travel but I never found the time nor the energy for it. So, after saving up some money, I filed for a Sabbatical leave and I’m now off to the first leg of my journey. First stop is Cebu.” Volunteered Tom, hoping to get some reaction from this exotic-looking lady that got him mesmerized at first glance.

He found himself hoping against hopes that she would be heading to the same destination too. There’s just something magnetic about her that he can’t place. Attractive women don’t normally catch his attention for he believes that they’re just so full of themselves. And he hates women who act like they own the world. But this lady seems different. There’s just something in her deep hazel eyes that is crying for salvation. Or something like that.

“I’m Julie. I’m actually headed to Dumaguete. It’ Well what are the chances? I am headed to Cebu too. Unfortunately, I still don’t know where to stay. It all happened so fast.”  answered Julie.

And all of a sudden, she found herself confiding everything to this stranger she just met. She never realized how bottled up she felt until someone took interest in her. Her mom left them when she was just three years old, around the same time her dad had an accident at the plant he was working for and blinded him permanently. Julie got adopted by her grandparents and therefore lived by their strict rules. It was only after she graduated from college that whe went back living with her dad so she can better take care of him, or so she thought. Back then, her granbdparents seldom talked to her about what she wants. It’s always about what they want for her, what THEY THINK would be good for her. But no one really bothered thinking that maybe, just maybe, she has her own dreams for herself too.

“Hey you know what, consider yourself lucky for being pushed to your limit. Not all parents or grandparents for that matter, care enough for their child to believe that they can be someone very important someday.  I’m sure they had the best intention for your well-being. And I can see how much they love you. They just didn’t know how best to love you. Try to forgive them and let go. Otherwise, how can you enjoy this little adventure of yours if you’re carrying all that weight inside of you?”

Julie just nodded her head in silent agreement. Wow, coming from a stranger, it sounded so wise. I already know these things. But why did it sound so impressive and original coming from someone else? Maybe the universe is telling me something. Besides, Tom is right.

“By the way Julie, if you still haven’t figured out where you’ll be staying, you’re welcome to stay with me.”

“Excuse me?” retorted Lola.

“I didn’t mean to sound so forward. It’s just that my family owns a couple of houses in several locations in the Philippines and Cebu happens to be one of them. It’s a huge house anyway. You’ll have your own room and toilet and I can charge you cheap rent. That way, you won’t think I’m asking you out or something like that.

Silence from Lola.

“Hey, I was just kidding! But seriously, I can use some company. And it looks like you’re gonna need one too.

“That’s awfully nice of you, Tom. Can I tell you, I’ll think about it?”

“Fair enough.” Replied Tom.

Just then, their flight number was announced and both fell in line, ready for boarding. Julie was again lost in her thoughts while Tom was contemplating the fact that his sabbatical is starting to get really lucky and exciting.