La Cuevas #3: Beautiful Scars

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just been cleared to land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Please make sure one last time your seat belt is securely fastened. The flight attendants are currently passing around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any remaining cups and glasses. Thank you."

I swiftly put on my Ray-Ban aviator when I heard the public address announcement. I looked at the window beside me and saw the familiar view of Metro Manila. I gulped and inhaled heavily as I try not to tremble while examining the view. After five years .. it's still the same.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Cebu Pacific air welcomes you to Manila. On behalf of your Flight Deck Crew headed by Captain Bildan, with first officer Berches and the rest of the team, we thank you for choosing Cebu Pacific, your Airline of choice. We are looking forward to seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice day. "I heard the flight attendant's landing announcement.

Finally, the six and almost a half hours of flight from Australia to Philippines is now over. When I'm all done, I went out of the plane together with the other passengers of the flight.

I was greeted by the familiar climate of the Philippines. There was still nervousness and doubt in my feeling but I dismissed all of that when I saw my cousin Gavin, and his girlfriend, Lea, waiting at the airport.

I automatically smiled and walked towards them. I last saw them last Christmas because they went to visit me in Australia. They haven’t noticed me yet because Gavin is busy fixing the strap of Lea’s mini dress cause it’s probably falling off. Lea, on the other hand, looked around as if looking for something, and her beautiful eyes widened when she saw me.

She hit Gavin a few times with joy so my cousin frowned and looked at me as well because Lea pointed at me. I was just shaken and reluctantly pulled my suitcase towards them. I took off my aviator and just held it on.

"Sadie! Omg!" Lea immediately went to hug me so I let go of the suitcase handle. I chuckled when she squeezed me in between her arms because of excitement.

"Hmp! Smells like Australia!" She commented and let go of our hug.

Gavin nodded at me so I just smiled at him, "Have you been waiting for a while?" I asked them. I glanced at the two.

Lea was wearing a pink mini dress and it was very nice to her body. Gavin, on the other hand, was wearing a white dress shirt and black pants, probably from work.

"Yup, earlier. Seriously, you look even better!" Lea answered and let Gavin carry my suitcase.

I smiled at him and just listened to Lea’s stories about them and Gavin as we exited the airport where Gavin’s Range Rover was waiting.

I will stay at Gavin's Penthouse first because we are still going home to La Cuevas tomorrow. It is said that our private plane will arrive tomorrow and will just pick us up at the airport. In fact, I could have just picked up from Australia to Cebu, but I chose to book my own flight because I didn't want that, especially if I would be the only one on the plane.

I just agreed to go with them tomorrow because I knew after almost seven hours of flying I was very tired so it would be better to just go tomorrow. And I wasn't mistaken, because my eyes were already closing as Lea kept talking as the car started moving.

"Hey, you're not listening!" I raised an eyebrow even though I was able to close my eyes.

"Hmm," I mumbled while resting my head on top of the backrest.

"I said we'll watch kuya's concert later! They have a concert at the MOA!"

My eyes widened and I stared at the headliner of the car. I didn't hear what Lea said next because my mind was too busy with what she said. 5pm will have their concert tonight?

"Oh my— don't tell me you're still not over him?"

There I blinked and turned to Lea who was looking at me worriedly. I swallowed and averted my eyes as the car moved smoothly.

Lea fell silent when I was startled and suddenly realized what she had said.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that—"

"It's fine." I cut off what she has to say.

"I'm really sorry—"

"I'm over him, Lea, don't worry." I answer that, but the truth is, I also don’t know if I mean it or not.

Am I over yet? I just hope so.. Because for five years I spent in Australia, I did nothing but to forget him. I hope I succeed, because I don't want what I worked so hard to build to come to waste. Myself.

"Really? So you're going later?"

I frowned and looked at her sideways. I was next to her here in the backseat while Gavin seemed to be the driver alone in the front who couldn't do anything because Lea wanted to sit next to me.

"I'm tired," I reasoned.

She snorted and stared at me. "Sus, you're tired my foot. My older bkuya wants to see you too! Why don't you just go to sleep when we get to the penthouse then wake up tonight to watch—"

"Baby, she might really want to rest." Gavin replied that I was grateful.

"Of course! She hasn't slept all day, it's still early. She can wake up at 8 and then we'll leave to the concert.." Lea insisted.

I just sighed and closed my eyes again. I let them argue because I didn’t have the strength to immerse myself in them. I was too tired and nervous to speak.