Encounter with the Prince

This is a busy day. People walked at each other's shoulders without even glancing at who they passed by. I'm on my way to my grandfather's place. He was ill for a while now and my mom, decided we visit him, though unfortunately due to her hectic schedule, she can't come with me. Well, she promised to follow up next week. But I know how busy she is, and nothing is certain, and New York is far from the Philippines.

At the moment I'm waiting for the next train and I'm sitting on one of the benches where some passengers are waiting as well. I check my phone from time to time, waiting for my best friend's response. I've texted her that I'll be gone for a while and that I need her to do some stuff for me. I promised to treat and do some favors for her when I return.

On my right side, a mother is tending her son who eats ungracefully yet wholly enjoying his ice cream. She was wiping off the smudge he had from eating, and while staring at the mother and her son I've took noticed a man sitting beside them who is so familiar almost like family, I frowned trying to recall where I saw the guy. Then suddenly a voice came to roar, stating that we're about to leave. I heard the train whistle declaring its arrival. I took my backpack and put my phone inside my sling pouch. As I was about to step inside the train, the woman earlier was already there, I smiled and gave way. Her son was pulling her excitedly. "I'm sorry, it's his first time" I smiled back and said "No biggie, go ahead" and they were inside. When it was my turn, I accidentally tripped and almost lost my balance wasn't it for the man I've accused I've seen before. He held me in his arms as if stopping me to fall "Easy there" as the masculine voice said just a little near my ear. I immediately stood shocked at what happened. Or more likely surprised by how my heart reacted after hearing the man's voice. "T-thanks," I said glancing back at him. Oh now! I'm stammering. I quickly get in trying to avoid the man who was already following me. Not that he intends to, he just doesn't have a choice I guessed. People are already queuing, peeking at their tickets and to their seats inside. On the other hand, I found my seat right away and thanked God for letting me relax or so I thought. The man whom I was trying to get away with, sat beside me too! What a coincidence right?? We glanced at each other and he smiled at me. The guy has green eyes. Wow, so he's a foreigner. He was wearing a tuxedo, or looks like one, black slacks and matches it with black shoes as well, and with a hat that he was now holding. I frowned a little if it's not for his young handsome face I would have mistaken him for Abraham Lincoln or Jose Rizal? He looks very classic and gentlemanly at the same time. Did I go I back to the '50s? oh well, I would have to believe if it weren't for these people wearing normal wears just like I do. I smiled at that. The bell rang and the train started to move. He glanced at me for the second time as I did to him. I shyly smiled and thanked him again. "You're welcome," he said.

My phone started buzzing and that broke the awkwardness. I scanned the inside of my bag to find my phone and when I found who it was. I answered it right away! " Jia! Thank heavens. Did u receive my message?" the other line seemed to just wake up and answered lazily. "Yeah, I just woke up when I saw your message" Jia yawned. "That was a sudden departure you got there girl"

"I know, my grandpa is not in a good state, I need to visit him, Maybe I'll be staying there for two weeks or so. So I need this favor from you. It's a big deal and I'll promise I'll make it up to you. "

"Yanna are you kidding me? It's no big deal, I'm your friend. And what are friends for right?" she knew that her friend on the other line, smiled.

"Thanks. I know I can always count on you. I'll buy something good for you when I get home"

"That's a promise," the other line said.

And after that, they bid their goodbyes.

She was about to close her eyes almost forgetting the stranger beside her. The guy was now holding what seems to be a black handbook and was intently focused on whatever he is reading. She shrugged and later felt her eyelids dropping. She yawned and adjust herself to a comfortable position and after that, she oozed to sleep.

When Yanna opened her eyes, the voice from the huge intercom echoed in the whole train. It gave a notice that they'd arrived, she picked her backpack and sling pouch. The guy beside her earlier was no longer there. For the last time, she saw that he was already at the front door of the train, seeking his way out from the sea of people. She doesn't understand how she felt that time. Regret? Or is it melancholy? It is very weird for her to feel that way, why the guy is a stranger, yet the weight of sadness is palpable. Half of her seemed to know the man, the kind of knowing where one could attest familiarity. But she knew better, today was the first time she met the guy.

She tried to take the guy out of her system. She's arrived and she needs to tend her "Abuelo" grandfather.

After pulling herself out of the train, she took a bus that would directly bring her to his grandpa's hometown. She took her ear pads and picked her favorite song, she leaned her head backward and relaxed. She smiled at the serenity she felt, deep within her she knew she needed a vacation. Away from the crowd, pollution, and the stress from people in Metropolitan. Of course, she likes her life in the city but, she needed peacefulness. She looked outside leaning in the window as if a small child waiting for her parents to come home. The fresh air touches her face gently and she smiled inwardly. Old habits are hard to die. She took her ponytail and let her hair down as the wind danced with it.

It was a brief journey, 30 minutes later she was standing in front of a 500-acre two-story-old Spanish house that was touched by modernization due to preservation from extinction. It would sound like an exaggeration. But it's not. The house has been standing now for more than 10 decades. And one can say it's a heritage that has been passed on from generation to generation. And now was in his grandfather's care. The same old house she used to have in her dreams. Nothing changed except the cemented path walk that she remembered to be a damp land. The roof is still the old one she remembered when she was 16, it must be over his Abuelo's age but still, it claims superiority and toughness proclaiming that it is as mighty as Zeus, and not even a super typhoon can ruin its legacy. Good materials have been established in the old house to keep it standing as time goes by. She suddenly looked up as she remembered her childhood being inside in one of those rooms. She wondered what her room looks like right now. It's a shame she never visited his Abuelo for all those years. She was so succumbed to her will to have the career she ever dreamed to have. She forgot to visit her hometown. She sighed. But she will make her stay there all worthwhile. And if her Abuelo ask her something. She will oblige.

The capiz windows which are made from mollusks and shells was still there. She used to remember it because of its translucent shiny interior and now has been protected by a sliding glass window. She was amazed by how his Abuelo preferred to keep it classic despite modernity. The house has been coated or made with marble thanks to his ancestor's effort. The house itself is very ancestral, it stood there even the Americans claimed the Philippines. If there is one thing she missed though it was the garden. From where she is standing she can see the greenhouse her grandma once considered as the garden of Eden. It was indeed beautiful, it was full of different flowers, orchids, and plants, her grandpa once showed her some rare plants they have gathered from the forest and even internationally, and she was always amazed by it.

Her grandma would always go there and would talk to her flowers like they are her friends. "Flowers and plants are living things, they may not speak but they can feel love and care, and just like a child being taken care of, they grow and bloom." her Abuela told her with a wink after she asked why she was speaking to her flowers like they're alive.

She pushed the red button that would soon tell everyone that someone is there. She's not even sure if her Abuelo knows she's coming, she didn't even ask her mother. A little later someone was running towards her. The guy was in his late forties and was beaming to her with great familiarity. She waved with excitement. The man opened the gate for her and let her in.