His arrival in Manila

Chapter10 Arrival in Manila

Eight hours wearily drifted by. Soon JC would see land. Then the announcement, for which he had dreaded, came about unexpectedly from the P.A. system. There was a crackle and the pilot's voice rose above the din. "May I have your attention, please? I'm sorry to announce that we are behind schedule. Unexpectedly the tower told us to hold on . . . and that we will be landing soon. This is due to some unavoidable circumstance . . . The temperature outside is 32º centigrade. Don't hesitate to ask the stewardesses for anything. Please make yourself comfortable. Thank you."

No reason was announced by the pilot but the plane hovered above the vast sky interminably, waiting for approval from the tower to land. Everybody inside was beginning to be anxious, it seemed the passenger cabin became smaller as time dragged on and on. It reeked of anticipation and anxiety.

The cabin burst with relief when the plane finally got the go signal to land. They touched down and the 747 glided perfectly on the runway. Through the window, JC could see strobe lights at the sides along the runway as the plane sped by toward the jet bridge. The P.A. system crackled again and the pilot's voice announced the arrival with a short apology for the delay. Then he bid them an enjoyable stay. The plane came to a halt and then seconds later all JC heard was the clicking of the seat belts as they were unfastened. Everybody jumped up apparently in a hurry to disembark, opening overhead compartments to take out their hand-carried luggage. He unfastened his seatbelt and followed the rest of the passengers. They trickled their way down to the Arrivals area through the jet bridge.

JC followed most of the passengers toward the baggage claim area where a conveyor was running round and round. There on top were mountains of bags, big and small. He spotted his two familiar bags, grabbed them one by one, and made his way out.

The temperature abruptly changed and sweat started to trickle down his spine. Then he took the exit. At the arrivals area, just before passengers leave the building, he saw some people waiting with raised placards.

"Mr. John Carlos Martin?" asked a man in a white polo shirt holding up one with his name on it. It was Tommy, his contact.

"Tommy Lopez?" he asked in return. Tommy had an amiable and very accommodating presence which made JC feel at home once he saw him. Prim and honest looking, he seemed to be a guy who could be trusted. He was the officer in charge of the local office. Liberal minded, he was a vocal critic of the government and belonged to a family who used to control businesses in the country. His great strength lay in his practical sharp mind and attention to detail. When merged with his willingness to serve, he could become an essential helpmate.

"How was your flight?" asked Tommy, smiling from ear to ear. Within seconds he extended his right arm for JC to shake.

JC caught it right away. "Sorry for the delay, Tom." The sudden temperature change made him feel uneasy. Sweat continued trickling down his back. He took off his coat and slung it on his shoulder.

"No problem, sir," answered Tommy, seeing that his visitor was beginning to feel the discomfort- waiting for hours was incomparable to what JC had undergone to adjust to the abrupt change in temperature.

JC noticed that he was so obliging, a trait which he had learned from most of the hosts he had been acquainted with. "Call me JC, please," he insisted. He knew instantly that this guy will easily become his friend.

Tommy offered to take care of the other bag. "Okay, JC. Here, let me take one of these. The car is in the parking lot. From there it will be about thirty minutes to your hotel."

"Thanks." JC looked around. He wasn't sure if he should comment but he commented nevertheless. "It seems the airport is so deserted," he said, after noticing that there were not so many people in a place where they were supposed to be lingering.

"Haven't you heard about it?" Tommy heaved a sigh.

"We don't hear news up there. If the crew knew about it, they kept it to themselves."

Sorrow was reflected in Tommy's eyes. "They did it. Nobody is safe here anymore."

"I knew it." JC understood quickly. "That's why we got no approval to land on time."

"I know. All incoming flights were purposely delayed. Now, I don't know what will happen to the country. People are afraid to go out."

There was a long silence as they turned left toward the parking area. "I'm sorry to hear

that, Tommy."

"Here we are. It's not much of a car but it's air-conditioned," Tommy made a comment which was uncalled for. JC understood the connection.

The way to the hotel was about half an hour. The air conditioner was still blowing at the top. However, the rising moisture inside made it unbearable. JC felt sticky. One or two days and the body would adapt to the climate, this Tommy explained. Moments later Tommy turned the air conditioner off and rolled the windows down to invite fresh air inside.

Instantly JC saw the stark difference. At night. the city lights were dimmer than those of New York. The big contrast made him nostalgic. But seeing the place where his dad grew up would balance it all out. He would now see his roots.

"Who did it?" he asked, with the warm air suddenly brushing his face through the open window.

"We are not freaking sure yet. There are a lot of rumors going around and people speculate. We don't know what the truth is anymore. Rumors going around said the gunman was a criminal," bellowed Tommy in the middle of the whirring engine and the flapping of the air through the windows. Tommy continued blubbing. "You know, I don't believe in the government-controlled news anymore. It's bullshit! How can it be done by a criminal who's long been dead? And how could he pass through tight security among thousands of military men watching the airport in all corners?"

"Did he have any motives?" asked JC.

"The military said he was a communist. Would that make him a likely suspect? Being a communist is not a motive at all. At least that is how I understand it."

"Do we have men at the bureau tracking down all the events?"

"We have one man but they control everything that comes out."

"So, we'll have to gather them all on our own."

"Here we are." Tommy pulled up the car at the curve in front of the hotel, and then they jumped out.

The hotel was centrally located and JC reckoned that it wouldn't be necessary for him to have a car to go around. Tonight, he could check if there's life in the city on foot. Freshen up first then he would be on the go, look around and familiarize himself with the new surroundings. Everywhere the secret police and the military were an ominous presence, although he saw none of them around the hotel.

"Tommy, thank you so much."

"No problem. Give me a ring if you need something."

"Sure. I'll do that," JC promised.

"Tomorrow, I'll pick you up."

"Would 9:00 am be all right with you?"

"Sure. Take a rest now. Tomorrow we'll have a lot of things to do."

"Thanks again, Tommy. Bye."

"See you tomorrow."

Tommy went his way. JC checked in. He thought hotels were the same all over. "I hope this one would live up to the standard. It´s a five-star. I wonder how much the office would pay for this." He took out his passport and showed it to the receptionist for identification. As it was in order, he was given his room number.

He thought of dialing New York, to report his arrival.

After that long tiring day on the road to the hotel, JC decided to take a rest. He went up, inserted the card in the slot, opened the door, got inside, and slumped on the armchair as soon as he entered his room. Realizing his shirt was sticky with sweat, he took it off. Then he got into the shower and enjoyed the cool abundant water. What a relief, he told himself. After drying himself he changed into a white cotton shirt. He picked up the receiver and dialed New York.

It was office hours and Kate answered at the other end. She was her usual self, as energetic as always. He could imagine her seated, with long legs on high-heeled shoes. He laughed at the thought of his office mates staring at her. With high heels and legs crossed together, her sexy posture never escaped their observing eyes.

"Hello, Mr. McMillan's office, New York Times."

JC could picture her behind her desk. "Hello, Kate. Can you connect me to the boss, please?"

"Just as I guessed, it's you. How are you doing, JC dear?"

"I'm good. The flight was long and I am now at the hotel. I'll talk to you after the boss. This is very important and he should know right away." He was still drying his hair with a clean towel when he said this.