Angels Everywhere

When I first learned that my Qatar application has been approved, mixed emotions again hovered. It would mean adjusting to the humid weather one more time, exposing to a somehow-restricted culture, and new groups of people to mingle with.

It was not as frightening as my first flight though so I know that somehow, life in Doha will not be as life-changing as what I have been through in Riyadh.

I breezed through NAIA without any issues except for the one-hour delayed departure. I was able to stretch out and spend 4 hours at Bahrain International Airport before enplaning to Doha International Airport.

Tired and hungry, I literally dragged my luggage to get to the designated building. And there they were, 2 angels in disguise. They patiently waited for my arrival to help me get to my room and prepared dinner for me! They literally adopted me for a week until such time that I could go out and buy my basic needs - food, utensils, toiletries.

My three flatmates are also kind fellows. Upon learning that they already have a neighbor at room D, they greeted me and told me there is no rush to buy utensils as I could use their things at the kitchen. They also offered to share their wireless internet connection and cable TV unless I see the need to get my own.

At the HR office, a Filipino was in charge of the new staff. He is warm and accommodating - I never felt that I'm in a foreign land.

When I went to the designated bank to open an ATM account for my salary, the pleasant Qatari lady courteously told me that the request has been denied because of changes with the bank's policy. Even before I could raise a single question, she was already on her feet ushering me to the office of the Assistant Bank Manager and told me to talk to him because he is a Filipino. And voila, I got my current account opened in an instant!

To these wonderful people who have been heaven-sent, thank you so much and may your tribe increase!

The BF

Humahangos akong tumakbo sa kinaroroonan ng mga kaibigan ko. Bad trip, one hour akong late! Ngarag mode na ako sa bonding namin!

Kwentuhan as usual...all-the-single-ladies' day. Pagod sa trabaho, kulang ang budget, derma concerns.  Tapos, may dumating.

Kilala ko na naman!

Bakit ganun? May connection din?

Ang bilis ng mga pangyayari...walang masyadong dialogue.  Slow-mo. Lumapit si boylet and held my hand.

Yun lang, walang usap-usap.

Bigla na lng, sabi nya, "I knew it was you all along." He gave me a big hug...and I cried.  Narinig ko na lang ang sarili ko na nagsalita, "So, November 16 ang anniv natin?"

We just stood there for a while. Parang tumigil ang pag-ikot ng mundo.

Tapos nakita ko ang ibang friends ko na lumapit. They congratulated us. Ang saya-saya ng lahat.

May boyfriend na ulit ako!  This time, I hope it's for good.

I stared at his familiar face one more time trying to check if he is real. He smiled back at me and gave me a kiss.

Sya na nga.



(♪ ♫  I wanna be a billionaire... ♫♫)


Snooze.

Sh*t!  Alas syete na! 9 AM ang pasok ko!  Late na ko!


~ The End

The Wedding

I had a dream.

Ikakasal na daw ako.  Ang groom daw ay kuya ng isang kakilala ko.

Yaiks!  First, di ko sya type.  Second, pamilyado na yun.  Third, matanda na sya.  Fourth, kakilala ko lang sila, di kami friends.  Madalang pa nga sa patak ng ulan kung makita ko sila, by accident pa.

Sa bisperas daw ng kasal ko, busy ang mga taga PS.  Syempre, lutu-luto ang mga ka-nayon.  Then, someone I knew from my past came.  Tumulong din daw.  We just glanced at each other and we didn't even bother to say "hi".

Pero parang may kakaiba dun sa naramdaman ko.  And from the way Mommy Oma looked at me, alam nya that something is wrong.  There is something that she couldn't even explain.

Come wedding day, nakita ko talaga ang sarili ko na naka wedding gown!  Ang ganda-ganda, parang bida sa isang teleserye!  Bonggang-bongga!

Eto  ang twist.

Sinuhulan ko raw ung driver ng bridal car para hindi ako ihatid sa simbahan!  Sabi ko daw ay ihatid ako sa pinakamalayong hotel na mararating ng kotse na hindi ako masusundan ng kahit na sino.

Sumunod naman si manong driver.

Napakahabang paglalakbay.  Nakatulog na nga raw ako sa layo ng byahe.

Then I saw it.  Isang pagkaganda-gandang hotel.  Hindi ko alam kung saang hotel yun (kasi tulog nga ako sa byahe, di ba?).

I walked right in.  The lobby was splendid!  Napakaganda ng lightings, ng ambiance.  Napaka-peaceful ng paligid.

And there he was, standing near the stairway...waiting for me.

Naka-tuxedo pa.


The end.