Chapter 3
It was indeed a beautiful day for Thea. She did passed the interview and was pretty ecstatic about it. The interviewer was nice to her and didn’t gave her a hard time. She can’t stop smiling to herself knowing its only one step away to reaching her dreams. She hurriedly went home to inform her family and friends about the good news. She’s going to pack her things and buy a plane ticket. She has less than 1 week to prepare everything. Thea also needs to say goodbye to her friends and her family. It’ll be a busy week for her, she thought.
It’s almost 12 noon and she already emailed Mae and called her friend Jessie who works at a travel agency and booked for a plane ticket bound for Tokyo, Japan. There’s an available date and it’s gonna be 6 days from now, Jessie told her. “Okay., I’ll take it,Thea said. She then told Jessie she’s going to pick it up by 4pm and invited her and the rest of the gang for a night out. “I have to hurry up now”, she thought. She’s almost done packing her things. Suddenly, the phone rings. It’s her mom. She heard the news from Thea’s grandma. She also mention that they’re going to have a farewell party for Thea’s departure 4 days from now. Thea said she’ll be there by next day before sunset. She has to finish all the things needed for her trip and also to say goodbye to her friends here in the city. She knows she’s going to miss them all. Thinking about it, she’s almost burst into cry. This isn’t the last I’ll see them. I’ll certainly see them every 18 months or so, she thought.
the next day….
On the way home to their farm, she saw her friends also on their way to Thea’s party. She buzzed them and wave at them.Her friends saw her and they waved back at her. She stopped the car and signaled them to hop inside the car. They happily jumped inside the car.It was her childhood friends. It was Juliet, Rina and Mark whom she had crushed on when they were younger. They lived just a few meters from their farm and they often spent their weekends playing in the field.
Thea: So, how are you guys? I really missed all of you. What are you been up to?
Juliet: Nothing much, Mark has passed the board exam last week! Top 3. Isn’t he amazing?
Mark: You really are one of a kind, Juliet! It wasn’t the right time for announcing that, today’s her farewell party, you know…
Juliet: geez, sorry…
Thea: Really? wow! I always knew you would excel in everything that you do. So what’s your plan?
Rina: He just got an offers abroad and even in Manila.
Mark: Hey, you guys…can we talk about that later?
Thea: Let them talk, Mark. I wanna hear it…I’m so proud of you. We all are.
Mark was slightly blushing when Thea said it. Mark has grown into fine and well built guy. His hair was black and falls into his brown eyes. Ever since when they were young, Mark has a special feeling for Thea but didn’t mind it that much. He doesn’t wanna ruin their friendship. Its too priceless just to end up just like that.
Thea stopped the car. She arrived at last. Her sister welcome them and told them to get inside the house.Thea went to the back of the car and took her bag and other things she bought for the party. Mark help her carry the things for her. Her grandma excitedly hugged Thea when she saw her.
Grandma: How was the trip? Are you tired?
Thea: I’m okey Lola. I really missed you so much…(she hugged back her grandma)
Grandma: Are you sure? Coz its too early. It’s only 2pm. The party starts at 7pm.
Thea: No its okey. Besides, my friends are here. We have so much to talk about now.
Grandma: ok…you say so.
Thea: Thanks for your concern, Lola. I’m sure gonna miss that …and she winks at her grandma.
Thea and her friends went to the back of the house. There were people already arranging the tables and the decorations. It was just a simple family gathering together with her friends. They went to the far side of the house. It was cloudy that afternoon. They sat down under the tree. It was their spot were they always hang out after school and on weekends.It sure brings back a lot of memories here…she thought.
Rina: so tell me, Yan (Thea’s petname) Are you not going to miss us?
Thea: of course, Im going to miss you guys. What kind of question is that? It makes me want to cry right now just by thinking about that… (and makes a frown on her face)
Juliet: You better call us at least once a month or e-mail us okey. I can go to Rina’s house to e-mail you or Mark’s.
Thea glanced at Mark and saw a little sadness in his eyes.
Thea: Are you going to miss me too? Are you going to miss me?(she said to get Mark’s attention who caught her eye while saying it…
Mark: Seeing you right now, I already missed you… Uhmm…We already missed you.What more if you’re there?
Juliet and Rina: Correct!
Thea just smiled back.They talk a lot of things like they didn’t see each other for years.
the night of the party….
Thea changed into a simple light pink dress. Her friends went home to get dressed too. It was just 6:15 in the evening. The phone rang. It was her dad… He called to wish her good luck. He told Thea he deposited $5,500 to her account just in case she needed it there. She said thanks for the money…told he shouldn’t have bothered.They just talked for a couple of minutes and her dad said goodbye.
I’ll call you as soon as I arrived there,dad. Don’t worry. I’m a big girl now, Thea said. Ok, I love you daughter. Take care always. Bye and the other line went down before she could said…”I love you too dad” she thought with a little sadness in her face.
