Bravery

It has been about twelve days already since we last set foot on the wonderful city Qingdao. Going back to the office for me was very hard because my shoes felt heavy, it was like they were a hundred pounds each, not only because I had to bring all the gifts for my officemates, but also because the experience and memory of Qingdao was still very clear in my mind.

One of the experiences I could not forget was when we left Qingdao and went to Hong Kong for my connecting flight to Manila. I was fortunate to have with me as my companion, Ms. Terozita Uitime from Samoa. Just like what I wrote in my previous blog, we did not sit beside each other in the flight from Qingdao to Hong Kong because of problems with flight information.

QINGDAO AIRPORT

While still in Qingdao Airport, Terozita, Me, Mr. Edward, and Mr. Paul, had to wait in line for the longest time because the airport staff could not seem to find Terozita's flight details. Terozita said that the same thing happened to her in her flight to Qingdao. We were the only ones left in the line and they were already announcing that boarding for our flight to Hong Kong was beginning. Terozita was very calm and she did not panic. You know, that's what I like about Terozita, her "I-don't-care-if-the-plane-will-leave" attitude. It made me feel more relaxed knowing that she was there.

We were discussing about the luggage and I said that I will get my luggage, not in Hong Kong, but in Manila, Philippines, my final destination. Terozita said that she will get luggage in Hong Kong because she will have to wait for seven hours there before her flight to New Zealand. After learning that, I felt a kind of twitch in my stomach, knowing that something might not turn out good.

We finally got our plane tickets! "Yahoo!", I told myself and we started running towards the entrance to the departure area. But, of course, we cannot leave without saying our goodbyes to our dearest friends Mr. Edward and Mr. Paul! So we embraced each other really hard and I really did not want to let go of Mr. Edward and Mr. Paul because they have been more than friends, they were like our big brothers in Qingdao.

We finally said our goodbyes, and made our way to the entrance and through the X-ray machines and the inspection area. But you know, Terozita went back to the entrance area even though Mr. Paul and Mr. Edward was waving her to go back because she cannot go through the X-ray again, the airport officials might get mad! But she went back anyway just to say good bye and for Mr. Edward to tell Mr. Wan good bye also. We were still waving and waving even if we were already far from each other until we could not see each other anymore.

HONG KONG AIRPORT

When we arrived in Hong Kong, I accompanied Terozita to the exit area for her to get her luggage outside. I learned that she had to go outside to get her luggage. Since there was a long queue, I went with Terozita in the line. We saw some people answering this small sheet of paper and we learned it was for immigration purposes so I volunteered to go get the forms. There were so many people but I managed to squeeze out to get the forms. When I went back to the line, I noticed that the forms which I got already had names and signatures on it! Oh no! So Terozita took it upon herself to get the new forms (without names) and I stayed in the line. But then, an airport official announced something about there being another line where the passengers can go. Everyone seem to have went to the other line because the next thing I knew, there were only a few people left.

Even during that time I was still confused on whether I needed to go out in the luggage area and if the airport officials would allow me to go out. I could not leave Terozita because we did not have the time to even exchange calling cards. I felt that I needed to ask around if I could still go out. So I told Terozita that I needed to check with my airline Cathay Pacific if I could go out in the meantime. When I found the booth of Cathay Pacific, they said I could no longer go out and I would need to stay inside the airport.

I got my plane ticket and immediately went back to Terozita to tell her the bad news. But what I saw struck me like lightning. Terozita was already outside and she was debating with the guard that she needed to go back just for a few minutes. The guard was insisting she cannot go back anymore because of airport regulations and for security purposes.

She saw me and made a body language like asking if I can still go out. I sadly told her that I could not go out because I already had a plane ticket.

Terozita was still debating with the guard that she would just go in a few minutes. And without any warning, she went back to the exit area, even if the guard was already shouting, "Hey! Hey! Hey!" She just went back in to say goodbye to me and gave me the warmest hug in my life. How can anyone forget that experience!

When the guard saw us, he immediately stopped yelling and started smiling and scratching his head. Then Terozita went back outside. I looked at her as she walked farther and farther, until I lost her in the thick, bustling crowd, and then... I felt alone, by myself.

It was like the feeling of a child in his first day in kindergarten school, without parents, relatives, or friends.

I promised Terozita that I would email her as soon as I can and that I would write something about our sudden separation in Hong Kong.

It has been twelve days already but everything is still so vivid. I will never forget that day when I learned what real friendship is, and how lucky I am to have such a brave friend.

Thanks my dear friend Terozita, I will definitely see you soon in the near future.