ANC NEWS:
MANILA, Philippines — State weather bureau PAGASA has raised Wind Signal No. 5 in Metro Manila as Typhoon Maita (international name: Yinxing) intensifies and nears landfall.
As of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6, the eye of Maita was located 280 kilometers east of Quezon City, moving westward at 10 kph.
The typhoon is now packing peak winds of 220 km per hour (kph) with gusts of up to 270 kph, prompting PAGASA to issue the highest wind warning signal.
Meteorologists estimate that Maita may make landfall near Manila or Quezon City within the next 12 to 18 hours, bringing intense winds and heavy rainfall.
PAGASA urges residents to take all necessary precautions, as extreme weather conditions, including storm surges and widespread flooding, are expected.
I stared at the TV in the dimly lit Airbnb, my breath hitching as the news sank in. My fingers dug into the side of my head, scratching absently as I paced back and forth, my mind racing about what I should do. The hum of the air conditioner seemed deafening as the silence stretched on.
Should I go back? I need supplies, secure the apartment... But what about my dogs? They'd be safer there. Is it the right call? God, why is this so hard?
I exhaled sharply and collapsed onto the bed, elbows on my knees, knuckles whitening as I clenched my hands. My gaze dropped to the carpet — unfocused, empty. And all I could do was sit there, paralyzed, helplessly waiting for answers that refused to come.
A sharp, blaring siren erupted from my phone, vibrating violently against the bedside table. I jolted, my pulse spiking. I didn't need to check — I already knew. An SMS Alert from NDRRMC.
With shaky hands, I grabbed the phone, dreading what I was about to read. NDRRMC( 6:35AM, 6Nov24) Signal #5 sa Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, at Rizal dulot ng TS Maita. Malakas na hangin at matinding pag-ulan ang inaasahan sa loob ng 6 oras. Asahan ang matinding pagbaha at landslide. Maging alerto at handa.
A second message followed — this time from the building's management: "Good morning, Ms. Kyla. We're happy to inform you that the maintenance in your bathroom has been completed, and you may return anytime. Given the approaching super typhoon, we highly recommend doing so as soon as possible. Please take care, and let us know if there's anything else we can assist you with."
I let out a deep, relieved breath and hurriedly grabbed our bags, shoving things inside. "Thank God! We can finally go home!"
Lucky and Cleo looked up, their wide eyes reflecting my own uncertainty. They didn't understand the storm, but they sensed my fear. "Lucky, Cleo, I'm packing up our things so we can go back to our apartment." I said quickly, barely pausing. "You be good girls, okay? Mommy just needs to grab some emergency supplies downstairs. I'll be back soon!"
I yanked open the bedside drawer, snatched my wallet and keys, and bolted for the door without looking back. I rushed for the elevator, jabbing the button over and over as if I could will it to move faster. My fingers drummed against my thigh, breaths quick, uneven.
Ding!
I leaped inside in a rush and checked the time — 6:45 AM. My arms folded tightly across my chest as I bit my lower lip, exhaling sharply. The elevator crawled downward, stopping at floors, each delay stretching my nerves thin. People shuffled in and out, their sluggish movements eating away at my patience.
Come on, come on. Hurry up!
Every second that passed felt unbearable, the walls of the elevator closing in as my anxiety churned in my chest. Finally, we emerged on the ground floor. My eyes frantically scanned the area, and then I spotted it — a familiar flash of red and green. A 7-Eleven.
I made my way toward the store, my pace quickening, and grabbed a shopping cart as soon as I entered. I picked up the necessities I needed, tossing in dog food — could never have too much, just in case we get stuck for days. I hope not.
I slammed the heavy basket onto the counter, the force making my hands shake. The skin on my palms reddened as the blood rushed back into my fingers. I stood there, staring blankly, my patience slipping away as I waited for the cashier to finally swipe the items. My eyes snapped to the cashier. Too slow. My fingers tapped against my elbow, my jaw clenched. Hurry up. Just scan and let me go.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Each tone confirmed another item being scanned.
"That would be P2,890.16, Ma'am," the cashier said, handing me my purchases with an air of disinterest. I paid, gave him a brief nod of thanks, and took my bags.
I was on my way out when I suddenly remembered — I needed cash. I turned toward the ATM and withdrew just enough emergency money to last a maximum of five days.
Some might have considered my actions excessive, but you could never be too prepared for an emergency. The place I came from had always been hit by powerful typhoons, and taking precautions like this had become second nature to me.
Better to be prepared than sorry.
As I stepped outside, I was met with darkened clouds and sheets of rain lashing the streets in fury. The wind howled, strengthening my resolve to get home as quickly as possible. I hurried toward the elevator and made my way back to our Airbnb.
Once inside, I dropped the groceries onto the kitchen table and rushed to take a quick shower. I changed into comfortable clothes — something that would allow me to move easily if needed. I knelt, running my fingers through the fur of my dogs, pressing a kiss to each head.
"Everything's gonna be okay," I whispered — for them, for myself.
I sat stiffly, anxiety twisting in my gut as I waited for a driver to accept my request. My fingers tightened around my phone as I pinned our destination, my eyes fixed on the screen. Fifteen minutes had passed, yet not a single driver had responded. My heart pounded in my throat.
The screen dimmed as my ride request timed out, again.
I bit my lip, jaw tightening as I tapped Request Another Ride. A loading circle spun mockingly on my phone. Outside, the rain pounded against windows, loud and relentless as if sensing my desperation. I swallowed hard. Come on, come on... someone, please accept.
Still nothing. Another deep breath. Another refresh. The rain doesn't let up. And neither does the fear.
I inhaled sharply and tapped the button once more.
By the grace of God, a driver finally accepted my ride request! And he was just around the corner. I wasted no time and rushed down to the lobby to wait for him. Every passing second felt agonizingly slow.
Despite being nearby, it still took him thirty minutes to arrive — thirty long, nerve-wracking minutes. When the silver Hyundai Innova finally pulled up in front of the building, relief flooded through me. The condominium's guard kindly assisted me, helping load my bags into the back. He also helped me get Lucky and Cleo inside the car, carefully lifting them in as I settled into my seat. The sight of them, safe and close to me, eased some of the tension gripping my chest.
"Hello, Sir! Thank you so much for accepting my ride request! You have no idea how grateful I am!" I blurted out, my voice filled with both relief and exhaustion.
The driver offered a small, tired smile. "To be honest, Ma'am, you're my last client for the day. After this, I'll be buying some emergency supplies and head home. I really need the money."
His words struck a chord in me, and my heart ached for him.
What should've been a quick drive stretched into an agonizing hour and forty-five minutes. Flooded streets slowed traffic to a crawl. The fare spiked over a thousand pesos, but I didn't care. I just needed to get home.
Lucky and Cleo stayed close to me the entire ride, sensing my anxiety. Every time the car jolted from the uneven road or the heavy downpour pounded against the windows, I found myself instinctively reaching out to them, my fingers brushing through their fur for comfort.
When we finally arrived, I handed the driver a tip as a small token of gratitude. His eyes lit up, and he gave me a grateful smile, a look I understood all too well. Without hesitation, he helped me unload my things, carefully carrying Cleo as well. Once everything was set, he gave me one last nod before heading off into the rain.
Back home!
The truth dawned on me suddenly. Tyler. I was back in the place where he was.
I forcefully shook away the unwelcome memory...the way he turned his back on me that day, standing on his balcony.
Focus, Kz!
You, your dogs, your apartment. That's all that matters now.
As I climbed back to the apartment, I was met with chaos. The doors to my balcony were alarmingly ajar, and the brutal winds were slamming against the glass with a terrifying force. I was about to secure them when, with a sudden jolt, they burst open!
I scrambled to close the doors, the wind howling outside as if it were alive, rattling the glass and sending rain pouring inside. The deafening roar of the storm made it hard to think, but I pressed on, rushing to secure everything. I could feel the panic rising as Lucky and Cleo's barks echoed through the apartment, growing louder and more frantic with each passing second.
As I turned to grab the other curtain to yank it across the door, my foot caught on the rug. My heart leaped in my chest as I stumbled, desperate to catch my balance. But I didn't. My knee slammed into the corner of the wooden table, the sharp sting of the impact sending a jolt of pain straight up my leg.
"Ahhh!!!" I couldn't help the loud scream that escaped my lips as I teetered for a moment, hands reaching instinctively for the floor to steady myself.
I clenched my teeth, fighting the pain. Blood trickled down my knee, soaking into my pants. I wiped my hand on my leg, but the blood kept coming, and the sight of it only made the storm inside me feel worse.
The sound of my dogs barking more frantically outside the room snapped me back to reality. They were stressed, I could feel it, their anxiety heightening with each gust of wind. My voice came out shaky as I called their names, trying to calm them, but my mind kept racing.
And then I heard it. The hurried footsteps outside my door. My breath caught, and my heart skipped when I realized who it was.
"Kz!—" Tyler's voice broke through the madness, filled with concern.
I couldn't breathe. My body reacted before my mind could catch up, my shaking hand reaching for the doorknob.