The Voyagers' Tale (Avanzar Series #1)

Prologue

PROLOGUE

Three years ago, I was just a dreamer and a believer.

Simpleng tao lang ako na nangangarap. Dreaming to achieve impossible things. Ewan ko ba, ganoon talaga siguro kapag nasa 20s na ang isang tao. The reality really hits hard. Hindi lahat ng gustong makuha, makakamit ng isang pikit-mata lang. Mahihirapan muna hanggang sa madurog. Ganito nga siguro kalupit ang mundo.

Kahit ako, hindi ko inaakala na makakarating ako sa puntong ito. Ngayon, naniniwala na ako na may dahilan ang lahat. Katulad niya, he came for a reason.

Back then, I suck. Yes, I literally suck at narrating stories. I'm worst at everything. It's so hard to be something when I'm not. It hurts too because I walked alone in darkness and no one by my side.

But everything changed when I met him.

I've been feeling the magic since I met that guy. I've seen the other, so I thought my feelings for him is nonsense. But I have never seen anybody shine the way he does.

It was like I was captivated by a firework show.

I loved him for so many unknown reasons. I love seeing his chocolate brown eyes and of course his silent and not-so-loud laugh. I believe God sent him to me for a reason.

Napapatanong nga ako sa sarili ko. May rason nga ba para magmahal?

The truth is, I don't know how it started. It came instant. Ang pag-ibig walang pinipiling tamang oras o tamang lugar. It comes whether a person is ready or not.

Habang lumalayo kasi ako at patuloy na pinipigilan ang nararamdaman ko sa kaniya, my feelings only get stronger.

Napahugot na lang ako ng malalim na buntong hininga. I didn't know how many times I want to change the past. Hindi ako makagalaw. I can't move on. Time won't fly, it was like I'm paralyzed by it.

Time is over, but I am still writing pages.

Kung naging matapang lang ako. Kung nasabi ko lang ang lahat. Edi sana...

I loved him that made me hurt myself. He drew stars around my scars, but I feel the bleeding in my skin. My heart was a glass, he didn't break it, I actually dropped it.

Wala rin namang kasiguraduhan kung nasabi ko sa kaniya ang lahat. Hindi rin naman ako sigurado na magbabago ang takbo ng buhay ko kung hindi ako naging duwag, 'di ba? Ito na ang nakaukit sa mga palad ko. Kaya kahit anong gawin ko, hinding-hindi na ito magbabago. Just move on and made realization on the lessons that the past gave.

Biglang yumakap ang malamig na hangin dahilan para mapapikit ako. I always see him in my dreams.

I have this recurring dream: I'm a simple woman, sitting beside a man, and he's singing to me. We're at the beach on an old blanket, that is tucked away in my closet. I can hear the waves crashing as his voice rises and falls. I feel the warmth of his arms around me.

I want to stay in this moment forever.

A person's touch serves as safety, security, and comfort to anyone's soul. The gentle caress of a finger that says everything will be okay. Touch that connects us when we're happy and excites us in times of passion.

Everyone needs that touch from the one we love. But I never understood the importance of touch, time, love—his touch, hugs, and love.

Until I couldn't feel it.

When I open my eyes, I miss the dream. I miss the sea. I miss being in love. I miss my important person. I miss him, badly.

Kaya ayoko. Ayokong mahulog sa kaniya, noong una. I don't let myself fall in love with him. My heart is too weak; it is possible to break.

Ganito naman siguro ang buhay ng isang tao. Everyone will experience different kinds of emotions. Ngingiti. Tatawa na parang baliw. Malulungkot at higit sa lahat ay mapapaluha. Muling humangin ng malakas. Sumasayaw ang mga dahon sa hampas ng hangin at kasabay nito ang pagpatak ng aking luha.

Now, one thing is for sure. These feelings weren't gone. Someday, these feelings will drive me towards him. In another lifetime or another place, maybe I and him will be walking hand in hand.

Someday, I will meet you in another story and the ending won't be this sad.