Writers' Voyage: A Story of Hope

04

Man-made Lake

Iris Venice, part of the Shreky Pub, walked slowly out of the main house and found herself standing in the man-made lake.

Fishes swam in the crystal clear water. Birds chirping from the trees. Iris let out a heavy sigh.

"Did they even know that they are not really free?" sa isip-isip niya habang pinapanood ang mga isda.

The salty wind blows her hair. She inhaled deeply para amuyin ang simoy ng dagat malapit sa lake. "Nakakainis, ang bigat-bigat. What if I failed to swim to the path they expected me to take?" she said to herself.

April, the convention's guest speaker unintentionally heard her. Maaga siyang gumising para maglibot-libot at magtake ng videos and pictures for her vlog. Nahagip ng camera niya si Iris and narinig ang sinabi niyo.

"Ayos lang kaya siya?" Bulong ni April sa sarili. Inoff niya ang camera at dahan-dahan na lumapit sa pwesto ni Iris.

Tears started to fall from Iris' eyes as the voices in her head thundered. Images and voices occupied her mind too much kaya hindi na niya napansin ang presensya ni April.

"When can I experience freedom? Enjoying the calm waves from the real ocean than living in this life with man-made expectations that control me?" saad niya habang patuloy na lumuluha.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm really--" she was back to reality the moment a handkerchief blocked her sight into the lake.

"You don't need to say sorry. You have no faults and it's okay to cry because we all seek the kind of freedom we deserved and wanted... I'm April, by the way." April gives Iris a reassuring smile that makes Iris breathe slowly and calmly.

"T-thank you... Iris po from Shreky Pub." sabi niya at ginamit ang panyo pamunas ng luha.

A comfortable silence filled their place. Flowers and leaves are dancing because of the wind. Both staring at the lake, habang iniisip kung ano ang sasabihin.

Iris spoke first. "Kailan kaya ako makakalaya sa mga expectations nila? It's too suffocating kasi nakakatakot magkamali." April listened to her.

"Their expectations pressure me every day. It feels like I'm drowning, unable to breathe out of the water because if I tried to free myself too as early as now, I think that would be my rebellion." Dugtong niya.

"I want to share some of my realizations with you during my 20s," April said.

"Sure. Kailangan ko rin po yan." Iris replied.

"Stop caring what people think. There are things that don't work out for a reason. Take care of your mental health, everything begins and ends in your mind. Don't get caught up planning your life you forget how to live. Live closest to your soul. Lastly, do not be afraid to live imperfectly." April said while looking at the sky. Iris just stared at her, admiring the calmness in her voice and aura which makes Iris feel safe and belonging even if they just met and she only knows her online.

"Be brave, Iris. Everything takes time but don't be afraid to take one step at a time. Mahirap mabuhay na iniisip ang expectations and gusto mangyari ng iba, but don't push yourself to be perfect in their eyes. Show some mistakes, and make them realize. Live your life. Umalis ka sa man-made lake and you'll find someone that will help to bring you back to the sea." Sabi ni April at tinignan si Iris na ang buong atensyon ay nasa kaniya.

"Thank you. Tatandaan and gagawin ko lahat ng sinabi mo, Miss April. See you sa convention. —Hala! Ang panyo po—"

"Sayo na 'yan."

Tumango si Iris at nagpalitan sila ng ngiti before leaving in different directions.