Writers' Voyage: A Story of Hope

08: Day 2

Main House

The first day of the convention flies so fast. More activities are ahead on their second day.

April decided to wake up early so she could watch the sunrise in the unfamiliar yet peaceful place. Her eyes went straight to the vanity table, meters away from the bed where she put her phone. She got up, barefoot, wide awake as she felt the cold wooden floor.

"Ang aga pa pala," April whispered when she saw the time on her phone, four-thirty in the morning. Too early for a sunrise she thought. After a long debate within herself, she wears her blazer, not minding changing her strawberry-printed pajamas, and grabs the leftover cookies that she bought on her way to the convention yesterday, "I'll just make coffee and wait on the balcony."

On her way downstairs, the deafening silence welcomed her. April didn't mind turning on the lights as the lamp post outside reflected the light in the mini pantry, adjacent to the living room.

After making her coffee, April made her way to the balcony but stopped when she saw a silhouette of a girl, one of the journalists. The girl sitting in a rattan chair, looking at the long pavements of the gateway, unaware of April's presence.

"Hi. Ang aga mo gumising." April gently said to catch her attention.

The young girl was surprised by the voice but the shock on her face was more evident when she saw April, their guest speaker.

"Good morning, ate! Kanina ka pa po diyan?" Still shocked by the presence of the guest speaker, the journalist has always admired her.

April sat beside her, "No. Kagigising ko lang," she smiled and put her coffee and cookies on the coffee table in front of them. "Ikaw, kanina ka pa dito?", she asked.

The girl nodded. "Gusto ko po sana hintayin ang pagsikat ng araw.", she smiled and offered her hand to April, "I'm Nicole po pala. Isa po ako sa journalist ng Shreky Pub."

April sipped to her coffee before accepting her hand. "I'm April. Nice to meet you!" They both chuckled as they shook their hands. "Cookies?" She gently offered Nicole.

Nicole smiled, looked at the closed dawn sky, and shook her head, "Masyado pong matamis. I'm diabetic."

April felt the sudden change in Nicole's voice. It turned...hurt and sad.

"Are you fine?", April worriedly asked. The journalist wanted to say something but hesitated.

April saw the hesitation in her eyes. "Go on. I'll listen but it is also fine if you don't want to talk about it."

Nicole didn't say anything. April understands the action. They both looked at the far gate. If it's a normal time, you would hear the sound of horns from vehicles on the highways. Right now, silence enveloped both of them, a comfortable one.

"I'm tired. I feel so stuck with my illness." Nicole broke the long silence when she decided to open up.

April looked at her and smiled as if telling her to continue and she'll listen.

"I've been diagnosed with this since who knows when. Doing the same routine for years to maintain it. I feel so stuck, left behind. I feel like I'm not in control anymore," she paused when a tear escaped her eyes.

"I'm sorry po." She apologized to April for breaking down.

April gently smiled and held her back, as if comforting her. "It's okay. I'm also sick. Sometimes, I also feel like I'm not in control of my body anymore. But I'm trying my best to survive. Alam mo ba kung bakit?"

Nicole glanced at April who bit a small amount of cookies before answering her own question.

"Because there's beauty in living...and there are people and places who will make you love being alive." April, who had a small smile, looked at Nicole. "Pagod ka na pero bakit ka lumalaban?"

Nicole sighed and looked at the slowly rising sun, "Because I wanted to, for myself, my passion, and my loved ones."

April nodded and gently held Nicole's hand, who was resting beside her, "Always remember that you are not alone. You may be stuck with your illness but here you are, still fighting and pursuing your passion. I think that matters most."

Another tear came from the journalist's eyes. This time, not from sadness anymore but joy because she was saved by the guest speaker's words. Nicole hugged April sideways and genuinely smiled, "Thank you, Ate April."

April also smiled and hugged her back, "Always remember that we're here for you. We may be sick but we are soaring."

They hugged for a bit before they both turned their eyes to the sky which began to grow light as the sun rose.

After taking a couple of shots of the sunrise, April stood up and patted Nicole's shoulder, bidding her goodbye. As she walked inside the cabin, the young journalist stared at her, whispering her gratitude because the amazing writer made her morning memorable.