Map of the Lost

PROLOGUE

Note: Revised and edited. Not much was changed, but if you have already read the old chapters, I still suggest you reread them again.

Home.

I'm still trying to figure out what it is.

Is it really just a place you sleep in? A place you go to after a long day of work?

Or is it a feeling? A feeling of satisfaction? Bliss? Content?

A sigh of relief after getting loads of work done? Securing a ticket for your long-time idol's concert?

Or is it a person? A person you seek that certain feeling from.

Pero kanino? Sa pamilya ko ba? Sa mga magulang ko? Sa mga kaibigan ko? Sa mga katrabaho ko? Sa jowa ba dapat? Kanino?

Kanino o saan ko dapat hahanapin 'yon?

I have already been through a lot, but at least now I'm successful, right? Ayun ang tingin ng mga tao. Pag may mga naabot na, okay na dapat buhay ko.

Ano pa nga ba ang dapat kong hanapin?

Bakit pakiramdam ko may kulang pa rin? Nakapagtapos na ako ng pag-aaral. I graduated with latin honors. I have a stable job. My own business, even. What more could I ask for, right?

"Hello?" After three rings, I answered my phone.

[Ma'am, nandito po ulit si engineer. Hinahanap ka po.] Tumango ako na para bang nakikita niya ako.

"Pakainin mo muna diyan. May dinaanan lang ako pero pabalik na ako, pakisabi."

Pagbaba ko sa tawag, humarap ako kay ate na nakangiti. "Sige na, Ate Syd. Hinahanap na ako ni Red, babalik na ako."

She closed the file she was reading before standing up from her chair to walk me out. "Salamat sa pagkain, Sab. Ingat ka," she hugged me.

"Huwag kalimutan kumain at matulog ate, ha?" I've always reminded her of this. Pati si Kei. Itong mga gustong mag-doctor, sila pa 'tong nagmumukhang pasyente na, e.

I wonder if he's taking care of himself too.

My ride to the restaurant was peaceful. I looked around, observing the people on the streets. Some of them looked problematic, some looked happy. It became a habit to watch the people around me and wonder how they live their lives. Ano kaya storya nila?

May iba, nahihirapan na sa buhay pero pinipilit pa rin ang sarili ngumiti. While some were true in expressing their emotions. Whether they were sad, frustrated or mad.

I envied both.

I could never understand how I could handle the emotions I have. My friends said I was strong, but I doubt it.

Arriving at the restaurant, I looked up at its name presented above the doors.

'El Casa'

"Galing ka kay Ate Syd?" Tanong agad ni Red sa akin pagkaupo ko sa tapat niya. Tumango lang ako. We ate together and I can't help but notice how he seems to be bothered about something.

"May problema ba?" I asked him.

He gave me a small smile before shrugging.

"Next week na birthday ni Kei. Punta ka sa party niya?"