My Once True North

First Step to Healing

Maya lay in her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. She felt an overwhelming sadness wash over her, and she wondered what life would have been like if she had made different choices. Her mind was consumed with regret and guilt for being a nagger to her loved ones. She had lost her sense of purpose and found herself unable to carry on living.

She had always been a strong and independent woman. Maya was always known for her fierce independence and strength. She had worked hard to build her career and had achieved great success. Her determination and passion for her work had earned her respect from her colleagues and superiors alike. She is capable of handling any challenge that came her way. But despite her professional achievements, she often struggled with her personal life.

In relationships, Maya had a tendency to be guarded and sometimes even confrontational. She didn't like to compromise and often found herself arguing with her partners over the smallest things. But deep down, Maya was a caring and loving person. She just didn't always know how to show it.

Now she felt powerless and broken. She had lost all hope. The weight of her struggles had become too much to bear, and she found herself alone in a world that had become dark and colorless. The only sound in the room was the soft ticking of the clock on her bedside table, a constant reminder of the time slipping away.

Maya's phone suddenly rang, breaking her out of her thoughts. She looked at the caller ID and saw that it was her best friend, Carla. She hesitated for a moment before picking up the call.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Carla's voice sounded warm and concerned.

Maya sighed deeply. "I'm okay, I guess. Just lying in bed, staring at the ceiling."

"I know it's tough, Maya. But you have to take care of yourself. Remember what we talked about? Taking that trip to Palawan?"

Maya groaned. "I don't know, Carla. I just don't feel like doing anything."

Carla's voice became more urgent. "Maya, listen to me. You are a strong and independent woman. You have to take control of your life again. And going to Palawan might just be what you need. Take some time for yourself, clear your mind, and come back feeling renewed."

Maya knew that Carla was right. She had always been the voice of reason in their friendship. "Okay, fine. I'll think about it."

Carla's tone softened. "Take all the time you need, Maya. Just know that I'm here for you, okay?"

"Thanks, Carla. I really appreciate it."

After hanging up the phone, Maya closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She knew that she had to start somewhere, and maybe a trip to Palawan was just the first step.

Maya stood in front of her closet, staring at the dress her ex-fiancé had personally picked for her. It was the same dress she had worn on that fateful night in Palawan, when he had proposed to her. It was a stunning deep blue, made of silk that flowed like water as she walked. The halter neck emphasized her slender shoulders, while the flowing skirt swished around her legs with every step. It had intricate beading on the bodice, adding a touch of elegance to the already beautiful dress. It was the perfect dress for a romantic night in Palawan, but now it only served as a painful reminder of the past. Maya couldn't bear to look at it for too long, so she quickly packed it away in her suitcase and zipped it shut.

The memories flooded back, and Maya felt a knot form in her stomach. This was why she didn't want to go back to Palawan. It had been such a special place for her and her ex-fiancé, and now, going back alone and feeling like this, she couldn't help but feel like she was being unfair to Palawan and to their memories. But still, something inside her urged her to go, to take this trip that she arranged months prior. So, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a moment, and continued to pack her bags.

Maya hailed a taxi and settled into the backseat. The taxi driver, an older man with a kind face, looked at her through the rearview mirror and asked, "Where to, miss?"

"NAIA Terminal 1," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

The taxi driver nodded and turned on the radio, but Maya's attention was elsewhere. As they drove through the usual traffic, she stared out the window, lost in thought.

The taxi driver tried to make small talk, telling Maya about the last time he drove his wife to the same terminal. "She's working in Saudi as a domestic helper," he said.

Maya nodded absentmindedly, not really listening. Her attention was caught by the song on the radio, "Beautiful Days" by Kyla, the same song that played during her engagement with her ex-fiance. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she tried to fight them back.

The taxi driver noticed her distress and handed her a box of tissues without a word. Maya took a tissue and wiped her tears, grateful for the gesture.

The traffic was heavy, and it took them longer than usual to reach the airport. Maya stared at the dress she brought with her, wondering if it was a mistake to come back to Palawan, the place where she was engaged and felt all the love in the world.

Despite her doubts, Maya knew she had to face her fears and take this trip to Palawan, even if it meant reliving painful memories.