Love-filled Brisk

Chapter 1

I dedicated all my life to studying. I did my best at school. Seeing my hard work pay off always brought me immense satisfaction.

Attention is something I adore; I crave it every time. Growing up, my brothers and I were deprived of it by our parents.

Academic validation is what fuels me; it's like a drug I can't get enough of.

I was top in my classes, from grade school to college. I participated in sports and won competitions. I even graduated suma cum laude. I was the definition of a perfect student. What a great achievement, right?

But I feel like I just wasted all my years of effort. Why do I have to work this hard? Was it just to earn a handful of dollars or to build a great image? No. I am privileged, like being extremely wealthy. But I am still not happy, am I?

What's with all this effort if it's all going to waste when I die? I... I feel lost every time I think of this.

In many ways, I feel like a robot, programmed to follow a set path in life: study, graduate, find a job, start a family, have kids, grow old, and eventually die. It seems like a predetermined script we all follow without questioning its meaning.

This inner conflict haunts me, making me question the true purpose and meaning of my existence. I crave something more profound, something beyond the societal norms and expectations placed upon us. It's as if I'm searching for a genuine sense of fulfillment and purpose that goes beyond the material and the superficial.

There were times when I thought to just cut my wrist or hang myself so that I could put an end to all of this. Family is all I can think of every time. Thoughts of them are what could save me whenever I contemplate those horrible thoughts.

I want to escape my life and live it to the fullest. So, I figured I'd just spend my life traveling.

That's why I'm here in Madrid right now. The hometown of my grandfather. I looked up at the big mansion in front of me, which is somewhat familiar to me. It's been years since the last time I went here, maybe in junior high school.

"Hija, te extrañé. Has crecido mucho." Hija, I missed you. You have grown so much." My Lola hugged me tight.

"I missed you too" I hugged her back. Feeling tears creeping my eyes.  "You look as beautiful as ever. Are you even aging lola?" I teased her.

"Of course, kaya dapat magmana ka sa akin." Of course, that's why you should take after me. Said Lola. I laughed at her reply.

I looked at my Lolo beside her and hugged him too. "Mi hermosa nieta." My gorgeous granddaughter. I heard him say.

I gave him a smile when we broke our embrace. " I missed you too Lolo."

"Pareces cansado del viaje" You seem tired from the trip. He said looking concerned. "¿Comiste durante el viaje? Preparamos mucha comida." Did you eat during the trip? We prepared a lot of food.

"Come inside." As she pulled me in. She looks exited to see me. "Sa loob na tayo magkamustahan." Let's catch up inside.

We walked through the front door and stepped inside. The mansion's style reflects Mediterranean architecture, both in its exterior and interior. The opulence of the interior matches the grandeur of the exterior.

I am not exaggerating when I say that this place is incredibly vast. I haven't explored the entire place, not only because of its size but also because we rarely come here. This mansion has stood for a long time, and efforts have been made to maintain its sturdy structure.

"¿Cómo estás, hija? Ha pasado tanto tiempo desde que nos vimos en persona." How are you, hija? It has been so long since we met in person. Said Lolo.