Sandali // FayeYoko

Chapter 1

FAYLENE

Umuwi ako sa bayan ko pagkatapos ng matagal na panahon. Sa tuwing iniisip ko ang lugar na ito, para bang may karga akong alon ng mga alaala na bumabalik sa akin.

I felt a mix of excitement and dread, the familiar streets stirring up old feelings I thought I had left behind. Nandito ako, sa harap ng bayan kung saan ako lumaki, ngunit ang nararamdaman ko ay magkasabay na saya at lungkot.

I was lost, feeling disconnected from everything. The laughter of my childhood seemed so far away, and the future felt like a blurred painting, all the colors mixed up, not knowing where to begin.

As I walked through the streets, I couldn't help but notice how everything seemed different yet the same. The small cafe where I used to hang out with my friends was still there, its walls painted the same cheerful shade of yellow, but now the laughter felt muted.

Napansin ko na ang mga tao ay abala, parang walang panahon upang balikan ang mga alaala ng nakaraan. I felt like a ghost, wandering through a world that had moved on without me.

Minsan, naiisip ko kung ano na ang nangyayari sa mga kaibigan ko. Some of them had left, chasing dreams in faraway cities, while others were probably settled down with families of their own.

I had always been the one who wanted to explore, but somehow, I ended up here, lost and disconnected from my own journey. "Anong nangyari sa akin?" I whispered to myself, the words slipping out like a confession.

I decided to visit an old, forgotten garden that used to be my sanctuary as a child. This was a place where I could escape the chaos of life, where the weight of the world felt lighter. With every step, I felt the tension in my shoulders begin to ease.

I always found solace there, away from the noise of the world. "Sana buhay pa ang mga halaman doon," I thought, hoping that some part of my childhood still lingered in that place.

The garden was hidden away, overgrown and neglected, but it still held the magic I remembered. I pushed through the rusty gate, the creaking sound echoing in the stillness. The air was thick with nostalgia, and I could almost hear the whispers of the past calling me The garden, once vibrant and alive, now looked like it was holding its breath, waiting for someone to notice its beauty again.

"Wow, ang ganda pa rin dito kahit napabayaan na," I breathed out, a smile creeping onto my face. I ran my fingers along the rough bark of an ancient tree, feeling the texture and warmth as if it were welcoming me back. This place felt like a warm embrace, a reminder of simpler times when my biggest worry was whether I would get to play outside until the sun went down.

Nang umupo ako sa lumang bato, naramdaman ko ang lamig ng simoy ng hangin na dumampi sa aking balat. I closed my eyes, letting the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers fill my lungs. In that moment, the outside world faded away, and I was back in my childhood-a place of innocence and wonder. "Mabuti pa dito, walang judgment, walang pressure," I thought, allowing myself to sink deeper into the tranquility.

But as I sat there, memories flooding back, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to reconnect with myself again. My thoughts drifted to the future, filled with uncertainties but also endless possibilities. I needed to rediscover what I truly wanted.

Dahil sa matagal na panahon na nawala ako, parang ang daming nagbago. My friends had moved on, their lives progressing while I felt stuck in time. But I couldn't let that hold me back. I wanted to create my own path, to chase my dreams once more. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the sweet scent of the flowers surrounding me. It was refreshing and revitalizing.

"Okay, Faylene, you can do this," I said out loud, surprising myself with my own determination. Binuksan ko ang mga mata ko at tiningnan ang buong paligid, taking in the beauty of the garden. This was my sanctuary, a place where I could grow, just like the flowers that managed to bloom despite the chaos around them.

I remembered the stories my grandmother told me about resilience—how flowers would always find a way to bloom even in the harshest conditions. "Just like you, Faylene," she would say with a smile. I felt her words echoing in my heart, reminding me that I was capable of overcoming my challenges.

Pagkatapos ng ilang sandali, tumayo ako at naglakad-lakad sa buong paligid ng lumang garden. Ang mga talulot ng mga bulaklak ay parang nagsasayaw sa hangin, ang kanilang mga kulay ay naglalaro sa liwanag ng araw. "Sana makahanap ako ng panibagong simula dito," I thought, feeling a sense of hope blooming in my heart. This garden, though worn and faded, held the promise of growth, just like me.

While I wandered, I stumbled upon a small path hidden among the tall grass. Intrigued, I followed it until I reached a secluded corner where a majestic tree stood proudly. Its branches reached out like welcoming arms, inviting me closer.

"Sana mahanap ko na ang dating ako, my old spark," I thought, stepping under its shade. I closed my eyes once more, letting the peacefulness of the moment wash over me. I used to sit beneath it for hours, dreaming of the future, feeling invincible.

As I leaned against the trunk, I closed my eyes once more, letting the peacefulness envelop me. "Bakit nga ba nawalan ako ng spark sa buhay?" I wondered, the question hanging heavy in the air. The answer was buried beneath layers of doubt and fear. I remembered the aspirations that once filled my heart-the dreams of traveling the world, of becoming someone who made a difference. Those dreams had felt so distant, so unreachable, but perhaps they were still alive within me, waiting to be revived.

"Hahanapin ko ulit ang sarili ko," I promised the old tree, my heart full of determination. "I will find my way back. The memories of laughter and joy danced around me, filling the space with warmth. I was ready to embrace the journey ahead, to confront the fears that had held me back for too long.

With renewed strength, I decided to explore the garden further. Every corner held a memory, every rustling leaf a whisper of encouragement. I wandered through the rows of flowers, allowing their beauty to seep into my soul. "I wish I could bring everything back here."

After a while, I found a small bench nestled among the flowers. I sat down, resting my head against the back, taking in the surroundings. The air was thick with the scent of blooming jasmine, a fragrance that reminded me of my childhood. "Sana ganito lang palagi," I whispered, feeling the serenity wash over me. "I want to feel this way forever."

But life was never that simple. I thought about the challenges I had faced—the heartbreaks, the disappointments. "Bakit ba ang hirap?" I murmured, the weight of my struggles settling heavy on my chest. But as I looked around at the garden, I realized that even in the face of chaos, beauty could still flourish.

Maybe coming back to this place was the first step I needed to take. "It's time to bring back my old spark," I whispered, determination flooding my heart. The past may have shaped me, but it wouldn't define my future. I was ready to reconnect with who I truly was.

As I sat there, the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a golden hue across the garden. The shadows danced lightly around me, and I felt a sense of peace enveloping my heart. "I'll make you proud," I promised, looking at the flowers around me, "I'll bloom again."

"Ito na ang simula," I whispered, the words feeling like a promise to myself. "I will reclaim my dreams." I closed my eyes once more, allowing the sounds of nature to wash over me. The rustling leaves, the chirping birds, and the soft breeze became a melody that filled the air, wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.

I stood up, brushing the dust off my jeans, feeling the energy surging through me. This garden, once forgotten, was now a part of my journey back to myself. With every step I took, I felt lighter, as if the burdens I carried were slowly fading away.

"Let's do this," I said, stepping out of the garden and into the world beyond. I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, armed with the memories of my childhood and the strength of my roots. "I will find my way back," I whispered, the promise resonating deep within my soul.

And with that promise, I stepped into the light, ready to embrace the next chapter of my life.

This was just the beginning.