When the Paradise Come

I

Maximillian's POV

I was inside the train bathroom, the sound of the engine humming behind me. I was finally leaving town, and this escape felt like a dream. I just needed to find a way to get away from all my worries, even if just for a moment. I reached for the small window, but it was locked tight. "Come on, please!" I whispered to myself, my fingers fumbling with the lock. 

The train was racing down the tracks, the vibrations echoing my nerves. I should be excited about going to my aunt's house, but all the stress and frustration from home kept creeping back into my mind.

I sat on the toilet seat, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were heavy with fatigue, and my hair was a mess from the journey. "I hope everything will be good in there" I said to myself, letting out a deep sigh. The smoke from a cigarette would be my only solace, if only for a moment.

After a few seconds, I decided to push the window harder. Finally, I heard the satisfying click of the lock. "Yes!" I exclaimed, feeling like I had just won the lottery. I opened the window, and the cool air rushed in, bringing with it a quick taste of freedom I thought I wouldn't get.

"Last na 'to, I promise" I said, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. For a moment, I felt a flicker of happiness, even if just fleeting. Behind the bathroom door, all the noise from the other passengers faded away.

The train sped along, but for me, time felt like it had stopped. I forgot about the problems waiting for me back home—the arguments, the expectations, the pressure.

As I took a drag, I thought about why I was here. My family had sent me to my aunt's for a break, a chance to clear my head. But despite everything, the train seemed to carry me on a deeper journey— one that wasn't just physical, but emotional too. The cigarette became a symbol of my freedom, even though I knew it wasn't a real solution. Mamatay ako ng maaga nito...

"It's nice here," I said, reminiscing about the vacations spent at my aunt's house. There, I didn't have to worry about responsibilities or school assignments.

There was always good food and stories shared in front of the peaceful and calming  farm, may taniman sila ng palay, gulay at mga prutas kaya naeenjoy ko naman pagpunta ko dito. But despite the good memories, I couldn't shake the fear that this might not be the escape I was hoping for. 

I looked out the window. Trees and houses whizzed by, like my life— uncertain and full of changes. "I just want to be happy again," I whispered.

Now, the air in the bathroom was thick with smoke, but in my mind, it felt like the breeze was bringing me promises. Promises that I wouldn't have any worries and that I could just be myself. 

Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door. "Hey, are you okay in there?" a voice called from outside.

"Uh, yeah! Just a minute!" I replied, quickly putting out the cigarette and tossing it in the sink.

I hurried to tidy up, wiping away any trace of my distraction. When I opened the door, I saw a girl with long hair and a warm smile. "Sorry, I was just checking." she said, laughing a little. "You're not hiding in there, are you?"

"No, just needed a break," I answered, feeling a bit shy. 

"Sounds fun! Ako naman bibisita kila Lola," she said, stepping in and giving off a friendly vibe. "I really needed this trip. School's been crazy."

"Tell me about it," I said, starting to walk papunta sa seat ko dahil nakakatamad kaya tumayo. "I just need to get away from everything." ohh, kinda just like mine. Life is so tiring talaga."Exactly! Sometimes you just have to escape, right?" she smiled. 

"What do you do?" she asked me, seems like she wanna catch up talaga but tinatamad ako magsalita, welp..

"I'm still in school. Third year," I said. "How about you?"

"Same! Third year too. It's fun but stressful." She nodded, as if she understood what I was going through. "But I believe this trip will help me recharge." sml? kidding, as if sasabihin ko 'yon. 

"Yeah, I hope so," I replied, feeling an awkwardness growing between us. "I feel like I'm losing my mind sometimes." that's why I came here, to relax and easy my mind for a while. 

"Totally relatable," she said, laughing again.

"By the way, I'm Anna." Hathaway? do you wanna build a snowman? Musta na kayo ni Cristof? kidding. 

"Max," I said, feeling like it was easier to talk, tinatamad na ako magsalita talaga. Pero I don't wanna be rude so no choice, she's so energetic.

As we chatted, the train felt lighter, and my worries slowly faded. Anna shared some dreams na gusto niyang marating and the little things that made her happy. I realized I wasn't alone in how I felt— many people dealt with similar struggles.

Then she returned to her seats, because nakalimutan daw niyang may kasama siya at baka magalit ang mga 'yon sakanya and I'm kinda thankful about that. I thought about how life is filled with opportunities and new people. I realized that my trip to my aunt's house wasn't just an escape but a chance to rediscover myself and those around me.

As I traveled through the darkening sky, merging dreams and hopes, I felt the warmth of a budding friendship. I didn't know what was ahead, but I was ready to face whatever challenges came my way with a fresh perspective. 

Sometimes, journeys aren't just about the destination but also about the people we meet along the way. And in those moments, as the train continued to move forward, I stared out the window, ready for whatever was to come.