The Reflection of Time [ongoing]

Prologue

November 11, 2024

Dear Anina,

Another beautiful morning has awakened my soul. Birds are chirping around, having their morning tea (gossip), and singing a melody I know you’d love. You have a taste for beautiful things, that's why you end up liking me, right? But I must be honest, my Ani, this morning is nothing compared to you. Even a Goddess couldn’t compete with you, and perhaps even the Gods themselves couldn’t deny your beauty.

No, “beauty” is an understatement. But how can I describe you, then? It feels as if no existing word captures all that you are. Should I invent a new word meant only to describe you? Its definition would need at least ten pages to encapsulate someone who outshines the Goddesses with just a smile. Giz, I hope that when you read this letter, you won’t make fun of me. Your minamahal is simply too in love with you, so he writes this as a gift, with plans to publish a story just for you. Anina, I want you to know that I love you so much, and if—

“Busy writing a letter again as a birthday present?” Someone who stood at my bedroom door interrupted me, waiting for my response.

I looked at her and smiled,“Yeah, why? Are you against it?” I replied with a smug grin.

“Whatever, buhay mo naman yan eh, you do you.” She smirked, though it was obvious she liked what I was doing. “Pero kailangan na nating umalis, your press conference is starting soon.”

Agad-agad naman akong tumayo sa aking kinauupuan at mabilis s’yang sinundan. If you asked me who she is, I would say that she’s someone who is reliable enough to entrust my life with.

One of those people who reached out to me when I thought I wouldn’t have the strength to rise again.

“Are you ready, Mr. Moredo?” she asked while looking at me through the car’s rearview mirror.

“I am, Mrs.” ani ko na ikinapula ng kaniyang pisngi.

Umandar na ang sasakyan at tumingin ako sa kalangitan.

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Anina, some might think that home is simply a place with a sturdy roof, a haven where you can rest peacefully at night, unbothered by approaching storms. But for me, home is you.