And You Became My Favorite Track

Chapter 2: Part 2

Hello Manila, I am here!

Manila was supposed to be a place where I could finally breathe, where I could escape the suffocating expectations of my family and live for myself. But as the car pulled away from the driveway, I also felt a tear in my heart.

Aside from the memories I made with the people around me in Vigan I also thought of a question asking;

Could I really be myself there?

Would I finally find the freedom I so desperately craved,

or would the same fears and insecurities follow me wherever I go?

After that distressing time of the day, I was quite positive that I'll bring Lola's advice with me wherever I go. Kailangan ko sumunod kung gusto kong maging maayos ang lahat.

Perhaps that's what the society has taught us.

In order for you to thrive, you gotta live by the rules and by the codes.

Implanted na ito sa utak ko ever since I was a kid.

We'd rather live by the norms rather than being thrown out of the world we live in.

Lahat naman tayo ayaw maging homeless, hindi ba?

Homeless in a way that you don't feel like you're a part of this world, na kakaiba ka sa lahat ng tao na nandito sa mundo.

Hindi ko alam bakit ganito sila, it must have been because of what our family has been going through for the past 2 years.

I understand them but at the same time I could not also grasp on the idea of neglecting my own happiness for the sake of others.

Palapit na nang palapit ang pagtama ng mga espada ng orasan sa oras na 3:00.

Right after having our small salo salo for lunch, ihinahanda ko na ang sarili ko para sa pagtravel nang biglang nagchat muli si Beatrice.

Napakarami niya palang chats, kagabi pa.

Hindi ko ito napansin dahil nga naka DND pa rin ako hanggang ngayon.

Beatrice:

Rylle, ano na balita sayo? tutuloy ka ba sa Manila bes?

Bes, saan ka na ba talaga mag aaral, ayoko mag isa this year ha!

Mamimiss kita, sis

Sis? okay ka na ba?

Ganyan siya kakulit and I am so lucky to have her. She makes sure that I am fine.

Minsan na kasi kaming nagkaroon din ng usapan about our family problems, at madalas talaga yon mangyari sa aming dalawa, and whenever those things happen, we are really affected.

Naging kakampi namin ang isat isa sa mga panahong pakiramdam namin wala kaming kakampi. Kaya ngayon, ganyan siya mangulit. Para talaga kaming magkapatid.

I opened my phone and read all of her messages.

Ako:

Bes, slr naka DND me, yap, aalis na talaga ako girl.
* sent a photo of my packed stuffs.

Beatrice:
Gaga ka talaga! Mamimiss ka namin here girl, please be back soon. Magchat ka kapag nasa biyahe ka na ha and update me if nakarating ka na. Ingat ka sa biyahe sis.