Letters

M.A.I.N.E

Hello Maine! It's been a day since your first birthday celebration on live tv. Haha, sorry, di ko masyadong alam kung anong sasabihin. Writing has always been your area. Mas magaling ka sa'kin dito. Kaya nga medyo nahihiya ako minsan kapag sumusulat ako sa'yo kasi hindi ko alam kung saatisfactory ba yung isinulat ko.

Well... here goes nothing.

I want you to know the reasons behind my gifts. I want you to know the promises I intend to keep...

Medallion of Saint Benedict

I want to protect you.

I want to protect your body. Every scratch, every mark on your skin is cataloged in my mind. Did you gain a bruise? Was that scratch there before? All these things I ask myself every time we meet. I think, no, I know that I've memorized the planes of your body due to the amount of times I let my eyes roam around your form as I try to see if you truly are physically fine.

I want to protect your soul. I want to protect your very essence, the things that make you YOU. In this world we walk in, in this world you stumbled in, no one remains unchanged. I don't want that to happen to you. I don't want to see your eyes lose that spark, I don't want to see your light diminish, I don't want to see your dreams fall apart. I don't know how I'll do it but I'll find a way. For you, I will always find a way.

I will not always be there. There are times when we will be oceans apart. There are times when I'll be on a different continent when all I want is to be by your side. Who will protect you then? No one is good enough. I need to make sure you're okay.

Please wear this medallion always. At times when I won't be there to protect your body and soul, I can breathe a little easier knowing that there is someone powerful watching out for you. As arrogant as it may seem, no mere mortal is enough to protect you in my stead.

I want to protect your heart, this I need no medallion for. Even ocean's away or continent's apart I will always treasure your heart.

It's okay if you don't believe me.

I'll just leave my heart in your hands to prove it.

African Love Birds

I assure you that I won't let you go.

Love birds come in pairs. That's common knowledge. I guess you're thinking of this as a symbolism of me needing you in my life. You're right and you're wrong.

I don't need you in my life. I've spent 23 years of my life without you and though it may take some time I know that I'll be able to live without you once more. I don't need you in my life but I want you in it. I can live my life without you but I will always choose not to. I guess in a twisted way that means that I need you.

I can no longer see myself without you. I want this love team. I need my partner. I want my best friend. I need my 'kakampi'.

This is all your fault you know? You left your mark in every single thing I do, in every single thing I see. Now there is nothing that doesn't remind me of you. Every single place reminds me of the way you smile when we go on random trips. Every single thing reminds me of the way your eyebrows crease in curiosity every time you see something new.

You've left your imprint in my soul. You've made sure that I was only meant for you.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

One more thing... Love birds mate for life, did you know that?

Illustration