They said he was crazy, but I never believed them. He was sane as you and me. He was, though, accused of a crime that he never admitted although evidences were strictly against him.
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I chose the tropical paradise of Comodo for my students' field trip. It was the perfect place and time for us to discard our robes and cloaks, and fit those swimming trunks, two pieces and bathing suits.
Everyone except myself and four more students were enjoying the sea. I was busy sitting down and watching them, while the other three were just chattering away. Nerva was the only one who could withstand the call of the sea effectively, and he even brought a book with him so he could read his lessons.
The day passed without so much stir. When the night came I gathered my students around a blazing blue bonfire. I wanted to play a game. I was going to spin a bottle, and whoever the bottle stops at would have to tell the story of his or her life.
It was perfect.
Hours passed. Many have already been moved to tears by the activity. I couldn't help myself as well, I sniffed too. And then when Pyrrha spun the bottle after sharing her story, it stopped to the person whom I was and everyone else no doubt was waiting for, Nerva.
There was absolute silence as they stared at him. His eyes were misty as he stared into the fire. He told his story that way without looking at anyone of us. Before we knew it, all of us were crying, even Nerva himself.
His shoulders trembled as he spoke, his voice breaking. I think what hurt most was when he reached the part where he was kicked out of home. It was at this moment when some of his classmates started to hug him and cry with him.
"We're with you..."
"We understand..."
"It must have hurt so much..."
"Can we cry with you?"
Perhaps this was Nerva's wish. To have someone to talk to, to tell of his untold suffering so early in life. I swear that after that day, Nerva, who was so distant and aloof, learned to smile and laugh again.
And then, when he is much older, he shall recall that simple event by the bonfire, where he unleashed all his pain inside to make way for his smile once again.
