"Now, jump!"
I am still seven years old and so far, this is the biggest challenge I've faced. I couldn't rely on anyone right now rather than myself. Mom sacrificed her life for me. I shouldn't put it to waste and I should live my life.
"What the hell! Kid, jump now or we'll die together!" I do not know her. Well, aside from her name - Samantha. Kanina lang kami nagkita. Her mom brought her here for us to ride the hot air balloon together but unfortunately, neither of us know how to fly this thing professionally. Or maybe she knows but chose to conceal it and left us both. We are rapidly lowering altitude and if I will not jump I will die.
"Hoy bata! Kung ayaw mo sa parachute edi wag! Ilang talampakan nalang tayo mula sa dagat. It's your choice. Jump... or die," bulyaw sa akin ni Ate Sam. Mas matanda siya sa akin. Maybe she's already fifteen years old. Siya ang nagbigay sa akin ng parachute. I don't know kung saan niya iyon kinuha at kung bakit nag-iisa lang 'yon if the management considered the safety of everyone boarding.
"You are a smart kid. You are gifted actually. You are one of the prodigies here in our country. I know once na lumapag ka, alam mo kung ano ang gagawin. Your mom gave you her life. Live it," she added. I don't know what to say or even do. Should I jump? What if I can't maneuver the parachute well? It'll end me too. What if I'll stay here? I'll drown myself once this will be out of control anymore. Well, it is already.
Mom gave me her life. I should live it. Her hopeful smile crossed my mind as I am choosing one of the biggest decisions I will make in my entire life. The smile that shows purity, trust - reliance. Maybe I should do this. Cliche as it is, I'll now face my fears.
"What about you Ate?" I ask her. She gave me the only parachute this balloon has and I'm now worried how she'll get out of this. Being so sassy as she looks -not as she acts, I doubt she knows how to save her life or even swim at least. Why is she so calm? We are currently on the flat line between life and death. But what she said and reacted left me in awe.
"I kinda lived my life. Yes, I lived it short but I guess that's good enough. What matters most is that I've enjoyed living it. I'm actually thinking of ending it sooner. I've drank poison, drowned myself, hanged myself, cut myself and even directly stopping my breath but nothing works out. I guess because I was not wearing gym clothes when I did those," she said as she bitterly laugh. "Now, live your life way longer than mine. Way, way longer. Maybe thrice than my lifespan. Remember me though I have to say goodbye," she even sang the famous song from a movie for kiddos.
"Wish me luck!" I shouted at her as I suddenly jump off the rails of the ride. That was so sudden. What was I thinking? I tried facing myself up to her to show her the smile I've put up but I just can't. I heard a loud splash behind me as some of the water soaked my clothes. I can't afford to look at her. How stupid of me! Naturingan akong isa sa mga henyo ng bansa pero hindi ako makaisip ng paraan. We should have used the parachute together. But can the parachute take us both? We could have asked for help. But we don't have any phones with us as mom told us to seize the moment and forget everything. I guess this is the end. I'm even feeling my shoes getting wet. I don't know how to swim.
