Begin Again

Prologue

Begin Again

Men Challenge Jr. Book 11

A novel by:

xxakanexx

It's a really hot day. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng sumapi sa akin at naisipan kong umalis ng bahay at mag-bus. I can easily take my Dad's Porsche but no, I decided that I wanted to take a bus and now, here I am, init na init ako.

I like taking the bus. I like seeing the buildings around the city. Some of it reminded me of the old buildings in Europe. It's just a sign that our country has a rich heritage. Nakalulungkot lang dahil napababayaan na ito.

I remember, when I was growing up, I wanted to be an architect, but because I have this belief and fascination in mermaids, I decided that I wanted to be a marine biologist. Ang daming pakiusapan kay Dad para lang pabayaan niya akong mag-aral sa Australia. Dumating pa ako sa puntong nagrebelde ako sa kanya. I was too determined to leave – well at that time, I was also in love – in love with a boy . . . a boy I thought will never leave . . .

Anyway, that's a long story – a story that I don't want to think or talk about.

The bus stopped and everyone got down. I secured my belongings and got down too. Hinanap ko iyong bus paakyat ng Baguio. Pupunta kasi ako sa Benguet ngayon, out of nowhere, gusto kong umakyat ng Mt. Pulag. Hindi ako nakapagpaalam sa parents ko and I just left a note at their door. Mababasa naman nila iyon sa oras na magising sila. Medyo tinanghali na nga ako. I left the house at 8 am. Siguro, mga hapon na ako makakarating ng Baguio, so bukas na lang ako aakyat sa Mt. Pulag.

Mag-isa lang akong nagbyahe. Sanay naman ako, plus, I'm ready. I have my own pepper spray, isang balisong, isang tazer and also, I know karate. I can get by myself. My father has taught me well.

I sat at the back of the bus. Wala nang masyadong bakanteng upuan, so I am torn between sitting beside an old lady with her rosary or a man sleeping with a fisherman's hat on top of his face. I decided to sit beside the old lady but as I walk towards her, biglang may naupo sa tabi niya – an old man who gave her water.

I sighed. Mukhang mag-asawa sila kaya wala akong magagawa roon. Naupo na lang ako sa tabi ng lalaking may takip na fisherman's hat ang mukha.

I took out my phone. I got a text from my dad asking what the hell I was thinking. Hindi ko naman sinagot. Kunwari, nasa byahe na ako. Hindi naman nagtagal ay umandar na iyong bus. I put on my headphones and busied myself watching my favorite Korean Drama.

I've watched it so many times but I'm still feeling the feels especially when the main leads met for the first time. It's just so good. Kinikilig pa rin ako kapag nagtitigan sila or nag-uusap lang pero iyong pinaka-favorite scene ko kasi talaga ay iyong namatay na iyong leading man, and the leading lady forgot all about him, but when he came back, they met again and the heart just knows . . .

The heart always knows. Kahit nga siguro magka-amnesia ako, kahit siguro mabulag ako o maging manhid, my heart will always know. It will always know that it fell in love, it felt happiness, and also, it will always know that it felt the pain of losing someone . . . of someone leaving without explanations.

My heart will always know.

I found myself sobbing – not because of the Korean Drama but because of the pain in my heart. I will never ever forget,kahit ganoon na katagal. Ilang taon na nga ba? Dalawa, tatlo, o apat? Not that I am counting but it's been that long and I sometimes wish that the pain would undo itself. But who am I kidding?