DESTINATION

SPROUT

"the seed finally took

the dive deep in the ground

fertilized by memories

giving life a much needed sound"

-102818

As I got myself back in my room, I told Gin the poetry that I wrote for the request. It's really a hard time to go back in the zone after episodes struck my very mind.

"You know Gin, I just realized that maybe that Jasmine is a different person. I don't know why I acted way too sensitive about it."

"Well sensei, there are millions of Jasmine in this world, maybe the sheer mention of her name still holds a fine line in you."

"You're right about that, it's just that her name is something beyond it. It's not just a sense of identity, it's a galaxy of memories to me."

"Like a long forgotten memory that is remembered through a single name."

"I think you're smart enough to write poems for me huh?"

"No sensei. I'm programmed to simple help you organize your thoughts with limited capacity to express emotions."

"And emotions are beyond us humans too. It gives us the ability to rise above other species, to move forward, and at some point, self-destruct."

"What are trying to tell me sensei?"

"I think I will write a letter like I used to, and find a way to give it to her."

I started working on a letter for the past two hours now. There were instances that I just don't know what to start with. I used to give her letters all the time, even though we see each other almost every single day. I find myself better in expressing my emotions through words in paper, than talking or with the help of technology.

I have been throwing a couple of papers beneath my desk and I still don't know what words would fit. After a few moments, I decided to not go hard on myself and just write what comes to my mind and heart. I realized that no matter how hard I try, no matter how the garden of words sprouts on this paper, it will never be enough to match the emotions and thoughts that I want to tell her.

The next morning, I decided to bring a few finished requests from last week and deliver them. I decided to start off with the farthest station, and start from there. I brought the letter that I wrote for her late last night. I barely had any sleep at all and I just want to give it to her as soon as possible. She doesn't live near the stations of the train but there's a jeepney ride headed near their residences. I decided to go there right after I deliver all the cards that we created.

The train is pretty empty today. I guess it's a Saturday. I don't really know, and I just don't care that much. I decided to listen to the score of the film Kimi no Nawa as I travel.

After delivering the first poem, it started to rain hard and I decided to quicken my phase and head towards the train station. I forgot to bring any umbrella, and luckily I have the cards and the letter sealed in my sling bag.

Due to heavy rainfall, the train was stopping in the middle of the tracks for a good ten minutes every other station. I went on to deliver the other cards on time, as the rain cries harder and harder than earlier. When I returned to the nearest station, it was announced that the next train will come within the next thirty minutes. I looked at my watch and it's almost 11, so I decided to go to the nearest vendo machine to get atleast something to drink. I haven't had any breakfast, and I'm starting to feel dizzy and cold. As I was trying to get my wallet in my bag, I unintentionally pulled of the wallet together with the letter. The letter, flew like a bird that was finally set free from its cage. I tried to reach for it, but the wind is far stronger and faster than my response.

I didn't know what to feel at that time. I delivered all the cards as fast as I can to get to this point. I was one step away, to giving her the letter. But it just didn't, it just didn't want to be read.

I decided to stop by at another station and grab a coffee and something to eat. I wasn't that much in the mood for anything really, I was still out of my zone after losing grip of the letter. Suddenly, I heard the barista mentioned the name "Jasmine".

For a moment, I thought it was her. But there are really millions of people named Jasmine afterall. But not a single one of them is like the Jasmine I know.

Somehow, that split second of hope, that she was also there opened my eyes. Maybe I should call her.

I checked my phone, and I found her number still in my contacts. I decided to text her and ask if she's free for a walk. I don't even know if she still uses that number, but I'm hoping that she does. I just don't want to let it pass. I have to talk to her.

After a few minutes, she replied. And she said, yes.