It's Always Been Us

10: Collide

Last night was the worst nightmare that she ever had in her entire life. She needed release. She needed an escape. And just like what she does on other days, she randomly picked a place to get lost and she found herself riding a ferry boat from San Francisco to Sausalito.

Sausalito is a walkable and bike friendly city four miles north of San Francisco. From walking in its streets, one can get a good view of the San Francisco / Golden Gate Bridge and even the big and beautiful city of San Francisco. It is a nice retreat from the hustle and bustle of the big city but still having a nice view of the city and the Pacific Ocean. It is a laid-back town where visitors can just chill and relax while experiencing a Mediterranean vibe.

She was walking along Bulkley avenue looking for a bicycle rental when she passed by a tiny chapel overlooking the bay. She felt the place calling unto her. She was supposed to continue walking but there is that kind of invisible force drawing her to step closer to the chapel.

She was now in front of the chapel but she hesitated to get in. She felt undeserving but nonetheless, she humbly entered the chapel.

Upon entrance to the chapel, she felt goosebumps in her skin, that good kind of goosebumps. She knelt on a pew near the front and started to break down. All the hurt, guilt, fears and hatred that she had been hiding in her heart, all her different emotions mixed up, caused her to cry and just call out to The One above. She wasn't aware that she'd started pouring out everything that's in her heart as she surrendered everything.

For years, she tried to cover everything by being strong and independent and all but deep within her, she is so broken. She still can't accept the fact that she lost her child. Until now she is still blaming herself. Adding to the pain is her failed marriage. In her interviews she would always answer: "Sana huwag magkamali sa mamahalin," but she ate all those words, because wrong love happens and unfortunately, it happened to her. She can actually accept the wrong love, but the life within her that was taken away, that's what keeps haunting her.

"Please take away all my hurt and lead me Lord. Please send help." It was a sincere cry from a daughter who is lost, broken and hurt in this cruel world.

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He just came from the first leg of his Canada concert tour. He was not supposed to fly back home but he needed to send off his mom, Ysa and Luke who are flying to Manila for a month of vacation. Much as he wants to go with them, he has to finish his series of concert tours.

He was also supposed to meet his best friend in Sausalito to catch up and reminisce about the good old days, but along the way, his best friend called and informed him that he had to cancel as he was meeting an important client. During their high school days, he and his best friend used to frequent Sausalito for part time jobs and also for the laid-back vibe of the place.

He was debating if he'll turn around back home or just drive on and unwind. He stepped on the accelerator of his pickup and continued driving. He was lucky to have arrived early, that he was able to find a parking spot. On weekends and holidays, it is usually difficult to find a parking spot in the small city. He was waiting for one of his favorite restaurants to open so he could have some brunch so he strolled along the bay with his camera.

He was taking random shots of the bay when he noticed a picturesque chapel situated a few blocks from the Bridgeway. Curious on how the front of the chapel looks like he walked up until he reached the front of the chapel. 'The angles taken from here are even better,' he remarked silently. He was checking the shots from his camera; satisfied, he hung the camera's strap on his right shoulder. His most favorite shot would be the shot showing the chapel and at its background are greeneries, the clear blue sky and the bay area.