My Sweet Haven

Chapter 1

"Haven't I told you Mari? Haven't I told you to not touch Congressman Demalata's case?" Miss Siapno - our editor in chief shouted, throwing the hard copy of the news I published yesterday. She told me million times not to lay my hands to that issue but I just can't be silenced when it includes the people being abused, it is in the oath I've promised after all.

"Haven't you known it is our duty ma'am? How can we have the change we all beg if we are not acting into it? Magbubulag-bulagan po ba tayo kahit na nasa harap mismo natin ang umaalingasaw na baho ng mga taong dapat na nagsisilbi para sa bansa, para sa atin?" I answered with full conviction but still showing respect.

"I told you before that there will be a time where you should just eat up your pride and stay still in order to survive in this field, that time is now Mari!" I shook my head in disbelief; I can't believe she's really telling me to sell my principles

"I'm sorry ma'am, my principles can't be sold. I finished this degree with the tax of my people, there's nowhere I will betray them."

"Then, if that's the case you can start fixing your things, because I'm firing y─"

"No ma'am" I cut her off placing a resignation letter on her table "I'm resigning" I gave her a small smile before walking away. I already had expected this to happen so it's better to 'technically' just resign than to be kicked off; it will kind to not be so harsh on my side. But who says it's a better choice? It both means one thing, I'm now jobless! I have three mouths to feed, good god!

As soon as I'm done gathering my things I headed to the parking lot and drove away, without an exact destination. I feel so much emotion in my heart, I can't think properly. I drove for so long, until I stopped on a familiar place. This is where I always go every time I feel like I'm already drowning, every time I feel so alone, like I have no place to go. A tear escaped from my left eye when I remembered the last time I have been here: it was when mom and dad died and I was left here to look after my three younger sisters.

I sat on the grass with my head on my knees. I started to cry it out loud without being bothered that someone might hear my grievances. I should let it all out now because I still have a lot to worry tomorrow. When I finally felt calm I raised my head and started staring at the view below the cliff, the nature is just so refreshing you'll really be lost and forget your problems. I heave out a deep sigh before leaning on the giant mango tree.

"You're done crying now?" I almost jump by suddenly hearing a voice from the other side of the tree. He's here too huh?

"You're also here." I said instead of answering his question. It's just so coincidental that every time I'm here, he' also around. It's as if we share same grievances at the same time. I somehow felt secured with the thought that he's here with me even though I haven't even seen him face-to-face ever since we coincidentally meet here. We remained on the 'friends-who-should-never-cross-the-tree's-other-side-for-privacy' relationship. It has been his request to remain strangers with each other, he's an introvert - he reasoned out. Whatever, it is also a good thing since we can't gossip each other's problems since we can't even see a strand of the other's hair.

"Yeah, masyadong magulo sa labas. Kailangan kong tumakas kahit sandali. Ikaw, anong ginagawa mo dito, did something happen again?" he asked, we've been crossing paths here ever since grade school and weirdly we happen to be comfortable talking with each other already.

"Na tanggal ako sa trabaho."

"Oh, you're working now? You finally become a journalist?"

"Yeah, but unfortunately I have to resign. I just can't sell my principles." We once again become silent, I knew he also want silence since this place have been the witness of our dilemmas. This is where we both find peace.