Copyright © 2013 by Soi Badilla. All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without the Author's express consent. Madalas natin sabihing NORMAL tayo, dahil nagagawa natin ang kayang gawin ng iba, naiintindihan natin ang kayang intindihin ng iba, katulad nila'y ganun din tayo, sa madaling salita'y NORMAL tayo. Ngunit, kailangan bang maging katulad tayo ng ibang tao para lang masabing NORMAL tayo? O sadyang alam lang natin itong bigkasin ngunit di natin alam ang ibig sabihin? "Ang tunay na kahulugan ng salitang NORMAL ay natuklasan ko noong ipinasok ako sa loob ng MENTAL." - Lexus

There was something about him. A certain calmness, a certain warmness, like someone you would be comfortable with from first meeting. I never once spoke to him, but I felt comfortable with him nonetheless. I could not even start to explain it, but there was something about his aura, that keeps me at ease. In a sea of strangers that I ride the bus with everyday, it was nice to have someone you’re comfortable with, even someone you do not know. It makes you feel less of a stranger.

Cold November. Know what really happened.

Is it possible to find something extraordinary in just a piece of paper?

Bata pa kami inaaway na niya ko. Kinukurot. Sinisilipan. Binabato ng eraser. Napipikon ako lagi. Umiiyak. Nagsusumbong sa teacher. Nung grade one umiyak ako kasi hinila niya yung pigtails ko. Isang beses nung grade three hinila niya yung upuan ko kaya napaupo ako sa sahig. Minsan nung grade five niregla ako, nakita niya yung tagos ko at pinagkalat sa buong klase.Nung first year high school ninakaw niya yung ID ko; ilang araw akong pinagmulta sa gate. Tapos ngayong sira yung sapatos ko, yayayain akong sumayaw. Bad trip!

A quiet conversation between two (almost) strangers, and the crashing of the waves.

May pagseselosan siya, mag-aaway kami. May pagseselosan ako, mag-aaway kami. May ginawa siyang bullshit, mag-aaway kami. May ginawa akong bullshit, mag-aaway kami. Konting di pagkakaintindihan, away. Konting away, break. Paulit-ulit. Paikot-ikot. Nakakapagod din.

"Sana ma-realize mong nag-eexsit din ako sa mundong ito."