Almost, again

I grew up in a religious family, I learned to keep parts of myself hidden. I smiled when I was expected to smile, nodded when I was expected to agree, and buried every feeling that didn't fit the life my parents had already planned for me. I wasn't afraid of who I was-I was afraid of what they would think if they ever found out.

Afraid they'd judge me.

Afraid they'd turn their backs on me.

Afraid they'd stop calling me their daughter.

So I convinced myself that silence was love, and pretending was obedience.

Then I met Alyana Yueni B. Ramirez

She was the first person who made me believe that maybe I didn't need to hide, that maybe there was nothing wrong with loving another girl.

But love isn't always enough when you're taught that your heart is something to be ashamed of.

My name is Milana C. Mahone.

And this is the story of how I kept losing the same person...

again,

and again,

until I could no longer tell whether we were destined to find each other-

or simply meant to become Almost Again.