Chapter 7

Being alone made me strong even when I was still a kid. I try to act tough in front of people not to feel good but to protect myself. I learned not to depend on anyone kahit pa sarili kong magulang. Kasi alam ko, wala akong ibang maaasahan sa mundong ito kundi ang sarili ko. People come and go.

I watched the city lights as they illuminated the whole of Baler. Tila iyon mga mumunting bituin sa lupa, nagkikislapan at binibigyan ng ilaw ang kabuuan ng bayan. They remind me of someone I know from a long time. His eyes use to sparkle like these little stars everytime I see them. Kaya naman ang makitang malungkot ang mga iyon ay hindi ko kaya. O ayokong makita.

Tahimik ang corridor kung nasaan ang aking office. Well hindi naman na nakapagtataka iyon dahil office ko lang naman ang mayroon dito maliban sa mga conference rooms. But it felt strangely quite this time. Binalewala ko ang naramdaman at nagpatuloy sa pagpasok sa office.

I was busy signing some papers when my a