Chapter One
I was always a solitary person. Writing was my escape, my way of expressing myself without the fear of judgment. But as time went by, I felt more and more isolated. Wala na akong pakialam sa paligid ko, even to other people. I barely talk to my family, I always in my room, reading, and writing. Sa dalawang bagay lang umiikot ang buhay ko. I'm only interested in books and writing books.
Some people called me weird, bihira lang ako lumabas ng bahay, gumala or kung ano man. Lumalabas naman ako, pag ginusto ko, or I have to bought something sa labas.
As I grow older, I realized it's better to isolate myself than going out. Mas gusto ko ang katahimikan, nag iisa.
I'm 23 now, 'yung family ko natatakot na tumanda akong dalaga, at this stage of my age dapat daw may ini-introduce na akong boyfriend. I just laugh with that thought, boyfriend? Thanks, I want books than boyfriends.
Ayoko ng sakit ulo, mag bo-boyfriend lang ako maging real na ang mga characters sa libro, sila ang gusto ko. I don't know if this some kind of black magic or what, hindi na ako interesado sa lalaki, mga lalaki lang sa libro ang nagbibigay pintig sa puso ko.
Lumala na yata ang pagiging nerdy ko.
That was until I stumbled upon an online writing group. It was a small community of writers who shared their work, gave feedback, and offered support to one another. I was hesitant at first, but I decided to give it a try. Wala naman siguro mawala kung subukan ko.
Natatawa at the same time natutuwa ako, mabuti nalang at nahanap ko ang group na 'to. Libo libong writer ang nasa loob ng group, And I think this group is really made for me, bat ba hindi ko 'to alam noon?
Panay ang scroll ko, when someone's work caught my attention, it's a picture of ship in the sea at may nakasulat. I read every word slowly.
A ship in the sea, a sight to behold
Its sails billowing in the wind so bold
A symbol of adventure, of journeys untold
A vessel of stories, both new and old
The waves crash against its sturdy hull
As it sails through the ocean, calm and dull
The horizon stretches out so far
A world of mystery, a world bizarre
The ship's crew works hard day and night
Guiding the vessel through the water's might
Their journey is long, their mission clear
To reach their destination, without any fear
The ship in the sea, a thing of beauty
A marvel of engineering, a sailor's duty
It braves the storms, it rides the waves
A symbol of hope, a ship that saves
So let us salute the ship in the sea
A beacon of hope, a vision so free
May it sail on, forevermore
A symbol of adventure, a ship to adore.
Wow! Ayun lang lumabas sa bibig ko, the poem is so nice. Sa sobrang curious ko, I've decided to stalk the author behind it. Maybe, may ma-advice siya sa'kin to be a good writer, if she's a girl, I will make her to be my friend, kahit na mahiyain pa ako.
Kumunot ang noo ko ng mabasa ko ang name niya, it's not a girl name or maybe she's a girl pero ang name niya is for boy? Unique right? Wala naman masyadong picture, puro sea and ship lang mga pinto-post niya. Hmm! Interesting, I love sea too.
Hindi na ako nagdalawang isip pa at in-add ko na siya, after 10 minutes I think ina-accept niya. I send a "Hi!" message.
That's when I met Aljor. He was a seafarer, traveling the world on cargo ships. Meron sa'kin na medyo nagulat, kasi bihira lang naman ang lalaki na mahilig sa ganito. Meron sa puso ko na medyo dismayado, akala ko kasi babae siya.
We started talking about writing, but soon enough, our conversations turned into something more. We talked about our families, our dreams, and our struggles.
I found myself opening up to Aljor in a way I never had with anyone else. I told him about my struggles with depression, my fear of failure, and my longing for connection. Aljor listened, offering words of encouragement and support. He shared his own struggles with loneliness, isolation, and the challenges of life at sea.
Totoo pala ang sinabi nila, talk to strangers you will never feel judgement, kahit pa walang kwenta pinagsasabi mo nakikinig pa din sila.
"Bye! Talk to you later, busy na ako."
Napanguso ako while reading his message, Oo nga pala kanina pa pala kami nag uusap at hindi ko man lang namalayan ang oras. It's 12 already, ni hindi man lang ako nakaramdam ng gutom. Grabe! Dalawang oras pala chikahan namin?
"Bye!"
