“Pahuwayan,”

The gentle breeze of the wind welcomes me as I stepped foot on a small village and reading its colorful sign. I rubbed my hands causing friction between my palms producing heat. 

I let out a small smile when I felt warm and comfort. 

It's two in the morning and the residents of Pahuwayan is in deep slumber. Ang tahimik. I can already tell that it's peaceful here very distant from the place I grew up. It's bizarre how I find a foreign place like this comforting. 

I breathe deeply before hopping inside my car. Lumabas lang talaga ako para i-check if I'm in the right place and I am. 

My mother once told me about this place. This is where she met her first love, who sadly passed away before they could even marry each other. To move on, she left the place. Hindi na siya bumalik dito because it pains her. Her first love is her greatest love even my own father couldn't beat what she felt for that person. 

Dad? He couldn't accept it when he found out. His insecurities took over him. It caused a big damage to our family which led me here. Lost and broken. 

Tama bang andito ako? I don't know. 

​Napahampas ako sa noo ko nang mapagtantong hindi ko alam ang bahay nila mommy dito. I'll worry about that later and look for a place to rest. There's probably an inn nearby. 

I maneuvered the car papasok sa village. My face instantly lit up when I saw a small inn. 

"Ilang araw?" Inaantok na tanong ng isang singkit na babae. 

"One day only." Sagot ko. Inayos ko ang cap na suot at nakitang tumango ang babae.

She gives me the key to my room and escorts me papunta ro'n. I thanked her before she left.. Tumango llang ito at sinabing nasa counter lang siya kapag may kailangan ako. 

Tanungin ko nalang bukas kung saan ang Padayon Street. Mom gave me her family's address before agreeing na tumira muna ako sa pader nila lolo. 

Our family is currently a mess. My heart aches as the memory of my parents' huge fight before I left flashes in my mind. Iniwaksi ko 'yon sa isipan at lumabas ng kwarto. Naiwan ko sa kotse ang ibang mga mahahalagang gamit ko. Suot ko pa rin ang itim na hoodie at cap ko. 

I was about to open the backseat of my car when I felt a searing pain on my back. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at hindi kaagad nakareact dahil sa gulat. 

"Magnanakaw ka ba?!" Oh my goodness. She's so loud.

Thinking of the worst possible scenario that would awaken the whole village, I panicked. Hinarap ko ang tao at mabilis itong nilapitan upang takpan ang maingay niyang bibig. 

"Ho-!" 

"Can you calm down?" Mahinahon ngunit may bahid ng inis na sabi ko. 

"Hmph! Jsiwjwndhphp!" Nanliliksik ang mga mata nito habang nagpupumiglas mula sa hawak ko. 

I'm covering and my other hand is holding her two hands. 

"I'll let you go once you—" Mabilis ko siyang tinulak palayo nang makitang sisipain niya sana ako. 

"Magnanakaw!" 

Nakita ko ang papalapit na pigura ng bantay kanina sa inn. Kusot nito ang mga mata at mukhang nagising ang diwa dahil sa sigaw ng babaeng 'to

"Anong oras na at sinusumpong ka nanaman, Lacson?" Tanong nito at nilapitan ang babaeng masama ang tingin sa'kin. 

"May magnanakaw, Yeji! Gisingin mo sila Tatang Ben!" This is making my head spin. I watch them bickering until Yeji notices me. 

She suddenly get into a fighting stance. They're now both looking at my way cautiously. I groaned in annoyance. 

Talk about a fresh start. 

​​​​​​"Hala! Tanga ka, Lacson." She flicks the other girl's forehead before pointing her finger at me. "Customer namin 'yan!" 

Ganiyan ba talaga sila mag-usap? Parang gigisingin na nila ang mga nakatira rito sa lakas ng boses nila. 

"Kailan pa kayo tumanggap ng magnanakaw sa inn?!" Do I look like a thief? I sigh when I realized my get up. All black and I'm extremely suspicious since I also arrived at a time where everyone is asleep, but that doesn't give her the right to hurt someone just because she finds the person fishy. 

I calml