Penned Thoughts

When things go my way, I make it a point to keep my smile and optimism. But when things are out of my control, I keep this thought inside me: everything happens for a reason. It's a mantra that's kept me going for years.

It's complicated to complicate things. I never wanted to be trapped in the web. Rather, I break free and just feel the wind with my hands.

She had another world, and her mind would often escape there as she needed a diversion. Her mind would wander endlessly, which undeniably filled her heart with delight and gladness. She loved her other world. But deep down, she was aware that she needed to touch grass – to get back to the real world she was living in.

But deep inside her, she heard a tiny voice that kept telling her to stay still, to keep breathing, and to never lose hope. Because everything that has happened has its purpose, and she was meant to go on a path that she thought wasn't there.

And thus, she stayed still, she kept breathing, and she tried to search for even the faintest light she could ever see and she could ever cling on to. And she saw the light – faint at first sight, yet getting brighter each day. She told herself to never lose sight of that light. She held on to it and made it her guiding star.

And after a few days, she was able to stand up again, even with a scarred pride and humiliation. Despite all that, she was ready to face the unknown and to be better than yesterday.

Even though she is now living in the city and has been to international shores, she however makes sure to visit her beloved village once a year. That way, the ties that bind her in this place and her people will never be severed.

And thus, she passes on that bridge, fully aware of the happiness and excitement that burst inside her the moment she stepped on it.

If I am to be taken seriously and my thoughts to be heard earnestly, I do believe it would do us good to follow a path that we are unsure of and let fate or destiny or whatever we may call it, take charge. Most people would think it's alarming and some people would think it unwise, but I say it is but sensible and beneficial especially if we want to elude an incredibly mundane life.

The unknown doesn’t scare me. In fact, it is something I always consider the source of my existence. I am born in this dimension without having a clear knowledge where I came from and how was I ever allowed to exist in such a world too unfamiliar to me. I have no vivid memories of my past, neither am I aware if I will have a future. What I have and what I am holding on to is my present. But that too, is one path without a clear direction.

But then again, I always thirst for the unknown. Always.

The woman gazes at the red moon, feeling the painful memories in her heart and letting nostalgia wash over her. The boy, however, unintentionally disturbs the peace of the fallen leaves with his sword, clinging to the memories he once shared with the woman. He never looks at the red moon, but he's aware of its presence.

In silence, the woman lets the cool wind tousle her hair. She wants to whisper his name but dares not to. And somewhere far, far away, the boy absentmindedly rustles the fallen leaves beneath him while he whispers her name with bitter tears.

The pain on my knees was screaming, but I held on. And it was quite fun although that moment truly made me feel so old. I then realized that the energy I had years back has waned. Pity.

But I'm glad I took the opportunity to bask in the sun once again while appreciating the mangroves around me. Communing with nature truly heals the soul.

She really had a tough week. But dealing with most of her officemates, who seemed to have no better things to do but blabber and gossip endlessly the whole day, was the toughest of all.

She needed time off. She needed space, far away from the toxic environment she'd gotten herself into three years ago. She needed some peace and quiet. And so, on the spur of the moment, she decided to spend some time—a week or two—in Kyushu. And since she had not filed a leave, she would deal with her boss later. Or maybe send him her resignation letter through email. Honestly, that thought was starting to get really appealing to her.

By the time the sun was already peeking at the horizon, just about ready to rise, the train was already entering the countryside. And in a few more hours, she would be in Kyushu already.

It was a 15-hour ride, but Hana surprisingly had a good and comfortable sleep inside her cabin. And as she gazed outside her window, seeing the blurry green scenery, she felt sleepy again. She didn't shut her eyes, though, as she wanted to savor that peaceful moment she was having while taking a glimpse of the verdant landscape with orange skies in the background.

𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘮 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰.

𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘰 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧.

Hand in hand, we walked through this alley... it's our favorite path, to begin with, especially during night time. Like fireflies, we were fixated with those classic-looking lampposts. But most of all, we loved its atmosphere because of the friendly people who were usually busy tending to their respective stores.

"Let's have dinner first before heading home. I'm hungry," you uttered.

I nodded excitedly and decided to grab my phone from my schoolbag.

"I'll call my parents and yours so they wouldn't worry too much," I said.

But I haven't reached my phone yet, you grabbed my hand in an instant and the next thing I knew, we were both running towards our favorite restaurant.

As we were seated inside the noodle shop, the owner already knew what we were having and hurriedly prepared our food.

"No need to call them. They know we're together and that we're good kids who happen to be very hungry right now," you said.

I laughed. "Yeah, you're probably right. Your treat though."

"Itadakimas!"

(Photo: tera_2002/Instagram)

Patiently loosening his tie, he walked along the deserted alley. It was a Friday and he was supposed to be having a drink with his co-workers as originally planned. But something came up and he backed out at the last minute.

When he was about to turn around the corner, he heard someone calling his name. In an instant, he stopped walking. He smiled as he realized that was the only voice he was dying to hear for the past 3 years.

Slowly, he turned around and that was when he saw her. His smile turned to laughter as he realized that was the only face he was dying to see for the past 3 years.

Both of them ran towards each other. What came next was the silent embrace which was one of the many things they have been dying to give to each other for the past 3 years.

And along that narrow alley, as the sound of their laughter and giggles blended with the different music and loud voices of the customers from the restaurants, they said their "aishitemasu" to each other.

(Photo: tsuguaki_abe / Instagram)