Verse for today: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. — Psalms 51:7   Chapter 11 "Hindi ba pwedeng... pakiusapan?" Castellina broke the defeaning silence inside the dorm. "Sister, that's Serene's mother we are talking about," tugon ni Savy. I felt a sudden lump in my throat that I cannot speak. I know Mom's not that atrocious and I truly understand her desire for me but it hurts. Mahirap para sa akin na umalis at iwan ang pamilya na nabuo rito sa loob ng apat na taon. They are also my home. "Obey her," diretsong sambit ni Aleah.  "Aleah?!" pabulong na sigaw ng dalawa.  "Do you really agreed to her mother for commanding her to leave us? Pwedeng umalis si Serene dito, but not to the point of signing off as one of us!" saad ni Castellina. Tumungo na lang ako. It mattered not how many times I ask for my friends' opinion. At the end, I wo

Verse for today:Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.—Romans 12:15Chapter 13"...introduce yourselves," I heard our teacher— Miss Aya spoke.Napatingin sa akin lahat nang tapunan ako ng guro ng tingin. I am in the first seat that's why I am sure I'd be the one to introduce myself. Ngumiti ako at tumayo. I was homeschooled before senior high so I'm not good at socializing in class but I can try my best."Okay, Miss..." Tumingin siya sa identification card ko. "...Serene. Can you please come here and introduce yourself?"I nodded and smiled. Naglakad ako papunta sa gitna bago nagsalita."Hi, good afternoon. I am Serene," and I pointed my my ID. "I am 19, my pronouns are she or her. I am a Roman Catholic who serves Jesus Christ through a youth organization called WABOC. I don't have any talents but rest assured po that I will cooperate with you guys. Thank you."Miss Aya nods he

Verse for today:Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.—Ecclesiastes 7:9Chapter 15Travis Isaiah Zastendere | 17 years old$1,000,000 (printed in USA)I felt like the whole world collapsed on my back as I read the words written on the paper. Isaiah's currently 19 and he's turning 20 next month, meaning that it has only been three years since he had this wanted poster. Naghanap pa ako ng ilang detalye roon pero wala na akong makita pang iba kun'di ang pangalan at detalye tungkol sa kanya.His hair on the poster was blonde and is smoothly covering the sides of his forehead. Masyadong masama ang tingin niya sa litrato. There is a glimmering emerald earring on his left ear. He looks more decent on the picture but the undesirable expression written on his face was too overwhelming.Ibinalik ko iyon sa kaninang pinaglalagyan. I left Ate Kei's room with a grudge in mind. Nagmamadali akong

Verses for today:But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. –John 4:14Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.—Proverbs 3:6Chapter 17It's been like several months since the confession Isaiah just made. Hindi na kami masyadong nagkikita gaya dati dahil na rin sa pagkaabala ko sa pag-aaral. Our second semester made me cut ties with my free time. I am always busy, feeding my eyes with the light of my laptop screen full of presentations, long essays and poems or literature-related works, outlines for thesis defense, at marami pang iba. But I think it is also convenience for me. I am not yet ready to respond to his recent words for me. He is not forcing me say anything right af