Coming Home...

It was a long way home. No street lamps to light the barren road. The darkness was disturbing that even the night creatures were hiding in the safety of their sanctuaries. And yet, here I am alone walking in the night. The only light that helped me on this journey was that of the moon almost hidden by the clouds. The silence was deafening specially in this eerie night.

I searched my pen inside my pocket and held it like it was from another hand. I felt at ease by the time I felt it on my fingertips. Why of all nights this has to be very dark. I’m all alone on my way home and yet fate seemed to have picked this night in particular to play tricks on me.

I held my pen tightly this time, so tight that it might break apart. I wrapped my other hand on my body, wishing for someone to walk the night with me. But I was alone and the only companions available were darkness and silence.

I held my ground and told myself that it’s going to be alright. This is but an obstacle; a test that if I quit now I would never see the prize waiting at the end of the road. So I kept walking, never counting each step because if I did I’ll only grow impatient and quit entirely. I kept my pace, walking not too fast nor too slow but rather silently motivating myself to keep moving and enjoy the stillness of the night.

The wind blew and I quivered. It was getting colder and yet the road seemed not to end. Where’s the turn that would lead me home? It should have been here. I couldn’t have missed it! Then I realized I wasn’t really paying attention to the road. I was too occupied to other things like the stillness and the mysteriousness of the night that I forgot about the road. So I stopped and looked around straining my eyes locating any familiar things that would tell me I wasn’t lost.

The night’s getting deeper and the wind’s getting colder choking me as my eyes blinked away the tears. The turn must be here somewhere. I couldn’t be lost. So I closed my eyes and breathed a lung-full of air praying at the same time that when I opened them, something powerful would point me to the direction I’m heading on. Indeed, a miracle unexpected in this lonely journey presented itself to me. Just like the kings guided by the light of one star, a light shone not too bright but enough to steal my attention and there it was - the turn!

And I’m coming home…

The Traveler

We are but travelers of thus uncanny world. A stranger to its land; an outsider or an invader perhaps. As travelers, we bring things along with us. Things that would help us get through the days without ever feeling bored, restless and of course to even fool ourselves that we are not alone. As for me, I brought my pen and a notebook with me. Many would question why those things and not any other… Well, I don’t mind what others would think about me bringing just these two things. I don’t mind because they didn’t know the importance and reason these pen and paper to me. They are my best friends. Without them, I could never be able to capture my thoughts and emotions as I walk through this road of life. I share with them my experiences and they knew me because of my words.

Again as travelers, we were supposed to leave a legacy before we took and explore another path. We have to leave something for others to remember us by. So, I leave my words and hope that whoever reads them would share and appreciate them for my words define my life.

Sometimes words are not even enough to describe what I really feel inside. And no matter how I knock my brain out for the exact words, it’s still not enough. It irritates me and it annoys me simply because I ran out of words and I have so much to say. And so I push myself or should I say force myself into writing despite the insufficiency of words. Unfortunately despite my effort, I was misunderstood. Many judged me because of what I wrote… a few understand and others they simply just didn’t bother.

So I travel light… but truth is I was heavily burdened. Yes, I only brought a pen and a notebook with me but I also brought with me memories of the places I’ve been and of the people I met along the way. (So much of travelling light huh?) These memories in exchange of my words, molded me to the person I am right now – still a traveler.