Dear Aiz,

I know there are times when you want to give up. Please don’t. You’re strong, motivated, and beautiful. Don’t let anyone ruin the goodness in you. In the event that you feel like everyone thinks you’re the bad guy, remember that I will always get your back. You’re my partner-in-crime, and that will never change. Stay strong, motivated, and beautiful. Just as you always are. See you soon.

Love,
Ate Jia

Dear Finella,

This is not a good day. I know you’re not handling it well. I know you are thinking about ending it again after what has happened. You do not want to tell people your problems especially this one, but Finella, there is comfort in letting people in your heart. You have extreme trust issues. You wear a mask. You smile at people, make jokes, be extremely goofy, but you were never happy. You weren’t happy when you had dinner with Dex, Arnold, and Khaye last night. What you were actually doing was laughing and killing yourself in your mind at the same time. You weren’t happy eating your favorite Butter&Sugar Crepe on Sunday with Laura, who you can actually talk to about problems but you chose not to. You weren’t happy when you talked to Jomax about clouds and life in general even when you had the chance to tell him what’s bothering you when he asked you. You weren’t happy when you met Ayiene and Rose on Wednesday even though you once thought that meeting them always comforted you.

They say unhappy people are unsatisfied. What has happened in the past year left a huge void in your life and you will always try to fill it up with the presence of your friends but they will never be enough. The growing discontent in your heart cripples you. You’re having the hardest time and even though you’ve been patient all these years i.e. refraining from complaining and passing the burden to people, you were never given something concrete to keep you here.

What should keep you here, you always ask. Is it the people who love you, your dream, your love for art, your passion?

I think the problem here is that you have given up on yourself a very long time ago. And I guess, the people who are still living and still happy are the people who haven’t yet given up on theirselves.

Soon, you will find your way there, but please not tonight, Finella. Not tomorrow. Not ever. Cup your heart in your hands. Let it stay. Please, hold on.

Especially not yours,
Finella