Prologo

Dear Elena, 

How are you? I really hope you're okay, because shit, I fucking am not doing well. Kamusta ka na at kayong lahat di'yan? Balita ko ga-graduate na kayo sa highschool at mag-ka-college na? What degree did you choose? I know naman na kahit anong kurso pa ang kunin mo. You'll excel like you always do. 

Na-miss ko kayong lahat, pero s'ympre most especially ikaw na teacher ko. Nakakamiss kasi 'yong pagtuturo mo, pati yung pagbibigay mo ng reviewer sa akin, o kaya naman 'yong pa-homework mo na mas malala pa kung ikukumpara mo sa mga teacher natin. 

Pero, uy, h'wag kang magalit! Joke lang naman 'yon. 

Although, seriously, I miss you so much, Elena. 

You know how I badly miss you and everything about you. Our late afternoons studying and our walks in the evenings. The way you bit your lips, the way you look at me as if I was a pop quiz, and the way how I held your hand that was just so right and so fitting. 

Sana nga lang nga hindi lang imagination mo ang nakikita ko tuwing umaga pagkagising.  I hope that you're here too beside me, while I try to fix the shitty things in my life. To be my energizer when I barely have the will to put my feet on the ground. To be my blanket when I'm shivering in coldness. 

 God, I hope you're with me here today so that I can hug you so tight and feel your warmth.  Ang lamig kasi rito at hindi katulad di'yan sa Pinas na sakto lang ang temperature. Hindi malamig, hindi rin mainit. 

Tama lang—katulad mo...Kaya nga tinamaan ako sa'yo, teacher. eh. Iba ka kasi magturo ng pagmamahal. Tagos sa puso at masyadong memorable. Gano'n klase ka sa akin, Elena! 

You're already stitched here in my heart and the thread would be hard to chip out. That's why don't ever doubt that I'll forget you easily, Elena. Burdado ka na sa puso ko at naka-tattoo na ang pagmamahal ko sa 'yo. 

Tang-ina, ang mais ko. Pero, seryoso ako Elena, sa iyo lang ako nagpakamais. 

Always yours,