A day already passed matapos akong managinip ngunit hindi na ito nasundan pa. Hindi ko na din sinubukan ulit dahil kahit anong pikit ko, hindi pa rin ako nakakatulog. "Christmas is coming," I whispered. Pinagmasdan ko ang pagbagsak ng mga snow sa lupa habang nakapanglumbaba sa bintana. "I don't understand why humans have so many celebrations.""Why? Nagcecelebrate din ba kayo? I can't imagine it." Naiisip ko pa lang ay parang hindi na kapani-paniwala. "We celebrate her birthday."Kumunot ang noo ko. "Who?" "The highest among us, more like a leader in humans' language. We only celebrate her birthday since she's been living for a thousand years already," he answered. Napa-wow ako dahil sa sinabi niya. "It seems like your kind really respect her.""You're wrong." Umiling siya. "There are many dryads who decided not to follow her because of many reasons. That is why, those who left weren't punish

The clock has been ticking repeatedly, round... and unbothered. The letters were like an open door for me to reach the end. There were lots of things I discovered, things that I didn't expect would happen to someone like my... grandma. Love, memories, love... it's all about that. There was nothing to it but a memories that has been kept inside the box for too long, memories of love that I never saw but witnessed through these letters. Ngunit hindi nagtagal ang matamis na memoryang aking nabasa. After the 16th letter, words became shallow and painful. "Why did you leave me?" "If loving you means killing everyone, then I would've done the same thing all over again.""My lady, I can't paint anymore.""I'll stay here on our home, I'll wait and wait and wait and wait... and wait. Until I can hold you again."

Nakita ko kung paano kinain ng apoy ang buong sasakyan habang unti-unting natatakpan ng usok ang tatlong pigura ng mga nilalang. "Stop looking at them," he whispered. Hindi ko magawang alisin ang mga mata sa direksyon nila kahit pa hindi ko na sila makita. The image of them seems like a replica of disaster to me. Their eyes were vividly showing me that I am their prey, that they've found me. "Sir, you need to leave the place. It seems like someone just put a bomb on your car." Lumapit sa amin ang dalawang police officer. "What do you mean? It's impossible," my dad unbelievably reacted. Hinaplos ni mom ang magkabilang braso ko kaya napatingin ako sakanya. I don't know why but when my eyes met her eyes, the cold I felt just disappeared. It was soothing to see her worried expression as if comforting me. It's my first time seeing that expression from her. "Are you worried?" I asked. Hindi siya suma

Nakapikit ang mga matang naka-angkala ako sa katawan ni Kareem habang marahan kaming naglalakad sa malamig na gubat. After the dryad suddenly turned into ashes, I couldn't open my eyes. Patuloy pa rin bumabalik sa isipan ko ang mga pangyayari na hindi ko inaakalang mangyayari sa 'kin. "Can you still walk? Do you want to ride on me?" Kareem asked. I shook my head to disagree. "It's fine, I can still walk. You're badly wounded so I won't ride on you," I answered. He growled. "It's not like I'm a weak human like you," he arrogantly said. "I never said that you're weak, Kareem. What I'm telling is that you're wounded and it would be very hard for you to move quickly if ever I ride on your back." "I ain't dryad for nothing. You can't even open your eyes so you should at least consider riding on my back."I let out a deep sigh. "Enough with that ride and riding whatsoever you're talking about. I'm fine, I'll be able to open my eyes later.""How s