Home.The word did not arrive gently. It struck me. Sharp, sudden, almost violent, the moment the Montemayor Mansion rose into view beyond the iron gates. My breath stalled, fingers tightening instinctively around the handle of my luggage as though grounding myself against the surge of emotion threatening to overwhelm me.There it stood.Majestic.Untouched by time.White stone glowing beneath the morning sun, its surface polished to quiet perfection. The towering gates gleamed with dignified authority, while the gardens stretched outward like a meticulously painted masterpiece, every hedge sculpted, every flower curated, every pathway whispering familiarity.Walang nagbago. At gayon pa man…Lahat ay nagbago. Kasama na ako.Ilang sandali akong nanatiling nakatayo sa tabi ng sasakyan, hindi makagalaw, hindi maialis ang tingin. Mabigat ang hangin dito, puno ng alaala. Dala ng lugar na ito ang aking mga saya noong bata pa ako, ang mga luha, ang walang ingat na saya ng kabataan.This was
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