Being Brave Novels & Stories

“You’re safe.” Sa kabilang upuan naman, halos maubusan ng hangin sa kakatawa si Aliyah. “Mommy!” Humagikgik ito. “You’re really scared?” Napapikit na lamang siya. Ayaw niyang umalis sa dibdib ni Blane. “Daddy Blane and I are brave.” May pagmamalaking itinuro pa ng bata ang sarili. “We’re not scared!”

Subalit ramdam pa rin niya ang bigat at lungkot mula sa kanyang batang puso. “Grandma, Grandpa, I’m home. Sorry, ngayon lang ako nakadalaw. Things are… tough but, like I promised, I will be brave when both of you are gone. I’ve been brave, Grandma, Grandpa. Guess, I’ve been brave for too long and… I’m tired.”

Parang hinahaplos nanaman ang kaniyang puso. Artia's POV "I'm not as brave as you. I'm scared..." I'm not brave, I'm just pretending. I may have done bad things to them, to him and to his father. Ginawa ko lang naman iyon dahil sa kagustuhan kong mapigilan ang kasal. At hindi ko naman magagawa ang mga iyon without the help of Rom and his man. Hindi ko kayang pumatay ng tao. Hindi ko kayang lumaban. At hindi ko kakayanin kapag may nangyaring masama sa kanya dahil sa'kin.

Sumobra ata ako. “Sorry-” “You don’t understand what it feels like, Leana. You have a lot of confidence and courage to explore. I’m not like you. Yes, call me a coward but what can I do if I’m too afraid to get out of my comfort zone? Do you think I didn't try to grab those opportunities? I did. It’s easy for you to say because you get a lot of support from the people around you. Do you know why I’m not as courageous as you are? It’s because of my family dragging me down.”

Sagot ko kaya napailing nalang siya tsaka ginulo ang buhok ko. "You're still young my daughter. Mafia is not all about illegal businesses and killing. Nakadepende ang ibig sabihin nila sa pananaw ng isang tao tungkol sa kanila. Alam mo bang dahil sa pagiging mafia ay marami akong bagay na natutunan?" Aniya tsaka ngumiti kaya nag-iwas ako ng tingin. "Like what?" Tanong ko. "Like how to be brave." Sagot niya tsaka ibinaling ang tingin sa tv.

Hindi malinaw kung panunukso ba iyon o paghanga. Pero alam ni Max, hindi galit ang tono ng boss niya. Seryosong tumango si Max. “Madam is really brave.” Napataas nang bahagya ang kilay ni Arturo. Brave? Yes. Very brave. Maging siya ay hindi inasahang kayang ilantad ni Marian ang pinakamadilim nitong nakaraan nang ganoon katatag. Hindi lahat ng tao kayang gawin iyon. Lalo na ang isang babae.

Those days that you're hated are the days you become a hatred yourself. Through it all, I still admire you. Your bravery in fighting your flaws and sins are unimaginable. But most of all, your eagerness in trying things that you are afraid to deal with, is beyond applauded. Everything that happened was just a phase, no matter how your personality is portrayed like garbage — everyone doesn't have the right to bring you down.

He said his voice was full of unfeigned. "Yeah I know but I need money." "You will fight to this crazy battle for a money? God, you're maybe good." I shrugged. "Show no mercy Keane!" I heard someone at the Crowed shouted. Natawa si keane and now I'm being serious his good at this because I know his trained, I am trained also but it's my first time to this UB. "I'll attack first." He had this pity on his voice, damn so confident. "Go on." I challenged and he smirk.

Pero hindi siya umatras. “Then I’ll deal with it.” Tahimik. Ngumiti si Isabella. Mabagal. Mapanganib. “Brave.” Humakbang ito palapit. “But bravery doesn’t save people here.” Huminto ito sa harap niya. “Power does.” Tahimik. At doon— May napagtanto si Lena. Hindi sapat ang pagiging matapang. Kailangan niya ring matuto.

offer n'ya rito. Tahimik lamang ito at parang nahulog sa malalim na pag-iisip ngunit maya-maya lang malutong itong napamura. "Fvck! She's very daring and brave!" mahina ngunit may diin na sabi ng ama ni Bree