While we are happy
Some are dying in grieve
As our laughters are heard
Their tears are flowing
As the crowd fills in the party
Somebody is trapped in the corner
Name unknown, face unfamiliar
Just like a piece of paper
So plain and normal
Nobody pays attention
Nobody turns to listen
His lips are sealed in that corner
His heart is tearing apart
But still he tries to smile
To hide away his heart
That’s so broken deep inside

If the world ends now, are you ready for it?

If you happen to know the end of your life, what would you do? How would you spent the remaining moments of your life? With whom would you spend it?

Would you accept your death? Or are you freakingly afraid of it? Does it haunt you at night before you sleep?

Death defines life. When you die, your accomplishments in life are summarized. How would your life portfolio be? What kind of person have you become? Did you make a difference? Are you an asset or liability to the world you chose to live?

How long have you been living? Not just the endless cycle of eating-sleeping-waking-breathing but the quality of life you had. Did you ever experienced the true meaning of happiness it promised you? Did you reached the contentment you are supposed to have. Have you savored every second that your heart beats?

Life brought innumerable challenges, so much that you could only remember a few. They either made you stronger or weaker at times. Surely they were all memorable at a time that you can’t forget some of them. Your endurance to keep on fighting helped you to stay alive and kicking. Have you been grateful you are still alive?

Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes… Things human commit by default. You are ought to commit mistake for as long as you never learned the lesson. And when you have finally chose the right one there you move on the next level of challenge. Another set of problems to be solve. One step at a time. One level at a time. Like leveling up an RPG character. When you seem to be stucked in the same situation, is it really that hard or just haven’t learned your lesson?

Past is past. Everyone should move on. But as you look into your past, were you living a happy life? Were you able to correct the things you have done wrong? Even if you were not able to correct them, have you grasp the lessons from these mistakes?

How would you assess your life?

If you don’t have much time to live, are you ready when the time is up?

CHAPTER ONE

It was the start of first semester but still there are only few students around. Most are still in their summer vacation or are still on their way back to Manila from their provinces. Some just decided to skip this day.

The bell rang to signal the start of the first period. Some students are still cramming to enroll. They were not able to come during the enrollment week because they were away in vacation or just got their money for tuition.

Maria is one of those who will just enroll today. The salary from her summer job was not enough for to pay for her school down payment so she have to go to their province and borrow from her uncle. Though the bus fare is expensive, it didn’t bothered her. She just loaned an extra amount more than what she needed. After all, she still needs to buy some books and school materials and stuffs. She also need to buy new set of uniform because her current uniform is already worn out.

“You still haven’t finished selecting your subjects?”, said Tara as she tapped her on her shoulder while staring blankly on the bulletin board where the list of available subjects for this semester are posted. They have been friends since high school and now they are in their sophomore year.

“Not yet. I still need 6 units more. I can’t take some subjects because there is a conflict in schedule. Others have prerequisite subjects that I haven’t taken”, Maria said in irritated voice.

“Fine then. I’ll be going to my first class. They said it is Mr. Dela Cruz who would handle the biology. I don’t want to mess with him on the very first day of class.”

“Okay. See you later.”

“I’ll meet you in the library. Third period would be vacant”. Tara waved her goodbye and rushed to the Science building.

Oh my god. I am still under load. It would be a waste of money if I couldn’t get a full load this semester. Maria sighed to herself. I’ll just check the list again later.