I grew up in a toxic Christian family where I was viewed as the black sheep. Araw-araw ay ipinaparamdam sa akin ng mundo na wala akong lugar sa sarili kong tahanan. I was a consistent dean's lister and an obedient daughter, which left me wondering what I had done so wrong to be disregarded like a speck of dust in the wind. They made me feel like I was just dirt, filling up the empty space. The one who would never have her own safe place.
Hearing all of these contributed to my endless suicidal ideations.
Baka nga tama sila. Baka nga wala akong halaga at kailanman ay hindi na ako sasaya.
I almost believed that. I almost held on to that notion.
Not until I met a man in a BS Civil Engineering uniform with a gorgeous grin, Troy Jefferson Dela Paz. He kissed my forehead, and my loud thoughts were silenced. My demons calmed down. My foes were defeated.
Fir the first time in my life, I had proven my family wrong—a happy Elora Chin was possible. I was loved and well-taken care of. Troy embraced my sharp parts, not minding the wounds he might get.
But fate had a lot of cruel things in store for me.
Because when I thought I had reached the peak of happiness, I found myself drowning alone in the ocean I now called home, alone in my shame, alone with the waves I couldn't tame.