Stories.

This is a story of a little boy. This boy was bringing me to tears, but I had to hold them back because there were people. These people, and myself too, he surprised. Because you see, this is a story of a little boy who was doing something meant for a grown man. This is a story of a little boy that should be sleeping soundly at that very early hour, but was instead holding money folded lengthwise between his fingers. This is a story of a little boy mocked by an old couple in awe of the oddity of his youth. This is a story of a little boy replying politely, perhaps because he was already too familiar with surprised stares and a repeated question - "Ikaw ba talaga?"

This is a story of a girl. This is a girl who was brought to tears every now and then because her struggles were persistent and her life wasn't easy. Because you see, this is a story of a girl who was being taught to face life like a grown woman. This is a story of a girl who could be complaining of inconvinience, but instead was trying so hardly to keep her faith and morals and values in her hands, being too careful not to let them slip between her fingers. This is a story of a girl questioned by older people in awe of the oddity of the chances she was blessed with despite her youth. This is a story of a girl, perhaps already too familiar with discriminating stares and daring questions, clasping her hands together and looking up, saying, "Ikaw lang talaga."