A Second Chance

...

The golden morning light streamed through the sheer curtains, casting soft shadows across my room. Ang pamilyar na amoy ng sausage at pancakes ay pumuno sa hangin, halo sa matapang na aroma ng bagong timplang kape. I inhaled deeply, letting the warmth of home wrap around me like a comforting embrace.

Pagbaba ko sa hagdan, sinalubong ako ng mahihinang usapan at kalansing ng mga kubyertos. In the dining room, my family sat gathered around the table—Mom, Dad, Kuya Dominic, at Jenny—nakaupo sa hapag-kainan. Parang dati. Parang noon.

"Good morning," I greeted, my voice lighter than I expected.

Dad looked up from his coffee, a smile forming on his lips. "Mornin', Alexa."

"Good morning!" Jenny beamed, habang si Dominic ay tumango lang, masyadong abala sa pagkain niya para makisali pa sa usapan.

I pulled out my chair, the sound of wood scraping against tile grounding me further in this moment. The plate in front of me was filled with pancakes and sausage—isang bagay na dati'y normal lang pero ngayon, may bigat na dala. Isang paalala ng lahat ng nawala… at lahat ng nabawi ko.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat and took a sip of orange juice. This was my second chance. My rebirth.

"Nakapagpahinga ka ba nang maayos, anak?" Mom's voice was gentle as she reached for the coffee pot.

I nodded, offering a faint smile. "I managed, Mom."

She hummed softly, watching me closely, as if searching for something in my expression. Alam kong gusto niya pang magtanong, pero hindi na siya nagpilit.

"All set for today?" Dad asked, glancing at me over his mug.

"Yes, Dad," I answered, straightening my posture.

"Just make sure you have everything you need," Dominic added, his voice laced with his usual practical concern.

"I will."

Mom's gaze lingered on me before she finally spoke, "Call us if you need anything, okay?"

I exhaled and nodded. "Yes, Mom. I promise."

Today was the start of something new. The day I moved into my dorm, stepping into a life that, I thought I had lost forever.

—

Seated in the passenger seat, I gazed out the window as Dad started the car. The engine hummed beneath us, the familiar streets of our subdivision slowly fading into the distance. Bagamat underdeveloped pa, kitang-kita ko na ang potential nitong maging high-class community in the future.

Sa likod, Kuya and Jenny were chatting animatedly, their laughter filling the small space. It was a comforting noise, a reminder that some things, at least, hadn't changed.

I leaned my head against the window, my breath fogging up the glass as my thoughts drifted. Lahat ng iniwan ko. Lahat ng pinagsisihan ko. Lahat ng dapat sana'y ginawa ko nang tama. It had all led me to this moment. And this time, I wasn't going to waste it.

"Nai-check mo na ba lahat, Alexa?" Dad's voice broke through my thoughts.

I turned to him, meeting his concerned gaze through the rearview mirror. "Yes, Dad. I have everything."

He nodded, satisfied, before focusing back on the road.

Dad had insisted on driving me himself instead of letting one of our drivers take me. Gano'n talaga si Dad—humble despite our wealth, always wanting to be present in the moments that mattered. Watching him like this, I felt a pang of nostalgia for the simpler times. Before everything changed. Before I changed.

As we approached Southville International School and Colleges Dormitory, my stomach twisted in knots. The towering gates, the pristine buildings, the memories I tried so hard to escape—nandito pa rin ang lahat. This was where it all started. Where I fell. Where I lost myself.

But this time… this time, I wouldn't let it define me.

The car slowed to a stop, and I took a deep breath, gripping the strap of my bag a little tighter.

Stepping out, I felt the weight of my past and the promise of my future collide in one single moment. This was it. My second chance.

Hindi lang ako ang bumaba ng sasakyan. Kuya Dominic and Dad went to the trunk, taking out my bags, habang si Jenny naman ay inabot sa akin ang isang maliit na box na naglalaman ng personal things ko. The weight of it all felt lighter knowing they were here with me.

"Akin na 'yung malalaki," Dominic said, taking my suitcase from my grasp. "Baka hindi mo kayanin."

"Kuya, kaya ko naman—"

"Just let him, Alexa," Dad cut in, shaking his head with a knowing smile. "Alam mo namang protective 'yan."

I sighed but smiled nonetheless. Kasabay nila, pumasok kami sa dormitory building, the atmosphere buzzing with the excitement of students settling into their new home. It felt surreal, seeing myself here again, but with a different mindset. A different heart.

Sa loob ng kwarto ko, we started arranging my things. Kuya Dominic placed my suitcase near the closet, while Dad helped me unpack some essentials. Jenny, on the other hand, was already making herself comfortable on my bed, flipping through one of my books.

"Okay ka lang ba dito, Ate?" she asked, her voice small, almost hesitant.

She only called me Ate when she was concerned. Most of the time, it was just Alexa. But now, I could tell she was really genuinely worried.

I glanced at her and nodded. "Oo naman. Masasanay din ako."

Dumaan ang kamay ni Dad sa balikat ko, matatag at mainit, a silent promise in that simple touch. "You've got this, Alexa," he said, his voice steady, like it was meant to chase away the doubt lingering in my chest.

I took a deep breath, letting their presence comfort me. This was it—my fresh start.

And I wasn't going to waste it.

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