✍️ Author's Note
⚠️ Warning & Disclaimer:
This story is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and dialogue—no matter how delulu they may seem—are entirely the product of the author's imagination.
Any similarities to actual people, events, or situations are purely coincidental. Seriously. Even if it feels like I'm writing about your life, I swear I'm not. (Probably.)
Real locations such as Rome, Bukidnon, Quezon, and other landmarks or places mentioned in this story are either fictionalized or used loosely for narrative purposes. If a place exists and I twisted it for the sake of drama—yes, that was intentional.
Please read this story with an open mind and a generous sense of humor.
And remember: be delulu responsibly,
thank you and Godbless us all.
★–[Valencia city, Bukidnon, Phillipines| January 13,2015 | 4:00PM]--★
Outside, children screamed with laughter.
Their bare feet thudded against the dusty road as they ran in circles, chasing joy.
Inside a small, wooden house, barely patched together by time and hope—
A boy watched them from behind the cracked glass window.
His name was Jacob Dagasdas.
He didn't smile.
Behind him, voices were clashing—sharp, tired, bitter.
---
> Lizel (his mother):
"Why are you always wasting the money? We need that—for Jacob. For his school!"
> Henry (his father):
"Why? Are you the one working under the sun? Mixing cement 'til your back breaks?"
> Lizel (pleading):
"No, I didn't mean it like that… I just—Henry, please. We need to think of Jacob. Just have mercy on your son."
> Henry (cold):
"That? A student? Students are just extra mouths to feed! A waste! You want him to learn? Tell him to dig the earth!"
> Lizel (crying):
"Henry! Maawa ka naman!"
> Henry:
"Tumahimik ka diyan—masasapak talaga kita!"
---
The door slammed.
Henry left, footsteps stomping into silence.
Behind the doorway, hidden in the shadows,
Jacob stood frozen—his small hands trembling.
He didn't understand much about money.
Or cement.
Or school.
But he understood pain.
And so he cried.
Softly.
Silently.
As children laughed just outside the window.
[Fade to black.]
7:00 PM
the night came.
The moon rose—beautiful and elegant.
He stared at it quietly… and somehow, found peace.
Returning to his room, he sat on the edge of his bed,
both hands clutching his shoulders—
his eyes slowly filling with tears.
Then.
His mother entered, eyes tired but gentle. She knelt beside him
Jacob, forcing a smile despite the heaviness in her chest.
> Lizel (gently):
"Are you okay, son? Have you eaten yet?
Do you want me to cook something for you?
Okay… just wait here, alright?"
She was about to head to the kitchen when—
> Jacob (quietly):
"Mom… am I a mistake in Dad's life?"
She froze in place.
That sentence—so soft, yet it hit her like thunder.
She turned slowly, kneeling again to face him.
> Lizel (softly):
"No, son. Never.
You're not a mistake.
Maybe… maybe your father's just tired.
Try to understand him, okay?"
She reached for his cheek, brushing away a tear.
> Lizel:
"What matters now is that you eat and rest."
Jacob smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes.
> Jacob:
"Mom… maybe Dad's right.
Maybe I should help. I'll find work tomo—"
> Lizel (cutting him off):
"No, Jacob!"
She held his shoulders tightly, her voice breaking with emotion.
> Lizel:
"That's the one thing you should never do.
You're still young.
You have so much ahead of you.
Don't follow our path. Don't carry our burdens.
You're meant for more."
Her eyes filled with tears as her voice trembled.
> Lizel:
"If someday… if you ever can't finish school,
find another way—yes.
But don't rush into suffering.
There are so many chances out there.
Even singing, even small talents—can lead to a better life.
So you don't have to return to this kind of pain."
She pulled him into her arms and hugged him tightly.
> Lizel (whispering):
"I love you, son.
Never forget that. Ever."
Jacob couldn't hold it back anymore.
He broke down in her arms.
Not because he was weak—
but because all he ever wanted… was to be strong for her.
[Screen fade to black]