The next day, the air in town still felt different.
There was a weight in everyone's chest that hadn't lifted, not just from the chill of the morning, but from the wounds left by yesterday.
The roads, the corners, the houses in the heart of every resident, there was a voice that wouldn't go away.
On social media, the posts of supporters continued.
Photos of campaign moments, Mayor Andy's smiling face, the hugs, the laughter, the tears.
But above all, there were words repeated over and over, as if echoing their collective heart:
"You're still our mayor."
They refused to accept defeat as the end. Instead, they saw it as the start of a new chapter.
But despite all the posts and outpourings, we let Mayor rest for now.
Everything had been so hard. We knew he needed time alone, to heal, to gather his strength again.
It's not easy to be the person behind leadership,especially when everyone is watching, when everyone is hoping you'll bring them change.
There was a PWD supporter who offered a song for Mayor, the same person who had once handed him a rosary during the house-to-house campaign.
"You'll Be in My Heart" filled the room with feeling, a reminder that despite everything, their hearts remained as one.
The entire week, Mayor stayed quiet.
No posts, no videos, not even a single word.
People waited, searching for even the smallest sign that he would return.
Until the day he went live again.
Everyone's eyes turned to him once more. Hearts gathered in front of tiny screens, hanging on every word.
"Thank you," he began. His voice was tired but carried a kind of light.
"Thank you for your unwavering support, for the faith that never faded. Even though we didn't win, my love for you remains. The fight continues, the service continues. This is not the end, but only the beginning."
It wasn't just a statement.
It was a promise with depth, a promise not to abandon the dreams we had shared at every step.
The livestream comments overflowed with:
"We love you, Mayor!"
"We believe in you!"
"You're still our best mayor!"
"You're still our mayor!"
With every word from Mayor Andy, the hearts of his supporters grew steadier. Their hope deepened.
Despite the pain, light began to shine again.
And as the night slowly fell, the town awoke once more, not to the noise of motorcades, but to the voice of the heart.