"So don't call yourself a failure just because you haven't won yet."
Hearing those words from Maria, it rang in Angel's head repeatedly—like a pendulum.
Seeing her childhood friend cry like this, it made Angel's heart ache.
Angel clutched her chest, her eyes cast downward, unable to look Maria in the eyes.
"I never said I'm giving up.."
Angel murmured under her own breath, it was such a small volume. However, to Maria, she heard it loud and clear..
"You.. aren't giving up?"
Maria asked, sniffling.
"I-I won't, w-wait don't hug me! May sipon ka pa! Uy!"
Angel pushed Maria's head away, lest her beautiful off-shoulder top gets covered in snot!
But besides the point.. what Maria said.. it struck Angel..
She hasn't won yet.
She barely even grazed the surface.
There was more left to grind..
Even if her heart was in turmoil, she would still see it through.. see that her light novel gets finished.
"Still... thank you, Ate."
Angel smiled.
"Your words.. they mean a lot to me.. they really do."
Angel smiled brightly, yet, the weight on her heart was unbearable—just as heavy as she was happy.
Tears formed at the corners of her eyes..
"I will try.. and try.. and try."
The sweet voice that emanated from Angel wavered. A sense of fragility beneath.
"I'll keep losing, and losing, and losing. Same praises from the same people, silence from the same audience.."
Tears slowly flowed down the silver-haired girl's face.
"Because this is what a writer does... right?"
Angel kept smiling alongside her tears.
"No matter how painful, no matter how much they're drowning. They write, and write, and write, and write. Because that is how they breathe.
Even if the world doesn't acknowledge them. They desperately cling, refusing to swim to the surface..
Because they know.. the surface is a terrible reality where they cannot call for help no matter how hard they scream. Because they have no voice in the first place."
Angel said softly.. as tears kept dropping off her face.
It hurt.
Telling all this pained Angel more than keeping it to herself.
"I-I'm sorry..I overshared.."
Angel laughed as she wiped her tears and tried to stand up, only to have Maria hold her hand
"Wait.."
Angel looked at Maria..Angel's mouth opened then closed..just as fast
"I'm really sorry ate..I..I need some time to think.."
Angel's smile became small, her eyes showed a glimpse of tiredness..those blue eyes, deep and beautiful..lost its shine..only a deep sense of exhaustion washed through
Maria wanted to have Angel stay..for a little while..but she couldnt..angel was just her childhood friend's little sister..who was she in angel's life? No one..
"Angel.."
As angel was about to leave, she stopped, looked at Maria
"Please fight through whatever you are fighting..you are stronger than you think"
Maria tried to give Angel a smile
And Angel returned Maria with one..
As Angel left Maria was left by herself in her house..
"That girl..seriously..she really mirrors that brother of hers.."
Maria couldnt help but sigh as she stared at Angel's walking figure..
"Still..that writing, that grief..if she is what I think she is...no..I'll give her some time..she will tell me properly who she truly is in due time.."