I've just gotten over a migraine episode, and I must say it's one hell of a ride (hint: sarcasm) I no longer want to experience. But of all things in life I wish to never leave me, it's one thing I didn't ask for, yet I'm getting.

Now, now, I'm not trying to be overly dramatic for something I've survived anyway. I could swear it's the worst I've ever experienced, but unlike my previous episodes before, at least this time, I did not wake up in a hospital.

So it's not that bad, eh.

Maybe all I'm saying is, I am grateful, it's not that bad.

There, I've said it. It shouldn't be that hard, should it?

I should be sleeping by now. But I've been sleeping for almost twenty-four hours a day since Saturday— it's been three days now?

The last thing I could recall was my quick tour around my neighborhood the early Saturday morning.

Nah, I was trying to find where my cat had thrown his clothes off only because he doesn't want to wear them.

In my quest to find the missing clothes, even in the dumpster, I found this old, rain-soaked pocket-sized Bible. I picked it up because I couldn't bear to leave it there, not because I'm a good kid, no I'm not, well, maybe I am. But who throws away a Goddamn Bible, or is it nothing new nowadays?

I'm sorry for swearing. I was just frustrated because I did not find the Goddamn cat clothes. Or whatever.

Seriously, I kind of felt guilty. It's been ages since I've read even a single verse. And maybe I've only attended mass twice or thrice since the pandemic. SO WHO AM I TO TALK?

I left it on my terrace to dry, and everything was a blur after that.

Well, this isn't about it—

Not the migraine and how many times I've thrown up with an empty stomach.

You wouldn't want to know. I certainly don't want to remember either.

Although, I could recall my mother asking me if I'm freaking pregnant with a little bit of a hopeful tone.

Now I want to throw up voluntarily.

But I like to disappoint. Sorry, not sorry. I'm not.

—It's not about the Bible, thrown away by someone. Or maybe someone accidentally lost it in the dumpster? I wouldn't know for sure. And it doesn't matter anymore.

I'm not here to preach; you're old enough to know what's good and right.

I've been saying that a lot quite often, but it's true. So freaking true.

Just vote wisely, kids. And people of the same age. Please, I'm telling you, vote wisely. Never for those who have a history of corruption. Not trying to be political here, but if you're thinking I'm talking about someone without even mentioning their names here, shouldn't you be thinking if you're voting for the right person?

Now, going back. There are just some things I've realized:

1. Learn to rest. You're not a robot.

There's no deadline, no reports, no upcoming events to worry about when you're sick. It's like my body and mind were in sync. All I cared about was to sleep and rest and nothing else.

2. Be grateful to people who care about you.

Receiving messages and checking up on me even when I can't respond to them matters a lot. I'll forever be grateful to them.

Calm and peace; hard to achieve. I hope someday, we can find it. If not today, then in a not so distant future.
© euphemia