And I was late. The bride scorned after I peeked my head on the door  to say hi, and she mouthed “You’re late!” I was on time for lunch!

The distance between the city and Carmen, a northern town of Cebu, was farther than I calculated. Distance—it is always tricky.

Friendship is one of the reminders of how good and fleeting college life was. Three years should not be that far, but it feels like one. College was a dream-filled life. Adulthood should be a dream-fulfilled one, but that is not always the case.

Rena is now embarking on a new leg of her journey, and with her is the college boyfriend now husband, Theng. Perhaps another friend will tie the knot soon. We’re getting old, aren’t we?

Chains do not hold a marriage together.  It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years.

                             —Simone Signoret

Carmen, Cebu, Philippines

Jona of Backpacking with a Book

Hi there, I’m Jona! I’m in my early 30s and is currently based in Ha Noi, Vietnam.I primarily write poetry and short stories in Cebuano and lengthy travel essays in English. Blogging has become an outlet to think out loud. I live the life I set for myself. I try to live an unapologetic life. For collaborations, projects, and other things, please email me at backpackingwithabook@gmail.com. Find me somewhere else!

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