TEN

"Are your things ready son?" Mom asked

"Yes mom." I said.

"Very well then. I think you better tell your cousins goodbye." Mom said as she checks my things.

"Hey . . . This'll be a tough day for us right? I know it'll take some time before we see each other again. But . . . thanks for everything. Thanks for the discipline, love and training. I'll be carrying these things to Blaiston together with the memories that we've shared. I love you all." I said to my cousins whom I treated as my brothers and sister. They hugged me so tight. After that, a car horn blew. I knew it was the car. We picked my bags and made our way down the stairs. As we go down, I looked around and took a deep breath as a panoramic view of precious memories flashed inside my mind. I approached dad, who was standing by the gate.

"You take care of yourself there okay? Don't be too hard on yourself." He said.

"Okay dad." I said.

"You can always go back here." He took a deep breath. "You're a grown-up kid. We will miss you. Take care young man. Be strong. Remember what I used to tell you. Life's tough, but it depends on you on how you'll face it. Be firm boy. You still have a lot to face. Another thing, if you feel like the pain is too much already, just cry it out. Okay?" He added as he taps my shoulder.

"I will dad. I will." I said.

"Last thing. By the moment you got inside that car, don't look back. Don't hurt yourself by looking back. Just look forward." He said.

I looked back to the house and I see mom and my cousins looking at me. I looked at them for a long time and made a lasting image of them inside my mind. After that, I stepped out of the gate and stepped inside the car. Dad put my things at the compartment at the back of the car.

"You take care son." He said and waved goodbye.

"Okay dad."

"Are we all set sir?" the driver said.

It took me like 10 seconds before uttering an answer.

"Yes." I said.

The car's engine finally started and began to leave the place. As what my father wished me to do, I didn't look back even though I want to.

"Sir are you okay?"

"Yes I am." I answered

"When I was a boy like you, I left my family too. It was hard, very hard. But we go on with our lives sir. I know the pain will not heal by so fast but, we must move on. In time, wounds, regardless of how deep they are, will heal."

"I hope so." I answered.

The car continued on its way. I even saw the road that I and my mom used to take when we go to the Stevensons. But now, all I can do is to look at it from a distance. I kept on looking at it until it's so far away for me to see.

"Sir, can I sleep? Just wake me up when we reach the pier." I said.

"Yes sir."

"Thanks." I said.

I slept. I think it was 2 hours.

"Sir . . . Sir . . . We're here."

I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. We're at the pier now. A 2 hour distance from home.

"Alright. I think I must go now. How much should I pay?"

"It should be 100 bucks sir but, for you, I'll make 60."

"Really? You drove for 2 hours and I'm gonna pay you only 60. I'll give you 120."

"No sir. You still have a lot of way to go. You need money since you're travelling on your own." He said.

"I insist sir. Please." I said.

"I insist too. You need it. Please. Stranger as I am to you, but, I care for how you feel." He said.

"Okay then." I answered.

The driver helped me pick up my things. After making sure that all things are safe and complete. I bade goodbye to the driver.

"Take care sir." He said.

"You too. Drive safely." I said.

I immediately went on my way with my ticket in my hand. The pier is big but it's the type that will make first-time passenger to lose their way. I immediately had myself boarded in the ship. It's already 6pm when I climbed up the ship and the crews guided me to accommodation. I am alone in my room. I guess the room is one of the expensive accommodations here in this ship. Tired as I am from the trip from home to here, I decided to sleep.