The weather was not in my favor, but I have decided. I packed my bags the night before—and now, I'm ready to return home.

Allow me to Introduce myself. My name is Samantha. I'm a successful lawyer. I have everything I've ever wanted as a child. But as the years went by. I realized, I began to stop living and merely existing. At first, I brushed off all the negativity and continued with my work. But recently, things had begun to go on a downward spiral. I tried many things to elivate the situation—mainly, my emotions. But all was in vain. I started to fall to depression, next thing I knew, I kept losing every case I handled. I was given a break from the lawform that I'm working for. The head said I need to take some time off and re evaluate myself.

In the beginning, I spent most of my days hanging out with friends and clubs. But it didn't make me feel better. It only made things worst.

One night, as I lay alone in my bed. I went back to the days when I was happy. All those days, they pointed in one direction. Caraballo, the place where I was born and raised. It has been two decades since I went home. There was no use to return anyway, my parents are long gone. My relatives who are still living in Caraballo are estranged to me. But still, I felt like I need to return home. I needed to experience what it's like to be free and live once more. I needed to find myself again.

So here I am, standing on platform 27, waiting for the train that will lead me home. I didn't pack much, because I know—I would probably leave as soon as I arrive.

Do you want to know why? The answer is simple. It has been years and I have learned to adapt to the city life. My home town is in the country. Rarely will you see any taxi there. The mode of tra sportation is usually by bicycle or jeepney. Not to mention, the people there talk and asks a lot.

My train leaves at exactly 9:00. I think I've arrived early. Im now sitting on a bench, reminiscing the times when I first laid foot in the city. I was probably 12 years old back then. My parents thought I will have a better future of I continue my studies in the city. They sent me here to live with my aunt—note, she too is deceased. My parents were right though. I did have a better future.but it changed me completely. The country girl who left Caraballo years ago, is no longer who I am.

I barely remember how it feels to rejoiced in the pleasures of nature. I used to love the forest. I used to adore bathing in the stream near our house. The rain was a blessing when I was a child. But now? I can barely remember that kind of happiness. I'm nothing more but an empty shell. Successful, but empty.

When the train finally arrived. I sat myself near the wi dow. Stiing on the Isle makes me dizzy. I'm about to travel a total of 90 hours comprising of three train rides in order to reach my home town. Its so far away. Just like my emotions, it seems impossible and difficult to reach.

While I was sitting there, I looked around and as the train began it's journey, the city started to fade, making way to endless tress and greenery. I must have fallen asleep, because when I woke up, it was already nightfall. I heard the train operator announce that will be arriving at the first train stop. So I willed myself to wake up. I haven't eaten anything and feeling famished. When we arrived at the train stop. Everyone started to leave their seats in hopes to fill their empty belly. I was one of them.

There wasn't much of a chouce when it came to the kinds of food sold at the train stop, so I chose a spicy noodle just to get by. Our stop didn't last long. It was inky for 30 minutes. After eating, I immediately went back inside the train. I can't risk being left behind.

The night was silent. Everyone inside the train had fallen asleep but not me. I was asleep during the entire day, so i had a hard time going back to sleep. I pulled out my earphones and decided to listen to some instrumental music, the Tittle I don't even know. But it was soothing and before I knew it. I fell back to sleep.

Morning barely broke when the train operator woke everyone with his announcement. He said we are an hour away from Caraba. That will be my second stop.

When we arrived, I barely made it to my next train. I almost forgot that the trains in Caraba are always packed. There no reservation allowed, so I had to battle with everyone that ascended the train, luckily—I managed to get a seat. What's unfortunate though, is it was in the Isle of the train. I had no intention of puking, so instead of being awake. I decided to pop a few sleeping pills, hoping it will knock out and pss the time. It worked.

I must have fallen asleep for six hours. Because when I woke up, the sun was high up in the horizon. I checked my watched and it said 1:00 in the afternoon. By face turned a deep shade of pink when my stomach began to grumble and the woman seating sext to me smiled. She must have heard it, because she immediately gave me a cracker. She said it will help. I ate the bisquit she gave me but it was not enough. Soon I found my stomach screaming once again, luckily—the operator of the train finally announce that we will stop at the next twin to have lunch.