What?! You're Leaving?!

Since leaving Manila, in fact, even before leaving Manila, I was often confronted by: "What?! You're leaving?!" Then, came the follow up question: "Why?"

When I look back on those remaining days, I now realize, those who had to ask did so because they did not have a clue as to who I am. Those dear to me, those who know me didn't have to ask a single thing. They understood.

They understood that beyond the persona, the probing queries and sometimes, attacks, I am all about family. That I would and have dropped everything for family. And that I would be the last person on Earth to pass on the opportunity to live in a strange place with the person I love... to start a new family. Ours.