Prologue

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you…”

It was Limstella Andrea’s birthday. Janelle, Rex, Darren, and other children of their age whose parents have business with theirs were there to celebrate that special day. 

“…Happy birthday to you.” Limstella blew the candle as the other children finished their song. They clapped and rejoiced with her.

“Andie! Here’s my gift. Open it!” Janelle excitedly handed a big box to Limstella. The celebrant opened the box and her eyes widened at the content. She took the white teddy bear with a pink ribbon brooch pinned on its neck from the box.

“Thank you, Janey. I love it! I’ll take care of her, I promise.” She hugged the bear and hugged her best friend as well.

The twins approached them. “Happy birthday, Ella. This is from me and Rex.” Darren greeted her as he gave her their gift. 

She excitedly ripped the wrapper of her gift. It was a music box, beautifully oriented by mini precious gems. She opened it and it played the song that the twins composed. Limstella flashed a smile and hugged the two boys. “Thanks so much, Ren, Riki. I’ll treasure this forever!”

The two boys hugged her back, smiled at each other, and bumped their fists. 

Everyone was all smiles looking at them. Little did they know, that was the last time they would be together and a fire would break out in Limstella’s home the next day. 

***

A girl around the age of seven was playing alone in the park. Other kids didn’t want to play with her. Unlike them, she's too quiet and doesn't speak. Not that she's mute, but she preferred not to talk. She's in a sandbox, building a sandcastle. She was engrossed in her little world, ignoring the laughter and giggles of other kids.

A woman in her late twenties approached her. “Anak?” She called. The little girl stopped playing and looked at the latter. The woman extended her arms. “'Lika na. Uwi na tayo.” The girl stood up, grabbed her teddy bear, and took her mom's hand.

As they were walking home, the woman gave the girl some words of wisdom. “Darating ang araw, mag-iiba ang lahat sa buhay mo. May mga malalaman ka na magpapabago sa kung ano man makakasanayan mo. Pero anak, kahit na anong mangyari, dapat manatiling nakatapak sa lupa ang mga paa mo,” she told her. “Higit sa lahat,” she stopped and crouched to level the girl's height, “hindi dapat magbago ang laman nito,” and pointed her index to the girl's right chest. The little girl looked intently to her mom, trying her best to understand what she was told. The woman smiled at her, took her hand and walked again.

Those words were retained on the girl’s head. As she grew up, she began to understand what her mom meant by those but did not realize the importance of those to her. Little did she know that those were not simple words of wisdom, but something that reveals everything in her life.