Claire’s
The trip to Batangas was tiring—but in the best way possible. I hadn’t even arrived yet, but I could already feel a huge sense of relief settling in me. It felt good to just see nature again. The trees lining the highway, the fresh breeze rushing in from my bus window—it was all so calming. There's really nothing like the peace of the province.
My parents tried to insist on sending me there with our driver, but I told them I wanted to take the bus by myself. Of course, Mom instantly protested, saying it wasn’t safe for me to go alone. But when Dad said it was fine—God, that felt amazing.
All my life, my parents made every decision for me. Everything I did, every step I took, was based on what they thought was best. So when my dad gave me that freedom—it felt surreal. I just wan
