I GOT ARRESTED

               Cuffs in my wrists, afraid to turn back. “You have the right to remain silent! Anything you say or do may be used against you in the court of law,” one man shouted at me. He was wearing an all blue uniform that I commonly see around the city. Sirens can be heard with the flashing colors of blue and red near my face as I ride the car that will take me to a claustrophobic’s worst nightmare. As I enter and pass through halls, I see faces of pain, suffering, anger, and humiliation. And there it was, the room that shall serve as my resting place. It was not big but it was just right for me. As cockroaches crawl and as the moon glows its brightest, I change to a neon orange jumpsuit that will serve as my only clothes while trapped in the gates of hell. “What did I do to deserve all this? Why am I in this situation? WHY? WHY? WHY?! I am… a---”

                Then I gain consciousness. I’m sitting across my laptop inside my bedroom after attending my last class in the University 2 hours ago. I checked my calendar: “JULY 28, 2014” it said. I’m safe. I’m alright. It was just my imagination. I checked the time: only an hour before the clock strikes twelve that shall be the day where I turn eighteen. Many young teens I know ask me: “How do you feel that in a matter of days, you’ll soon be legal?” To be honest, I feel nothing weird about it. But what makes July 29 different from all the other days is that I can smile at the heavens and say to God: “LORD, what did I do to deserve all this? Why am I in this situation? WHY? WHY? WHY?! I am so blessed for you to give me a chance to spend 18 years here on this earth that you built.”

                Turning 18 can be special to others, or not. But for me, every day is special. It’s because of the people that surround me. They continue to fill me with love and understanding despite my often mood swings and numerous corny jokes that I crack. My parents, who sacrifices every day for my future, know that I thank God for them. Even though I’m an only child, they helped me grow into a loving, kind, obedient, and sensitive person. If it weren’t for their patience while I find my talent, I would have never been able to accomplish such great things beyond my expectation.

                Besides them, I also have my relatives, like my cousins, titos & titas, aunts & uncles, my grandmother and many more, who are also there to help me in my times of need. I have my friends, like my schoolmates and block mates, childhood friends, neighborhood playmates, church friends and so much more, who were able to digest my jokes (even though I knew that they wanted to stab me for being so corny) and to make me laugh whenever I feel so down. God also blessed me with an awesome D-Group who helped me get back on track with my relationship with God even more! He made me a talkative introvert and a counselor to my friends.

                In conclusion, yes I was not, am not being, and, hopefully by God’s grace, will never be arrested against crime. I was, am being, and will be blessed for eighteen years that God has given me. No, I am not thinking of finding my “God’s Best” yet because I want to focus and earn for my future family. Yes, Jesus loves me and He loves you too. No, I am not ashamed of him.

                 If you’re currently reading this, that means that I turned 18 already, but for me, I think it won’t be official until around 10:30am where around that time, 18 years ago: July 29,1996, Monday, this legen...

                ...wait for it...

                ...dary baby was born. Thank you for those who remembered and greeted me on my birthday and thank you for patiently reading this long article where you might still not get the reason why I added a narrative above (It’s because I kept saying to my classmates: “MAG E-EIGHTEEN NA AKO, PWEDE NA AKONG MAKULONG!”) but don’t worry, with God, I am far away from those gates ‘cause I know that through Him, I WILL enter the Gates of Heaven once God takes me away from this world. GOD BLESS US ALL AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!