It was just different. When I entered our room, I saw Jill watching some cartoon on TV, silent, with her thumb on her lips. I placed my bag on the table and changed my shirt. I put on my jacket again, and asked my sister, "Jill, gusto mo sumama?" She just answered, "Tinatamad ako eh."

Well, ok. I am used to shopping alone, and it was a rare moment that I feel sad about walking the streets of Taft by myself. I suddenly remembered my family back in Laguna. I miss my room. I miss the food. I miss the piano. I miss the TV. I miss sleeping peacefully. I miss my family.

And so with this deep emotion, I took my stylus out and sent a message to my mom. "Ma, gusto ko po umuwi."

Seemingly amazed at my sudden message, my mom asked, "Bakit, masama ba pakiramdam mo? May sakit ka?"

"Wala po. Nalulungkot lang ako."

Just like what I shared to my friends in school about me being homesick, I suddenly wanted not to stay in LG anymore.

But what can I do? It was my decision to stay away from home anyway. For the shallow reason that I wanted to do better in school. Now, I am yearning to go back home. I do not find it a problem to ride the bus for two hours and arrive home at 8 pm. I do not find it tiring to stay up late because I started doing my homework at 10. These things do not count as sacrifices.