"I wasn’t expecting this chapter, but maybe it’s the one that changes everything."

I thought I had enough when my brother was hospitalized early this year. It wasn't until the month of June came. I received both good and bad news. My father's cataract surgery is finally happening. A day after, something happened that changed half of my life's plans. My own plot twist, which I never saw coming.

Two years ago, my father was scheduled for cataract surgery. It involved several stages: the removal of his pterygium, followed by separate procedures for each eye. We completed the first stage. Unfortunately, my brother was hospitalized.  Our funds were depleted. Left with no choice, my father’s surgery had to be indefinitely postponed.  

While in the hospital, I searched for agencies offering medical assistance. I eventually encountered a Facebook page, where people shared their successful experiences. I discovered the charity group of a reputable private tertiary hospital in San Juan. With no expectations, I prepared and submitted my father's application and forgot about everything. A month after, I received a notification. My father will have a chance to secure his most awaited eye surgery. 

In a span of three months, we completed all of my father’s surgeries. Another unexpected blessing was the post operation medicines, which all came for free. But for me, the best gift was despite being charity patients, we were never made to feel small or pitiful. There was dignity, kindness, and compassion. It became a quiet reminder that there are still places where humanity prevails.

While these blessings unfolded, life gave me an unexpected setback; the plot twist of 2025. 

One by one, the days came with their own share of pains. I discovered betrayals I never imagined. People I treated as friends revealed themselves as traitors, impostors, and oppressors. People I once helped and supported, were gone. One even tried to take what's left for me. Some were masked with warmth and false concerns. Some reached out with “How are you?” messages, only to feed their curiosity and gossip, secretly celebrating my defeat.

Along the way, I have to write letters of appeal. If I don't take actions, the more I will be subjected to unfair treatment. Slowly, I'm rebuilding myself. I always remember what a friend once told me. 

“And when you fall, get up. If standing up feels too heavy, then crawl if you must. Move forward, inch by inch, until your strength returns… and you rise, not just to stand, but to keep going.”