Traffic was horrible yesterday, so it was already dark when we reached the cemetery, too dark that we decided to stay in the car and pray for my dad from there.

Jaime said the darkness felt like the beginning of a horror film. Iuri even joked that if something suddenly appeared, he’d run and leave us behind.

After the visit, we tried Sensei in BF, as recommended by friends. The place was intimate maybe thirty seats at most, and also carried La Chinesca’s Mexican menu. The portions were modest and the prices a bit steep, but the food delivered where it mattered: taste and quality. Every dish felt intentional, made with care.

The conversation revolved around UA&P, mental health, and my short videos, which Jaime’s friends love teasing him about. Lol.

After dinner, we went to visit my in-laws in Merville. What should’ve been a quick 30-minute drive turned into an hour-long detour after a missed turn led us through Cavitex and Pasay. We finally arrived around 9:50 p.m. Despite the late hour, the grandparents were overjoyed to see the boys, and even Chapo, their dog, barked with pure excitement the moment he heard our voices.

Thankfully, the drive home was smooth. I was tired when we got back but there was a feeling of satisfaction.

I may have spent a little more on food, on wrong turns but what I received in return was something no price could match: laughter, stories that filled the silence, and the grace of being together.

Sometimes, it’s in new places and wrong turns
where the heart finds its home.