Out of the blue, a guy officemate asked me: P: Chasen, nangyari na ba sayo yung nalungkot ka or nagalit ka? Me: Bakit mo natanong? P: Kasi parati kang bungisngis. Hindi ko maimagine na malungkot ka. Nalungkot na ba ako? Yung malungkot na malungkot? Oo naman. It happened four years ago, but until now, I still do not want to talk about it because until now, it still makes me feel a bit sad. “Nagalit na ba ako?” The answer is in the affirmative. But, I seldom articulate my anger. I am not confrontational. More than I hate being angry, I hate offending others, especially those who are dear to me. I was not raised to be palaaway. While growing up, my mom would always tell me not to be troublesome. Pag may nang-away daw, isumbong ko daw sa teacher. Good thing, I never experienced being bullied. Or ako ba yung bully? I don’t think so. When I moved here in Manila, I was informed that it is just normal to be mean. Kakainin daw ako nang buhay dito. True e