Special Chapter: Miles Away
Author's note: I know this will be boring and if you will just read it through, it may seem unrelated to the past chapters but, I just want to justify the death of the main characters, it is because of their son, Miles who become an excellent example to many because of his noble works.
This is in the future ito lang yung nakikita ni Miles sa panahon nya...
Miles is the kind of a person they produce despite they died. Their death is not in vain.
Miles' POV
[Benguet, Philippines, 2036]
My name is Miles Malik, eighteen years old. An orphan.
A multi-millionaire orphan.
My parents left me with millions in the bank, five houses, (two in the Philippines and three in Japan,) and businesses.
But my favorite inheritance is their poetry and pictures.
When I was young, I really wonder why I was born in this cruel world? Why God created me? Why did Mom and Dad bring me to this earth and then soon left me. Why should I suffer from things that I do not even ask for? Why should I see and feel the misery of life? What is the purpose of pain? I really have a lot of questions in mind.
I know these are foolish questions that a fool would ask, well it is part of being a human, being foolish sometimes. Because there are a lot of things that this human mind could not understand.
I have been asking all my life, what is the meaning of life? Is it to have a complete family? To have a big house? To graduate? To be successful?
Does a happy life mean there are no problems? No pain? No sorrow?
One thing I have learned in life being an orphan; it is not always "me". It's not really me that matters, it's not about my emotions, nor pain, neither my hardship... Because everyone experiences suffering and pain. And it's normal because that's the way it is.
We live, we laugh, we eat, we die and we will be soon forgotten. That's the cycle of life. Said, my nihilist Dad.
At a young age, I have become the youngest awardee of the most prestigious award-giving body in the world.
My community service journey around the world was my passion and become my calling since I am an orphan.
This journey has been exciting and fulfilling even though tiring.
All the hard work is paid off because there are no amount of words that can express the fulfillment and realizations brought by this journey.
I know Momma Cher and Daddy Caleb are so proud of me right now. I forsook the opportunity to work in the corporate world to do noble work personally.
I was able to attend teaching programs, feeding programs, tree plantings, and rebuilding programs for those countries that were tremendously hit by natural disasters.
My first destination was Africa, I went to the slumps of Nigeria. When my parents had a honeymoon world tour, they mention in their journals that someday they will go back to Nigeria to have community work but sadly, they weren't able to do it. So, I'm here to fulfill their noble desires.
I chose to coordinate with the locals in Nigeria because I believe in their mission and the sincerity of their noble work. They have a heart for children regardless of their social status.
Their funds for the program are solely coming from their own pockets and the generous hearts of their community, since I am a multi-millionaire orphan, I felt the need to share my not-so-hard-earned money with the less fortunate.
There are already a bunch of schools and universities that do not teach how to be selfless. Many are ignoring children, especially those who are dressed in worn-out clothes and slippers wandering on the streets.
But I saw their potential because I, being an orphan have been blessed with parents named Caleb Malik and Cher Malik who taught me to be generous and loving instead of being revengeful.
They taught me through their precious works of literature. They are excellent writers who inspired me and moved me to be a better person and now I'm living not only my dreams but my parents as well.
I see the orphans and street children with fragile souls and hearts that could one day these so-called good-for-nothing children as they may seem can be the hope of our future for real.
This generation is the next in line, if I can't teach them values and imprint in them their worth then who would?
Syndicates probably would influence them. Haplessly, they are future criminals, beggars, or delinquent juveniles.
Thus, we somehow fail to do our responsibility to nurture our children. There is a saying "It is easier to build stronger children than to repair broken men." I think it was Frederick Douglas who said that.
Their smiles and 'Thank you's warm my heart for I know they appreciate my volunteering for this kind of service.
Then I went back to the Philippines for a tree planting community service.
The coolness of the forest breeze because of the diverse plants and trees surrounding the forest. How I wish that the comfort I feel would be felt throughout the country. Could it be possible? as we all know, we are in an era where technology is improving and a greener habitat is not a priority.
So, I am here to protect the environment. It is my dream that the cherry blossom tree will be scattered throughout the world.
The environment is at risk because of the reclamations and massive housing projects. Reckless innovations are somehow responsible for the destruction of our environment.
Maybe this is one of the reasons why I didn't grab the chance to work in the office of my business tycoon Grandpa Raj.
I rather plant trees than do paperwork in the boring office.
These programs that I made, make me realize that this kind of work is necessary for building a child's social awareness.
To somehow be a help for the welfare of the institution or community where he/she is into, regardless of how small or big deed he/she may contribute. For there's no 'too little' when you are doing good work.
It would also be a big help for our present and next generation to have this kind of activities which will teach them many children nowadays are lazy, apathetic, without initiative, and worst-rebels must be taught of these simple things yet have a great impact on one’s life.
There may not be an instant effect or result but the long-term outcome will be seen eventually.
For these activities are life lessons that can be learned outside the classrooms that the community and environment would benefit from.
Especially poor children who deserve all the care and love. I may not have felt the care and love of my biological parents but I was loved by My Papa Owen and Mama Kara, and all the people that I helped
So I'm not giving up on these children, for I believe, they are the hope not just of the community but of our nation and the whole world. We need to foster them even in our own simple ways.
I have been blessed and privileged to be a part of the Teaching Children Program. I have a strong desire to make our world a better place to live in. To be a part of this endeavor is an honor for me and such a great experience as an orphan.
I was able to meet different kinds of people who are also doing community work. If I were not here on earth and Mom did not make it to deliver me, I wouldn’t have the chance to be a volunteer and wouldn’t have realizations that inspire me and motivate me more not just as a good citizen but to be a good person as well.
And now I am standing beneath the cherry blossom tree in Mom and Dad's first home, Philippines is something special.
I'm here in the Philippines because my adoptive parents are living and working here. They say when they retire, they will settle in Japan.
In my Mom's house. Where her cherry blossom tree is still blooming, standing tall and majestic.
The Cherry Blossom Tree is not compatible with the Philippines' tropical climate.
But the Japanese government gave thousands of seeds as a token of friendship.
That seed was able to grow and cultivated that's when Sakura Heights was born and it becomes a tourist attraction in Benguet, Philippines.
I am always amazed by my parents' love story. It is beautiful and romantic. Not all lovers are blessed with that kind of love story. And I'm glad that I am part of that.
Because my Dad is faithful and my Mom is patient to wait. Best things indeed come to those who wait.
I am now eighteen and my sister Leily is twenty-five, I think. I'm not sure though.
She became a beauty queen because of her beauty, intelligence, and talent.
But she's a teacher by profession. She was tremendously inspired by Dad and she admires him a lot.
She told me that when Daddy Caleb was still alive, he always teaches her. He taught her how to read and write, and even about computers because he was a computer programmer when he was teaching at a university in Tokyo.
Daddy was such a cool dad and Mom is so loving. I envy Leily because she got the chance to see them and been with them touring around the world. They even have tons of pictures and videos together.
Sometimes, I asked God why I was born without real parents. But I still believe that everything has a purpose, as said by my nihilist Dad.
As I can see today, in my own opinion, most people nowadays value one’s social status so highly.
It's 2036 now, It seems that the standard of being a wealthy and intelligent individual is through his/her lifestyle- what he/she eats or wears and such alike.
Social media has a great influence or factor that affects our perspective in life. We are so judgmental or ironically speaking, blinded by what we see on social media.
It is the tool where we intentionally or unintentionally flaunt, brag, and make known our daily activities or way of life for us to be seen and make believe that we are befitting in society.
. People nowadays seem so pretentious about being wealthy or healthy living that actually they are not. Also, they tend to have this misconception about social status:
When a man is spotted inside of a fine resto or having a coffee break in Starbucks people swift to think that he is rich. The more often he gets there, the richer he is. When a woman wears branded footwear, signature bags, and kinds of stuff like that, automatically people have in mind that she is high-profile. The more she possesses branded materials, the richer she is. When someone speaks English fluently, people think that someone is educated and graduated from a prestigious university. Even having the latest gadgets seem to be a big deal now. The more famous brand you have, the richer and more popular you are.
We are living in a virtual and pretentious world where social status regards the most by many of us. Ironically, we have improved communication technology but the lesser we are understood.
We have sophisticated medical machines but the lesser life span we get.
Furthermore, the higher you rank in the office, government, or whatever your workplace be, the higher you receive respect whether you were corrupt or honest.
The point is, that the higher your position is, the more dignified you are in the eyes of the people. Thus, another misconception regarding social status.
Sadly, many people are working hard to get what they want; for the gratification of their desire for luxury, for self-centered reasons, and not because of necessity.
Young people this day do not dream of becoming a teacher or nurse anymore. Many are aspiring to be call center agents or be in the showbiz industry, or a vlogger.
Well, I have nothing against them for these are great jobs as long as you make clean money out of them but what saddens me is that children prefer the latter works to the nobility of the profession of teaching and caring. We can’t blame them because practically speaking as long as our job pays the bills is preferable to being a professional but loaded with debts.
Social status has something to do with this. There is nothing wrong with posting on social media as long as you are inspiring others by making them see how successful you are because of your labor or if you want others to see the reward of your hard work.
There’s nothing wrong if you want to be sociable and be fit in society as long as you don’t take advantage of others and for self-fulfillment. Also, there’s nothing wrong with what others think; if you feel you have all the right in the world to live life to the fullest then so be it, but social status should never be the standard of a man’s worth in life.
That's why I am here, Miles Malik will make a stand to have a better world,
But when I learned about my parent's love story, and how they longed to have me, it was very inspiring. I think I should continue their legacy.
I will continue my Dad's gorgeous genes.
By the way, Daddy, thank you, because of you, I'm a campus heartthrob. They love my big eyes.
Sis Leily is a Special Education teacher. She's teaching those children with special needs.
She's living now with her real dad in Tokyo Japan along with her grandparents.
They say that my Grandpa Raj looks like my Dad but an older version. Now I can see my future self, what will I look like.
I always read the letter of my mom before she died.
Because of that letter, I learned that Mom really loves Dad and that even though she had the trauma of physical pain, she took the courage to bear me in her womb and gave birth to me because Dad wants a Miles.
In this cherry blossom tree where I stand, I opened the letter that Mom wrote a long, long time ago. It was written especially for me.
Dear My Beloved Miles,
I love you, sweetheart. You are my living gift to your handsome Daddy. I know, you are also a handsome man. Please, be like your Dad, he's a faithful and loving man. Be good to your big sister, Leily.
You know, it was on the 8th of April, 2011, Probably the most traumatic event that ever happened in my life thus far, and praying it would be the last. I was thinking about my “greatest fear” lately. I thought ‘death’ is my greatest fear but it wasn’t. I’m ready to die anytime but what I really fear is the physical pain I have to endure before dying. And of course, my children that I left in this mad world. Not just pain, I know it’s inevitable but what I meant is the excruciating physical pain. I have a high pain tolerance so when I say extreme pain, it really is. I always bear in my mind that ‘pain is just on your mind’ and ‘mind over matter’ so physical pain is no biggie for me. Also, I can endure sadness. In fact, I am happy when I am sad. I know it’s weird. I don’t know, how will I be able to stand the worst physical pain. So when I finally experienced the worst pain ever so far, giving birth, I’m facing my greatest fear. It is exhausting. Words can’t describe how painful it is! The scream you have to release to somehow ease the pain. The gnashing of teeth. The sweat-dropping pain. Hell. Facing my greatest fear which is excruciating physical pain is proving to myself that indeed I am strong! life is a constant battle you have to be brave in this life’s journey. There will come a time, everything will come to pass. No more pain. No more struggles. No more fear. Be brave my little Miles!
Granny Marga said that Mom wrote this when she was laboring. She must be feeling pain and fright at that moment.
I can't imagine the brokenness of Mom when she found out that Dad was gone.

Maybe Dad already had premonitions that he will die that day.
I also know that Dad found Mom's father in Japan. I have a lot of stories to tell about them because my Papa Owen always has stories of them.
I'm forever grateful and thankful for my adoptive parents: Mama Kara and Papa Owen.
Though they didn't adopt me legally because I don't want to change my last name. I am proud to be a Malik. And it compliments my first name. It sounds better.
Big sister Leily didn't change her last name too, because that's her Daddy Maki's request. Her name sounds so sweet whatever the last name you put it into. Leily Murray or Leily Malik, either of the two is great.
I found my Mom's notebook, it's an unfinished novel. On the last page was Dad's last poem. I learned that before he died, he recited it to Mom. That was so sweet yet so sad.
In the last five chapters of my Mom's book, I continued it. I am glad that I was able to finish it for her.
I think it's one of the reasons why I was born, to continue what she wants to finish but cannot, so Momma here is your book. I finished it for you. I know you're one proud Momma.
And the ultimate reason why I was born is to know God and do His will, to have a heart for His glory.
As King Solomon had said, "then I looked on all the works that my hands hath wrought and all the labor that I had labor to do and behold, all was vanity and vexation of the spirit. There was no profit under the sun. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."
I'm not just an awardee of the most prestigious award-giving body but the most achievement I had achieved in my entire life is to be a preacher.
Yes, I've become a missionary.
I'm sure Mom and Dad are proud of me.
I will always be proud of you too Daddy and Mommy. Thank you for giving me life.
I also included my poem because Mom and Dad really inspired me that is why I am now a successful writer. Thanks be to them. This is my tribute to them, especially to my Mom, who died because of me just to bring me to this world.
There's a woman whom I loved the most
She's lovelier than the rose.
She raised me by her smooth now wrinkled hands
Though it roughed but it's tough and ever most loved.
She's always beside me and covers me in her arms.
On the cold lonely nights, she keeps me warm. She taught me to pray to God.
She told me to be brave and never be sad.
She has good hands that dry my tear-stained face
What a comfort I've found in her warm embrace!
A shuttered dream turned into victory
Because I have a mother who truly loves me.
My mother dear, you carried me into your womb,
Never would I want to see you in the tomb.
Though Mom, Dad, and I were miles apart, we will always be connected. Dad is so right when he said that.
By the way, the book entitled, "Loved and Forgiven Forever" was all about cheating, the consequences of it, forgiveness and love, and second chance.
The last paragraph of her book was her life lesson that she imparted to my older sister, Leily:
[The best revenge is to never revenge at all. Though it's cliche as it seems, it's more than the reality of life. It's beyond the human heart.]
That's why I'm burying it underneath the tree the original copy that my Mom wrote by her own hand along with it were her ashes and Dad's.
Like Dad did, he buried the engagement ring under Mom's tree in Japan and when the right time came, he unearthed it and gave Mom precious memories.
Though you're Miles away, you can find "Love and Forgiveness" underneath the cherry blossom tree.
-----Fin-----
A/N
Thank you for supporting me. Grabe tyaga mo, natapos mo ito. Salamat po.
This is purely from imagination lang po. Fictional. Gawa gawa lang yung sa Benguet. I know this became so religious na pero I made this book to inspire.
Especially my children. I want them to read this. This story is supposed to be my entry sa Fameink writing contest kaso di ako umabot nagkulang ako ng 5k words bago ang deadline. Sobrang hinayang. 4 days of straight sleepless days. Ang habol ko na lang yung inspiration na ma impart ko. Malaki na yung achievement sa akin at mas malaki pa sa anu mang premyo na matatanggap ko. Thank you po.
My song playlist for this story para mas dama ko yung story:
-Looking Through Your Eyes by LeAnn Rhymes( nung pinangako ni Caleb kay Cher hahanapin nya yung missing piece.)
-Mad World by Gary Jules (fave song ni Caleb)
- My Immortal by Evanescence (fave song ni Cher)
-If life is So Short by The Moffats (theme song of this story)
by the way, I have more stories but I'm still working on it. i hope you will support it too. thank you.
-My Miss Winterfields (Filipino)
-Wish For You(upcoming) Fantasy
-Amber's Jeje Adventure (Humor) upcoming
-Loving A Nihilist (upcoming) Romance
-Twin Love (English) Mystery, Action, Gangster, Romance exclusive in Libri
-Flashbacks( Matured) available only in Libri
thank you very much. your time in reading it, the comments, rates are highly appreciated. i love you.