the comfort that “hindi natin sila bati” brings
“Hindi natin sila bati.”
If we look back at our childhood, we hear this phrase delivered with our childish voices. Sometimes, even in the most unreasonable situations, we say this when things don’t favor us. As we hear this phrase, we find little allies making us feel they are with us. Little did we know, that as we grow older, we will find ourselves saying the same thing.
To live in a world where tomorrow is not defined, it is truly scary to explore especially when we step out of our childhood zone. Nap times in the afternoon are over because sleep is now a luxury. We imagine counting lambs jumping across our bed when we don’t feel drowsy at all but now, we count the remaining hours until daylight knocks on our windows. As we unfold the chapters beyond, we tend to ask questions wondering why is it difficult to unlock what we truly want in life.
When we were kids, it was so easy to tell the elders what we wanted to be when we became adults. It’s so easy to yell, “I want to be a nurse!” But reality check,
when you are fighting for your life at the bottom part of society, you are not privileged enough to pursue what your heart speaks for. It’s not as easy as it is. It will never be.
If I could go back and pull the timeframes where I am innocently dreaming of giving myself a better life, I wish I could hug my younger version and tell her to always choose what’s best for her. I wish I could just sit with her and free myself from the hardships I didn’t ask for. For a moment, I want to give her an idea of what “hindi natin sila bati” really means in later life.
It’s comforting when someone tells us “hindi natin sila bati” whenever society throws cruelty at us. Your boss fired you without a valid reason? Hindi natin sila bati. You failed an exam despite pulling an all nighter? It’s okay, you did your best. Hindi natin sila bati. Your relatives are throwing shades at your parents? They are not your real-atives in the first place that is why hindi natin sila bati. You are an idol and you are a part of a group but your fans discarded your presence? They are not your fans, I am. Hindi natin sila bati.
In a room full of uncertain things, I hope we find someone who can be that person. Or maybe, we can be that person. Someone who can wrap you with kindness against the harshness of a slice of life. Someone who has a presence that can help you stand every heavy and uncontrollable hindrance that stops you from picking what’s right for you.
We don’t know what tomorrow may bring but just in case you’re down, it’s okay to not to be okay. Hindi natin sila bati.
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This piece is dedicated to Wen Junhui. Advance Happy Birthday, Jun! You are seen and appreciated by many genuine souls and that’s what matters. In this world full of hate, hindi natin sila bati. Junniehae!
