I turned to Imaobong, my voice low and uncertain.
“You keep saying I’m strong,” I said, not looking at her.
“Yes, because you are,” she replied gently, her eyes searching mine.
I let out a breath and stared at the ground.
“I told you about my failed attempts at getting into Business Administration two times, Imaobong. I gave it everything, yet still didn’t make it. Sometimes, I feel like just giving up.”
She said nothing at first, waiting.
“But then I think about it,” I continued. “Every failure showed me what I didn’t do well. Each one revealed a part of me that needs more work. So no, I won’t give up. I’ll keep trying, and I’ll do it better next time.”
Imaobong’s face lit up with something between pride and admiration. “You’re strong.”
I smiled faintly but shook my head. “Then define it. What does ‘strong’ mean to you?”
She looked at me for a long second before answering. “Strong is what you just did- being honest, learning from failure, and still choosing not to quit. It’s crying when it hurts but getting up anyway. It’s not always loud… sometimes, strength is in quiet determination.”
I felt something soften in me. “Then maybe… I am strong after all.”
She nodded, reaching out to hold my hand. “You are, Rita. More than you even know.”
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