The morning sun cast a golden hue over the city, but Erica felt only darkness as she stood at the entrance of her mansion, a duffel bag clutched tightly in her hand. The air was thick with unspoken words, and her stomach churned with dread. Her father stood by the car, his expression hard as granite, while her mother wore a forced smile that felt more like a mask than comfort.

"You'll be fine," her mother reassured her, though Erica could hear the tremor in her voice. "Aunt Nena will take good care of you."

"Oh yeah, Aunt Nena," Erica muttered under her breath, her gaze lingering on the bustling city beyond. "My mother's best friend since elementary. Just what I need - a friend of my mother's, not some kind of savior." The thought did little to soothe her rising anxiety. Erica turned to look back at the towering buildings of Bonifacio Global City, their glimmering facades a stark contrast to her heavy heart. This is my home, not some rural backwater.

Her mother's smile faltered as she stepped closer. "Erica, please - "

"No," Erica cut her off, shaking her head. "I don't want to go. I don't want any of this!"

Her father's voice, colder than before, interrupted the tension. "Enough, Erica. This isn't up for discussion."

Erica turned to face him, her eyes burning with frustration. "I didn't do anything so wrong! I was just trying to have fun, like a normal person!"

Her father's lips pressed into a thin line. "Normal people don't bring shame to their families. You need discipline, and you'll get it. Now get in the car."

Erica swallowed her words, too tired and hurt to argue anymore. "Fine."

The drive to the bus station felt interminable. As the car wound through the city streets, Erica pressed her face against the window, watching the vibrant life of BGC slip away. I can't believe this is happening. I'm being banished.

Her mother glanced at her from the front seat, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and guilt. "You know we're doing this because we love you, right? We want you to learn - "

"Learn what?" Erica snapped, her voice tinged with bitterness. "That I don't matter? That I'm just some project to fix? This is ridiculous!"

Her father's grip tightened on the steering wheel, but he remained silent. The air in the car grew heavy with unspoken words, each passing moment increasing the distance between them.

*****

When they arrived, the bus station was bustling with travelers, the noise of engines and chatter overwhelming. Erica stepped out of the car, feeling the weight of the moment press down on her chest. Her legs felt like lead as she made her way toward the entrance, every step dragging her closer to something she didn't want.

"You'll be on the bus for a while," her father instructed, his voice clipped. "Use the time to think."

Erica's eyes narrowed as anger surged inside her. "Think? Think about what? How unfair this is? How you're ruining my life?"

Her father ignored her, his focus solely on the task at hand. "Just get on the bus."

Erica's heart pounded in her chest as she made her way to the waiting bus. The crowd bustled around her, but it felt like she was moving in slow motion. This can't be my life. This can't be real.

*****

As the bus pulled into the loading bay, Erica felt a lump in her throat. She stepped on board, the cramped seats already filled with passengers, and found a spot near the window. She settled in, her hands gripping the armrest as the engine rumbled to life. The bus lurched forward, leaving BGC behind, and Erica stared out the window, watching her city slip further and further away.

Her mind raced, and she clutched her duffel bag tighter, trying to hold on to some shred of control. The city she had always known was fading from view, and in its place, she was headed to an unknown future.

"This isn't fair," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the hum of the bus. "I didn't deserve this. I didn't."

She closed her eyes, trying to block out the sounds around her. Her father's cold words echoed in her mind. "You need discipline." She wasn't sure what that meant, but it felt like a punishment she didn't deserve.

The bus bumped along the road, and Erica's thoughts continued to spiral. I'm not like this. I'm not some problem to fix.

She pulled her phone from her pocket, her fingers hovering over the screen. She thought about texting her friends, but what could she even say? "Hey, guess what? I'm being sent away to some small town." No one would understand. No one could.

Her fingers trembled as she set the phone back down in her lap. What am I supposed to do now?

The bus ride stretched on, each mile making her feel smaller, more isolated. The city's vibrant pulse was replaced by the steady hum of the bus, and soon, the lights of BGC were nothing more than a fading memory.

*****

The scenery outside transformed from urban sprawl to lush landscapes, but Erica couldn't appreciate it. This isn't freedom. It's a prison in a different location.

With each mile, resentment bubbled up inside her. What does he think sending me away will accomplish? Does he realize I'm not some spoiled child? I'm not a problem to be fixed. She watched the world outside blur, her thoughts racing. I should be enjoying my life, not being forced into exile because of one mistake. What about my friends? What about everything I love?

The bus rattled down the highway, each bump sending her thoughts into a frenzy. I should be enjoying life, not stuck here like this. Why does he get to decide what happens to me?

Suddenly, the bus lurched violently, causing passengers to gasp as the driver slammed on the brakes. The vehicle shuddered to a stop, and Erica's heart dropped.

"What's going on?" she asked the passenger next to her, panic creeping into her voice.

The driver stepped out, his expression grim. "We have a flat tire. We'll be here for a while."

Great. Just great. Erica leaned back in her seat, frustration boiling over. Everything that could go wrong, is going wrong.

She checked her signal bar on her phone, but nothing showed up. You can't be serious. It's like every misfortune in the world is happening to me.

The journey was already long, and now she had no idea how long they would be stranded.

As the passengers began to grumble, Erica's stomach growled loudly. Be patient, my tummy, we have nothing to eat. It was a reminder that she hadn't eaten since breakfast. This is the last thing I need right now. She glanced around, noticing a small carinderia nearby where a few locals were enjoying meals.

I have money, but I can't eat that food. The thought of the greasy, unappetizing dishes made her stomach turn. She wrinkled her nose, her hunger battling with her aversion to the food options. I wish I had packed snacks. She looked out the window, feeling trapped. How could this get any worse?

As the minutes dragged on, Erica finally decided to step off the bus, desperate for some fresh air and a break from the confines of the vehicle. She joined a small group of passengers who were milling about outside, their frustration evident as they waited for news.

Just then, dark clouds rolled in, and the first drops of rain began to fall, quickly turning into a downpour. The sky opened up, and the rain splattered against the pavement, creating puddles that reflected the dreary atmosphere. Perfect. Now I'm stuck in the rain.

The bus driver announced that they would have to wait a while longer until the rain subsided, as the roads would be too slippery for them to continue. Erica groaned inwardly, the storm adding to her sense of hopelessness. Why is everything going wrong?

A local vendor approached, carrying a basket of assorted snacks, but Erica's appetite had all but vanished. Not like that would satisfy me anyway. She stood under a nearby awning, watching the rain come down in sheets.

"You okay?" one of the other passengers asked, noticing her distress.

"Yeah, just... great," Erica replied, forcing a smile. Just what I need - small talk while I'm stuck in this hell.

The minutes turned into an hour, and Erica felt her patience thinning. The hunger pangs gnawed at her resolve, but she couldn't bring herself to buy anything from the carinderia. How did it come to this? Stuck on a bus to nowhere with nothing but regrets.

Finally, the bus driver returned, announcing that they would be moving again shortly. A collective sigh of relief spread through the group, but Erica's relief was tinged with uncertainty. What's waiting for me in Tuguegarao?

As she climbed back onto the bus, her heart heavy with dread, she couldn't shake the feeling that this journey was just the beginning of her struggles. What if it's worse than I imagine?

With each bump in the road, Erica felt her determination faltering. I'll show them. I won't let them break me.

But deep down, uncertainty loomed like a dark cloud, overshadowing her resolve as the bus continued its journey toward Tuguegarao.

*****

As the bus rolled to a stop at the Tuguegarao terminal, Erica's heart raced with a mixture of dread and disbelief. This is really happening. She stepped off the bus, the heat of the sun hitting her like a wave, and squinted at her new surroundings. Where are all the buildings?

The highways stretched wide before her, flanked by patches of green and the occasional cluster of homes far apart from one another. This place is like a ghost town. The stark contrast between the bustling streets of Bonifacio Global City and this remote place was jarring.

"Welcome to Tuguegarao!" Aunt Nena called out, standing on the opposite side of the road, waving enthusiastically. "I'm over here!"

Erica squinted, trying to see her aunt through the glare of the sun. "Where?"

"Over here!" Aunt Nena shouted, waving her arms like a traffic controller trying to direct an airplane.

Can't she just move a little closer? Erica thought, rolling her eyes. With a deep breath, she made her way toward her aunt, ready to cross the road.

Suddenly, a car whizzed past, barely missing her as she stepped onto the pavement. "Whoa!" she exclaimed, stumbling back. Did they not have pedestrian crossings here? I thought I was playing patintero with the angels of death!

"Be careful, Erica!" Aunt Nena yelled, rushing over with a look of horror on her face. "Those cars have a mind of their own!"

Great, I'm already dodging cars. This is just what I need. Erica couldn't help but chuckle nervously. "Thanks, Aunt Nena. I'll try to survive the road."

They climbed into the jeepney, and Erica glanced around, taking in the dusty roads and the sprawling fields that extended beyond the horizon. What am I even doing here? The jeepney rattled along the uneven road, and she couldn't help but feel every bump was a reminder of how far away she was from everything familiar.

"Look at those rice fields!" Aunt Nena pointed out, her enthusiasm a stark contrast to Erica's heavy heart. "They're so beautiful this time of year!"

Erica nodded absently, her mind elsewhere. Beautiful? More like endless stretches of nothing. The scenery was picturesque, but it only highlighted how different everything was. The distance between the houses felt vast, as if the town was designed for solitude rather than connection.

"I used to come out here to help my parents when I was younger," Aunt Nena continued, clearly reminiscing. "The air is so fresh, and you can just hear the sounds of nature."

The only sound I'm hearing is my own frustration. Erica thought, her eyes scanning the scenery without really seeing it. "Yeah, fresh air, that's great."

The jeepney took a turn down a narrow lane, and Erica caught glimpses of quaint houses with sprawling yards, each one more separated than the last. How does anyone live like this? A sudden wave of isolation washed over her. I'm not sure I can do this.

"It's nice and quiet here, huh?" Aunt Nena said, noticing Erica's distant expression.

"Quiet? I'd call it... lonely," Erica replied, her voice low. How did this happen? How did I get here?

"You'll get used to it," Aunt Nena said with a smile, but Erica could hear the uncertainty behind her words. "Tuguegarao has its own charm. You'll see."

Erica didn't respond. The jeepney bounced along the dirt road, and she just stared ahead. I'm stuck here, and I don't know if I'll ever feel at home again.

As they neared Aunt Nena's house, Erica's heart sank further. This place... it feels like a prison.

*****

As they drove deeper into Tuguegarao, Erica felt the air shift, cooler and more refreshing than the stuffy atmosphere of the city. Yet, it felt foreign, too. I don't belong here. She pressed her face against the window, watching the rural landscape blur by, the simplicity of life around her contrasting sharply with her former luxury.

After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at Aunt Nena's house, a modest structure surrounded by a small garden. It was cozy, but to Erica, it felt constricting, like a cage made of wood and paint. This is home now?

Aunt Nena stepped out; her smile still bright. "Let's get you settled in! You're going to love it here."

Erica forced a smile, her heart sinking. "Thanks, Aunt Nena." This is my new life?

Inside, the house was decorated with warm colors, but the atmosphere felt stifling. How can I adjust to this? The walls felt close, the air thick with the scent of something cooking in the kitchen, but it didn't evoke the comfort she craved.

"Dinner will be ready soon," Aunt Nena called from the kitchen, her voice full of excitement. "You'll love the local dishes! Fresh and delicious!"

"Sounds good," Erica replied, but her heart wasn't in it. What I wouldn't give for a steak right now.

As she wandered into her new room, Erica felt like a stranger in someone else's life. The reality of her situation sunk in deeper, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was stuck in a nightmare. I just want to go home.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she pulled out her phone, but the signal was weak. Figures. Frustrated, she tossed it onto the bed. What am I supposed to do here?

Outside, the sounds of the town began to come alive - children laughing, vendors calling out, and the distant sounds of nature blending into a symphony she didn't yet appreciate. What if I'm stuck here forever?

"Erica?" Aunt Nena knocked gently on the door. "Do you want to help me in the kitchen?"

"Sure," she replied, attempting to sound eager. Maybe keeping busy will help.

As she joined her aunt, Erica couldn't shake the feeling that Tuguegarao was a world away from everything she had known. Can I really make a life here? With every step deeper into this new reality, the uncertainty loomed large, casting a shadow over her resolve.

As they moved around the kitchen, the scent of spices filled the air, making Erica's stomach rumble. "Aunt Nena, is there any steak for dinner?"

Aunt Nena burst into laughter, the sound bright and unexpected. "Steak? Oh, darling, there's no steak here! We eat meat, yes, but in local dishes."

Erica blinked, confusion knitting her brows together. "What do you mean? What kind of meat?"

"Well, we have chicken and pork, and some beef too, but mostly we use fresh ingredients from the farm," Aunt Nena explained, motioning toward a small garden outside the window. "And these are vegetables," she added, pointing at the colorful array on the kitchen table. "They're good for your health, darling!"

Vegetables? Erica thought, her face scrunching up slightly. Great, just what I need.

"Vegetables? What are those doing here?" she joked, trying to keep the mood light.

"You'll learn to love them!" Aunt Nena said, smiling warmly. "Trust me, you'll feel better and healthier."

Erica sighed but couldn't help a small smile at her aunt's enthusiasm. Guess I'll have to give it a try.