“Kumusta na?” This is a question I usually ask my friends, as it is easy to ask and, more importantly, easy to answer. People usually say, “I’m ok” or “Ok naman.” No further explanation is needed because this is more of an introduction, a short line to start the conversation, pretty much like “Hello.” This time, however, the answer made me stop and think.
“Eto, empty,” she answered.
The response is rather surprising, as she has a significant other and I know that she loves him. When you love someone, you’re heart is supposed to be filled up, nay, overflowing with love, and not empty. “Empty” seems to be an alien word, entirely contradictory, for someone who loves someone.
Or maybe I fell into the trap of assuming that simply because one sticks with someone means that someone loves the other. Maybe there’s the feeling of emptiness because the space previously filled up with love is now a void, just a contour of something that used to exist. Maybe there is the disbelief or the denial that love is no longer there. Maybe she is still hoping that the love is still there, except that maybe, just maybe, what remains is just the memory of that feeling.
Love is merely a small speck in the universe of emotions, although those who are in love certainly believe that love is the universe. They say all you need is love, but it’s not always true. There’s so much in life, other than love, that confronts each one of us. We may feel empty even if we are in love and the emptiness may not even be directed to the one you love or in relation to love itself.
Or maybe I’m just making a fuss out of nothing.
So, the next time you’re asked “kumusta”, do everyone a favor by not answering: “Eto, empty”.
Comment by piper
my usual answer on that question is..”ok lang”..but there’s always underlying truth in that ok lang word…