Whispers of Dawn: A Solitary Trip to Licab Nueva Ecija
The bus departed from Laoag Farinas Bus Station at exactly 2100H, just as the deep indigo sky settled over the city. The familiar hum of the engine merged with the distant sounds of the night, creating a lullaby that soothed us weary passengers into a state of quiet anticipation. As the bus rolled out of the station and onto the highway, the lights of Laoag gradually faded into the distance, replaced by the gentle glow of headlights cutting through the darkened landscape. The first few hours of the journey were a blend of darkness and flickering lights as the bus navigated through sleepy towns. The silhouettes of trees, houses, and the occasional passing vehicle flitted by, half-seen but ever-present. Inside the bus, we settled into our seats—some drifting into a light slumber, while others stared out of the window, lost in thought. As the bus moved further south, the rhythm of the road became a steady companion. The stillness of the night was punctuated only by the occasional rustle o...