"Saan ba ako nagkulang?!"

*Where did I go wrong?!*

I sigh in disappointment after hearing that line. I've read this part many many times in the novel, but the live-action adaptation? I only heard the line for the first time but it just didn't hit the same. The quality and the music was okay but the tension and spark? I don't feel like it was there, and don't even get me started with the chemistry or the casting choices.

"Is this what they call acting?" I said as i grabbed my pillow and hugged it tightly, half in frustration and half in disappointment. "This scene in the novel made me cry but watching this made me want to cry from disappoinment."

The novel Harana was a massive hit or in other words, it's very popular! And honestly, I wasn't surprised. The novel takes place in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era, or at least that's what I remember and understand about when and where the story took place, it had the perfect mix of drama, history, romance and everything that made it a bestseller. And as someone who's a sucker for love stories, I couldn't help but become a big fan after finishing it. I know I'm probably weird. Guys like me, who love romance novels, aren't really that common today. But who cares? I loved romance novel, no matter how different they were from what other guys liked.

(Note: The Word Harana is a Filipino tradition where a man serenades a woman to express his romantic feelings.)

I turned off my phone and tossed it onto the bed beside me.

I set the bar too high for my expectations of this live-action adaptation, and now I regret expecting so much.

"Great, my time was wasted," I said, flopping down onto the mattress, looking like a disappointed guy, well, I was disappointed.

I looked at the ceiling for a moment, letting the sound of the ceiling fan fill the quite room. My mind replayed the cringeworthy lines from the live-action that was delivered very badly, speaking of lines, some lines didn't even exist in the novel. Was it the director's fault? The actors? Or maybe I just expected too much?

I sigh and close my eyes.

***

I was about to sleep but,

'Bzzz Bzzz'

my phone buzzed. I groaned, and grabbed the phone, and as I glance at the screen. It was a message from my mom.

[Why are you still awake? I can see your status is active. Did you already take the medicine?]

I stared at the message for a moment. "Right..."

I had already told her I'd take it, but somehow, I just couldn't bring myself to. Too tired, I guess.

With a sigh, I tossed my phone aside again and pulled the blanket over me. It didn't matter. I was already halfway to sleep.

I reached up the light switch above the headboard, and switched it off.

*Flick*

With a last yawn, I finally close my eyes and let sleep take over.

***

And when I opened my eyes.

"Good Morning, Ginoo..."

(Note: Ginoo = Sir or Mister.)

"H-huh?!"

I ignored where the voice came from and glanced around only to realize I was lying down-

Beneath The Balete Tree.