on the stage, basking in the sun,
a lover who was never chosen as the one.
holding the prizes i humbly flaunt,
but never got half of what i want.

shaking, repeating to myself, "i did well,"
hoping no one will be able to tell
how my eyes wander along a route,
looking for someone who already walked out.

you left me behind after making me feel won,
funny how you decided you were just done.
asked myself countless times where i went wrong—
i guess, in your company, i never belonged.

this smile hides all those sleepless nights,
a performance of standing, pretending i’m alright.
but babe, i actually did it, even without you,
now i know i should be fine to start anew.

thinking this gold i’m holding might call your eyes to me,
realizing it was also a competition of agony.
you were a prize, but i guess i want to deserve more—
there is no loss when i am a good score.

with a blood-stained face, i hold my head up high,
on this stage where people’s cheers dignify.
friends ask me how i do it while i'm tearing apart,
with bitter laugh, i say, "i can do it with a broken heart."

nilalamig, nanginginig, nanghihina, at humahangos,
sa siksikan na lugar, pinipilit kong umusad at makaraos.
ang sakit ng puso’y nagpaparamdam sa paos niyang sigaw ng “tigil!”
sa mga matang hindi alam ang ginagawa pero ayaw magpapigil.

naghahanap ng sagot, nangungulila sa gustong pagmulan nito,
ang mga paa’y hinahatak palayo sa direksyon mo.
paurong-sulong ang isip na tanging laman ay ikaw,
nagmamakaawang nakaluhod, pilit nang nag-aayaw.

nananakit na ang leeg kakahanap sa kanyang noo’y sandalan,
naiiyak na inaalala ang nagtapos kamakailan lang.
ngayo’y naglalakad mag-isa sa gitna ng maiingay na tao,
dahil sa manhid, wala nang pakialam kahit natutulak at nabubunggo.

bagsak ang mga balikat, ang mga tuhod ay sumusuko,
paubos man ay lumalaban ang mahinang bulong ng puso.
umaasa na sa konting sakit at hintay pa, baka ako pa rin—
na sa aking paghahanap ay makita ka at ang iyong mga matang naghahanap din sa akin.