It’s annoying why I always can’t find my safety pin everytime I need it. No matter how hard I try to search for it, it just wouldn’t show up. Funny is that, I see it everywhere when I’m not looking for it. Like, it’s playing hide and seek with me.

Last week, I saw this mysterious safety pin on my drawer. I didn’t need it at that time so I ignored it. But under my breath I said “Gotcha!” and made a mental note on where I can find it in case my pant’s zipper gets broken again.

One of our neighbors told me that a ghost who likes to hide things is living in my family’s house. I was also told that this “ghost” does it to annoy people. Like when my sister needed her scissors, we searched every corner of the house and we still didn’t find it. A few days later, my brother found the scissors on top of the cabinet. Scary, huh.

But me and my siblings were raised not to believe in ghosts or other supernatural phenomenon. That’s why we just laughed it off when we heard the story. There is no ghost. I’m just “burara.” Messy. Disorganized. My mother said she’s afraid that me and my future husband will always fight because I’m too lazy to de-clutter my things.

My Mom is not afraid of ghosts. She’s afraid that I’d stay single for the rest of my life. No matter how many times I assure her that I’m going to settle down by the age of 35, she’s not relieved. She said I can’t latch on with any man just because I’m already 35. Now is the right time to start a lasting relationship.

For me, my mother is the most intelligent woman in the whole wide world. I’d bet on that. But at my age of 26, I’ve had enough reasons to believe that finding the One is akin to finding that safety pin. I’m convinced that when I’m looking for something, I’ll never find it. Same goes with love. The more I search for it, the less chances for me to actually find it.

That’s why I’m not waiting for Mr. Right. That’s why I’m never bothered when friends make me feel I’m left behind. That’s why I’m 26, single, but not worried. That’s why I’m turning 27 soon but not in a hurry. Women my age are, most likely, already on the family way but here I am, still enjoying the liberty of not being tied down, which is great. Truth is, I’m determined to live life to the fullest with or without a man.