Wednesday

I call her Wednesday since I’m not allowed to speak or write her name. It’s the day I look forward to because it’s the only day I get to see her. If you asked me if I believed in love at first sight I would answer directly “I don’t”. But that’s until I saw her a year ago. I compare my first sight of Wednesday to that of a mother’s first sight of her new born child. The mother feels overjoyed and scared at the same time, but no matter what future holds she knows she will love that baby unconditionally despite the troubles she’ll face as the child grows up. I felt excitement when I first saw Wednesday at the same time I felt intimidation. I was drawn to her but withdrew back the moment I realized our incompatibility. She’s so tall – twice my size – and very girly, so unlikely to go out with or even pay attention to a short girl who can’t even pronounce her sexuality. Hence, I buried my feelings for her. I went on with my life without entertaining any thought of her. But fate was curious about what could’ve happened if I told my feelings to Wednesday and so he had our path cross again. This time I confessed to Wednesday the feelings I’ve had for her since our first encounter. She never accepted it, but she never rejected it either. She said she admired my courage for telling her and that she’s flattered. I never heard from her since then but I continue to love her – at least in my own little way. I feel I have so much love to offer her, which rationally she can’t accept, and I don’t want this love to go to waste so I devised a plan. Every Wednesday after visiting the shrine, I would randomly pick out three street children and feed them. Sometimes I think that Wednesday is God’s instrument, my trigger to start what I’ve always wanted to do and that is to help these less fortunate little children.

Loving Wednesday is both happiness and sadness. Her presence, the thought of her, the pleasure I feel just saying or writing her name bring so much happiness. At the same time, her absence, the thought of her, the fact that she’s not mine and she’ll never be mine bring so much sadness it’s tormenting and I feel hopeless. If I would be selfish I would wish for her to be mine even if she wouldn’t be any closer to happiness. But I’m not. And all I really want is for her happiness. In fact, not having her is not the one thing that will hurt me the most, seeing her miserable is. I may never get the chance to be with her, but one thing that will be engraved in my heart and memory is the day when she finally noticed me. She smiled at me. She talked to me when I talked to her. But that’s just it and that’s enough for me.

Tuesday, Wednesday

One night at the waiting shed, a rare yet extraordinary conversation about love took place between the two days of the week.

“Why do you always stand on the same spot?” asked Tuesday.

“Because this is where she once stood, I watched her from that side while she waited for her ride. I feel closer to her just by standing here,” answered Wednesday.

“It must be hard just watching her.”

“Tormenting. I remember that night I wanted to ask her if we could share a ride since we’re going the same way. But before I could summon the courage she was already gone. I stood there beating myself up for not asking.”

The following week, Tuesday saw Wednesday begging for this particular seat at the park.

“You always fight for that seat it’s not even a good spot to sit on. Kids run around a lot in this area that you can’t concentrate on your reading. What’s so special about that old bench?” Tuesday inquired, intrigued by the story behind the old bench

“She always took this seat everytime she comes here. She loves children and she loves watching them run around in the park even if it means having to put down her favorite book,” Wednesday explained with satisfaction in his eyes as he watched the children chase each other.

“Let me guess, you feel closer to her by sitting there.”

“No. This brings me closer to reality. The seat is empty. She’s gone.”

The pals met up again at the museum. While inside, Tuesday noticed his friend standing on particular spot with his eyes closed as if he was trying to picture something in his mind.

“What are you doing standing there?” Tuesday tapped Wednesday on the back distracting his concentration.

“Why do you ask so many questions?” Wednesday walked away and moved to the next painting, irritated with his friend’s interrogations.

Tuesday walked behind him and said, “Because you’re acting so weir. You seem lost everytime.”

“How about I treat you for lunch maybe that will shut you.”

But the lunch treat didn’t shush Tuesday. “You don’t need to tell me I know the answer,” he said. “It’s where you first saw her.”

“How’d you know?” Wednesday asked in astonishment.

“I was there. It was Tuesday night.” Tuesday finally shushed, but instead of feeling at peace Wednesday felt sorry for his friend. “I admire you, Wednesday. You had the courage to speak. I kept mum.”

“You’re responsible for it. What was suppressed yesterday exploded today. What you failed to say during your day I said during my day. Any regrets?”

“None. If there’s one thing I learned from not telling her it’s that you don’t really need to say anything to convince yourself you’re in love with the person. You?”

“Well, I regret that I didn’t tell her sooner. Maybe, just maybe, if I told her sooner she wouldn’t have married yet. Maybe she would want to get to know me and when she did maybe she would choose me.”

“You really miss her, do you?

“I do. I don’t even need to ask you.”

“Every Tuesday.”

“Every Wednesday. Wednesday is a Beautiful day. I get excited everytime this day comes. It’s the day of the week I always look forward to with hopes of seeing her again.

No buts or maybes

‘You’re so beautiful,’ said he. The girl blushed. ‘But you’ll look more beautiful if you put on some make up.’ On their next date, the girl’s face was covered with foundation, her lips were red. ‘You have beautiful long legs but they’re hidden in those baggy pants. Maybe dresses will suit you better.’ The girl looked uneasily at her washed up Levi’s; she had always loved those pair of jeans.

The “buts and maybes” went on; they became the main subject of their conversation. ‘You have beautiful eyes but they’re hidden in those nerdy specs.’ So, the girl removed her specs. She kept them away in her pocket the whole time they were together. When they parted and she had to cross the street, she felt like she was face-to-face with death because she couldn’t discern the cars that were passing; but she refused to wear the specs since her boyfriend was waiting for her to cross. She crossed the street with little vision of the world around her. CRASH! The next time the girl opened her eyes she was at the hospital with her boyfriend by her side. ‘You reckless, girl,’ the boy teased. ‘But don’t you worry you’re still the most beautiful girlfriend in the world, especially now that you got rid of those hideous glasses of yours.’

‘Who are you? I don’t know you!’ the girl pronounced. She realized what a fool she had been and she had the boy and the accident to thank for. Now she can move on with her life with no more buts or maybes. Thank you, Amnesia!

A view from afar

I was on my way home last night when I realized I didn’t have my cellphone with me, so I had to make a U-turn back to the office. When I got there, I saw this girl in the lobby all by herself; she smiled at me when she saw me and I reflected the gesture. I left my cellphone on my desk, hiding beneath the magazine I was reading before I left the office. I remember now where I saw the girl in the lobby, she works in the fashion department. She was still there when I came down. ‘Are you waiting for someone?’ I asked in curiosity.

‘Yes,’ she said, reticently.

‘Oh, okay. Goodnight.’ I waited in my car.  For a reason I didn’t know, I wanted to see who she was waiting for. You can say curiosity got the best of me. She works in the fashion department and mingles with expensive people. Who knows who she was meeting? It could be a fashion designer or a male model. It was past eight in the evening and the girl was leaving, alone. Poor girl, she got stood up, I thought.

‘Do you need a ride?’ I bellowed.

‘Going this way?’ she asked, pointing to the east.

We introduced ourselves and talked about work. She even invited me to the upcoming fashion event where they will be giving away freebies. ‘I’m sorry he didn’t come,’ I pried.

‘She did.’

‘Oh, I didn’t see anyone back there.’ I sounded so natural but my brain felt like I’d a concussion, my heart pumped so fast, I wanted to find out more.

‘It was the girl in green dress. I wait for her every night in the lobby, she always walks that path. This is all I’m allowed to do, observe from afar. The last girl I confessed to despised me and avoided me. From that day on, I promised not to tell anyone about my feelings, afraid to be rejected. Do you wanna hear a silly story?’

“Shoot!” I said, bracing myself for more shocking discoveries.

‘I was with some friends leisurely strolling at the mall when one of my friends shrieked when she saw this guy she’s been admiring for almost a year now. The other girls started teasing her, then my turn came, I saw the girl I have been admiring for more than a year now but couldn’t react, as usual. What would they say if I told them “Oh, my gosh! That’s my crush!” and they would see a girl? So I kept silent but inside I was screaming. After a few rounds we decided to stay in Starbucks and there she was again, my crush. Something happened that particular time, I didn’t only tell my friends but I actually pointed to them the girl. The girls huddled and whispered “Where? Who?” I couldn’t believe my ears when one of them said, “Gosh, he’s gorgeous!” But I realized she wasn’t referring to the girl instead, she was talking about the guy who was standing next to the girl, ordering. “That’s the guy?” one of them asked. “Yes, that’s him the love of my life,” I answered heavily. The girl left, but I followed her. I told my friends my mom called and I needed to come home. I walked behind her without allowing myself to be caught. I made the most of the rare opportunity to be with her, at least for me it felt like we we’re strolling together. Those were one of the happiest times of my life, however tormenting they were. I stopped when I saw her approached this guy. She kissed him. My heart sunk. My eyes were teary. Time’s up for me.’

When I got home, I was so tired and hungry but I couldn’t get this beautiful young girl’s story off my mind. It made me feel so guilty for laughing at this teenage boy I happened to notice when I went to pick up my daughter in school one afternoon. He stood at one corner and looked around him, when he was sure the coast was clear he hurriedly dove into his knapsack and to my surprise took out a pair of open toe pump. It must be tough for people like him and the girl to be living in this judgmental society where straight people – with crooked brains – always geared up to attack them with insult.

BFF: Dustin and Chloe

Narrator: Chloe is no ordinary girl, in fact, she’s the hottest, most beautiful, most wanted, most watched girl in school, in the neighborhood, at the groceries, at the cafeteria, and all the places she’s in. She’s got everything a girl could wish for: a good-looking boyfriend, a good-looking bestfriend, and a good-looking face. She’s having the time of her life, until one day, an awful, awful, awful tragedy struck her and her bestfriend, Dustin. From that day on, Chloe’s beautiful face and life were changed forever; everything she believed in, everything she felt will never be the same again.

INT. CLASSROOM

Nosy classmate inquires about Chloe’s wasted looks.

Nosy classmate: What happened to Chloe? She looks like shit. Did you two breakup?

Dustin: Uhm, I don’t know she’s not talking to me.

Narrator: This is what happened to Chloe.

Rewinds three weeks back.

Hallway.

Chloe: So, did you ungay my brother already?

Dustin: Your brother is not gay.

Chloe: Really? How come he never touched you? I mean, you’ve been dating for almost a year now, and you’ve known each other for as long as we’ve known each other.

Dustin: Well, what can I say? Your brother is a true gentleman.

Chloe: Or maybe, he’s a true gay.

Dustin: Is this why you pushed me to go out with your brother so that I could ungay him?

Chloe: Yes. But more than that, I realized if you two got married then we wouldn’t just be bestfriends we’d be sisters.

Dustin: Now you’re talking about marriage. Seriously, Chloe (laughs), you need to slow down – no, not slow down, STOP. You need to stop.

Chloe: I can’t.

Dustin: Why not?

Chloe: You know about my dreams, you and I are gonna have this huge fight and we’d be enemies for life, I’d wake up in the middle of the night crying.

Dustin: Okay. How many times you said you’ve had this dream?

Chloe: Five times the other day.

Dustin: Five times and what two, three minutes each time? How many years have we been friends?

Chloe: We’ve been friends since we were children, at the park I asked you if you want to join tea time with my friends.

Dustin: Exactly. Do you really think that your five-time dream will destroy our lifetime friendship?

Chloe: No.

Dustin: Then stop marrying me and your brother./marrying me to your brother.

Chloe: Fine, but promise me that if my dreams came true we’ll look back to this conversation and realize that our lifetime friendship trumps my five-time dream.

Dustin: I promise. Promise me, too, that our lifetime friendship trumps everything that gets in the way.

Chloe: I promise.

EXT. NATE’S PLACE – NIGHT

Nate: Have you figured out how to tell my little sister?

Dustin: Not, yet. I’m not sure if I will ever have the courage to tell her. I’m scared for our friendship…I’m scared for myself.

Nate: Well, if you ever decided to tell her, whatever happens I want you to know that I’m here for you.

Dustin: Thank you, Nate. It means a lot.

INT. DUSTIN’S WORKPLACE – NIGHT

Dustin is writing her story.

INT. DUSTIN’S ROOM – NIGHT

Chloe notices Dustin’s forlorn look.

Chloe: What’s wrong?

Dustin: It’s my book.

Chloe: Look, I don’t know anything about writing except for one thing I know you’re a good writer. You’re good at what you’re doing, D. And I hate to tell you this because I don’t want you getting cocky, but if it helps finish your story then I’ll just have to bear waiting in line to have your autograph.

You remember the last time you called and you thought I was crying, but I told you my eyes hurt from watching mum slice those onions? That wasn’t true, I was crying because I was reading your story that poor little girl walking to school with mismatched shoes. Mismatched slippers I can take that, but sneakers and stiletto? That’s torture. You should believe in yourself more, D.

Narrator: This is why Dustin loved her bestfriend – more than she should.

EXT/INT. EX’S PLACE – DAY/NIGHT

Chloe visits her boyfriend and finds him cheating on her.

INT. CHLOE’S ROOM – NIGHT

Chloe tells Dustin about her boyfriend’s infidelity.

Chloe: I was gonna surprise him but I was the one who got surprised, so I threw the bouquet in his face, but he ducked so it hit the girl instead. I broke up with him.

Dustin: You should break up with him, that asshole.

Chloe: Cross out, loser.

INT. HALLWAY

Suitor attempts to ask Chloe out.

Suitor Hey, D, Chloe.

Chloe: Are you gonna ask me out?

Suitor Ah, yeah.

Chloe: Didn’t you hear?

Suitor: Uhm…

Chloe: I’m not interested.

Boys exits.

Dustin: That was new, saying no to a boy, especially now that you’re not in a relationship.

Chloe: I’m done with boys.

Dustin: Congratulations, you finally learned.

EXT/INT. MELODY LANE – NIGHT

Chloe starts dating again.

Chloe: I cannot wait to meet tonight’s lucky guy. Not so lucky, not my type. Keep your eyes open, D.

Dustin: My eyes are open.

Ex: You’re not answering my calls.

Chloe: I changed my number. That’s my lucky guy.

Chloe walks to the lead singer and introduces herself and Dustin.

Chloe: Hi, I’m Chloe, this my bestfriend, D.

Dustin questions Chloe’s “I’m done with boys” statement.

Dustin: What are you doing, I thought you’re done with boys?

Chloe: You seriously believed when I said that?

Dustin: Yes.

Chloe: Well, I’m not.

Dustin: They’re all the same, Chlo. Why don’t you try someone else…

Chloe: That’s what I’m doing now, I’m dating this new guy.

Dustin: I mean…something else.

Chloe: (laughs) What do you mean?

Dustin: Our own kind…

Chloe: You mean…are you high? Let’s just enjoy the night.

EXT. NATE’S PLACE – NIGHT

Dustin and Nate stargazing.

Dustin: I tried telling her but she’s not hearing me.

Nate: You just have to try again.

Dustin: I will, tomorrow.

Nate: I will, tonight.

Nate kisses Dustin.

Dustin: You’re not gay?

Nate shrugs.

Dustin: But you…I thought you’re pretending to be with me because you’re not ready to come out…If you’re not gay, why would you choose to be with me, you know I’m not like other girls? You’re stuck with me.

Nate: I don’t know; I like being stuck with you.

Dustin: But why?

Nate: Maybe because I like you.

Dustin: Nate.

Nate: You don’t have to say anything. I just thought if I told you how I felt about you you’d change your mind and take a chance on me.

Dustin: You’re sweet, Nate. If only my heart has the right beat it’ll sing for you, but right now it’s still out of tune.

Nate: A tone deaf heart, that’s cute.

EXT. ROAD – DAY

Dustin drives.

Dustin: I need to tell you something, Chlo.

Chloe: Tell me.

Dustin: I love you.

Chloe: Please, tell me you mean the same love that I have for you. Like a love of a sister to a sister. Please, tell me it is the same because I’ve been freaking out since last night at the bar.

Dustin: I’ve been in love with you since we were little. At the park, when you waved at me and asked me if I wanted to play with you.

Chloe: You’re joking.

Dustin stares at Chloe intently.

Chloe: Pullover.

Dustin: Just listen to me, please.

Chloe: I don’t wanna see you ever again.

Chloe gets off the car. Dustin continues to drive.

INT. DUSTIN’S PLACE – NIGHT

Chloe returns to Dustin’s place.

Chloe: I just came back to get my stuff.

Dustin: You may find me weird and crazy, but you should also know that I’m just a girl standing in front of another girl asking her to respect her.

Chloe bangs the door leaving Dustin crashed.

Montage of Dustin and Chloe’s friendship.

Narrator: And this brings us back to.

Rewinds to present.

INT. CLASSROOM

Nosy Classmate: What happened to Chloe? She looks like shit.

Narrator: The before bestfriends are now best enemies.

Dustin and Chloe try to kill each other.

INT. DUSTIN’S WORKPLACE – DAY

Nate convinces Dustin to go see his sister.

Nate: You need to see my sister she’s not looking so well.

Dustin: What do you mean?

Nate: She looks worn out. She’s not eating properly it’s as if she’s lost the will to care for herself she blames herself for what’s happened between you two which is why I’m asking you to please go see her. She needs you more than she’s ever needed you before.

Dustin: She doesn’t want to see me.

Nate: You know that’s not true.

Dustin: Fine, I’ll go see her.

INT. DUSTIN’S ROOM – NIGHT

Dustin receives an emergency call.

EXT. DUSTIN’S PLACE – NIGHT

Dustin runs to rescue Chloe.

EXT. MELODY LANE – NIGHT

Dustin saves Chloe from the fire.

Dustin: What happened to you, Chlo?

Chloe: I’m not pretty anymore, D. I miss my bestfriend.

Dustin: Oh Chlo, I miss you too. I’m sorry. This is all my fault, I’m so sorry.

INT. GYM – DAY

Dustin attends Chloe’s cheerleading.

Dustin (V.O.): We’re bestfriends again. I guess we never really became enemies we just didn’t know how to face the situation and the only way to understand it was to be in all these mess, apart. I’m just glad we’re back together, but what Chloe didn’t know is the one thing that made me fall for her is not her face, it’s her soul. Nope, I won’t tell her. I decided to keep it to myself I don’t want her changing her attitude like she changed her image.

CREDITS AND GAG REEL.

The Deal

Daisy and Haley have been a couple for almost three years now, and for the past years they've grown in their controversial relationship and gotten over petty issues such as who should pay the restaurant bill or who should remove the garbage. But just like any relationship between a man and a woman, they've come to a point where they ask themselves these haunting questions: Will this work? How long will it last? Should I let her go or should I fight for her? These uncertainties tormented Haley when Rob jumped into their delicate relationship. Rob played Daisy's leading man in a play where she was selected after a tight audition. It's not the first time Daisy was paired up with the opposite sex; she had played with several of them in the past only Rob was more than just a leading man, at least that's what he considered himself to be, but not for Daisy. Everyone in the cast knew about her relationship with Haley since she would bring her in rehearsals sometimes. Rob respected Daisy’s relationship with the same sex, but that was until she mentioned to him how she and Haley met. He found out that Haley was the stimulus and Daisy, as he understood it, was just the “Dora the explorer”. He bounced back as a hopeful suitor and considered the scenario as a challenge telling himself, “there’s no way I would lose to a girl”.

He continued to work his way into Daisy's attention pretending to struggle in some part of the play just to coax her into rehearsing with him off stage. Daisy, thinking she made her status clear, didn't consider helping him to be harmful. Rehearsals were extended to Rob’s place where Haley would join them sometimes, although Rob wished she wouldn't. Other times at Haley’s place where Rob wished she wasn’t home because whenever there’s Haley, Rob would lose Daisy. He even thought Daisy was under a black spell because he couldn’t convince himself that a girl like her, who’s so beautiful and so tall, would be head over heels in love with a girl not so beautiful and quite short. If Daisy was under some spell, Rob knew exactly how to undo it and he had his character to be thankful for. The rehearsal kiss was what he needed to straighten Daisy’s heart; the kiss became a reminder to what the latter has been missing. The play was a success and so was Rob’s attempt to come between Daisy and Haley’s relationship. Rob and Daisy would go out together without a protest from Haley and it’s all because of “the deal”.

The almost forgotten deal was brought up when Haley got into an accident and she tried to hide her broken arm by staying at her bestfriend’s place. Allen, who’s a filmmaker like her, covered up for her telling Daisy he’s invited Haley to stay at his place for the next few weeks so they could finish the project they’ve both been working on for the last couple of months. Daisy has always been very supportive of Haley that she didn’t question the invite and the latter being away for a while; she knew how important the project was to her girlfriend. It wasn’t long when she found out about the accident while she was going through the answering machine and heard Haley's colleague wishing her well; she scuttled to Allen’s place and there she saw Haley with a broken arm and bruised forehead.

'Why?' inquired Daisy as she tried to compose herself.  Tension filled the car and there seemed to be no way out of it.

'I didn’t want to worry you.'

‘Why?’ Daisy iterated. She knew there was a deeper reason for Haley’s lies and it has something to do with her spending time with Rob, but she wanted to hear it from her.

Haley took her time to answer this time. She pondered whether it was time to bring up “the deal” or invent another story where no one would get hurt. 'I saw you with him when you told me you were with Ashley,’ she said. ‘I wasn't following you I just happened to pass that road and saw you with him. I realized that if I called you you’d find me there and think I was monitoring you and I didn’t want you to think that, so I called Allen instead.’

‘What do you mean find you there? Oh my, you were there? You were in the cab that got hit by a van!’ Daisy became frantic as soon as she realized Haley was involved in the accident she witnessed and all she did is glanced and sighed, “What a reckless driver”, and strolled out of the scene with Rob.

‘Please don’t cry. I feel terrible for not telling you. I’m so sorry.’

‘Is this because of Rob?’

‘It’s because of the deal, Days!  You know about it. You’re straight the only reason you agreed to date me was because I made a deal with you that if one day you realized that you didn't want to be with a girl, that you still prefer boys, I will have to let you go. I made a promise and I'm keeping it.'

‘You mean all this time that we're together you were thinking about your stupid promise!’

'No, I wasn't. I actually believed that you loved me until Rob.'

'Rob, yeah, he’s a fine man.’

'I’m not going to argue with you.

‘I thought you were fine with me having male friends. I would’ve avoided him if you just told me.’

‘But I wouldn't because a deal is a deal.' Haley got off the car leaving Daisy feeling cold and betrayed.

Haley found her cringing on the sofa the next morning; she immediately produced a blanket and wrapped it around her. It was already late in the afternoon, but there were only little movements from Daisy even after Haley has spoken to her. When she finally opened her eyes it was only to stare in space. Haley was beginning to worry. She talked to Daisy, shook her body, but there was no response. She rang Daisy’s mum and put the phone in the daughter's ear, hoping to get a response from her, but Daisy remained still and silent. Haley found out that Daisy suffered from emotional trauma after sending for the doctor. She did not speak for the next three weeks and she remained on the sofa (after strongly refusing to be moved, violently pushing everyone that touched her) the whole duration. Her family and friends came to see her everyday. They would surround her and tell her the happenings in their lives. It even came to a point where making her speak became a contest for everyone.  On the fourth week, she began to utter few words but she would only speak to her younger brother, Simon, who was quite close with Haley; so, the latter would then speak to Daisy through him.

Haley never left Daisy's side. At night, when everyone has left and it was only the two of them in the house, she would sit on the floor and talk to Daisy about anything she thought would trigger a response. But that night she didn’t talk to her for the purpose of getting a response, she just extremely missed her girlfriend that she began to reminisce about the past. 'I was so stressed out that day, I had three jobs but they weren't enough to pay for my school fees. So, I went to the theatre to see this girl I really admired. I thought that maybe if I saw her I'd feel better but I didn’t, I still felt hopeless about my situation. And then you came out on the stage and – you were so beautiful and perky you lightened up the room, you lightened up my day. I came out of that room problem-free. It was the first time I’ve seen you and it wasn’t the last because everytime I'd go to your rehearsals to see you. You were adorable. I watched you during and after rehearsals. I watched you walk down the hall. I watched you greet your friends. You became my favorite subject to study. I did that for a month but I realized I was becoming weird and creepy, so I decided that I would introduce myself. On that particular day, I followed you wherever you went but I didn't know if you were so busy to notice that I was everywhere or I was just too insignificant to be noticed.

'It was in the library when you finally spotted me; you reached the book for me, which was really embarrassing, and told me, “Wow, we have exactly the same routine today. You're everywhere.” I couldn’t describe how I felt, I had the biggest smile on my face. And here’s one secret I vowed not to tell, but since you’re not hearing any of these it’d be harmless to tell you. I wet my pants a little when you handed me the book and your hand touched mine.' Haley was hysterical and then she started crying. 'I've worked so hard to get you, Days: convincing you, convincing your family, convincing myself I was worthy. I'm not going to lose you just like that.’ She leaned her head on Daisy’s and said, 'Please, forgive me.'

Let’s get our noodle working (I thought it would be fun to hear from you). Daisy, in this part, would be able to speak again. Now, if you were Daisy what would you tell Haley?

Unwanted Pregnancy

If there’s one word Lui hated the most it’s PREGNANCY.

Raised in a town packed with women with baby bumps she had witnessed how and what it’s like to be pregnant. In her early age of nine she already was aware of the hardships and sacrifices women were bound to face and make if they were to bear a child. She saw how her aunt threw up now and then and it made her nauseous just hearing its sound. How her cousin wept when her boyfriend gave up his search for something she demanded – usually found once in a blue moon. How her cousin’s bestfriend looked like a zombie after waking up at least five times in the middle of the night to attend to the baby’s needs. How husbands and wives in her neighborhood wrangled over who would look after the blubbering child. And how the mothers she knew lost time for themselves because they had given it all to raising their children. And later on when the children grew up, they would easily forget about how their parents, especially their mother sacrificed their own happiness and freedom just to give it to them. These were some of the many reasons why Lui abhorred the word. While mothers considered having a child as the sweetest blessing from heaven that completes life, Lui saw it the opposite way. For her having a child doesn’t complete life, but rather ends it; it ends everything in a woman’s life; it ends life itself. This is why she did everything in her power to avoid this curse.

She dated guys she’s not sexually attracted to. She made out with girls whenever her body asked for it. Everything worked out according to her plan and she was happy with the way she’s living her life. Lui had three goals in life: to graduate from high school, to attend the university, and to have a career; these goals were nearly shattered when she made the stupidest mistake of letting her bestfriend convince her to attend a party the latter had hosted.

The morning after the party, she woke up in her bestfriend’s bed with a naked boy beside her. Crying was her immediate response; she had done it and she could only plead for her doctor to declare ‘false alarm’ when she went for a checkup after weeks of not having menstruation and vomiting a couple of times. YOU’RE PREGNANT were the only words from her doctor that registered in her brain/echoed in her ears as if these were the only words that’s left in her world. The only thing she avoided had struck her straight to the heart. She blamed her bestfriend for not protecting her, but the person she blamed the most was herself; she got pregnant and she hadn’t even enjoyed the process because she was too inebriated to remember.

Eureka! Just as everything in Lui’s world was crumbling, she came up with a brilliant idea, a sweet escape as she would call it. Megan, her bestfriend, was going to be left alone as her parents headed for a business trip abroad; she invited Lui to stay with her for a period of nearly four months. Lui didn’t want to leave her old mother by herself, but it was the only way she could get away with the responsibilities that’s four months away from being shoved down her throat (Lui’s petite stature had helped her in hiding her bump). She returned home after giving birth to her daughter, who she named after her bestfriend and savior. ‘It’s Megan’s,’ she told her mother, who was stupefied to see her daughter come home with this innocent little creature in her arms. It was all she needed to say and she’s saved. Megan’s parents had decided to move abroad for good and she was to continue her studies there. Lui’s proposal was for Megan to play as the mother of the child so that she could come home and go back to school after having to drop out because her bump was too huge for the alibi “I ate too much”, without any trouble. In return, Lui would name her baby after her bestfriend. It was a proposal Megan couldn’t resist after everything Lui had done for her, besides she wouldn’t have to take care of little Megan she would only have to play the role of a mother who left her child to her bestfriend because she couldn’t do it. It was a win-win solution for Lui: she got her life back and as far as she’s concerned she’s not a sinner because she bore her child and her baby got to live with her real mother rather than being aborted or given away.

Lui got away with her nightmare and made it to college. She got a time off from looking after the baby when she needed it, which was impossible for single mothers to get; her mother would do the job, she knew her daughter was against having a child and she admired her for shouldering the responsibilities her bestfriend turned her back on. With the truth hidden, Lui could afford to slack off. Little Megan grew up to be a beautiful and smart girl; she was looking like her Aunt Lui each day, which didn’t invite any questions because they’re together all the time resulting to a big resemblance between the two. They had a balanced and equal relationship. When Megan wanted something from Lui, which the latter couldn’t give, she would only have to be told to stop or behave herself once and she would. Megan always followed what Lui said and it’s because she had known from the beginning that she wasn’t her real daughter and so she didn’t have the right to behave the way real daughters would normally behave around their real mother.

Lui thought she was handling everything pretty well, but what she didn’t realize and failed to notice was the missing part in Megan’s life that only she could fill. Now working as a writer, Lui worked on the most compelling story she’d ever stumbled upon:

…even though she left me behind, I will always be grateful to her for giving me a life. I long to be with her. I love you, Mommy whoever and wherever you are.

The letter landed on her desk and it had been sitting there for more than a month. She knew she had to respond to it sooner or later or her credibility as a writer would be in jeopardy, especially when there’s more than fifteen people vying for her position. But what bothered her more was not the risk of getting fired but the words grateful, I long to be with her, and I love you, Mommy. And for the first time since she found out she was in trouble, when Megan became the product of a drunk egg and a John Doe sperm, Lui felt a pang somewhere in her heart something that only mothers felt. And this was because she didn’t mind coming home late listening inattentively on her mother’s account of how Megan fell and bruised her knees. Nor did she take a moment to appreciate Megan’s effort of running to her and taking her heavy bag and then fetching her slippers for her. But Lui wasn’t ready to tell Megan and her mother the truth; in fact, she wasn’t sure if telling them was the right thing to do or if it would make things better and easier for all of them.

‘What’s wrong with you? You look defeated,’ asked Grams distracted by Megan’s forlorn airs.

‘My letter still hasn’t been answered,’ sighed Megan.

‘What letter?’

‘The one I sent to Aunt Lui's office.’

‘It’s a busy place. They’ve got a lot of letters to read, you’re not the only letter sender.’

‘But it’s been more than a month, Grams. Sure there’s lots of letter senders but there’s also lots of them working there – Aunt Lui told me – and it doesn’t take days to read a three page letter.’

‘Well, then maybe your letter got lost why won’t you write another one and just hand it to your Aunt Lui.’

‘No, Grams it didn’t get lost. Aunt Lui said she saw her colleague crying, and when she looked to check she saw the lady clinging to my letter. Aunt Lui could’ve just answered my letter but she wouldn’t because the answer would be based on a relative’s point of view and I want someone else’s opinion on this.’

‘Oh, dear! You made someone cry. What exactly did you put in your letter, young lady?’

‘Nothing.’

Megan waited for the next few weeks and for the next few weeks she retired with unanswered letter. I will have my answers one day, she comforted herself. Lui, in the neighboring room, had also been ruminating for the past weeks. Only she could end the agony in both rooms, as well as in the room of her mother, who prayed every night for the happiness of her daughter and granddaughter. It’s been years since Megan wrote her unanswered letter; she was now in her teens. And on her sixteenth birthday she received her most wanted gift: the answer to her letter. Six years after she wrote it she finally got her answer and it was even better. Her letter was published in the newspaper and below it was the answer she’d been wondering about for the past years. Everyone knows that the newspaper is one of the most powerful means of communication. It tells the world’s most exciting story and now her story was being read by the people – may they be teenagers or grownups - across the country. Megan hoped to inspire people with her story where one part read: You can’t please everyone. I couldn’t please my own mother that she left me. But there will always be other people willing to accept you for who or what you are.

Megan framed the article that read her story and hung it on her wall. And every night before she went to bed she would read it and every night this part of the letter would put a smile on her face:

You wanted to know what your mother looked like or what she’s like, but the truth is you already knew the answer to your curiosities because you’ve been living with her your entire life. A mother doesn’t mean the person who carried you for nine months or less in her womb and then leaves you all alone in this harsh world, but rather a mother is the person who wakes up in the middle of the night to change your diaper, the person who watches you grow up, and the person who sticks with you no matter what the world brings.

‘I love you, Mommy Lui. Thank you.’ That night Megan lay next to Lui, who fell asleep while mending her daughter’s torn skirt. She might’ve not told Megan the truth but in her own little way and through the motherly instinct she’d come to acknowledge, Lui was giving her best to fill the position she once hated as a teenager. Her answer to Megan’s letter was one of her little ways.

A Little Personal

I couldn’t locate my story for the month of May, but I’m pretty sure I’ve already written the outline and typed some part of it. I’ve searched my email where I keep my stories for backup, but it wasn’t there; so, now I’m milking my brain to write another story to fill this month. I’ve several unfinished stories and several drafts saved in my laptop and I’ve tried reading them but none of them seems to fit my mood, which is very important that they do because if they don’t fit my mood then I won’t be able to give them a good ending or write them the way I want them to be written. I thought of writing a new story but nothing’s coming to my mind; writer’s block, maybe. It’s almost the end of the month and I need to post my story. Then, I remembered that I plan to read Chocolate for a Teen’s Dreams by Kay Allenbaugh; so, I took it from the shelf and read one story last night and another one today. What I read last night didn’t leave an impression, but today’s story certainly did, which is one of the two reasons I’m writing right now, the other reason is that I can’t let this month go by without posting my story. I read Of Horses and Dreams by Catherine Madera; it’s simple but it has a soul. Stories don’t really need to be long and complicated, I realized; they need to have soul because that’s what touches the readers. And, something personal (something close to the writer’s experience) is always considered interesting and it captures the readers’ attention and it makes the writer vulnerable, which is why I’ve decided to write something a little personal. Although, one (and some events) of the stories posted in this site really happened in the writer’s life. Here’s another one.

Franco

Franco was my high school suitor. I never really knew what he saw in me that made him fall in love; all I know was that he was the first boy who shed tears over me. It all began one night; I was doing something in the computer when my cousin’s cellphone, which she shared with me and my sister, beeped. It was a message from Franco saying: Can I court you? Since it was the first time that I’ve received such message I didn’t know how to respond to it, so I replied to the message saying: Are you making fun of me? Later on, I realized I wasn’t being made fun of that he was actually serious about pursuing me.

I have this belief that boys shouldn’t be asking girls if they could court them because once the girls said yes, it’s as obvious as saying they like them too and there’s no need for courtship to take place; the challenge is lost. Asking a girl out is risky since the answer is always either Yes or No; boys should take that risk if they’re serious about the girl they want to pursue. So when Franco sent me that message – which is another NO, NO for me because he should be doing it face-to-face and not through technology – I wasn’t impressed at all. Another belief of mine was that courtship should last at least a year in order for the boy to prove his sincerity; although, I’ve long crossed this out from my list of beliefs. In addition to my beliefs, I vowed to finish school before I enter any relationship other than friendship. And, in case I didn’t make it clear, Franco was dumped before he even started. But, he was persistent or should I say in love because he pursued me despite the mentioned obstacles and it lasted for more than a couple of years; he confessed when we were sophomore and continued till early senior. The first time I went out on a real date with him (this was my first date ever) didn’t go well and there was no follow up to it. Most of the courtship took place at school since we were there our entire life. We were paired up in a number for the prom and we danced after that. We became good friends and we’re comfortable with each other. Our friends, even our teachers, were all rooting for us. Franco was a good boy, in fact, I had feelings for him; but I wasn’t ready. I remembered hearing him cry at the back of the classroom as he said to my friend, ‘It’s been a year.’ It makes me laugh whenever I think about it; my silly beliefs were to be blamed. I was also young and didn’t know how to handle love.

During the senior year, he found another love interest, my close friend Abbey; she had had feelings for him even when his world still revolved around me. My Franco, then, realized there was another girl that could exist in his world other than me, and that was Abbey. When I found out she liked him, the Ursula in me awoke; I would play with Franco, literally. I would ride on his back, making him weak again with my embraces. Abbey, who was so into Franco, confronted me and made me realize my mistake and selfishness. I exited the scene and let my close friend Abbey, who wanted nothing else but to be loved by the good boy Franco, who I knew loved me the best he could, be happy and experience the magic of love. They didn’t last long.

After high school, I lost contact with my friends and Franco. Once during college on my way home, we got on the same bus; he saw me and, looking so excited, asked if he could sit with me. I said yes. We talked and found out we were both in a relationship. He had a girlfriend, I had a girlfriend, too; but the spark between us was still there. It’s been years since I received that shocking message; Franco’s married now to our high school friend – not to Abbey; and he’s got a son or daughter, I’m not sure. He’s got a child; while I’m single, still waiting for that someone who would break all my silly beliefs and make me believe in love alone. Maybe Franco was the one, I feel it whenever I think about him and how he loved me; but I took it for granted and now it’s too late. I’ve had my ups and downs in a relationship; it must’ve been really difficult for Franco during his time with me. I feel grateful for the love he’d laid for me. But I’ve no regrets because I know and I believe that someone’s out there created just for me, and if he comes, I’ll be ready.

NOTE: This is one of my treasured stories. I hope you enjoy and learn from it. – Muse

Behind You

Rose had always been a churchgoer never allowing herself to miss a Mass, making sure her Sundays were dedicated only to Him and to her family. She had her routine: buy a white rose from the old lady who sold flowers just at the gate of the church for the benefit of an organization, take the rose to Mother Mary found on one corner of the church, and after the ceremony light a candle with her family; she did these everytime she’s at St. Martin’s. But she’s not a perfect participant, only active. Like others who didn’t fully comply to the must and must not of the church: not taking part in the Holy Communion like her sister who refused to have her lips unintentionally and unconsciously touched by the lay minister as he put the Bread to the recipient’s mouth, refusing to turn off their cellphones during the ceremony, talking and not kneeling down during the Consecration;  Rose, too, had one thing she didn’t do and that was to give sign of peace to those sitting behind her. She used to do it until the last person she did it to made a shocking response it was so appalling she wanted to burst into tears. She wanted to walk out and not finish the ceremony but she chose to stay. She asked herself why a person, inside the sacred temple, would do such insolent act. Couldn’t he leave his impurities outside for an hour and be pure for once in his life? Since that haunting incident, Rose never looked behind her again afraid the incident would repeat itself. If it happened again she might lose the enthusiasm to come back to church. The following Sundays, she would only greet the people beside her (people who were members of her family and friends). And she would wait for the people, not members of her family and friends, to greet her first before she greeted them to avoid any unpleasant response. But this untimely vow to not to look behind her had cost Rose the chance to be with the man she had been praying and wishing for. And whether it was bad luck or wrong time, she could only try to swallow the fact that the man she’d been waiting to come along had passed and she missed it.

Rose’s job was a wedding planner and her client was a beautiful woman who would soon be married to a handsome man called Jack, the man who along the wedding process would capture her heart. Some days Rose would meet with the couple, but some days it would only be with one of them and the more she got to spend time alone with the groom the deeper she fell for him.

‘You’re a regular at St. Martin’s,’ he said.

‘Is that a question?’ she asked, unsure of his statement. He smiled. ‘Yes, I am. How do you know? Do you go there too?’ she asked with deep curiosity.

‘I do, as a matter-of-fact I see you every Sunday.’

Rose’s heart shrunk; she wanted to beat herself for not noticing him and beat him for not approaching her. Then, she realized maybe because she wasn’t interesting at all for him.

‘Really? Funny because I never saw you,’ she said, trying to comfort herself but it didn’t work.

‘Well, you never turned around.’

‘You were calling me?’

‘No, no.’ Jack laughed. His eyes showed adoration for the wedding planner but the latter wouldn’t notice it because her knack for observation had been blocked by her knowledge that he was to marry another girl soon. ‘I wasn’t calling you. I meant you never looked behind you to give peace during the Mass. I always got the seat behind you, I don’t know, coincidence maybe. So, do I get a discount for going to the same church and for recognizing you?’

If you marry me now you don’t need the discount I’ll plan our own wedding. ‘If you and your bride won’t give me a hard time, maybe.’

‘We won’t I promise, especially, Laura she wants this wedding done perfectly and she’ll do everything you ask her to.’

Would she leave you if I ask her to?

‘I think I better go you look like there’s a lot of things going in your mind and I don’t want to bother you. I’ve done what I came here for and I’m going.’

‘Tell Laura I said hi. Oh and, I won’t be here tomorrow it’s my birthday I’m having a day off. You two could come if you want to, but there would be NO inquiries about the wedding. That’s how I like my days off no business talk.’

‘Got it. I’ll tell Laura.’

Rose was surprised to see Jack arrive alone at her birthday party, but she was glad because she could talk to him without feeling awkward in front of Laura. ‘She couldn’t make it but she wanted you to have this. Happy birthday.’

All her guests had gone home but Rose managed to have Jack stay; it was the birthday gift she wanted and she got it with a bonus.

‘If I do this will you still marry her?’ She leaned forward and kissed him. ‘Oops, forgive me Father I have sinned.’

‘I think you had too much wine for tonight,’ said Jack.

‘But it’s my birthday I can drink as much as I want to.’

‘Of course.’ Rose moved closer and positioned her lips in front of his while he prepared to receive the kiss, but Rose moved back laughing.

‘I’m sorry, I’m not really drunk I’m just pretending to be.’ Jack sighed in disbelief but when he found it funny he started laughing with her.

‘How did you two meet?’ she inquired in a serious tone.

Jack smiled. ‘I’ll tell you if you promise not to tell Laura.’

‘What do you mean? Didn’t she already know how you met?’

‘Promise me first.’

‘Fine. I promise.’

‘Laura wasn’t the one I wanted to pursue there was another girl, but this girl she wouldn’t look behind her.’

‘I don’t get it.’

‘I saw her at the church one Sunday and I just fell for her even though I didn’t know who she was or what she did. I didn’t even know her name.’

‘Why didn’t you pursue her?’

‘I asked for a sign and I kept waiting but I didn’t get it until I saw Laura. She did the sign I asked for and I thought maybe she was the one. I asked her out and we just clicked and now we’re engaged.’ Rose’s moment with Jack was ended by a ring of his cellphone; it was Laura asking his whereabouts.

‘Thank you for coming and for sharing your story with me.’ Just when she was about to get inside he posted one last question that would haunt Rose for the rest of her life.

‘Why wouldn’t you look behind you? I waited for the sign and that’s for you to look behind, but you never looked. Why?’

Rose had her reason but instead of telling him about the pervert old man she encountered in the church she told him, ‘I guess it’s not meant to be’. She refused to think that she had lost her once in a lifetime chance to be with Jack because of one unpleasant “peace be with you” moment with the wrong person.

‘I guess so,’ said Jack, and then he left. Rose was left in tears blaming everything on the old man. She didn’t see Jack again after that night; she handed the client’s wedding plan to her partner but gave Jack the discount he’d been joshing about. She went to a different church to pray that she would forget about him and to train herself to look behind her again in giving the sign of peace, tilting her head to a certain degree each Sunday. And after she had convinced herself that she’d forgotten about Jack, she went back to her Sunday routine at St. Martin’s. She met him again, which didn’t surprise her, he was a regular there too. What surprised her was to see him alone without his wife. It was Jack who saw her, he intentionally nudged her and whispered, ‘Don’t forget to look behind you.’

‘I’ve been practicing,’ she said sheepishly.

The priest had given the sign. It was fairly cold but little dots of water formed on Rose’s forehead. She looked to her left, then to her right, to the persons in front of her, and lastly behind her. There stood on the most exact angle where Rose’s head tilted a handsome man flashing his white teeth to her. From his position he looked as if he’d been waiting for Rose to look behind her, not even minding to look and give the sign to those people sitting next to him. She was surprised when he took a white rose out of his black suit and handed it to her saying, ‘For looking behind you.’

‘You two have met,’ said Jack, exiting from the opposite side of the church.

‘You boys know each other?’ asked Rose.

‘Toby’s my bestfriend,’ answered Jack.

‘We met at the church. We were altar boys. I’ll get the car, you two wait here,’ said Toby. As soon as he was away, Rose inquired about the suspicious conspiracy between the men. ‘You planned this,’ she asked.

‘You’re not the only one who knows how to plan things. Toby’s a great guy and a lucky one, too. You answered his sign. You looked at him.’

‘I guess it’s meant to be.’

‘I guess so.’

The crowd was becoming thin. Thousands of people were purified and ready to commit the same mistakes again. But the church looked holier than ever.

‘How’s Laura?’ asked Rose after appreciating the sacred architecture.

‘She’s at the hospital, in labor. I came here to pray for the safe delivery of my son.’

Rose would’ve felt dismayed hadn’t she met the boy with a flashing smile. And she realized how nice the couple was to her and she couldn’t be any happier for them. ‘That’s wonderful news. Congratulations!’

‘Thank you. You should come at the Christening no dates yet, but you should. Laura would be thrilled to see you. She was disappointed when she found out you’re not planning the wedding anymore.’

‘Sorry about that.’

‘Understood.’ Toby came back with the car and the three drove off.

We often ask for a sign but often we fail to provide it to those who are asking for it. - Rose

Love at Last Sight

You can call it love at last sight because Freddie lost his sight the day he found love. He was on his way to work when he saw this girl hailing a cab; he stood across the street to observe her. He counted in his mind and decided to approach her when he reached ten, but an empty cab slowed down in front of the girl before he could reach number. Freddie was startled when he saw the girl get into the cab. He dropped his coffee unintentionally and his body followed his feet across the street to stop the girl. What happened that morning would impact his life immensely. Freddie was hit by a car while pursuing what he was sure of the girl of his dreams. Everyone and everything on that street stopped when they saw the accident except for the girl who was already gone. Freddie lay unconscious in the street surrounded by spectators. The next time he would open his eyes he had lost his sight and the only vision that remained clear to him was the picture of the girl hailing a cab.

A year after the accident, Freddie had mastered life without actually seeing it; he also had mastered drawing the picture of the last girl he saw before he lost his sight. But the past year had not been easy for Freddie and his bestfriend. Sonny was a childhood friend who, as they grew up, had a lot of troubles with girls and Freddie was always the one to fix them. So, when he found out that Freddie had lost his eyesight he devoted his time in taking care of his bestfriend. Freddie’s accident was a blessing in disguise for Sonny; it was through him that the latter would meet his fiancée Lisa, the only girl who made the playboy Sonny commit in a relationship. Freddie only met her after Sonny’s proposal, which was very unusual of the latter who always made sure his bestfriend knew he was dating. Sonny trusted his bestfriend more than anyone in the world, but despite this and the fact that Freddie couldn’t see he was reluctant to leave Lisa alone with him. He was afraid his fiancée would fall for his bestfriend’s perfect character. He would later have to travel alone to meet with her family and this would give Freddie and Lisa a time to get to know each other well. Sonny was right that he could trust his bestfriend, but he was also right about the possibility that his fiancée would fall for his bestfriend. The two got along really well and the whole time they were together Freddie never thought of the girl hailing a cab he only thought of the girl he was with at the moment and how he wished he could see her.

Sonny was back with Lisa’s family. The wedding was in a week and the couple had been busy preparing, and so was Freddie – to leave. He moved in to Sonny’s place after the accident, the latter’s idea since he spent more time there than in his own house it was easier to move around the house because he was familiar with it. But since Sonny was getting married, Freddie thought it was just right to vacate the house and go back to his own. Lisa heard a bang in Freddie’s room and went in to check on him. She rushed when she saw him fumbling on the floor. Freddie was embarrassed but he felt good being so close to her. He was packing some of his belongings very carefully to avoid disturbing the couple but his effort was in vain when he dropped his things. He tried to explain to her that he was fumbling for his things, that he didn’t fall; but the girl was already busy looking around his room for the first time. She was particularly attracted to the wall where all of Freddie’s paintings were posted. “This is amazing. I never believed it when people say blinds see with their hands until now. These paintings, they look like I’ve been photographed by you. I mean, you must’ve seen me before for you to come up with these portraits.” Freddie held his door open and gestured for the girl to leave his room. He told her it’s late and he wanted to retire. Lisa realized it was late but somehow she wanted to stay when she saw his eyes. Freddie’s eyes, although he couldn’t see, always reflected joy that’s why Lisa couldn’t resist from looking at them, but that night his eyes were full of sorrow, defeat, and anger.

She left his room but stayed outside, she was concerned. It wasn’t long when she heard him scream. She reached for the doorknob but it was already locked. The scream grew louder; there were slamming in the room and it alarmed her. Sonny came rushing when he heard the noise along with the voice of his fiancée screaming Freddie’s name. He inquired immediately but the frightened girl had no answer. Sonny left and came back with the key to Freddie’s room; as soon as the door opened he went inside and shut the door again leaving Lisa outside. Sonny already had a feeling of what provoked his bestfriend to such wild behavior. “How could you do this to me?!” asked Freddie, his voice was shaking from anger. Sonny tried to calm him pushing the shattered furniture with his feet as he approached the exhausted bloke. But the blind lad had so much hatred for him that he couldn’t be appeased so easily; he grabbed Sonny in the shoulders and pinned him to the ground. Sonny did not fight back for two reasons: first, it was unfair to fight a man who couldn’t see; and second, he knew he was wrong and he deserved everything Freddie intended to do with him.

Before he lost his sight, Freddie was able to take a photograph of the girl hailing for a cab – that girl was Lisa. He gave the photograph to his bestfriend hoping he’d help him find her. Sonny found the girl, but he also fell in love with her. The day he decided to date her was the day Sonny stopped looking into his bestfriend’s eyes. He took care of Freddie and gave everything he needed; he became the blind man’s eyes. None of those could make up for his betrayal, but Sonny loved Lisa and he knew he was the one who had the capability to take care of her. There was silence in the room and Freddie was calmed by this silence. He knew that his bestfriend, having the upper hand, would never fight him. Don’t tell her was all he could say before he let go of Sonny. 

Lisa never found out the reason behind the chaos that night. The following morning, Freddie told her it wasn’t his hands that helped him draw those portraits of her but Sonny’s flawless description of her. He told her his bestfriend was a good man and that the latter loved her so much, therefore she must take care of him. Lisa told him how much she loved Sonny, too. This was their last conversation. Freddie left one day and never returned because like his bestfriend he knew he wouldn’t be able to take care of the girl with his condition. But what he didn’t know was Sonny was able to follow him and he had been watching everything he did, always making sure he was in good condition. This he did, not out of guilt, but out of love and care for his bestfriend.

Five years after he left, Freddie realized he was ready to reconcile with his bestfriend. Sonny was surprised to see him and find he regained his sight – he pretended, of course, he knew about it he was the one who found him a donor. Sonny was glad and thankful to have his bestfriend back. He introduced him to his daughter and son, and later that day to his wife who had just arrived. Freddie was surprised to see a different girl, but he held himself from asking because he didn’t want to ruin his reunion with his bestfriend. That night before he retired to his room, Freddie got the answer to his unspoken question. In the eve of the wedding, Sonny told everything to Lisa and that gave the girl the courage to confess to her groom her hidden feelings for the blind man. Both agreed to call off the wedding, but stayed as good friends. Sonny told him about Lisa choosing to stay in the same building where he was staying for her to look after him. Freddie realized Lisa was the nice lady who had been helping him those days. She changed everything: from her brand of perfume to her manner of speaking, to avoid being recognized by him. Lisa knew Freddie wouldn’t allow it for them to be together; he wouldn’t want to be a burden to her, so she decided to transform herself instead to take care of him.

Freddie and Lisa got married with Sonny as the best man. Freddie never found out what Sonny had done for him, he didn’t have to tell Freddie he knew his bestfriend had always considered him a good man because if he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have stood up for him – even when he was wrong – when his ex-girlfriends came attacking him.         

Sassy Kloss

I haven’t had the time to tune in to Fashion TV the past days due to the loads of paperwork I need to finish, so I felt happy when I turned on the TV this evening and saw Karlie Kloss at the Lanvin 10^th anniversary party where she wore this cute black Lanvin dress and a pair of boots. It looked gorgeous on her because she’s got the perfect height. I LOVE her. She’s my favorite and she’s the reason I always tune in to the channel I just turn on the TV and wait for her to appear. I’ve seen Fashion TV before but I never really tuned in because I never really understood the type of clothing they model – haute couture, who wears them? December of last year, I happened to see First Face countdown and got interested in the models. It was already showing rank #8 model Daria Strokus, I missed Karlie Kloss who was ranked #9 at that time. I wanted to see all top 10 models, so the following day or days I switched to FTV channel and there she was the model who would later on become my favorite, Karlie Kloss. I loved her the moment I saw her, she’s sassy and cool and a classic beauty. I fell in love with her personality right away and I knew right then that I would follow every fashion show she’s in. Another reason I adore her is her height. She’s super tall and it just looks great. I adore her.

Daniel’s Alphabet

The boy wandered, his hand on his chest. Daniel was a senior and a few months from joining college. Grades? Check. Good Looks? Double check. Fraternity? Almost. He needed to pass the initiation process and that was to complete the alphabet, Alpha Zeta style: each letter representing the first name of the girls from high school; he must go out with them before he got accepted. The test was simple, especially for a guy who had everything a girl wished for: charm, stability, and romance; but Daniel, more than anyone else had known pain his entire life and didn’t think he had the heart to hurt an innocent girl, let alone twenty six girls. Keen to be a part of the brotherhood, he was left with no choice; he figured and promised to make up for the pain he would aversely inflict upon those girls. Everything went smoothly according to his plan. He went out with girls A to J without troubling himself from parting with them – he always told them their heart would heal in time. Girls K to V were the practical ones, they heard about Daniel’s previous girl collections – although, no one knew about the initiation – yet they didn’t mind. They were honored to be seen with him rather than mourn for the brief relationship.  But what Daniel didn’t realize was no matter how cool these girls appeared to be after he told them it’s over, these girls when they’re alone in their room, wept like it’s the end of their romantic life. They cried for losing the chance to love and be loved.

Four more letters and the alphabet’s complete. Willow was a transfer student and she’s just what Daniel was looking for – Miss W. They dated longer than the previous letters. Daniel was confident he would complete the alphabet before graduation, so he procrastinated his mission, he wanted to spend more time with his current letter: the most real among the letters. Willow, on the other hand, had received warnings from Daniel’s victims the moment she stepped into the campus; she kept her guard regardless of her obvious ability to turn the situation around. Either would fall into each other’s trap because the more time they spent together, the more they got to know the other, and the more they liked each other. With Willow, Daniel forgot about his mission but only until his most kept secret was revealed.

Daniel had a weak heart and he had been fighting it since he was a boy. He was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but never let anyone outside his family find out about his condition, afraid he would be treated differently, weakly. For the past years, he had managed to hide it from his friends and the people from school; but it’s true what they say: the heart is a traitor, because Daniel’s heart exposed him to Willow. It was when he invited her to their farmhouse where she would meet his parents and grandparents. He had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. It was a shocking news for Willow. Daniel didn’t want her to find out about his condition, especially not this way, when the attack was severe and Willow had to witness him crippled. This experience fortified the connection between the two. Willow helped Daniel’s folks in nursing him and soon he was back in school. He also needed to complete his lately forgotten mission, and in order to do this he had to break up with Willow. The latter thought she had him for herself, permanently. She didn’t expect he’d go back to his stupid quest after she found out about his secret; after she stayed up late with his family at the hospital, a place she hated the most, where death is a frequent visitor. Daniel did not walk away without his promise to commit to her after he’s completed the letters. (He knew he had lost his chance when he said the latter statement). But he wanted her to know he was willing to continue what they had started.

Proceeding to the next letter – knowing he already found the girl for him – was tormenting for Daniel; he had fallen seriously in love with Willow. Only three letters left and the alphabet was complete but he couldn’t go pass W. Few days after he was released from the hospital, he was brought back in again.

‘Giving heartaches to girls like that is outrageously inconsiderate for someone who’s got heart problem himself,’ said Willow.

‘You were nicer the first time you were here,’ said Daniel, pretending to be strong but his face showed the opposite.

‘That’s because I thought you stopped.’

He breathed uncomfortably and he frowned when he did. ‘Their pain is nothing compared to mine,’ he said. ‘They’ve only been feeling the pain for days or weeks, I’ve had this pain ever since I was a little boy. Their heart will heal, my heart will never. Sooner or later I will die.’

‘Pain is pain no matter how long you’ve been carrying it. You broke those poor and innocent girls’ heart. You broke my heart all for your stupid test.’

‘It’s not about the test; it’s about fulfilling a dream.’

‘A dream to be a member of a fraternity, a pretentious brotherhood?’

‘A dream to be a part of a group. To belong with those who truly cares about you and not with the people who walk around you to share your fame.’

‘You think those frat boys care about you? Where are they now? I don’t see any of them visit you.’ In spite of Daniel’s delicate situation, Willow refused to be gentle with him and wanted him to realize his inconsideration.

‘I’m not officially part of the group, not yet.’ Daniel looked away in defeat.

‘What if you didn’t make it out alive in this hospital? What if –‘

‘At least I’ll have the face when I see my brother up there. We shared the same dream but he was killed in an accident (in a riot) before he could join the group, he was five letters away. I don’t want to die without being accepted because that would be failing his dream twice. I’m dying, if not today, tomorrow. I can feel my heart getting weaker each day. I’m sorry for refusing to leave this world without trying to fulfill a dream.’

Willow still found the test outrageous, but somehow she understood his reasons. ‘What a liar and inconsiderate boy you are! I thought you told me we’re going to continue what we started? How can you talk about dying?’ She walked away after giving Daniel a quick blow in the arm, but before she could get away he grabbed her to his chest and held her still.

‘You don’t really hate me, do you?’ He whispered, his cheek touching hers. ‘I’m genuinely sorry. I can bear my heart being weak, but I can’t bear it when my girl is hurting because of me. I will make things right, soon as I recover I will make things right.’

Daniel felt his neck damp; the shoulders on top of him jerked. Willow’s soft cry filled the still room. ‘I love you, please don’t die,’ said the girl, tightening her arms around the boy’s body.

‘I love you, too. And I promise I will make it out alive in this hospital.’

He kept his promise. He found a donor and had a successful heart transplant after graduation. Although he failed to complete the alphabet, he crossed the “burning sands” after the fraternity members found the cause of his incompletion reasonable. As soon as he recovered he flew to pursue Willow – she had to leave after her visit to Daniel to see her ill sister – but she never returned. He knew where to find her. He reached her place and found everything to be exactly the same as she had mentioned to him, but she was nowhere to be found. Daniel was greeted by the housekeeper and a letter from Willow. The handwriting was weak and the letter was brief, they were phrases: last boy loved, always with you. Willow had been sick all along. When she found that she would die eventually she quit her treatment and lived like she was never sick. She traveled and transferred from one school to another. One day, she felt her body talked to her: it was time. She left, keeping the truth to Daniel; and soon she died, leaving him with a letter. Her last wish was to give her heart to the boy. The hopeful boy was now hopeless. He wandered, his hand holding his new heart – Willow’s heart. He could’ve just given up right then, but he didn’t; he remembered his promise to Willow: to continue what they had started. He went on to finish college and became an artist; his paintings, which told his undying love for Willow, were among the highly praised. His most famous painting was “Daniel’s Alphabet: A – W”.