Novels by thatsdarcey

Ilang linggo anng nakalipas, nahanap na rin namin si AC. Katulad ng inaasahan ay hindi niya kami maalala. Gayo’n pa man ay masaya kaming nahanap namin siya kahit hindi niya kami maalala. Ilang linggo na rin hindi na nagpakita si Syrien sa akin, siguro ay abala na ito kay AC at hindi ko na lang pinansin. Sa mga nakalipas na linggo rin ay abala naman akong patangong pumunta sa office ni Dave na pallagi ko lang nakikita ang black a pick up nito. Hindi ko manlang din siya nasilayan. Kung ano man ng ginagawa niya sa ngayon ay wala akong alam. “Hello, who is this?” saad ko sa linya ng ma tumawag sa aking cellphone na hindi ko kilala. “Wow taray artistahin na siya.” Boses pa lang ay alam ko na kung sino iyon, ang makulit at maharot kong kaibigan ay nawala na sa kanyang lungga. “Siraulo.” tumawa si Tyra sa kabilang linya. Hindi ko na siya nakasama ng ilang taon, nawala na rin ang contact namin sa isa’t-isa dahil sa nangyari. Sa mga nakalipas na taon ay hindi ko na rin aam ang nangyaya

Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa isip ko at bakit ako narito sa law firm ni Dave. I was mindlessly going for a jog this morning and then found out that I was already at his law firm that is a few kilometres from my condo unit. Natanaw niya ako mula sa balcony ng law firm niya habang sumisim ng kape sa tasa. Hindi ko alam kung aalis ba ako o papasok sa loob. Kung papasok man ako sa loob ay wala naman akong naisip na agenda sa kanya. Nagulat ako ng lumabas si Syrien sa law firm niya, gulat din siyang makita ako. Mukhang wala pa siyang tulog simula ng umalis sa condo ko. “What brings you here?” Hindi ako agad umimik sa tanong ni Syrien, tinanaw ko si Dave na wala na sa balcony at ilang minuto lang ay na labas na siya. “Were you still in contact with him?” Ayun agad ang lumabas sa bibig ko, hindi siya halos makasagot. Was I betrayed again for the second time? “We just met last year.” Dave explained. “For the past seven years, I haven't been in touch with him, just last year.”“H

Hindi ako halos makapaniwala sa nakikita ko ngayon. Just Dave formally introduce himself in front of me? Like nothing happened between us in the past fifteen years?! I refuse to hold his hands and look at Hance confused. Ito ang hahawak ng kaso ko? I don’t think he will win this case, I'm pretty sure that he is swearing me to hell. Nagtipon ang lahat sa sala ng condo ko habang abala ako sa paggawa ng inumin para sa kanila. Hance is currently busy entertaining the guests while I’m busy making their drinks, when I finished they started discussing the case. Tahimik lang akong nakikinig sa kanila. Ang mga mata ko ay nasa inumin at paminsan-minsan ay sa papel na hawak nila. Dave jotted notes in his notebook binder while his apprentice Atty. Caldivar scribbled on the Ipad. Everyone was very attentive in the discussion, while me, currently lost on my thoughts. Ang daming tanong ang nasa isip ko ng makita ko siya, ngunit alam ko naman na hindi na kailangang itanong pa ang mga iyon, per

Agad ko chineck ang profile ng comment niya at nadismaya sa nakita. It wasn't him, it was from a fan of mine, who appreciates my songs. Mabilis ang pagkauwi namin sa Pilipinas, sinalubong ako ng mga fans na tawag ko ay dishwashers dahil sa Joy ang pangalan ko. They gave me a lot of things, such as teddy bears and clothes. Some gave me food and cute things.Madaling araw palang pero ang dami na nag-abang. Hindi nagtagal ang pakikipag-usap ko sa mga fans dahil may aasikasuhin pa akong endorsement mamayang hapon. Hance reminded me to sleep and get ready before the contract signing of my new endorsement. Halos hindi ko na nagawang kamustahin ang kapatid pagkauwi sa sobrang pagod, hindi niya na rin ako makausap dahil abala siguro siya sa kaniyang projects sa kaniyang school. Hindi pa nag-iisang oras ang tulog ko ng may tumawag. Galing iyon kay Syrien, kaya kahit hindi ko maibuka ang isa kong mata dahil sa antok ay sinagot ko pa r

Dalawang taon simula ng magkacollege ako ay wala akong ginawa kung hindi mag-aral ng mabuti. Sa dalawang taon na iyon ay napabilang ako sa Dean Lister, hindi na ako nagtaka ro'n. Knowing that i put all of my hardwork and perseverance to finished my school task. Hindi na nakakataka, pero hindi ko rin maiwasang mangamba. In the past 2 years, inabala ko rin ang sarili sa paghahanap ng trabaho. Syrien build a coffee shop near at my university. Kaming dalawa ni AC ang empleyado na nag-aasikaso tuwing umaga, sa gabi ni naman ay si Kuya Renz at si Syrien kung may libreng oras. "Joy! Paturo naman ako sa solution nito. Nakakabobo mag engineering pwede bang maging patatas nalang?" Natawa ako sa sinabi ni Claire, isa sa kaklase ko. Pumayag ako sa gusto niya, mabuti na lang at wala gaanong customer sa coffee shop at hindi ako gaanong napagod, kahit papaano ay nakakapag-isip pa ako ng maayos. Ang kapatid kong si Jun ay kahit papaano ay nakakarecover na sa nangyari sa mag

“Ma!” tawag ko kay mama na kasalukuyang nasa labas ng presinto, napalingon siya sa gawi namin kaya naman napabilis ang paglakad ko papunta sa kaniya. Ang hawak-hawak kong si Jun ay tumahan na. Nang lumapit ako kay mama ay mahigpit niya akong niyakap, sa yakap niyang iyon ay sunod-sunod ng dumaloy ang luhang kanina pang bumabadyang tumulo sa aking pisngi, my heart felt warm as well suffocated. Nanghihina ako sa nangyari, nanghihina ako sa kalagayan ni mama. “Ang papa… Ang papa mo…” paulit-ulit na sambit niya, marahan kong hinagod ang kaniyang likod. “Nakulong siya… pinakulong…” aniya ngunit hindi niya matuloy ang sinasabi dahil sa paghikbi. Narinig kong tumunog ang cellphone ni Dave, napalingon ako sa kaniya. Kunot noo niyang pinapakinggan ang kung sino mang tumawag sa kaniyang cellphone. While Syrien stayed silent while watching us. While watching the tragedy that happened to my family. Pinanunasahan ko ang a

After the trip, we had to head back to Manila. Sam had to deal with his work, while I had to prepare my baggage for my flight the next day. My parents helped me with the things that I had to bring. Especially with the documents that I needed. They were crying while helping me with my things. "Mag-iingat ka doon ha?" aniya ni papa habang hinahaplos ang ulo ko. "Wala na si mama na mag-gigising saiyo tuwing umaga, galingan mo doon ha at maiingat ka rin." Tumango ako. Sa mga oras na ito ay patapos na rin kami sa pag-aayos. medyo natagalan dahil biglang nablanko ang utak ko sa kung anong dadalhin. To Sam: I'm done packing my things. From Sam: Are you ready for tomorrow? To Sam: Yes. Kinda nervous but feel excited. From Sam: Don't forget to wear the ring that I gave. To Sam: Yes master. Kinabukasan, ang magulang ko ang naghatid sa akin sa airport. Hindi na nakasama si Sam dahil sa trabaho, ilang araw din ang naging bakasyon namin. Paniguradong naghahabol pa siyang ta

How do people in a long distance relationship keep going strong? Keep their faith in each other, their love and promises? 'Cause what's keeping on my mind is, 'I live for twenty five years without someone, I'm sure, I was able to leave on my own.' Pero alam ko naman na lulunukin ko lang ang mga sinabi kong iyon. May mga oras at araw na hindi ako mapakali kapag hindi ko nakikita si Sam, paano na kaya kapag umabot ng buwan o kaya naman ng taon. Simula ng malaman niya ang pag-alis ko ay nagbook na siya ng flight patungong palawan. Magm-message na sana ako sa HR Generalist namin ngunit naalala kong resign na pala ako. "How are you feeling today?" I asked, since he seemed not in the mood lately. Ofcourse, I was the reason. "I'm okay, I'm slowly accepting it." he said, while he was playing with my hands. "What do you want to eat?" "I'm good with anything." "Kahit ako?" Dinilitan ko siya ng mata. Tinawanan niya lang ako at dumeretso sa fridge. "I was planning

When love and dreams are not aligned, one will lose, and one will stay. Everything hasn't settled yet but I am sure that the interview will go well. My guts is that I will be working abroad in the next coming months. I'm afraid Sam will have his reaction, I am sure he felt sad and disagreed about it. For him, it was too soon to be away from each other. We were just starting dating last week. I went to the church near our house after work. I poured my worries to him, because I am sure he can resolve everything. Nag-ayos muna ako bago ang interview, tatlong tao ang nag-interview sa akin. Isang human resources generalist, managing director and creative director. "The artworks were nice, you I see that you have keen eyes for details. The concept that you created and the stories behind it is something really amazing." the managing director commend upon showing some of my artworks. They were asking about my current work along with my studies too. I even showed them my portfo

How do couples stay in love with each other? Do they date often? Being together every minute? Giving each other gifts? I actually don’t have any idea on how to date, I'm having a hard time keeping up with Sam. Today, he gave me flowers, the other day he gave me chocolates. I’m kind of feeling embarrassed since I want to repay what he gave me. Hindi lang siguro ako sanay na ako binibigyan dahil simula ng magtrabaho ako, ako na iyong nagbibigay, lalo na sa mga magulang ako. Hindi naman nila ibinilin sa akin na pagkatapos ko mag-aral at nagkaroon ng trabaho ay tutulungan ko sila– lalo na sa pang-araw-araw na gastusin. Hinayaan lang nila ako na magbigay sa kanila, noong una ay hindi nila tinanggap, ngunit kalaunan, napapayag ko naman na sila. It’s a way of paying back, somehow. I know how hard they have been through to raise me, to give

How do  you hide your  feelings  towards the  person that you are slowly falling in love with? Do you let it be, to grow deeply? Sam has been good for this week. He always visits me every time and stays for at least two hours at my house then does work after that. His time has been occupied because of work but I’ve seen him try to win me. That alone is enough reassurance for me. The vacation that  we planned did not go through sinceI have a business trip  for this week. We were both sad since we’ve carefully planned the whole trip but it came like this. “There will always be a next time.”  he said after he picked up at work. He is always reassuring that everything that didn’t fall into place will be okay and there will be next time to do it.I nooded. “Yes.” I will be with the managing  director for the business trip. We had to go to Cebu to talk with the distributo

I’m curioused how other people deal when someone confesses to them? Especially if the person that they like.  Do they say that they like them too? Do they walk away and condition themselves to  think about it? In my long years of existence in this world,  I admit, I felt overwhelmed and afraid. Overwhelmed with the emotions that I am feeling right now, I am happy that he is now doing his way to win me and..I am afraid that it won’t last that long.Knowing the generation today, that cheating was normalized and marriage was not  really a thing. I am afraid that it will happen to us  too. I looked at Sam who was quiet and obviously waiting for an answer from me. I cleared my throat trying to ease the tension that  I'm feeling right now. “Can we talk about it next time?” I sighed, I don’t know how to deal with it honestly. “Sure, I am not hoping for anything now, Nics.

20“Ma!” I called out to Mama, who was outside the precinct. She had gone to their place, so I hurried toward her. Jun, who had been holding me, had finally settled down.When I reached Mama, she hugged me tightly. In that embrace, the tears streaming down my cheeks felt both warm and suffocating. I was exhausted—tired from everything that had happened, and tired of Mama’s condition.“Your dad… your dad…” she kept repeating. I gently rubbed her back. “He’s been imprisoned,” she finally said through her sobs, unable to continue.When I heard Dave’s cellphone ring, I turned to him. He frowned as he listened to whoever was on the other end.Syrien remained silent, simply watching us—watching the tragedy that had befallen my family.Tears welled up in my eyes as I gently pulled away from Mama’s embrace. I wiped the tears from my cheeks, and then wiped Mama’s as well.Jun stood frozen, staring at the sign about visiting hours. It was too late. We couldn’t visit Papa anymore.Syrien handed

Shaking my hand I put the cellphone in my bag, suddenly my brain went blank on what to do. I was just thinking of going home and not worrying about the entrance exam because of mama's shout on the phone that made me nervous.Dave looked at me, frowning. I know at times it is pale. I am restless and I want to go home at these times.“What happened? You look nervous…” Dave said worriedly to me, he held my hand which was cold with nervousness."I want to go home." That was all I could say and he nodded.He talked to them Syrien, I just didn't pay attention to that because I wanted to go home to Pangasinan right away. AC came up to me and hugged me, as well as Syrien and Ty

It's August and the grade 12 STEM students will be camping. I don't know if it's just us because I haven't heard from HUMSS students. I decided not to go, but when I told my mother, she forced me to go camping. I had no one to talk to there, except Syrien. I also don't enjoy what's happening because almost all my classmates don't like me. "I'll buy you a tent later, so come along." Mama forced me to kiss her on the cheek. I was about to go to school and every time I go to school she reminds me the camping. I snorted and ignored what she said. I saw Dave heading towards me, but I had already met him halfway towards my house. "Did you eat already?" I asked. He nodded at me and helped me walk. The road wa

I don't know if I am being too dramatic or what. I suddenly hugged Dave who’s waiting outside the door of our house. I know he was surprised at what I did. He also hugged me and felt his lips on my head."Are you done?" I nodded at his question, he gently stroked my hair.I pressed my head to his chest, he's wearing a hoodie and nightgown pants. He is also carrying a plastic bag. I am addicted to his smell, I will never get tired of smelling him for the rest of my life."I contacted your groupmates, others responded to my message." I looked up at him. I couldn't see his face, but I know he's mad."You shouldn't have done that... that is not your business." I rolled my eyes, he caressed my cheek and gently sque

22 | SHSMy senior high school journey began last month. I’ve been a STEM student for a month and I’ll admit I’m having a hard time. It is twice tiring than in junior high school, it's a good thing this semester didn't include basic chemistry subject. Right now, pre-calculus is the most difficult subject, but somehow I'm able to cope. Next sem, I will have a basic chemistry. It's good then because I'm sure I'll go crazy.Dave, on the other hand, always take me and picks me up in school. We also always eat together even though we are now in different sections and strands.My classmate is Syrien, while Dave and AC are classmates. Alex took ABM, if I hadn’t met her the last time, I wouldn’t have known. Dave also had no idea what his cousin had taken."Does anyone know who owns this paper? There is no name." My oral communication teacher said, many of my classmates looked at the paper, but no one knew. "I know your strand is diffic

Dave arrived in the house at evening, still accompanied by Sirius and AC. Tyra can't go because maybe her family are on vacation in japan. They go there every year, so I have no problem if she can’t go to my birthday.Dave is carrying a cake and a paper bag with Cartier on it. He kissed my mother's hand and bowed to my father as a show of respect. Syrien gave me a gallon of ice cream, while AC gave me a basket full of fruits.Dave opened the box of cake, mama lit the candle and they started singing happy birthday.Ofcourse, before I blow the cake, I have to wish first. I looked at Dave who’s smiling at me now, I sparingly smiled at him.I closed my eyes.Today, I wish that my family and friends a good health and, I wish that I will reach my dreams with him... with Dave, my friends and my family.We ate dinner together, my mother asked many questions to my friends especially AC. Dad remained silent and sometimes adds question as well.