Novels by thatsdarcey

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

Nanginginig ang kamay kong nilagay ang cellphone sa bag ko, bigla nablanko ang utak ko sa gagawin. Iniisip ko na lang na umuwi at hindi alalahanin ang entrance exam dahil sa sigaw ni mama sa telepono na nakapagpakaba sa akin. Napatingin sa a kin si Dave, napakunot ang noo niya. Alam ko sa mga oras na ito ay namumutla. Hindi ako mapakali at gusto ko ng umuwi sa mga oras na ito. “What happened? Mukha kang kinakabahan…” Nag-alalang sabi sa akin ni Dave, hinawakan niya ang kamay kong nalalamig sa kaba.“Gusto ko ng umuwi.” Iyon lamang ang nasabi ko at tumango siya. Kinausp niya sila Syrien, hindi ko na lamang pinagtuunan ng pansin iyon dahil sa kagustuhang umuwi na kaagad ng Pangasinan. Lumapit sa akin si AC at niyakap ako, pati na rin si Syrien at Tyra. “Saan ba Dave ang sakayan rito papuntang Pangasinan? Yung isang byahe lang sana para hindi nakakapagod pang maghanap ng sasakyan…” “

I have been self cautious with everything. I've set plans for what I have to do, even the people I've been with. I do a lot of research even background checks by simply checking their social media accounts or even asking from a friend of a friend. I can't be certain with what I do. Everything has a reason behind, everything has to be triple checked before I proceed. As Sam walked me through the mall in Quezon city. I didn't ask him anything, even our agenda as to why we are here. Even though I don't have the idea, still I felt safe around him.We went inside the famous coffee shop in the mall, he ordered coffee beans and a cup of coffee for us, the usual double shot americano."I felt bad that I didn't give you the supply that you need for my coffee every weekend." he said while getting our order. "Bayad ko nga yun sa cellphone mo na nabasag ko," ngumisi siya sa akin habang napapailing."You're really absurd." he chuckled. "Where do you want to eat?" "I feel like eating at the foo

Have you ever wondered if you know yourself well? Like the things you want to pursue, the things you hated the most, the people you wanted to be with, your attitude, weaknesses, strengths? I thought, I already know myself too well. I thought I don’t want anyone else aside from my parents, I thought I dislike someone's companions. All those thoughts vanished in a snap after I figured out I like Samuel's presence. He’s five years older than me, successful, and has a good face and attitude. He’s actually smart, analytically and strategically. There was no loophole to dislike him.Buong araw, hindi ako masyadong makapag concentrate sa trabaho, mabuti nalang at wala ang mga managing directors namin dahil paniguradong papagalitan nila ako. Kung ano man ang nangyari kahapon— walang nangyari kahapon. Kung ano man ang nangyari ay nakalimutan ko na. “Nics, mga sample na kailangan ko ha?” aniya ni ma’am Sarah, tumango na lamang ako dito. Ilang minuto ang lumipas ng umalis na si ma’am Sara

Have you been in a situation where you want to fall in love with someone but you also refrain yourself from falling? Given the situation now, where cheating is normalised and settling with a no label relationship is okay, when people don’t look forward to getting married is something I’m scared to risk for. I don’t like spending time with someone that I wasn’t sure about. I always crave for progress, whether it's a career or love. I want something that I have to look forward to.I haven’t had any relationship because my parents didn't allow me way back when I was just a student, they just allowed me right after I graduated college, but then ever since I graduated, I’ve been used to refusing people who tried to pursue me. I hid the paper on my back, Benj was busy eating now. He just wanted to celebrate with me because his first operation was successful. After a few hours he had to go for his duty again. “Taray sumakses ka na pala.” pang-aasar ko ngunit parang wala naman siyang pake

Did fulfilling your dreams at the age of twenty five be a bit late or was it a good timing? Personally, as the time went by I realised that entering a masters degree was not for the weak, I had a lot of things to sacrifice, my sleep, money, and time for myself. Although the work for the past few weeks has been manageable. I was able to handle the pressure of both of my work alongside my studies. I realized entering masters at this age was the right move, in the past few years I haven’t been financially stable enough. Since I’m paying for both of my parents' memorial and life insurance plans. As an adult, I wasn’t fully prepared for this type of battle in life. Kung go go go lang sa buhay si ruffa, ako ay mag gogoodbye na. “Nics, we will be having a meeting with the flame corner for the holiday drinks Ideation.” I look at Ms. Sarah, one of our foodservice sales agents too. Wala manlang good morning muna. This actually happens in the food service industry, specially in beverage

How do you see yourself five years from now? This is a typical question in the interviews, whether it is for a job or an introduction about yourself on the first day of classes. As the time goes by, the dream I made years ago slowly faded as I entered the corporate world. I thought it was going to be an easy ride to achieve those dreams. I thought the timelines I created would accord with my plans. To my disappointment, it did not. My dream is to start studying for a masters degree at twenty three, now that I’m already twenty five, still working as a Sales and Marketing Coordinator in one of the manufacturers in the Philippines. Three years have passed since I graduated with my bachelors degree. “Any questions, violent reactions, concerns?” the managing director ask before she ended our meeting “None so far ma’am.” Jane, one of our foodservice sales agents. “Okay, great job for this week everyone. We’re on track, I do believe we can achieve our target for this quarter guys. B

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.