First we went to a nearby cafe to order cupcakes for Mary.Vish insisted on paying. It doesn't cost a lot though so I didn't stop him.We walk towards the floor where Mary's room is. Vish were carrying the cupcakes.I knocked on the door several times. Immediately the door was opened and a woman appeared in front of us who looked like she was in her 50's because of her wrinkled face. It was also obvious that she just woke up because of her red eyes."Are you Mary's friend?" The woman asked with a smile.I smiled back at her. "Hi, good morning. My name's Fatima," I extended one of my hands to her.She accepted it. "Louisa, call me aunt Louisa. I'm Mary's mommy," the lady suddenly turned her gaze on the person standing beside me.Our hands parted. "He's Vish by the way, a frein–""Her boyfriend, ma'am," he replied while offering his hand.I stared at him because I didn't expect him to say that."Nice to meet you, hijo," said the lady."Same here," said the young man. He handed the cupca
"Go pick whatever you want," I told Mary. She immediately nodded then let go of my hand and approached the medium-size teddy bears.Suddenly my phone rang so I picked it up. Its Ciano.I stood on the side before answering the call. "Hello!""Um… Hello?" It wasn't Ciano's voice on the other line."Who am I talking to?" I politely asked."Uhm.... This is Chris, Ciano's brother. Am I talking to Fatima? She's my brother's friend.""Uhh, yes. This is Fatima. Nice to know you. How may I help you?""It's nice to know you too. Uhm…. I know you already knew about my brother's condition.""How is he? Is there any problem?""As of now, h-he is severely ill. He asked m-me if you could come here to New York as soon as possible? H-He does really want to see you," I heard him sob. He's obviously crying."Of course. I can," I said immediately. Well, that's not really a problem for me. I have nothing else to do anyway. You could say that my life is a little bit boring. "But, the flight will be long. I
We went to what looked like a tent with a single bench. There are several hollow blocks around it.Chris placed Ciano on the side of the bench before facing him. "I'll come back in an hour. Please, take a very good care of him."I give him an assuring smile. "I will. I promise."He smiled bitterly at me before leaving the rooftop.I sat on the bench, next to Ciano.He's looking at the dark sky where there are many stars."You like stars?" I started a conversation with him.He didn't look at me. "I love them. And, pretty soon, I will be one of them," the tone of his voice was weak but he still tried to speak.I feel like my heart is suddenly squeezed causing it to hurt now.I also looked up at the sky. "You're going to be one of them. So pretty and shining. Giving light to the dark and freezing night.""Will you always look up to the sky when I'm gone?" I felt his deep gaze at me.I turned to him. "Once you become one of them, then I will never miss a single night without staring at th
"Using vulgar words again! What's with the street manners?" I mocked him and even stuck my tongue out. I pushed in front of him a tupperware with only rice and calderita. "Eat that. Don't worry. It's not poisonous," I then rolled my eyeballs.He looked at me badly. "Why did you cut your hair? You look ugly.""They started falling off so I cut them off. I'm just waiting for me to go bald," I answered indifferently and took a bite of food.Ev didn't speak anymore and just started eating.Then we were both silent while eating.When we were in high school, we created a rule that each of us was not allowed to talk when we were eating.And in fact, if neither of us talks while eating, we have to free treat each other at Starbucks every day for a month. It's really just a trip for us to do that.Until it became a tradition for the both of us.Neither of us wants to treat each other at Starbucks even though we can afford the food and drinks there.Until we finished eating.I was putting away
I patted the top of it first before unlocking and opening it.Many tape recordings, small pictures, and two pink notebooks that I made into a diary appeared to me.These are recordings from when Fritz and I were children and our grandparents were still with us.I used to save up just to buy tape recordings and diary notebooks.I intend to give them to Fritz. Remembrance of us by our grandparents. So that she won't be able to forget us.I left the window. Then I patted the floor and squatted there.I also put the briefcase on the floor.I was about to start listening to the recordings when suddenly I could no longer control the movement of my arms. I can't even feel half of my body anymore.I was immediately struck with fear. I immediately took my cell phone out of my pocket before the feeling got worse.I turned on the location of my phone and called Ev.After three rings, he answered the call. But I let go of the cell phone so it fell on the floor.My arms have lost strength.Until I
Then we lay together on my soft bed.We face each other. Vish immediately closed his eyes and after a few minutes, he was fast asleep.He was really tired. Maybe that's why he didn't remember me these past few days because he's too busy.My fingers caressed his face. It was soft.I looked closely at his face. Every detail of his appearance is imprinted on my mind.I don't want to forget what he looks like now. I'm afraid that one day might come and suddenly I won't recognize him anymore, causing him to change his view of me.I moved closer to him and kissed his soft lips.I closed my eyes. I also tried to remember the taste of his lips. I don't want to forget that either.I parted our lips. Vish didn't feel what I did.I just closed my eyes and fell asleep as well.***It was five in the afternoon when Vish and I woke up together.I was preparing our snacks when he suddenly hugged me from behind causing me to smile.He rested his head on my shoulder."Let's go to Dahliah and her baby.
Vish stood next to me. But he didn't go inside the gate so I turned to him around.I looked where he was looking. He was looking at the big house next to his house. It's dark there. No one seems to live there."Whose house is that?" I asked while not taking my eyes off the dark house."Kiel owned this."I quickly turned to him. "Really?" I can't believe it.He nodded. "No one has lived in that house since he died.""How did Liah feel about it? Kiel used to live right next to where she's staying now.""She never said a thing. She never mentioned anything about it. Perhaps, she's trying to move on from him," she said. I nodded. "Let's just get inside."He entered first carrying the food we bought. I followed him.The old lady greeted us. "Good evening, sir," he turned to me. "Good evening to you too, ma'am.""Good evening too," I replied with a smile.The lady took Vish's bag. "Miss Liah is upstairs. The child is being put to sleep. She'll be down after five minutes, she told the maid,"
"Likewise, ma," I knew how much she hates being called 'ma' by me. She was about to throw the bag she was carrying with jer but Ev quickly pulled her away. "Auntie, that's it! Let's just go!" He pulled mom away from me until they were completely already far from me. But, she kept on shouting and cursing me so people who passed by looked at her. I just watched them until they slowly disappeared from my sight. I sighed heavily and sat on the bench. Tears suddenly fell down my cheeks. I quickly wiped it off. Today was the first time I answered mom. All my life, I just let her belittle my whole being. When will he accept me as her daughter? I am also his child. Fritz is not her only child. I am too. It's not my fault that she gave birth to me. A few minutes later, Ev returned. I stood up quickly when I saw him. "See what I mean? You made me feel worse in front of her. I trusted you. You're the only person I trusted about my condition." "I just want you to be free from your pain