Spare Dates

Senior High School Dance, 2014Billie waits outside his van for his date. At 18, he looks so dapper in his black tuxedo and oozing with charm.Every girl that passed by him can't keep their eyes away from him. Just looking at him makes them smile and wonder what if he was their date to the ball. He really looks like a prince. Most boys can't help but feel insecure so they make sure to escort their dates immediately inside the venue.Billie looked left and right before he slightly opened the sliding door of the van. "How much time do you still need?" he asked the person inside."Oops…no picking," Zofi warned him."The ball's about to start. I think everyone's inside already," he told her.Zofi sighed. "That's the intention. We are preparing for a grand entrance just like Cinderella's. Everyone should be there to witness it," she said."Okay. I'm just reminding you that it will start any minute…..oh!" Billie couldn't finish his reminder. He's mesmerized by the look created by Z

Month after college graduation, 2018The students start to vacate the dormitory. Ms. Molly looks teary eyed seeing them preparing to leave. She is the dorm's sweet landlady who takes care of her tenants like her own little sisters or nieces. She's an only child who naturally inherited the property from her parents upon their demise.Ms. Molly is single, childless, and almost a golden girl. Despite looking younger than her age, she cannot be spared from being referred to as a spinster.Her friends are those she met in Zumba classes. They are either spinsters or widows."You don't need to hurry, Zofi. You can stay until next week free of charge. That's my graduation gift to you," she told Zofi."Oh, thanks, Ms. Molly! I've so many stuff to pack," Zofi said."So, what do you plan to do now? Vacation? Job hunt? Masters?" Ms. Molly asked. "Vacation but more of rest, I guess. I'm just not ready to plunge into what they call as the real world. I'll stay under the wings of my parents

Summer, 2019"You're working on weekends now?" Billie asked Zofi.The two next door neighbors now."We have teambuilding," Zofi said."Ah, you should be ready with your ideas for mission/vision," he said."Oh, it's actually more of bonding," she said."Your HR plans teambuilding that way?" he said."Well, it's just our unit doing this. Ms. Mitch thought it would be best for the team to go out and bond on one weekend. They haven't done it for so long," she said."Okay, then. I'm the only one who's going to pick up Saatchi from the airport," he said."Why does it have to be you? I mean, does she have no relatives?" she asked."Because she's staying in our house. She's our guest," he explained."Alright. You're close," she said."You still don't you like her, do you?" he asked."Oh, I think it's the other way around," she said."Alright then, let's not meet this weekend," he said.Saturday comes. Billie waits early in the airport.He's not sure how Saatchi looks now. It's been years s

Billie and Zofi sit on the couch looking at the TV. They're not watching. They're just staring at it. "Do you want anything to munch or drink? Softdrinks? Juice?" Billie asked. Zofi grabbed one throw pillow and hugs it. "Are we going to pass the night like this?" he asked. "Tell me why were you sad yesterday. I see you're still sad until today," Zofi asked. "Then, tell me why did you go to your parents' house," he asked. Zofi sighed. "I was devastated and I couldn't go to you because you were unreachable and I recalled you telling me last night that you already had so much in your head, I shouldn't add up to that," she said. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "Is it still about her?" she asked. Billie nodded. He can't say anything after that. "You don't have to tell me now if you're not ready yet," she said. Billie is still quiet. "I think I'm hungry now. Let eat whatever you have in your fridge," she said. "Cindy married his employer," he said quickly. His eyes start to te

“Are these your bags?” Zofi’s mother asked while looking at the two medium sized luggage bags near her room's door.“Yes plus I have my carry on,” Zofi answered.“No, I meant to ask if these are just the ones you’re bringing? These are very few,” her mother clarified.Zofi smiled. “I’ve always been a light traveler. I don’t bring a lot. I can buy stuff from there,” she said.“But it isn’t just a vacation or a short trip. You’ll be based there,” her mother said.“I know and I want everything to be new,” Zofi answered.“But at least bring some pictures. Here are some good ones from your albums,” her mother asked again.“Pictures? I have a lot in my phone if I want to see your faces,” Zofi answered.“Alright. I’ll return these in your room,” her mother said.A picture slipped from the albums her mother is holding. She picked it up and saw it’s her and Billie’s picture from high school taken during the dance where she dolled up Cindy. They looked so happy in the picture and clueless