“The One That Got Away”

Breaking the rules? I’m good at that. I always get away with everything I do. Pick pocketing? I’m a master with it. Getting girls? It’s as easy as counting 123. But finding true love? It’s impossible for me.

“I’m sick of my life. I don’t want to live anymore” I screamed at the top of the building.


I am a master thief. Steal things, change my identity, and have nobody in my life – That’s my motto. I work alone and cared for nobody. But this time I was tired of it. I just want to end my life. I stepped on the edge of the building, and was getting myself the courage to jump.


“Excuse me mister. Are you going to jump?” A little boy asked me.


“Yes. Leave me alone. Go back to your mommy. My life’s a shit.” I said.


“I could grant you a wish of pure enjoyment if you want to. You can go anywhere you want, do anything you want and/or be anyone you want” He added


“Ugh. Just go home boy.” I shooed him away.


“Make a wish first.” He said again.


“Okay fine. Then you leave. It’s already 11 pm” I said to him


“There are ‘three limitations’: First, you have a 24 hour time limit and you must remember it. Second, you must go alone. And finally, you cannot bring back with you anything except for a foggy memory. Now make a wish” the boy commanded.


“Okay. I wish I could find the one I could love and be with” I said to him “Now could you plea…” before I can finish my words, my world twisted and was distorted. My eyes blackened and the last thing I heard is “Your wish is my command. Just remember the rules.”


“Wake up Jim” A beautiful lady keeps on shrugging my shoulder.


“Uhhh. Where am I? What happened?” I looked around. It was still the busy street of Rio. So was that a dream? I wondered what really happened.


“Thank you miss. I seemed to pass out last night. How do you know my name?” I asked her.


“You don’t remember me? It’s me, Stella Pena, your classmate from high school. Remember?”


“Oh. Stella, you look… Ravishing” I smiled at her. I remembered her. She was my first crush when I was in high school. We were classmates back then but didn’t have time to be so close. She seems to ignore me because I was a bad ass back then.


“Mind to stand up? You’re still sitting there at the post” She chuckled.


“Aww. I’m sorry. Can you help me?” I lend my hand to her.


Stella pulled me up and said that she’ll be going ‘cause she’s late for her work. As she crossed the road, I shouted


“Dinner at Jones Café 8:00 PM, my treat!” “Sure Jim. See ya.” She waved at me.


I can’t believe this. I’m really having a chance with the girl I love since high school. I went back to my apartment to prepare for the later event. I was shocked when I entered the door. Everything was fixed, it’s like the day is going the way I like it.


“Is the boy real?” I asked myself. “If the boy is really real then this will gonna be my greatest adventure, the adventure of stealing love and time.”


I called the Jones Café to reserve the whole restaurant for us because I found out that I have a million pesos in my bank account. It was 2 pm already when I left the apartment. I went to Dave’s Salon to have a haircut and spa. I want myself to be physically appealing to her. Then I shopped at the Fifth Avenue and bought the best suit that they offer. Then I bought a new pair of black shoes, a necktie and bowtie, and a white polo. It was 6 pm when I went back home.


“Black tux? I looked definitely hot in this one. What should I pair it with? A bowtie or a necktie?” I asked myself. I showered again and perfumed a lot. I applied hair wax on my shimmering black hair. I even brushed my teeth thrice and gargled twice. I should look perfect. This is my biggest shot; I can’t afford to lose it. “Hmmmm. The bowtie looks much better.” I complimented myself. I left my apartment 7:20 pm and went to Maria Isabel’s Flower Shop to buy a bouquet of white roses. Then I ordered a two kilogram of red roses’ petals.


“Good evening sir. Are you Jim Coxe?” The manager of the restaurant greeted me.


“Yes I am.” I smiled at him. I entered the resto and looked at the place. It was nice and cozy.


“Can you shower these petals all over the table and on the carpet?” I said to him. “Also I would like to have a candle lighted dinner and can you play this song later?” I handed to him the bucket of petals and gave him the CD of the song.


“Here’s 20 thousand for the rental fee” I said to him. “Also prepare the best wine for the evening.” “Yes sir.” He said smiling.


It was 8 pm when Stella arrived. She was wearing a black tube dress. She looked so gorgeous. Her body has this amazing figure that could make every man drop his jaws and drool over her like a dog. “Am I late?” She asked me. “No, you are just in time” I smiled at her.


“All I can say is wow. The place is perfect.” She said. “Yes. I know.”


I said. I raised my hand to call the waiter. “Good evening ma’am and sir. Here’s the menu for the night” He handed to us the menu.


“I would like to order a Cordon Bleu sautéed with steak sauce. How about you Stella, what would you like to eat?” I asked her. “T-Bone Steak with strawberry side sauce” She said.


“What would you like to order for your drinks?” The waiter asked.


“Bauhini Iced tea” I said


“I would like to have a mango-strawberry smoothie” she said.


“Thank you ma’am and sir. Your orders will be delivered here in a while.” The waiter said politely.


“The champagne” I whispered to him and he brought us the champagne.


“So how are you doing? I mean how are you? You look great” I said to her and gave her the wine glass with champagne.


“I’m doing fine. I’m working at ABC Company as the Sales Manager” She said.


“The real question is how you are doing? You were sleeping down the road and now you’re here. You even reserved the entire restaurant for us. So how are you really? I haven’t seen you in a while since college days.”


“I’m working as …” I thought for a while. What would I tell her? I can’t just say I’m a thief. She’ll get freak out by that. “Working as?” she asked again


“Working as the vice president for sales in our company at London” I said to her. Damn. How can I get away from this? I hope she’s gonna believe my lie.


“That’s great!” She exclaimed. “I hope I can go to London one of these days”


“Here’s your order ma’am.” The waiter said and he put the food in the table. “This is for you sir” He also did the same. “Enjoy your meal” I waved my hand to signal them to play the CD.


It was an hour long violin orchestra so that it would be relaxing for the both of us.


“So do you have a boyfriend?” I asked her. “I still don’t have one.” She chuckled


“Why? You are a great person. You are friendly and beautiful. I don’t believe you.” I looked at her seriously.


“Yes I swear. I don’t have a boyfriend. Not even one.” She said in a convincing way.


“How come you don’t have one? Don’t you have any suitors?” I said to her.


“I have suitors but … I just don’t like any of them” She said to me.


“Then who do you like?” I was curious who she likes. “You” She said softly.


“You like me?” Shocked with what she said. “I have always liked you since high school. But you seemed to be annoyed with me” She said to me.


“I… I liked you too. I thought you were ignoring me because I was a bad boy back then. I’m sorry” I said to her.


“No need to say sorry. You know, this day is so great. I met you and had this wonderful dinner with you.” She laughed.


“How about this, let’s start up again.” I said to her.


“Good evening miss. I’m Jim Coxe.” I smiled to her and offered to shake hands with her.


“Stella, Stella Pena” She smiled back.


We spent several hours talking, laughing and catching up with what was happening with each other’s life.


“Thank you Stella.” I looked at her. She was so damn attractive.


“Jim” She said. I can’t help myself but to kiss her. I kissed her lips passionately. Then I heard someone say “Tik tok tik tok.”


I looked around, everything froze in time.


“It’s eleven now.” The boy said. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already.”


“Please, let me live this life.” I begged him


“No sir, I can’t. That’s the rule.” He smiled at me. Then I felt time and space is distorting again. I blacked out.


“Excuse me.” A girl was shrugging my shoulder.


“What?” I asked her, still sleepy.


“You are sleeping here at the sidewalk.” She said to me.


“Ugh. My head hurts. I can’t remember a thing.” I said to her.


“Jim? Is that you? It’s me Stella Pena.” She offered her hand to pull me up. I grabbed her hand.


“Thank you.” I smiled “Sorry but I have to go already. It’s nice meeting you again.” She smiled and said goodbye.


“Hey! Dinner at Mcdo Atrium later at 8 PM! It’s my treat!” I shouted and waved at her.


“Sure!” She shouted back and smiled at me. Everything is foggy last night. I don’t remember what happened but I know something special occurred.


“Excuse me mister?” A boy pulled my shirt. “Yes? What is it?” I asked him


“If you have one wish…” He smiled at me.


“I want perfect happiness” I thought.





“What are you going to do?” He smiled and disappeared.

Friends > Lovers

Have you ever felt that certain rush when you are with someone you like? Do you feel that time stands still when you are with him/her? Does that person bring out the best in you? But have you answered this question, does he/she likes you? 

Let’s put it this way, kids these days are somewhat full of affection. When their heart beats a little, they’ll call it love. But what is really love? If you’re gonna ask that to different kinds of people you’ll hear a thousand answers. It is because we have our own perspective about what love is. For me, if you ask what love is I’ll simply answer that love is a positive phenomena experienced by a person to someone or something, it is deep yet easy to understand, high yet easy to reach, wide yet it covers every boundaries of our soul, and long for it never runs short. Let’s take this for example. We've read our Bibles yet no one really understands what Leah has been through all of her life. She has been seeking for love that Jacob can’t give. The pain of having someone there all those years yet never been loved fully by that person. I know some of us have been experiencing this. We've been expecting so much that that person will love us and ends up losing ourselves to him/her, not even leaving a piece of us behind. To think of it, it’s not their fault but ours instead. The problem is we end up assuming things because of their actions. Couldn't it just that they are friendly or is it because you asked for those kinds of signs and ends up thinking that way? Love is a strong word for teenagers like us. There is no definite time, place, or moment for this. You just have to wait for it and not force your way up to find this. You may have already missed a lot of time enjoying your life because you’re busy searching for the right person. God will provide, you just have to learn to trust His ways. 

Ending up with this, if you are troubled by what you feel and is confused if he/she likes you, you could ask that person. Just mutter up the courage to confess your feelings because there is no harm in trying. If that person ignores you and leaves you behind then they lost someone who really cares for them. 

Remember, it’s just a leap of faith for someone to move a mountain.

Falling for her, heart first

Nick’s Point of View

       “Do I really have to go there mom? I’m fine here and happy with my friends. You know I miss you but I just don’t find America suiting for me” I said to my mom. “But son, you’re the only who is left there. Your sisters, Annie and Victoria, moved in here 2 years ago. Your daddy and I miss you so much.” “I’m gonna call you back later mom to let you know my decision. I love you.” “I love you too son, just be careful okay?” “Yes mom, good bye.”

       Why is it that I have to go there too. I don’t want to leave Iloilo yet, just not ready for it. I went to La Terraza Café to set things out. I don’t know why but I just like the ambiance of the Café, it’s warm and I feel relaxed whenever I’m here. I ordered a hot coffee and a donut to fill myself up. After hours of thinking, I have decided that I will go and live with them. It’s been a while since they've last visited me here. I went to the cashier to take out a Chocolate Oreo Frappuccino. I headed straight to the open swing door of the restaurant when I received a text from a friend of mine. “Central Philippine University Basketball team won the Inter-school Basketball Cup with a score of 79-76 and with Carlo. . .” before I could finish reading the text I bumped to somebody spilling my drink to that person.

       “What the!!” she shouted at me “Aaargh! This is the worst day ever! My boyfriend cheated on me, I was humiliated in front of hundreds of people and now my shirt is frigginly soaked with your drink!” I looked at that person and saw that she was crying. I really don’t know what to do “I’m really sorry, I . . . I didn’t mean to. Please don’t cry”. With sincerity, I said to her “If you don’t mind, I have an extra shirt inside my car, please wear it.” She looked at me and accepted the offer. I waited for her outside the restroom. I put an earphone on my right ear and  pretended that I was listening to music just to act cool because of the embarrassment I received earlier.

       “Umm” I heard her say. “Oh, is the shirt okay? I really am sorry, I didn’t mean to spill my drink at you. Forgive me” I said. “Yeah, about that too. Sorry for the way I behaved earlier and thank you for letting me borrow this shirt.” She looked at me and I saw that she’s kinda cute. I smiled at her and said “Let’s have some coffee, my treat. I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Is Cappuccino Macchiato fine for you?” she smiled back at me “That will do, it’s my favorite” “What a coincidence, mine too” I chuckled.

       I waited for the order to be finished at the counter. “Here’s your order sir. Enjoy the drink” the barista said to me. I saw her sitting at the corner-side table of the Cafe. “Here is your coffee milady” I said as I put the coffee in front of her at the table. “By the way, I’m Nicholas but you can call me Nick if my name sounds too long for you and you are?” I smiled and reached out my hand. She shake hands with me and said “I’m Kathy, Katherine de Real from Central Philippine University.” We looked at each other, eye to eye and I was captivated by her. I felt that my heart beats so loud because of her holding my hand. We, maybe I, didn’t notice that a minute has already passed and we’re still holding each other’s hand. She broke the silence and said “Is there a problem Nick?” “Uh no” and I gently let go of her hand. “I’m from CPU too, CHM department to be exact. Let me guess, you’re from CBA dept.?” “Nope, Engineering” and she gave me a sweet smile.

       I enjoyed talking with her about our fellow complaints to those teachers who gave lectures with a fast mouth, students who think they run the campus because of their out of this world outfits, our favorite bands, and also about what happened to her at the gymnasium. “Nick, I’ve got to go now. Thanks for the coffee. See you at the campus” she said. “Welcome. Umm, Kathy? Can we trade numbers?” “Sure Nick.” We traded numbers with each other and separated ways. I was still at the Café when I remembered about the print of the shirt I gave to her. She said she’s a fan of the Fall Out Boy band and so am I. I decided to text her “It’s me Nick. Thank you for the great time we had together at the Café. And also about the shirt you borrowed, you can have it. It’s your favorite band printed on it. :).”  I was happy when she replied that she likes it.

       I decided to stay a little bit longer here and told my mom that I’m not yet ready. It has been four months or so since we’ve been texting each other and all those night long conversations of ours made me connected to her more. Every time I see her at school she seems to avoid me every time our eyes meet. It feels bad because I don’t know if she’s feeling the same way as I do. Kathy’s a great girl, smart, pretty, talented, and have a beautiful voice. Compared to her ex-boyfriend, I don’t stand a chance against his height and body structure. Why would even Kathy like a guy whose voice when he sings can cause heavy downpour of rain and only knows how to draw Kathy’s face on his sketchbook. I really don’t stand a chance, do I? 3 days ago I received a mail from mom containing a plane ticket to go to States since my papers are already finished. Today is the day and I will be leaving at 10 PM. It’s now or never, I texted Kathy “Hey Kathy, can we watch movie together at SM later at 6:30 PM? I’ve got to tell you something important.” I saw the very same shirt and pants I wore the day I met her and decided that I will be wearing those. I went to SM at 2 o’clock and bought tickets for the movie, I was hoping that she would come.

       I received a text from her saying “ I will try Nick.” I was disappointed somehow. I prayed even more hoping that she would come. “O Nicho, how are you? You’re still handsome as before.” I looked around and saw that it was my ex-girlfriend, Mae, who was talking to me. Mae said she is with her boyfriend Carlo who’s gonna watch the same movie as I have planned to watch with Kathy. Mae and I talked until someone tapped my shoulder, I turned and saw that it was Kathy wearing the very same shirt I gave to her. My prayers did work finally! She said to me “Nicholas, I’m sorry for the short notice but I decided to come. Is your invitation still available?” “Thank you Kathy for coming, I’m really glad that you’re here. By the way this is Mae, my friend” I said to her. “Ex-girlfriend actually and you must be Kathy, the one who slapped me”  Kathy said to Mae “I’m sorry about what happened that time. Let’s just move on.” Carlo who just bought their tickets, appears behind Kathy’s back “Let’s go baby, we’ll gonna miss the show” “O, Uh, Hello Kath! Long time no see” he said to her. He was about to speak again when Mae interrupted it “C’mon babe, let’s go already. Goodbye guys. Ciao.” I saw Kathy’s face was slightly flushed red. I said to her “We should go too Kathy, we’ll gonna miss the movie too. I’ve bought these tickets already hoping that you would come” I said to her as I smile. I held her hand and filled the gap between the spaces of our fingers and walked happily with her inside the movie theater and find a seat.

       It was already in the ending part when I decided to tell her. “I got something to tell you Kathy.” I looked at her and she looked back at me. I continued “My parents want me to live with them in the United States of America together with my other siblings. I was at the La Terraza Café when I decided that I will live there together with them but then we bumped to each other and found myself captivated by you. There is a strange aura within you that whenever I see you at the campus, I can’t help but stare at you. Sadly to say every time I look at you, you avoid and walk away. You are the only reason why I’m staying here. All the night-long texting to you made me fall deeper in love with you. You may not be the perfect girl but I love all your imperfections. It’s too early to say this but I love you Kathy, I will never cheat and hurt you like that jerk. I will always protect you. I’m leaving tonight at 10 PM, please give me a reason to stay.”

       I looked dearly into her eyes and she said to me “I love you too Nick, please stay. I don’t want you to leave.” Tears from her eyes dropped by with every word she said. I’ll stay for her, for the one I love.

       “For you Kathy, I’ll stay” and I kissed her forehead.

 FIN

Free Falling

Kathy’s Point of View

       I’m standing here with the crowd, cheering for my boyfriend Carlo who is about to shoot the ball with only 3 seconds left at the clock. My heart is beating fast, crossed fingers wishing that he could aim the ball right to the ring and win this competition. I closed my eyes for a second and before I knew it the crowd is screaming frantically because Carlo had already shot the ball and it’s heading straight to the ring. Yes! He did it! The school won the Inter-school Basketball Cup. I was overwhelmed with joy that my body moved according to its own heading towards Carlo. I was about to give him a hug when a girl grabbed his shoulder and kissed him passionately.

       “I love you babe. Congratulations. I knew you can do it” and she gave him a smack kiss. Seeing her kissed Carlo, my emotions took over me. “Hey! You whore!” I pulled her hair and slapped her face. “How dare you!? What the hell is your problem!?” screamed by her. “You are my problem! Carlo is my boyfriend so back off!” I looked at Carlo and said “I’m your girlfriend Carlo! Explain who she is!” “I . . . I’m sorry Kath but we are over. You are no fun at all. Mae is my . . .” I slapped Carlo before he can finish what he is saying and ran out of the gymnasium.

       I can’t believe what happened inside, Carlo cheated on me and I was humiliated in front of hundreds of people. Teary eyed, I drove my Volkswagen Beetle and went to La Terraza Café, my favorite coffee shop, hoping to clear my thoughts and have some peace of mind. I parked my car and went to the Café. I saw the door was open from afar and as I was wiping my tears, I went inside and suddenly someone bumped at me, coffee first!

       “What the!!” I shouted “Aaargh! This is the worst day ever! My boyfriend cheated on me, I was humiliated in front of hundreds of people and now my shirt is frigginly soaked with coffee!” Tears fell again through my eyes. “I’m really sorry, I . . . I didn’t mean to. Please don’t cry” he said with a cracking voice. “If you don’t mind, I have an extra shirt inside my car, please wear it.” I looked at him and I could see that he was sincere. I accepted the shirt and went to the rest room to change. After I finished changing, I went out and saw him standing with his earphones in one of his ears. 

       “Umm” I said hoping to catch his attention. “Oh, is the shirt okay? I really am sorry about the coffee incident. Forgive me” he said. “Yeah, about that too. Sorry for the way I behaved earlier and thank you for letting me borrow this shirt.” As I look into his face, I saw him smiling with his perfectly white teeth and he said “Let’s have some coffee, my treat. I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Is Cappuccino Macchiato fine for you?” I smiled back at him “That will do, it’s my favorite” “What a coincidence, mine too” he chuckled.

       I waited for him on the corner-side table of the Café. “Here is your coffee milady” said by him as he put it on the table. “By the way, I’m Nicholas but you can call me Nick if my name sounds too long for you and you are?” He smiled and reached his hand for mine. I shake hands with him and said “I’m Kathy, Katherine de Real from Central Philippine University.” We looked at each other, eye to eye and we didn’t notice that a minute has already passed and we’re still holding each other’s hand. I broke the silence and said “Is there a problem Nick?” “Uh no” and he gently let go of my hand. “I’m from CPU too, CHM department to be exact. Let me guess, you’re from CBA dept.?” “Nope, Engineering” and I smiled again.

       We talked for almost two hours about random things going on at CPU like those teachers who lecture really fast like there’s a plane to catch, students who feel like they rule the campus, our favorite bands, and also about what happened to me at the gymnasium. “Nick, I’ve got to go now. Thanks for the coffee. See you at the campus.” “Welcome. Umm, Kathy? Can we trade numbers?” “Sure Nick.” I traded numbers with him and bid farewell. As I arrived home, I received a text from Nick “It’s me Nick. Thank you for the great time we had together at the Café. And also about the shirt you borrowed, you can have it. It’s your favorite band printed on it. :).” I looked at the shirt I’m wearing and I really didn’t notice earlier that it was the Fall Out Boy band printed on it. I replied and thanked him for the gift.

       It has been almost four months since we’ve been texting each other and I seem to like him. I often see him at the campus but I’m too shy to approach him and every time I see him looking at me I tend to avoid making a direct eye contact with him. I was eating lunch together with my friends when I received a text from Nick.  I don’t know what to reply to him. I felt like there were butterflies in my stomach. Could this be love? Well, Nick is cute somehow, 5’8” in height, hot swimmer type body, dimples on his cheeks, and a good personality. Who won’t fall in love with him? I also thought why would he go out with me? I’m not that kind of pretty, smart nor tall and sexy. I asked my friends if I should go out with him and most of them said ‘no’ because maybe he is just the same with my ex-boyfriend and that I should know more about him before I date him.

       “I will try Nick” I replied to him. I really don’t want to disappoint him. I went home and lie at my bed in my room. I've been running circles in my mind. “Should I go or not? Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes! Yes I will go out with him” I said to myself. I opened my cabinet and saw the shirt he gave to me. I decided to wear it together with my favorite faded jeans and with my Keds. I hurriedly drove my car to SM. I went to the 3^rd floor hoping to find him in the movie corner. I saw him wearing the very same clothes the first day we met and I was hoping to surprise him. As I approach him, I noticed that he is talking to a girl who is quite familiar to me.

       I tapped his shoulder, smiled and said “Nicholas, I’m sorry for the short notice but I decided to come. Is your invitation still available?” “Thank you Kathy for coming, I’m really glad that you’re here. By the way this is Mae, my friend.” “Ex-girlfriend actually and you must be Kathy, the one who slapped me” she said to me. “I’m sorry about what happened that time. Let’s just move on” I said to her. Carlo then appeared from behind me and said “Let’s go baby, we’ll gonna miss the show” “O, Uh, Hello Kath! Long time no see” he said. He was about to speak again when Mae interrupted it “C’mon babe, let’s go already. Goodbye guys. Ciao.”  I felt rage and envy but then I heard Nick say “We should go too Kathy, we’ll gonna miss the movie too. I’ve bought these tickets already hoping that you would come” he said as he was smiling to me. He held my hand filling the spaces between our fingers and together we entered the movie theater and find a seat. 

       While the movie is nearing its end he looked at me and said “I got something to tell you Kathy.” I looked at him too. He continued “My parents want me to live with them in the United States of America together with my other siblings. I was at the La Terraza Café when I decided that I will live there together with them but then we bumped to each other and found myself captivated by you. There is a strange aura within you that whenever I see you at the campus, I can’t help but stare at you. Sadly to say every time I look at you, you avoid and walk away. You are the only reason why I’m staying here. All the night-long texting to you made me fall deeper in love with you. You may not be the perfect girl but I love all your imperfections. It’s too early to say this but I love you Kathy, I will never cheat and hurt you like that jerk. I will always protect you. I’m leaving tonight at 10 PM, please give me a reason to stay.”

       His words deeply moved my heart and confirmed what I really feel about him. “I love you too Nick, please stay. I don’t want you to leave.” I felt that my tears are falling with each word I say.

       “For you Kathy, I’ll stay” and I felt his warm lips touching my forehead.

FIN

Friends and Lovers Introduction :)

I don't know why I made this blog. . . maybe just to have some peace of mind and clear my thoughts about what's really happening to my real world.

Well, I have been FRIENDZONED a couple of times already. I want to share my experiences through writing some short stories and other posts you'll find in this blog. :D

So please take some time and enjoy my stories and posts here at Friends and Lovers. :)