She stepped out of the house to observe. Much has changed in their area over the more than ten years of her absence. The once abundant trees in the surroundings have diminished, replaced by buildings and houses. Several subdivisions have also sprung up in the area.
It's a beautiful transformation. The muddy road they used to take to school when it rained is now paved.Many children there are unfamiliar to her. Some passersby glance at her, perhaps wondering who she is.A group of women passed by and stopped in front of her."Maine?" The one greeting her seemed hesitant."Yes? Do I know you?" She asked. The others laughed."Silly, it's me, Emilie."Her face lit up. She suddenly felt happy, seeing a familiar face."OMG, you look gorgeous," she hugged her old friend."I've been looking for you on social media, couldn't find you.""I'm not active, my profile is hidden," she replied."Monique and Elise, they're our friends too.""You all look beautiful," she smiled at them. They've all blossomed."Wow, you look beautiful," Elise replied, "how have you been? It's been a while since you came home.""Well," she smiled bitterly, "my graduation got messed up.""Why? Are you pregnant?" Monique asked in surprise."No, not at all! You know, just made some foolish choices in love.""That's it," Emelie sighed, "I almost ruined my life there too. Thankfully, I managed to fix it.""Shall we sit there?" Monique pointed to a bench nearby. "Is grandma Gong there?""She's upstairs.""She looks outside every day, ever since you left. She hopes you'll come back," Emelie said as they sat down."Too bad, Maine, if I had just waited for Sandro, I could've been your aunt by now," Elise joked."Crazy, you know he doesn't like dealing with young people. Only Maine gets through to him," Emelie teased."You never know," Maine laughed at their banter."Have you graduated?" she asked her friends."Just one semester left for me, I'm going to be a teacher, these two are in HRM," Monique answered."No money in being a teacher," Elise commented."Hello, grandma Gong," Emelie greeted her."Did you decide to visit my granddaughter?" her grandmother smiled."We just happened to see her displayed outside, grandma," Emelie replied."You really are something," Grandma Gong chuckled, "visit my granddaughter often, okay? Wait a moment, I'll bring out some snacks.""Your grandma is so kind, Maine," Elise said to her."I missed this too when you left, Maine," she added.As they sat there, chatting and laughing, a stray thought crossed her mind. Dylan. her ex. It was strange how he could still occupy a corner of her thoughts, even in moments of joy. She found herself wondering what he was doing, if he ever thought of her, if he was happy.She looked at her friends, their faces alight with laughter, their eyes sparkling with joy. They were here, in the present, enjoying the moment. And here she was, stuck in the past, thinking about someone who was no longer a part of her life.She shook her head, trying to dispel the thoughts. This was not the time or the place. She was here with her friends, and she wanted to enjoy this moment with them. Dylan was a part of her past, and that's where he should stay.She forced a smile on her face, joining in the conversation. But as she laughed and chatted with her friends, a part of her couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. It was a reminder of what she had lost, but also of what she had gained.She had her friends, her family, and a whole world of possibilities ahead of her. Dylan was just a chapter in her life, and it was time to turn the page. As she looked at her friends, their smiles genuine and their laughter infectious, she knew that she was in the right place. she was moving on, and she was going to be okay.As the clock struck noon, the room filled with a sense of reluctance. The laughter subsided, replaced by a comfortable silence. They all knew what time it was, but no one wanted to be the first to say it.Finally, Elise broke the silence. "I guess it's time for us to head out," she said, her voice filled with a hint of regret. Emelie and Monique nodded, their faces mirroring Elise's sentiment.She stood up with them, her heart heavy. "I had a great time, guys. We should do this more often," she said, trying to keep the mood light."We definitely should," Emelie agreed, her smile soft. "Today was really fun."Monique, added, "Let's make a plan soon."As they walked towards the door, she followed them, a sense of nostalgia washing over her. They shared a group hug, promising to meet again soon. As they stepped outside, they turned around to wave one last time before disappearing down the street.She stood there for a moment, watching them leave. The house felt empty without their laughter and chatter. But as she turned to go back inside, she couldn't help but smile. Today had been a good day. A day filled with laughter, love, and friendship. And as she looked forward to the next time they would meet, she knew that there were many more such days to come.As Maine lay on her bed, a wave of emptiness washed over her. The room felt suffocating, and her thoughts were consumed by memories of her cheated boyfriend. She couldn't help but replay the promises he had made, the words that had once held so much meaning.She remembered the way he had looked into her eyes, his voice filled with sincerity as he vowed to always be faithful. She had believed him, trusted him with her heart. But now, those promises felt like distant echoes, shattered by his betrayal.Tears welled up in Maine's eyes as she thought about the moments they had shared, the dreams they had built together. It was painful to realize that it had all been a lie, that the love she had invested so deeply in had been taken for granted.She felt a mix of anger and sadness, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. How could he have done this to her? How could he have thrown away everything they had for a fleeting moment of pleasure?Maine knew that she deserved better. She deserv
Maine and her friends went to the mall to buy clothes for graduation. Suddenly, a wave of sadness enveloped her. If only Dylan hadn't deceived her, she might have been graduating now too."Hey Maine, look at this beautiful dress! It would look amazing on you for graduation!" Emelie happily got the dress.She forces a smile "Yeah, it's really nice.""Are you okay, Maine? You seem a bit down. Is something bothering you?" Elise asked.She sighs "I... I had to stop schooling because of my cheating boyfriend. It's been really tough for me.""Oh, Maine, I'm so sorry to hear that. That must have been really difficult for you." Monique gives sympathy to her."We're here for you, Maine. You don't have to go through this alone. We'll support you no matter what." Emelie cheers her up."Thank you, guys. It means a lot to me to have your support. It's just hard to see everyone excited about graduation when I won't be a part of it." she was about to cry. The tears started to mold on her eyes."Main
She was in her room when a man suddenly entered carrying a sack. She grabbed her pillow to defend herself.The man took out his weapon from the sack."You shouldn't have made it until tomorrow!" he declared."We'll see who falls first!""I'm here to take your head, as I promised my wife!""Before you can do that, I'll make sure to slit your throat!"They circled the room, and she initiated the attack. He fought back, wielding his weapon. Due to his size, he managed to knock her down first.He was about to strike her again, but her grandmother intervened, hitting him with a cane."You're such a nuisance! Your niece just arrived, and look at what you're doing!" She aimed for his legs, and the cane struck hard."Ouch, Mommy!" he cried out. "Maine, defend me!"She blocked her uncle and held him by the arms."Go, Grandma! Avenge me!""Traitor!" Her uncle tried to break free, unintentionally hitting her with the cane."Ouch, Grandma!" She winced in pain. The cane struck her leg, leaving a v
She walked alone, passing through an orchard laden with mango fruit. Her stomach grumbled, so she entered a gap in the barbed wire. She wasn't familiar with the place. It had been ten years since she left.She enjoyed walking among the tall trees with intertwining branches. The fruits seemed like hearts kissing the earth. It felt like she was in an enchanted garden. As she walked, she reached the center of the farm.The trees looked similar, and she didn't know how to find her way out. She hesitated to shout, not wanting to disturb the owner.She continued walking until she came across a beautiful house."Oh my God, a beautiful house in the middle of the woods? Could it be, am I in a haunted place?" She rubbed her eyes in disbelief.She walked around the house, admiring its beauty from every angle. It had a modern touch despite the house's age."Oh, there's a gate," she remarked upon seeing it.But before she could reach it, she heard a growling animal. A shiver ran down her spine. Sh
"Bam! Bam!" Sandro shouted at Demitri."Aaaah, farewell world, farewell," as he knelt down."Hahaha, how's it going, Demi?" his uncle approached and shook his hand."I'm good, how about you? You've been gone for so long. Is this- really Maine?," he said with a smile.Maine raised an eyebrow, then shouted at them, "You guys are animals! You scared me!""Sorry... as soon as you called me, I messaged Demi to let him know it was you.""That arrogant guy over there," she pointed at Sandro."I'm just being cautious.""Because the last girl who got lost here brought him tears," Sandro chuckled."Shut up Sandy..""Stop calling me that way, I got goose bumps!""Take your niece with you, I think she's so annoyed with me.""I'm glad you noticed that, idiot." she murmured in frustration and mimicking his reaction."Wow, what a sharp tongue! I guess, you inheret that to your uncle Sandy.""Shhhoooo! shut up Demi. We're going. Thank you for not shooting Maine," her uncle jokingly wink at Demi."Let
She woke up with a growling stomach in the early morning. Peeking outside, she made sure the guys she annoyed were gone. Once assured there is no one else there, she headed to the kitchen, finding leftover food on the table inside the food keeper. No need for lights; the light outside their garage sufficed.Seated on the chair, she opened the food containers, the worms inside her intestine dancing wildly. She first tasted the pasta her uncle praised – delicious, undoubtedly he didn't cook it but from a town restaurant.Grabbing a canned soft drink from the fridge, she savored the meal alone until the light suddenly turned on. Her uncle Sandro stood there, smirking."I've been watching you for hours; I was going to put that in the fridge," he approached, taking a seat in front of her, "tantrums gone?""I'm annoyed with you and your old friend. You act like you're fresh catches, but you're just left over," she retorted, visibly irritated."You tease me but you're so sensitive.""I know!
"We're here, Miss Maine," Luna eagerly ushered her into the elevator."It's beautiful here. How long have you been with the company, Luna?" she asked."Just a year, ma'am. It's tough to get in, so I seized the opportunity when I was accepted. The compensation is good, and stay-in staff even get quarters.""What's your salary here?" she asked."10 thousand, but there are deductions like Pag-IBIG, SSS, and PhilHealth. With the health card, it comes out as eight thousand, plus free lodging and food.""Your boss seems stingy. Only eight thousand every half of the month?.""Oh, sorry, It was weekly!"She was surprised. It was substantial, especially considering everything was provided for free. It felt even better than working abroad."Wow, that's a decent amount.""We also have a centralized tip used for team building, Christmas parties, and various events.""This place seems good. How's Demi as a boss?""He's fine, but not as kind as Mr. Sandro.""Mr. Sandro?""Yes, Mr. Sandro. He's a lo
When the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, two men with tied hands, bruised faces, and torn clothes emerged, accompanied by a woman in white shorts."That's Sir Justin and Sir Nick. Weren't they supposed to have a meeting with Sir?" one staff member remarked."Help them!" shouted a tall, muscular man came with a name plate like Luna has "Boss, what happened to you?""That woman there, so arrogant, just kicked us out for no reason!" one of the men explained."She got angry just introducing herself! Hey, you're no beauty either!" retorted another."Especially you, if we use the right term, you look like a devil. Not handsome and with a terrible attitude. With a face like that, focus on improving your attitude," the woman added."Why is there a squatter in here? Get her out!" the male manager ordered."Miss, please leave," one staff member said, "we might get scolded by Sir.""Who's Sir?""Sir Demi.""I'm not leaving! Call your boss if you want! Those two disrespected me, play t