“Zofi, what’s the result? You’re negative, right? Tell me you are,” Natalie asked.“Yes, I am negative,” Zofi answered. She tightly holds the copy of the result in her hand.Natalie looks so relieved. She and Zofi haven’t spoken in two weeks since Zofi reported that she had a close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus within the last two weeks.“I just need to call human resources to report the results and ask them about the next steps I need to take,” Zofi said.“Just be calm. I believe that no one in the office tested positive for the virus. If there’s one, they are surely doing some measures by now,” Natalie said. She tried to help her lessen her worry.“I can’t believe everything that’s been happening. I never imagined being a possible carrier,” Zofi said.“Anyone could be a carrier so don’t beat yourself too hard,” Natalie said.After almost an hour, Zofi joined Natalie in the kitchen where she sees her cooking for the first time.“We really hadn't each
A new life. A new start.Birds are flying freely on a beautiful mid-morning. The air is cool even when the sun is up. The situation gives way to the hope that everything will be okay soon.Billie’s eyes indulge in the beautiful scenery of a simple farm. Seeing this view everyday makes his spirit stronger than ever.“Hey, Billie!” Saatchi called him from the farm’s gate. “Hi, Saatchi. Good morning,” Billie greeted her back while watching her walk towards him.“Nice morning, right?” she said.“It is. It’s always like this since I came here,” he said.“Glad you’re loving it here. I’m sorry I was a little late today but I was able to do a lot. I made a phone call to Manila to update them and then got us our supplies for the week,” she explained.“Thanks for everything that you’re doing for me. I made coffee just a few minutes ago. I’ll get a cup for you,” he said.“No, I’ll get it myself” she said.“Please. Just sit there,” he said.Billie came back with a cup of hot coffee.“I’l
Natalie bangs on Zofi’s door. She’s so afraid and her eyes are crying in fear for her life. The undead creatures that she locked inside her room are persistently trying to break the knob of her own room’s door. She has to hide in Zofi’s room before they get out and grab her.“Zofi, open up! Let me in!” she screamed.Zofi’s door finally opened. Natalie immediately ran inside only to see more undead creatures waiting for her including Zofi.“Oh goodness!” she screamed seeing Zofi in front of the refrigerator getting her snacks.“Natalie! What happened to you?” Zofi asked. She too startled.“I’m sorry! I fell asleep in the middle of my zombie marathon and had a terrible nightmare,” Natalie said.“Pinch me,” Zofi said while extending her arm.“No need for that. It was really just a bad, scary dream,” she said.“Or you are still scared to pinch me?” Zofi joked after Natalie refused to pinch her.“I’m okay,” Natalie said.“This pandemic situation makes us think of scary and crazy tho
“Cindy, why are you here?” Billie asked. “I’m working in this hospital,” Cindy answered.Saatchi looks at the two. Billie looks as if he just saw a ghost.“Right, right. You’re a nurse. I’m sorry. I wasn't expecting you to be here in the US,” he said.“It’s okay. I just moved here three months ago,” Cindy said.“That’s great,” Billie said.“I’m sorry but can we settle the bills first?” Saatchi reminded them.“Yeah. Excuse me but I need to settle the bill now. We have a car waiting,” Billie said.“No worries. I also have to go back to my other patient. Take care you two,” Cindy said. She still looks so surprised.“Do you know that guy?” one of Cindy’s colleagues asked her.“We know each other from way back,” she said.“He’s the one we were telling you about just a few minutes ago,” her colleague asked.“The one who’s talking on the phone?” she asked.“Yes. That was him. But who’s that pregnant girl he accompanied here? Is he cheating? And who is he cheating with who?” her co
The intercom continues to ring. Neither Zofi nor Natalie wants to answer it.“Ah nonsense! I can answer it. No one can harm us through it,” Natalie said.“Miss Natalie, there’s one package left for you here,” the receptionist said.“See. It’s for me,” Natalie said.“What if it’s a trap?” Zofi asked.“As long as you don’t leave this place, you’re safe,” Natalie said.Downstairs, the same delivery man checks all the rest of the deliveries.“Ms. Natalie?” he asked.“Yes, I am. Do I still have items delivered today?” she asked.“You’re Ms. Natalie?” he asked again.“Is there a problem?” she asked.“I thought you were Ms. Zofi. You were asking me about the package from that building earlier, weren’t you?” he asked.“She’s my flatmate,” she said.“But she got all the previous packages, right?” he said.“Do I need to report that to you?” she asked a little irritated.“Not really. I just wanted to make sure that those were delivered properly and reached the recipient,” he said clearly and
The beautiful flowers rest in a glass vase that has been waiting to be used for many months. Natalie is mesmerized by the unexpected gift from an unexpected suitor who appeared at the right time.“How did you know he owns the delivery agency?” Zofi asked.“The delivery man today mentioned it unintentionally. He told me these flowers came from their boss. Our receptionist also knows that he is the boss,” Natalie said.“Are you now giving him a chance?” Zofi asked.“Could be. But first, I’ll accept his friend’s request then reply to his message,” Natalie said.“Well, that’s great. You changed your perspective of him,” Zofi asked.Ryan reads Natalie’s response over and over again. He can’t help but smile at this new beginning.“Must be a good message,” Jiro said.“Sir Jiro! Good morning!” Ryan greeted him excitedly.“Any good news? You look so happy. I could see your grin from ear to ear,” Jiro asked.“Good timing, Sir. I’ve been meaning to see you but you don’t have pick up schedul
Saatchi sits quietly at the dining table waiting for Billie to come out of the room.“Hey, have you not started eating? You don’t have to wait for me,” Billie said.“We want to eat with you,” she said referring to her and her baby.“What do we have for brunch? Oh, it’s still my favorite Adobo but your version,” he said.“Listen, Billie. I’m really sorry about earlier. I thought your call had ended and that you fell asleep again. I didn’t mean to show myself to her,” she said.Billie smiled. “Forget about it. It’s nothing. She didn’t even recognize you,” he said.“Are you sure she’s fine?” she asked.“I’m sure she was and she is. We talked about a lot of things....shoot!” he said after realizing he didn’t say goodbye to Zofi the way he’d always do.“What is it?” she asked.“I just forgot something to tell her,” he said.“Are your bags all packed?” she said.“Ready to go,” he said.“Mom just left our house. She’s on the way here,” she said.“Great. I will need to give her some
“Gotta go. Internet is intermittent. TTYL,” Billie typed in the chatbox.“Are you kidding me? This is the second time you left me in our call,” Zofi talked to him in her mind.She closed her computer and went to sleep. The feeling of frustration is heavy enough to make her sleep easily. No matter how she tried to brush it off by telling herself that it’s so petty, something tells her otherwise.“Billie, are you okay?” Saatchi’s mother asked.Saatchi’s already okay but has to stay for another day in the hospital for close monitoring.“Yes, Auntie. I'm fine,” he said.“I hate to insist but can you really stay for another week like you said?” she asked.“I’ve already decided on that. I’ll stay until Uncle is here,” he said.“Thank you. You’re always here for Saatchi no matter how hardheaded she can be,” she said.“Oh, I’d say she changed a lot for the better,” he said.“Perhaps, she’s only nice to you,” she said.Billie smiled. He’s not into the conversation as his mind has othe