Zofi stands in front of the café where she passed the time while the rain was pouring heavily two weeks ago. "I'm really here," she said to herself.“Ms. Zofi! You’re back,” Riri greeted her right away.“Hi, Riri. I was out of the country last week,” Zofi said.“Did you go home to the Philippines?” Riri asked.“Ah no. I was sent to the US for a convention. It was a short trip,” Zofi said.“That’s still great. Glad to have you back,” Riri said.“By the way, did someone return your umbrella?” Zofi asked.“Yes. I got it back,” Riri said.Zofi noticed that Riri keeps glancing at the counter area.“I’ll order now. Excuse me,” she said.“I’ll bring your order to your table once it’s ready,” Riri said.“Am I still the customer of the day?” Zofi asked.“Let’s say, you’re our all-time favorite,” Riri said.Zofi checks her social media posts. She continues to receive wonderful reactions from her friends and some messages too. She noticed that Cindy sent another message.“That girl won’t s
Zofi walks outside to clear her mind of everything that has just entered it. The sky is still bright but inside her is cloudy.Jiro watches her as she walks away. He went down to check on her discreetly. There’s a great deal of concern in his eyes. It’s about to get dark when Zofi returned home.“Hey, where have you been?” Natalie asked.“I just had a stroll,” Zofi said.“Are you still upset about the t-shirt?” Natalie asked.Zofi shook her head. It’s the least of her concern now.“By the way, I must tell you that Jiro’s in the building and I saw him wearing the shirt,” Natalie said.“I saw him too and I don’t care about him. I might just slap him on the face if comes near me,” Zofi said.“What’s up with the little violence there?” Natalie asked.“Oh, forget about it. What happened here while I was away,” Zofi said.“Do you really want to know?” Natalie asked.“Tell me everything,” Zofi said.“Nadia and her boyfriend broke up. The guy just couldn’t choose between the two sisters
“Don’t play smart with me. If you want to trick me, let me tell you that it’s only 5:28PM. We are still on my term, I’m ending it now, and I won’t attend your meeting,” Zofi said.Passersby and a few customers of the café get curious about the little commotion.“Zofi, please. I’m sorry,” Jiro said.“It’s really a wrong decision to give you a chance to speak. Oh, it’s a stupid decision rather,” she said before finally walking away.“Listen, I admit to follow you, to stalk you. It’s all because I don’t know how else to talk to you and explain my side,” he said.“Thanks for admitting that you are a stalker. Bye!” Zofi said.Jiro knew he made the wrong move and lost his chance.“That didn’t go well, Sir,” Riri said.“Yeah, Riri. It didn’t,” he said.“But at least she talked to you longer today,” she said.Jiro gave a bittersweet smile. “I can’t settle for that every time,” he said.“She has a boyfriend,” she said.“Just a boyfriend and he's away. I was married before and I’m sing
“What if we go back to the Philippines?” Zofi asked.“Are you serious? That’s such a random idea,” Billie said.“Is it? It's our country and they’re allowing tourists there now,” she asked.“Is that for good or just to have vacation?” he asked.“Vacation for now then we’ll decide later if we want to come back for good,” she said.“Either way, I’m okay if you want to go,” he said.“If I want to go? Just me?” she asked.“I still have things to do here,” he said.“What things? Your business plans? Don’t you think it would be best to make another plan or at least rest your plan for now?” she asked.“Are you doubting my plans?” he asked.“No. Never. I just want you to consider a plan B or another plan now that things are not yet 100% back to normal. Some even have shifted to new ways for good,” she said.“I planned for this and I want to give it a try. Let me try to do it first,” he said.“Up to you. I’ll take a two-week vacation. I hope you could come or at least follow me there,
It’s a beautiful morning in the countryside. The birds are singing as the wind blows gently.“Zofi, are you awake?” Auntie Rose asked as she knocks on the guestroom’s door.Zofi opened the door with a big smile on her face.“Good morning, Auntie,” she greeted her.“Did you sleep well?” Auntie Rose asked.“I did. I almost overslept. I thought I was in my room,” Zofi said.“Breakfast is served. Come down when you are ready,” Auntie Rose said.“I’m done, Auntie. Let’s go,” Zofi said.“You may call me ‘Mommy Rose’,” Auntie Rose said.Zofi was surprised. She didn’t expect Billie’s mother to initiate that.“Many here call me by that. Even Saatchi calls me that,” Auntie Rose said.Zofi was taken aback hearing Saatchi’s name.“If you don’t mind, I’d stick to the usual way I address you for now,” Zofi asked.“Why? Is it because it's too early and you don’t want to jinx it?” Auntie Rose asked.“Not really but my mother might get jealous,” Zofi said. She used her own mother as her alibi.
It’s Sunday night and everyone is rushing to go back home to prepare for Monday. Zofi can’t come inside of her building yet. She prefers to stand outside trying to accept the reality that her vacation was cut short.“Zofi?” Natalie called her.Zofi knew it was Natalie and she couldn’t wait to tell her everything. She turned around only to realize that she's not only with Ryan but also with Jiro.“Go now. I’ll be the one to help her,” Natalie told the two men.Zofi rushed to enter the building.“I’ll help you,” Natalie said.“I’m fine, Natalie. Go with Ryan and that guy,” Zofi said.“We’re done with our date today. He just took me home,” Natalie said.They ride the elevator together.“Let me explain, please,” Natalie said.“There’s no need to explain, Natalie. You don’t need to pick your friends based on my preference. You don’t need to adjust for me,” Zofi said.“Why are you back so soon? I thought you’d return next week,” Natalie asked.They entered their unit. Zofi immediat
It’s a mixed of sadness, regret, guilt, pride that cannot be contained in one tiny and fragile heart. The chance to fix things and make them okay once again awaits but there’s also the question of how long will the cure last.“Why haven’t you told me that he arrived yesterday after I left?” Zofi asked her mother.“We didn’t want to meddle. He should be the one to tell you that. After all, he said that he meant to surprise you,” her mother said.“He’s here. I think he wants me to fly back with him there,” Zofi said.“You two are wasting money. Stop being childish. You’re romanticizing things a lot,” her mother said.“Did he talk to you yesterday?” Zofi asked.“Not much. His mother wanted them to go home already and we too,” her mother said.There seems to be no one else to help them solve the problem but themselves.It’s past lunch time and not a single message from Billie. Zofi reflects on what she told him yesterday.“Let’s just end things here,” she said.“What? That wasn’t a
The place is full of people wanting to find love. Everyone adds to the happy vibes except for Billy who sits in a corner watching them go through the matchmaking process.“Thank you everyone from joining and best of luck to those who found a date tonight! But the night is not yet over. Let’s have some fun and drinks until midnight!” the host announced the end of the event.“How was it?” Crinkles asked Billie on the phone.“It was fun,” Billie answered.“You don’t sound like you had fun,” she said.“It was fun watching, I should say,” he said.“I knew it. I knew you wouldn’t even try,” she said.“It’s not my thing,” he said.“Or you haven’t moved on yet,” she said.“C’mon, Crinks. It’s just a couple of months versus years that I need to move on from,” he said.“I know but you’ve to start helping yourself little by little,” she said.Billie smirked. “Yeah. Coming from you,” he said sarcastically.“Listen, I’m not really good at this but I know the help that you need starts within