The mid-afternoon train ride from New Jersey to Manhattan takes about twenty minutes. Billie tries to enjoy the nice view from the window. He badly needs this breather from everything that stressed him out and still stressing him out from time to time.Zofi’s package arrival is a blessing. It provides him a reason to escape the chaos that happened in the past week, especially in the last couple of days. Even if she told him to get it from Alaska, he would definitely go there to claim it. He needs somewhere else to go.Things are getting tougher. Just when he thought he survived one ordeal, another strange situation came up. He’s barely one year away from home but it feels like he's forever without his family and Zofi.He closed his eyes but the moment he did, he instantly recalled a very stressful event that took place very recently.“How come my name got there?” he asked the nurse.“Sir, can we discuss it outside. I’m afraid you’d wake up the patient and it might stress her ou

Zofi entertains herself by searching through her photos and deciding which one to use as her profile picture on her social media accounts. Every picture is beautiful and shows her and Billie together. She made sure they would take a lot of couple pictures in this recent get together.“That’s it,” she said to herself after she clicked on the save button.It only took a few seconds before she received the first notification on her new profile picture showing the two of them kissing in front of the iconic apartment in New York. “Are you onboard already?” Billie asked on the phone. He called after liking her new profile picture.“Unfortunately, we were told to wait indefinitely. They’re still checking the airplane’s engine,” Zofi said.“Well, it’s better to be safe than sorry,” he said.“But some passengers don’t want to wait,” she said.“Don’t mind them. Just get busy with social media. Your new profile picture is trending,” he joked.“What’s wrong with the aircraft? Why can’t yo

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

“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

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.