GREG:For a moment, I wonder if today was an unregistered holiday.It is unusual to see Mum in the kitchen doing any sort of cooking. In years, barely recurring her figure here and behold, she dresses in a casual outfit, looking unprofessional in her kitchen chores."Good morning, sweetheart.""Good morning."I scanned thoroughly to see what she was doing with a pan and the large frying spoon. I could ask, but I settled on my observation."Sit while I fix your breakfast.""Who amongst us ran short of a calendar?" I took the long stool and sat before an empty bronze plate, hoping she wasn't intending to fill it with those fried eggs in her pan. “Not me. I mean, it is Monday.”"Here, eggs for you. And Gregory, today's calendar marks Monday. Tease me no more."“Do you not find this strange as well?”She emptied her pan into the plate before me. Nothing about the eggs looked appetizing, yet I took hold of the cutlery.“I could do this often if that would have us talking more,” she smiled a
NICHOLAS:He woke in a fantastic mood and generously sprayed and transmitted it on anything he saw. His communicable demeanor had him coating our bread with plenty of margarine and humming noisily to non-playing music. He looked freshly neat, showing he had earlier used the shower. He gelled and styled his hair into back fringes, giving himself the most adorable look. He glittered cutely in my robe with the plushy belts tied above his waist and knotted to his side. Rhythmically, he danced and moved to his ghostly beats while licking margarine off a finger. I have been awake for a while at his ignorance, watching him prepare our breakfast and set the table to his taste."You look happy…"He turned to my coarse morning voice with a full smile, exposing his bare white chest and beautiful neckline.It is early and unreserved of me to think twice about his succulent skin. "...and nice." Yet, I acknowledged it.Rahul hummed closer, leaned, and kissed me. “I slept happy.”“Happy good mor
NICHOLAS: I shouldn’t let Greg and his boyfriend affect me, but I couldn’t help it. I got off their display with mixed feelings as I entered the building to reunite with my friends. I couldn’t shake off the memory of Wendy’s odd behavior. He has been out of character; I saw it, and the regrets of not going after him, which would have spared me witnessing Greg and his boyfriend, engulfed me in a weak saddle. I went directly to the rooftop in assurance to meet them, but neither Wendy nor Park was there. The classroom was also without them, and I presume they may have gone home, which is strange for Wendy didn’t come by for his car in the parking lot. I was proven right when I saw his car untouched and undriven and realized they had disappeared without me. It is justifiable. I hadn’t shown much interest in being with them today. Despite my reservations, I feel betrayed and abandoned, and their sudden disappearance hurts. Thinking of how I had unpicked Park and ditched their feelings
WENDY:I woke from my weary state, stretching tremulously to Park’s call. My eyes took minutes to open up to his voice and adjust to his bedroom.Park took the initiative to provide and care for me, and I intently embraced it vigorously as I craved support.“Wen,” he called, tapping me gently. “Wake now.”“Why?” I snuggled deeper into his pillow, refusing to bulge.“You need to eat something, come on.”As beaten as I was, I still find the need to eat. I am one of the two humans who doesn’t lose appetite no matter the breakdown. I may be a pecker-eater and equal to be without food, but I never skip a meal.I walked sleepily down the stairs to the living room, and unexpectedly, Nicholas was in the dining area looking over at me. His presence woke me whole, and I stared back as surprised as I was.I ought not to be happy with him; he had chosen his business when I needed him most, but seeing him over there has never made me happy.He kept looking at me without a word. I understand Nichol
WENDY:The sky opened, transmitting rich blue clouds upon our sit-out. Hummingbirds, with their beautiful display, statically had us watching the plant in silence. “Is your Grandpa going to be well?” Frederick began shortly. There is no answer to his question, but I am glad he got the balls to break the silence.“I hope he will be,” I adjusted to the new conversation. ”I got a bunch of things to tell and do with him.”“Certainly.”Silence fell between us again, but it was comfortable.“Can you be at school? You know, with your Grandfather and the happenings, will you be able to concentrate?”Instead of answering, I began to frown on how this might be the last time we sit and talk closely until the care home holds us again.“Wen…?”“I think I might need the school to aid my distraction.”I chose instantly. I wouldn’t want to follow Grandpa’s condition closely; I doubt my stability to be involved. Even when I do not expect my relationship with Frederick to develop at school this sudd
WENDY:Eventually, Nicholas was put in the know of my predicament. Touched by Park’s exaggerated story of Grandpa Kosa’s condition, he sat on the armchair looking all solemn. Although he wasn’t up for cheesy hugs and consolations, he wished my grandfather a quick recovery and offered to visit him.“We could pay some visit tomorrow.” He said.Nicholas hasn’t visited the care home nor seen my grandfather. It is a perfect period for an introduction, except it doesn’t seem all so to me.“Yes, only I’d think we should do that at the weekend,” I countered with another agenda in mind. I love my grandfather without bounds; I’d let my friends and I stay all day on his sick bed without a care of a thing, but something about a scale of preference and interest has moved in me after exchanging messages with Frederick. And here I am, wholly looking forward to seeing Frederick at school, as our last text stated.“Why? It isn’t new to miss school,” Park whooped at my disapproval. “There is nothing
WENDY: I had to return to school to ensure Nicholas wasn’t drastically upset and peradventure, end his classes, and take him with us to just anywhere we grace for the day. His not responding had us driving to D’caprias on an ongoing school day. The commotion we met, however, explained the reason for his unresponsiveness. “Let’s find Nicholas,” Park urged and took the lead into the building. Students retained their group discussion without lifting their heads in acknowledgment of our presence. The sight of the foreign cars and the owners occupied them in natter and better core of interest. “There…” Park pointed to the sight of Nicholas walking out of the school clinic, the one designated for the non-scholarship students. On sighting us, Nicholas stopped and waggled his eyebrows in surprise. He doesn’t look angry, I could see, but I am unable to read his exact expression. “Hey” “Hey,” I responded as he collided in between us. “You alright?” “Sure.” “You walked out of there,” Pa
WENDY: “Isn’t it too soon?” I re-took the passenger’s seat and let Park own his wheel again. He was driving smoothly and quietly until his sudden question halfway from Frederick’s neighborhood put me into a confused state. “What is?” “Falling in love with him.” “With whom?” I coughed anxiously, adjusted nervously, and pulled unnecessarily on my shirt. “No, not at all.” “Oh my! Can you see yourself right now?” Park shook rapidly, imitating how I had acted. “I have never seen you this fickle, man. What is going on?” I gazed at the busy street, trying to make a quick decision and admission to my feelings, yet I failed. I feel great about Frederick. I have never found anyone intriguing or one who ignites my curiosity and who I want to protect and care for as I pump to do for him. It is undeniable that I felt miserable on the days we were unable to face each other, or how happy I felt to receive his message yesterday. I know all this, but there is no conviction if it is a love to
Nicholas spent the entire night pleasing Greg and trying not to say anything that had Rahul in it. Greg refused to stop talking about it anyway. He complained about how Nicholas couldn’t stop looking at and admiring Rahul. “You should have hugged and kissed him since you missed him so much,” he nagged. “Babe, I can’t kiss and hug your brother’s boyfriend.” “What if he wasn’t my brother’s boyfriend?” “Then he wouldn’t have appeared to make my fiance so jealous.” “I am not jealous. I am angry!” “Why?” Greg rolled his eyes and thought of the reason he was angry, and when he couldn’t confirm any, he shook funnily, went into the bathroom, and banged the door. "My love..." Nicholas knocked at the door. "Let me join you, okay?" "Go away, and prepare the couch! You will sleep there tonight!" "Sweedy..." "Two nights!" Nicholas couldn’t raise the topic of their tomorrow's supposed wedding. Instead, he waited for weeks until Greg came to terms that Rahul would only be his
GREG: “Attention, ladies and gentlemen,” Nicholas’ voice erupted through the speakers and everyone unleashed their attention to him. “Thank you." “What is he doing?” I asked Frederick. “I hope it is not what I am thinking.” “My name is Nicholas,” he echoed. “Ehh, I am not a public talker; stage fright is real, so please, reduce the attentiveness.” Everyone laughed at his silly humor. “It is happening,” Frederick blurted out. “Yeah, and it is going to be fun.” “Greg…" “Just listen.” Damn it! Frederick is disturbing. “First, I want to thank Mrs. Crown, Mrs. Freyet, Mr. Sam. Ms. Cecilia, Janie, and everyone for coming out today to celebrate the graduates. And congratulations to you all in that deserving gown; you did it!” The graduates cheered and clapped, including me. “Are you seriously clapping?” Frederick asked. “I am a graduate, Freddie.” I twisted to face him. “Okay, what is it?” “We should stop him.” “Why? he is doing fine.” “Wendy said something
GREG: Time flies. A two-week stay-in vacation came and ended in a day. I rolled on every day wishing it would last a lifetime, yet, it didn’t. Each day with Nicholas is an unforgettable experience, and it hurts to see it over. It is alright, I will ask him to marry me. I am graduating soon and will propose then; waiting a few more days to own him forever won’t hurt too much. Nicholas is everything but the one to ask me to marry him. I have insisted on not moving in with him until we are married in the guise of knotting and pushing up his actions, but nothing has happened. He thinks it doesn’t matter. I spend nearly every day with him; what difference does it make? But I want it official. I am dying to upgrade from the boyfriend title, and it is clear the manifestation is my call. I make huge proposals in our relationship anyway; I asked him to be my boyfriend, and since he is waiting I ask him to marry me as well; I will. And I will do it before everyone. Meanwhile, I need t
(FOUR YEARS LATER) NICHOLAS: “You ditched me.” Greg cried. “Is that even possible?” I missed his calls in an early queue for coffee. Getting back to the car, and seeing the notification, I decided to call him after dealing with the morning rush, but here I am, facing a trial of loving him less. “How do you explain missing my calls and still breathing fine?” “I didn’t survive. You are talking to my ghost.” “No jokes.” “Sweedy…” “You do care only about your clinic.” “Tell me to close down this fuvking clinic and I will. Just a word and it is over.” He chuckled at the other end of the phone. “No more fuvking word, Babe.” “I am fuvking trying.” “Fuvking try harder.” I laugh out loud, having a few nurses turn to me in admiration. I am a dentist, a successful one, in my magnificent clinic. I owe this achievement to the Waldeens and Lansey, who have in the past years, become a bosom friend. Despite returning to his country, we kept the communication nourished. My clinic didn’
GREG: Preparation for Granny's late husband’s memorial went on. Since I didn't intend to embark on the trip, Mr. Ben would drive her to the countryside and return to the city. “He should stay all through, Dad.” I pleaded. I couldn’t have her alone in her home. With Nicholas in the city, attending his therapy, and Elena living with the doctors, Granny will have her enormous yard lonely and deserted. “Ben will be needed.” The last trip kept Mr. Ben in the countryside, and whereby I decided to use this holiday for a personal plot, Dad saw no reason Mr. Ben should stay back. “It is a remote area, Dad. Please, she shouldn’t be alone.” “Jerome would be helpful.” “But…” “Assign more help to her.” “Thank you.” I let it be. I comprehend Dad’s choices. Mr. Ben remains his most trusted and cherished driver; sharing him was for me. Dad also knows Mr. Ben has been more than a driver, and for such development, he’d prefer he patrol within my reach rather than away. Jerome dro
NICHOLAS: My joy was evident. It had me doing extraordinary things. I wrote beyond the class lessons and every read textbook and marked my final paper as the best. Last night created that effect; having accessed Greg’s hole more than I hoped for was a grand experience — He was nothing like my past encounters. In addition to the news about Elena, my spirit elevated and circulated the air. Wendy and Park caught up on it and offered to join my visit to her. Greg climbed behind me, with Park and Frederick riding in Wendy’s car, we went to the hospital at the end of the examination. Everyone abandoned the students’ celebration to partake in my life. They chose to participate only in tomorrow’s graduation ceremony for the call to see Elena. We arrived at the hospital, eyes on us. Neatly uniformed D’caprias representatives alongside Greg Waldeen, is a topic and rouse. We got into the exclusive elevator together, against everyone’s curiosity, and ascended to the twelfth floor of the hospi
GREG: “Right now?!” “Hmmm." “We can stay here.” “Do you not want me in your room?” How do I explain his photos on my wall and every corner of my room? “I…” “We can stay here,” he said sadly. “Can I use the bathroom? Your father made me sweaty.” He tried to joke and appear cool, but I saw his disappointment. “I have a towel in my room. Would you like to use it?” “Yes, please.” That is it! Nothing beyond existence can happen. Finding out my obsession will only give me a moment of embarrassment. I turned to Nicholas and tried to warn him again. “Come on, Greg, open the door already.” “You must promise not to laugh or make a mock of me.” “What do you have in there? Nude postcards?” I opened the door to him and as Nicholas saw himself all over my life, he stood speechless. I knew it! He would see me as creepy and obsessive. He walked into the room, looking at the pictures with wide eyes and a mix of admiration. “Say something.” He ogled at me and went
NICHOLAS: My face bleached at the curt reflection of sunlight, and I put out an arm for a shade, yawned, and rose from the pillow. “Arise and Shrink!” Park came loud and disturbing. He lifted the curtains to my face. I didn’t see but could hear in his voice all he had done. “Damn it…” I groaned and held my head from collapsing as I tried to open my eyes but felt them heavy. “Do you need some water?” Park isn’t asking out of care. He is threatening. He is ready to assist my waking with a bowl of water, and if I do not kick out this dizziness, I will have myself drenched and dripping. “Are you alright?” Wendy resonated deeper and consoling yet I was unimpressed. His voice lifted my drowsiness; I opened my eyes to him, leaning against the wall with arms and legs crossed, doubling my incertitude. “What is happening?” I stretched for better sight. “What is this ambush all about?” “Do you feel better?” “Why? Is something wrong with me?” I remember nothing except getti
GREG: Nothing is more satisfying than having Nicholas with me. He has proven his repentance, and if I were to choose, I see no reason for any discussion. All I want is to get back with him. Bringing him to school is secondary; I am not ashamed to voice it. “Where are we going?” I asked as we left the elevator to the building's car park. I know where we should go. We should be in his apartment, making up for the days apart rather than doing a bulky head of talk. “Anywhere.” He said. “Are you sure I can choose?” We indeed needed to talk. But that doesn’t mean we can’t after what I had in mind. If only he agrees I decide, I will lead us to a perfect location. “Greg, please.” Too bad, Nicholas is having it grim and strict. “Okay, serious head, we can drive to D’caprias if all you want to be is focused and determined.” “Shit!” He exclaimed and turned to me in horror. “Stop the car!” “What?!” “Pull over.” “What now?” I pulled to a pathway and Nicholas loosened his seat belt. “W