MY princess. Those are the words that made her come to her senses. She shove him away. “Don’t call me that, please. I am not your princess. And can’t you see? I’m already giving you a huge favor. You no longer need to explain anything, you don’t have to give dumb excuses or any alibi because I’ve done it all for you.”Bullet sighed in despair. “So that’s it? You are willing to forget everything just like that? You won’t even force me to be your boyfriend or take responsibility for what happened between the two of us?”“I’m not that pathetic, thank you very much. What happened to us was just...sex.”“Come on, that’s all it is to you, just sex?”“Yes.”Bullet frowned and by the looks of him, he didn’t like what he had heard. “Wow, I don’t believe this. Whatever happened to the sweet and idealistic
After 4 years...BULLET’S eyes had been glued at the entrance of the coffee shop for hours, waiting for Astrid to arrive. It’s three o’clock in the afternoon and any moment now, she’d be here. He laid his cup of coffee on the table, adjusted his necktie and slightly combed his newly-hut hair with his fingers.It’s been a month since he last saw her and he must admit that he missed her. If his training in California had not been important, he wouldn’t have attended it. But he needed the training for his position as senior consultant of the university he’s working for so he had to delay his plan of inviting Astrid on a weekend getaway. And that’s the reason why he’s there - to surprise her.Three-thirty. At last, he spotted Astrid entered the shop. She went straight to the counter, greeted the waitress and put on her black apron. She still looked the same a
“ASTRID...”That’s the only word he could mutter when at last, he had the courage to approach her at the bar counter. It has only been a couple of days since he arrived from New York and after his meeting at the office, he was surprised to see Astrid at the coffee shop busy arranging the novelty items displayed on the glass cabinet. And now, after a few days, he was able to gain the courage to see her up close.“Astrid.”Bullet could clearly see how her face turned red the minute she saw him. It took her a while to get back to her senses.“How are you?” He asked softly while staring at her. It was eight o’clock in the morning and there were already a lot of customers coming in.He didn’t hear anything from her. She didn’t even look at his direction.“By the way, this place is amazing. You really deserve
DO you know what you’ve gotten yourself into? Trouble, man. You are going to be in deep trouble.”He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Lukas. He once told his friend about his relationship with Astrid and actually, Lukas was the only one who knew about their past. Now, he’s regretting it and asking himself why did he ever told Lukas about his problem with Astrid.“I’m telling you, man. You’ve got to stop whatever you have with her.”“Stop what, our friendship?” Bullet cocked his head, then glanced at her. It was break time so he invited Lukas to have coffee there instead of calling for delivery.“Yes, your friendship. Because that’s where it all starts, man.”“What do you mean?”“Don’t play dumb with me. You damn know what I mean. Now, you’re just that - friends. You enjoy each other’s company, you kn
“OH sir, we don’t know what happened, either. A guy who came out from here went straight inside the office and told us that there’s something wrong with the sink pipe of the comfort room.He shook his head and entered the comfort room. The space was not big enough for the three of them so Joana had to go out to give way. The water kept dripping from the bottom of the sink and he did not know what Lukas did to break it like that. He slowly sat down and examine what the trouble was.“There’s nothing wrong with the pipe,” he started. “There’s just a loose metal clasp probably because of the water pressure. Do you have tools for this?” He asked the question while staring at Astrid who was watching him closely. She’s just looking at him, unable to move nor speak. At that moment, all he just wanted was to smile at her and ask about her day but then he remembered that they were not the only people in
“I’M SORRY. It was really Lukas’ idea. Please don’t hate me.”It got an angry squint from Astrid. They were already in the receiving area inside her office, in front of two cups of coffee. Her office hasn’t changed, he thought. It still looked the same the last time he’s been there, many years ago. The tables and chairs were still in the same place and when he glanced at her office table, a Bulul wooden figure caught his attention. If he was not mistaken, it was the same Bulul figure they bought as souvenirs when they first met in Baguio. They actually purchased a pair, which held their promise that they would keep each souvenir as long as they love one another.“Good to know that you still have it,” he expressed gently. “I still have mine as well.” In fact, it has become a part of his luggage whenever he has to go somewhere for business.She looked at him and smiled, just like th
BULLET smiled in response to her question as to why he was staring at her. His table was beside hers and they were sitting with a chair in between them. He’s staring at her while she’s busy reading a magazine with a chocolate cake on its cover. It was about eight o’clock in the evening and he was grateful when Astrid agreed to meet him at Mandy’s that night. It was her birthday and he wanted to make this one extra special for her.Bullet may not have the luxury to prepare a ‘romantic’ dinner for her but he made sure that this night was something she will remember. He hasn’t seen her for almost a month due to a series of seminars so he took the risk of inviting her even though he knew that there’s a chance that she’d turn him down.He chose Astrid’s favorites for their main dish without being too obvious that he wanted to make an impression. Astrid arrived at Mandy’s about an
“ASTRID, are you sure you’re okay? What if you just go home and take a rest?”“I’m fine,” Astrid replied lazily to Martha, her best friend at St. Margareth Learning Center where they work as preschool teachers. Martha has been her friend since college so she knows everything that has happened and is happening in her life.“Your class is done and you’ve already helped me in my class. You’re supposed to be at the shop, right? What are you still doing here anyway?” Martha inquired while busy arranging the folders on the table. The loud voices of the children are slowly fading away as their students leave one by one.She hasn’t been to her coffee shop for almost a week and Martha knew the reason why she didn’t want to visit the place. And now, she’s certain that she won’t stop teasing her again.“Wow, you seem so serious about avoiding him, huh.” M
“CAN you believe this?” “Can you?” Bullet asked back as he squeezed Astrid’s hand, her engagement ring sparkling on her finger, together with her wedding band. An endearing smile lit her face as they walked hand in hand towards the fireplace. “After more than a decade, after everything that has happened, we’re here,” Astrid beemed after sipping her wine. “At last.” She then looked at her husband and suddenly, she felt this warm fuzzy feeling inside her chest. God, Bullet is now her husband. It was just like a dream. Everything was just like a dream to her now since his proposal. Bullet sat next to her on the extravagantl
AFTER SIX MONTHS... THE humble Italian diner located at the hotel rooftop was packed with guests early that evening. Though it was a simple ceremony, Carl and Michelle made sure to invite all the people closest to their hearts including Astrid, Luna and Bullet. They were surprised when they got the invitation just a week ago. In fact, everyone was surprised, especially Luna. Oh, surprised wasn’t the right term. She was ecstatic! When she saw Carl picking her up at the gate of her school, she cried, literally. According to Carl, they’ve decided to hold a simple civil wedding since they are just staying in Manila for a couple of weeks. They were already married in the states anyway and they just wanted to celebrate their marria
ASTRID was on her way out of her coffee shop when somebody blocked her way. She was busy going through her bag for her cellphone so she wasn’t able to see what’s on her way. “Oh, I’m sorry, I-” And when she looked up, she saw a huge bouquet of red American roses. She couldn’t quite figure out who’s holding them due to the size of it and she had to step closer to recognize whoever it was.“Hi.”She has already prepared a smile but when she realized that it wasn’t who she was expecting, she straightened and all the muscles in her face tightened.It was Theo. He’s all dressed up with his freshly-ironed light blue long sleeves shirt and cream
“AM I late?”Everybody glanced at him at the gate, including Luna who’s trying hard to stay awake by her mom’s side. But when she heard that voice, she quickly stood up and shrieked.“Daddy!” Luna rushed to her Dad and hugged him tight. “I knew it, you’re gonna come! I’ve been telling Mommy that you told us you’re not coming but you are just going to surprise us this Christmas eve!”“Yes, hon, you’re right.” Bullet crouched and kissed his daughter on the cheek. “Did Daddy’s plan worked?”“Yes Dad!”“Did you miss Daddy?”“Oh, I missed you so much Daddy! I’ve been telling Mommy to call you and tell you to visit but she said...” Luna had to take a deep breath before continuing. “She said that you are very busy with work and meetings and stuff that I don’t really understand.&
ASTRID was just about to turn off the moon night light on her night stand when she heard a knock at her door. It was Bullet, his hair already scruffy. His smile was quite uneasy when he entered her room.“She fell asleep even before she was able to read to me her new book.”She sat up and straightened up her blanket. ”I bet she got tired from riding her new bike around.”“Yeah, she told me about her ‘adventure’ in your backyard.”“Anyway, thank you for staying. You better go now so you can still catch the last full show.”Bullet shook his head. “I already called Audrey. Told her to take a rain check on the movie tonight.”“Why?”“Because you’re sick, that’s why.”“I feel better now, really.”He moved towards her bed and touched her forehead, just like what he did earlier. “Have yo
OH MY GOD, Astrid! What has gotten into you?She shook her head while looking at the pictures on her phone - pictures of Luna with Bullet and some stolen shots of him. She can’t remember when it happened or how it happened but one day, Astrid just found herself thinking about him all the time.And she hates it.She hates it every time he’s with them but his mind is into something else - oh yeah, someone else. She hates it whenever he promises to visit but doesn’t keep it due to ‘unforeseen’ circumstances. And she hates it when she wants to see him but he’s not available.She’s going crazy, she’s certain about it. Because if not, she wouldn’t be like this at all.This is all because of Bullet. All the flirting he’s been doing, all his sweet talks in the past months were now replaced with coldness. Now, he barely visits and when he does, he’s not his usu
"DREAM on, Mister!” Astrid laughed out loud, literally. “Why would you even think that?" she inquired.“Remember last week when we went to Lukas' night swimming birthday party?"Of course, she remembers. That was the time when she started getting confused about her own feelings. Because of Bullet, because of Theo, because of their complicated situation.“Remember when Audrey and I were getting cozy? You pulled that teacher closer, whispered in his ear and kissed him on the lips.”Astrid’s eyes widened and covered her mouth with her hands. “You saw that?” Yes, she remembered whispering to Theo and kissing him but it wasn’t because she wanted to make Bullet jealous. Alright. Maybe, half of it was true. She didn’t know how it happened but it was too late before she could even control herself.“Of course. I think everybody saw that.” He smiled but
“DO we really have to do this?”Bullet glanced at Astrid. He was about to push the doorbell button when he heard her behind him. Luna was just clinging to her Mom, smiling at him. She’s wearing the cute dress he got her on her birthday and carrying.Ever since his parents knew about Luna, they insisted to meet her as soon as possible. He’s not supposed to tell them about his daughter with Astrid yet but one of their closest friends allegedly saw the three of them together at the mall. He was even surprised to get a call from his mom asking too many questions about it that he wasn’t able to do anything but to admit it.“They are expecting us. Dad canceled his business trip today and Mom already cooked her special baked macaroni for Luna.””Wow! Baked macaroni? That’s my favorite, Daddy!”Bullet smiled and patted her hair lightly. “Yeah, your grandma made it beca
ASTRID just wanted to go home but she doesn’t want to lose face. When she got to the acoustic bar, Martha was already there. Lukas was also there, and Bullet and a beautiful young woman who seems really fond of Bullet.It’s her first time for a long time to visit such place since having Luna. It was one of the new clubs in the city which cater acoustic bands and promote fresh talents. The place is filled with smoke that’s artistically twirled, forming coils in the dimness.Acoustic music, chips, beers, murmurs and whispers. More and more people are coming inside the bar - men, women, couples, groups. There’s someone crying at the end corner of the place, some are just standing across the bar, while there are couples in hidden lounges.It was Martha’s birthday celebration and she was actually surprised when Martha told her about her and Lukas.“Are you kidding me?” she asked doubtfully. “Sinc