“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
“YOU know what? Your love story could easily be one of those ‘right love at the wrong time’ classics. So romantic yet so tragic!”Astrid’s eyes rolled skyward and smiled. She watched Martha eat her favorite lasagna, which she cooked herself. They were still inside the classroom, waiting for their meeting to start.“Tell me the truth, Astrid. Do you still have feelings for him?” Martha moved closer and talked in whispers. “Come on, it’s just gonna be our secret. I already know what everything you’ve been through and I can understand if you still have feelings for him because let’s admit it, it’s really difficult to forget someone like Bullet. And if it was me who had to choose between Bullet and Carl, I’d definitely choose Bullet!”“Martha!”“Well, I’m just telling the truth,” she said with a smile. “I’m
“LOOKS like you can’t erase that smile on your face.”Astrid didn’t seem to realize that she has been smiling ever since they arrived at the resort hotel that afternoon. Martha sat next to her and placed her glass of orange juice on the table. It was almost sunset and they were ready to go around the island.“So, do you want to tell me about it?”“Tell you about what?” Astrid adjusted the knot of her sarong around her waist and put on her sunglasses.“That smile. What’s behind that smile?”She just took a sip from her orange juice and smiled. What’s behind her smile? The truth is, Martha didn’t even have to ask that because she knew that her friend already knew the answer to that question.Martha just shook her head. “Oh well, if you don’t want to tell the story, then don’t.” Her friend gave her a sullen glance and bot
“WOW.”That was the first word that came out of Astrid’s mouth when they reached their table at the beach.Bonfire dinner.There were less than five tables around the large fire pit, with chairs and a guitar nearby. Their spot was perfect for the sunset.“Isn’t it amazing?”She nodded as she looked around. The effect from the fairy lights hanging from the tree as well as those that decorated the tables was amazing. It was enchanting that she just had to take a photograph of everything.“Of course, it’s Valentine’s Day! It’s our Valentine’s Day, my dear friend!”She couldn’t help but hug Martha. With so many problems in her life, Martha was always there for her and because of her, she was able to forget her worries even for just a while.“Thank you for this, Martha. You really know what makes me happy.”“Of cou
FROM where he’s sitting, he could see Astrid talking to a man. He has seen him a couple of times at the coffee shop and he’s quite sure that whatever he’s whispering to her was funny because her laughter was heard all over the room. He was taller than him and in just one glance, he’s certain that the man came from a well-off family. He didn’t have to ask his name and what’s his role in Astrid’s life because every time he comes at the coffee shop, he talks to nobody else but Astrid.He’s just a few feet away from them and he knew that Astrid was aware that he’s just there, watching. He could see how sweet her smiles were for the guy and he could hear her infectious laugh.Damn, she’s doing it in purpose, he thought. Just a couple of months ago, they had shared the best Valentine’s dinner together and now, it’s as if she didn’t want to give him the time of day.He
“SEE? You are jealous.” Bullet laughed. He could clearly see the redness on her face and she looked as if she’s ready to slap him in the face. “I know that feeling because I feel the same way, Astrid. I want to work all day and all night, exhaust myself just to avoid thinking about you, about where you are and what you are doing...Sometimes I just want to die rather than think about you being with someone else, you know. Hell, I can’t imagine someone else is hugging you and kissing you -““Please Bullet, leave. And don’t come here anymore. You’ve gotten yourself a pretty little girlfriend anyway so please, leave me alone.”“Tatianna is just a friend and that’s all. Honest.” He cupped her face and tried to look into her eyes. “We used to go out and that’s that. The kiss that you saw was nothing. It was just a spur of the moment thing. It meant nothing, Astrid.&rdqu
BULLET didn’t give her any chance to react. Without thinking, he kissed her. He was ready to accept her anger because of the audacity he did but it was the other way around as he immediately felt her respond to his kiss.“I missed kissing you like this,” he murmured against her ear. He left out a soft moan when he inhaled her sweet scent.“This is breaking all the rules, Bullet...”“Fuck the rules. I’ve been going crazy thinking about you...about kissing you...” He shoved Astrid against the wall and placed his hands on the wall, imprisoning her. He kissed her again on the lips, just like the hot kisses they used to share. He has been imagining this scene many times over and now that it’s really happening, he felt as if he’s going out of his head. Bullet felt Astrid’s longing. Her every breath was deep, her every moan, pleasing to his ears. He felt her hand gripped his hair, someth
“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