Fiction: The Letter

by theletterwriterXD

I sat outside the house, swinging comfortably on the porch swing my dad built two years ago. It was cold outside but I refused to wear a coat. I wanted to experience the full blast of nature. I lay me head back on the wooden back rest and began pumping with my legs. I didn’t exert much effort because I only wanted to swing slowly. I closed my eyes, relaxing with the soft rhythm, but opened them suddenly due to a sudden surge of anxiety. I watched the slowing drizzle of the rain and shivered slightly as a cool breeze passed by. I would have been in my bed at that moment, comfortably huddled under piles of cloth with a nice thick book, but for a reason I could not explain I was there quietly suffering the abusive wind and the freezing rain. I jumped every hour, fearing I would miss something of importance. I looked at the mailbox again. I didn’t know why but I had the greatest expectation of receiving a letter. I glanced at the wet, concrete sidewalk hoping to see the woman with the postal bag. I wanted to see her smile and her wave as she stuffed the bills, my parents’ monthly journal, and the letter.



I wasn’t sure a letter would arrive, it rarely does, but I just felt it. I stupidly allowed myself to feel ‘it’, though I knew in doing so I’ve also made myself vulnerable to the sadness and disappointment the unsent letter does send. Most of my days have been ruined by such expectations. But because of the letters that do arrive, every memory of the past pain is forgotten…well until you know, it comes again. I suddenly snapped back to reality when I heard someone’s loud and fast footsteps, as if running. My heart beat faster and my level of anxiety flew like a rocket. I nearly fell of the swing, when a couple of little grade school girls came to sight. The rain had become stronger. But I didn’t leave, because apart from being patient, and paranoid, I was stubborn. In fact the thought of missing the mail aroused more dread than a petty storm. I felt stupid for feeling that way. I mean I knew the letter would arrive whether I waited for it or not. But I wanted to be there. I wanted to see it actually placed into the tin box. After reading so many books about conspiracy theories, I wanted to make sure that from the time the mail was delivered to the time I opened the mail box, its contents remained untouched. We never know what the government or secret organizations will do. We have to be careful. Now I began to argue with myself, should I be sensible and just go inside? Says rational me. Or should I stay out here and freeze? Says Ms. Stubborn. I stayed.



I stopped swinging now, as the cold was becoming too much. I placed my feet on the swing and began to hug my knees. This did little to warm me, but it calmed me down a great deal. So much so that suddenly the thought of no letter didn’t matter so much. Of course when I heard the sound of boots stomping over puddles, saw the smile and the wave, I forgot the previous relief. I waited for her to be out of sight before I shakily approached the mailbox. I opened it slowly and stood for a few seconds in front of the now exposed documents.



I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until I let out a low sigh as I entered the house. It felt good to be warm again. I placed the letters on the mahogany table in the middle of the living room. I wasn’t ready to read them yet. I went into the kitchen and began making myself a sandwich. I was thinking the whole time what if it wasn’t there?



After nervously swallowing the last morsel of my bread and butter I went into the living room. I sat in the sofa and stared at the envelopes for a while. Okay this is it. I grabbed the stack and saw that the first one was a wedding invitation, and then came three bills, a magazine, and many other papers. There was no letter. I didn’t bother to look through the stack again because even though I had waited I already knew this would happen. I climbed up the stairs and entered my room. I sat on my desk and turned on my Pokémon lamp. I got out a clean sheet of paper and began to write a letter. And once again I must be the first to send, not the first to reply.

Fiction: A Chance Meeting

by: Vermie

The only time Grace met the “prince” of their land, she had paint on her face. A dramatic slash of blue - green -- cyan to name the color -- that started from the tip of her nose to the right cheek and managed to weave its way to the corner of her eye. The year was 2008, the setting a bus bound from Davao to Surigao. The heroine, a girl whose paint - splattered face was the least of it. There was also a dab of yellow on her hair, a streak of black that ran from her sleeve to her forearm, and orange on her shoe, and it would be impossible to name the colors found on her hands and under her fingernails. Grace herself was aware of the colors that adorned her shoe and her forearm. She had been admiring the combination of shades on her fingernails, and she had seen her face and ear reflected in the window when the bus passed under the bridges. No wonder a few of the other passengers had been staring at her as she walked down the aisle, searching for a seat; that the conductor had been smiling as he punched her ticket was completely understandable.

Still, what could she do? She had tried rubbing the cyan off -- such a cool and serene color but to no avail. So with a shrug, she left the cyan to glow dramatically -- but also with serenity and coolness -- on her nose and cheek.

An artist, Grace was dressed in what she considered a nightmare -- a uniform. Grace loved her school which was tiny and select, attended by scholars who passed the national competitive exams. But uniforms?! She was an artist! Artists were supposed to have freedom! Plus, the color of their uniforms were unique, making it hard for her to blend in, and harder, now, that her uniform had paint splattered on all sorts of places. She gazed out the window to pass time and dozed off once or twice, and dreamed of vivid colors swirling. Unlike other girls her age, Grace never dreamed about boys.

They arrived, with the conductor calling out Surigao bus terminal, and with a screech, the bus came to halt. Waking up, Grace shook herself, rubbed her eyes and stared wistfully at her paint - covered clothes, wishing that she brought a change of clothes. She gathered her bags, which were light, since she would only be staying for the semestral break, and walked down the aisle and out the door. The haze Surigao sunshine made her feel as if she was still dreaming.

As she walked out the bus terminal, she heard the conductor telling other passengers that the prince would pass through this very station. She can’t help but feel a twinge of curiosity.

The terminal had been freshly swept and scrubbed. It was the fact that the terminal was empty of people that Grace’ s curiosity for the prince vanish. As if the prince belonged to a higher form of life, as if he was too valuable to breath the air of the common people…the prince led a sheltered life. His home, a grand palace surrounded by acres of land -- gardens on one side, riding stables on another -- for his riding club, the Twilight Riding Club, an exclusive club for nobles who knew how horseback riding. His home occupied multiple precious blocks right in the center of the city. Its privacy was so closely protected that even the great roads were forced to bend to its will because it had not been allowed to be too close to the palace. Grace believed in efficiency and the location of the palace went against her stand for efficiency.

She started thinking about the prince. What is it about him that made the girls talk about him? Well, sure he belonged to the riding club, which she heard was filled with good - looking guys but… is he that special? Thinking these thoughts, Grace ran to catch another bus to her quarters.

The prince dressed in their school uniform was the first thing Grace saw when she arrived in the waiting shed. She was so close and her approach was so swift that he was startled and pulled back. There was a murmur of concern from his body guards, who stood two meters behind him. Grace also noticed that although for their concern, the men made no attempt to bridge the gap between her and Prince Ren.

She was a commoner, someone who walked on regular basis, was probably breaking some rule by standing so close to him. She and Ren were no more than a meter apart, close enough for her to observe that he was of medium height, slightly taller than her. He was every bit as her girlfriends promised. Who would have thought that his skin be fair, his eyes deep, his body lithe like a dancer, at the same time, lanky like an athlete?

They were also close enough to let him see that she had paint on her face…

Grace covered her nose with her hand but it was too late; in a moment his mouth broke into a crooked smile and his eyes shone with laughter, and as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone. No longer shy, rather humiliated, Grace felt her face grow warm.

How dare he laugh at her! Who does he think he is?

A god perhaps, or a noble’s son… Grace bowed deeply.

Then she lowered her hand from her face, lifted her head high and walking rather than running for once, swept past him, the cyan still glowing dramatically… so cool and serene… yet also… so satisfying…

Fiction: Love and Death

by: F J: D

“Then I realized that love really doesn’t have a happy ending because love has no ending.”

I was both wondering and wandering in our school’s library looking for a book to borrow when someone shouted and called out my name. “Jen!” I turned around to see my best friend waiting for me outside the library carrying with him my books and my bag. “Shoot.”, I muttered. I forgot that it’s Wednesday, a usual day for us to hang out and relax in the park.

When I found the book that I was looking for I hurriedly took it from the bookshelf and went near the librarian for the borrowing of the book. I walked as fast as I could to not attract much attention. Unfortunately, someone already noticed. “Hey Jen! It looks like your boyfriend is waiting for you now.” Yna said. Yna is Nick’s ex – girlfriend and is the major drama queen. “Shut up! He is not my boyfriend!” I whispered. After getting the book, I quickly went out of the library, grabbed my things from him and walked straight. I didn’t even care to say a simple “hi” or even saying “thank you” for bringing my stuff. I just moved on. Not until we were out of the school grounds that I talked to him again. “Nick what were you thinking? Why do you always shout my name in the library? Are you trying to embarrass me? Why do you always annoy me every Wednesday afternoon?” I was so mad at him that I could feel my face turning red because of my anger. This wasn’t the first time he called my name out loud; to be exact, this is the 22nd time and still counting.

So we continued to walk, silence prevailed. “OUCH!” I turned to look who it was and unfortunately, Nick stumbled. I couldn’t help not laughing at him. He had a very funny position and when he looked up; his face was covered with mud. Still laughing, I was caught unaware when suddenly he pulled me down and right there and then, we were both covered with mud. This is just one of the many things I love about my best friend.

Nick has been my best friend ever since we were kids wearing diapers. We were in the same neighborhood and were in the same school since nursery even up to now. We know so much about each other that whenever one feels bad, the other feels the same. I always loved him more than just a best friend but I never told him about it. After all, I don’t want to lose a best friend. I was the first person he turned to when he had his first problem about girls and he, on the other hand, knew my very first crush.

By the time we reached the park, it was already starting to be evacuated by people. Little kids were starting to go home holding hands with their parents. Lovers began to move side by side with each other. Nothing changed. This is just a usual scenario we always see whenever we come here every Wednesday. It’s like a movie always being played back. We were the only people there at that time. The only difference is the candlelit area nearby the pond where we usually hang – out.

“Looks like we have to move to another place, Nick.” I said. “Think so.”, Nick replied. I started to change direction when Nick grabbed my hand and took me to the candlelit area. “Nick, what do you think are you doing?” I asked. “Hanging out with my best friend.” He replied. “Nick, someone‘s going to use this place and we have no right to interrupt.” I said. “I set this one up so we do have the right” He replied. I didn’t ask more questions. We just sat there in silence until Nick spoke, “Jen, do you really just want me as your best friend?” I didn’t reply. I was taken aback by his question. The next I knew his lips were pressing against mine. I pushed him back and asked me once more, “Do you just love me as your best friend?” “No. I love you more than a best friend, Nick. I don’t want to admit it to you because I don’t want our friendship to be broken” I replied. “Jen, I’ve always loved you more than just a best friend. I tried to love you as my younger sister but it simply won’t just work. I tried to convince myself to stop loving you as my girl. I dated others but every minute I spent with them is a like a waste of time. Now that you know how much I love you, will you be my girl? ” Just merely listening to his words made my heart melt. I did not reply because I know that no words can express how much I feel. I just went near him and hugged him as tight as I could. He then whispered, “I love you”. “Love you, too.” I replied.

Ever since that day, we were always together. We were like magnets, he’s Pole A and I’m Pole B. Every single day when we’re with each other is a day in heaven. Every single day in our relationship went well.

We graduated from college. Nick graduated with a degree in law and I graduated with a degree in medicine. We were both known in our fields that we were awarded as people of the year. Later on, we decided that we have enough to be able to build a family so we had our marriage.

Our marriage then became the most unforgettable event of my life. From the bouquets of flowers to the reception, every thing no matter how small was given importance. We had our honeymoon in Hawaii and we returned a week later. As we arrived home, I was vomiting and my head was aching so much that I think my head is being hammered. The maid was cooking my favorite, lasagna and just stopped when I started yelling at her. “Why were you yelling at her, hon? She’s cooking your favorite food.” Nick said. “I don’t like the smell and besides I’m not hungry.” I replied. Then I heard a boisterous laugh made by Nick. “Why are you laughing? I’m in great pain and you don’t even care?!” I said. “Jen, hon dress up. We’re going to the doctor” He replied. “But I’m a doctor!” I replied. He giggled then laughed boisterously, the laugh that I love before but now is getting pretty annoyed at. “You’re a doctor yet you don’t know that these signs just show that you’re pregnant!” He gave me a pregnancy test and when I took it, indeed I was pregnant. He was jumping up and down shouting that he’s going to be a daddy.

Nine months later, I bore a beautiful baby girl named Jenicka. She is a very charming baby with dimples and cute little fingers. She had his Dad’s hazel – colored eyes and her lips were a red as mine. We all loved her. She has made our marriage even stronger despite of all the odds.

A year later, Jenicka had her first birthday. A lot of preparations were made to make everything just right for our wonderful little angel. There were balloons, clowns and even a chocolate fondue. She even had guests of different ages and once again they were pleased with her spirit.

Everything seemed so perfect that we did not notice Nick missing. “Mommy, where is Daddy?” Nicka asked me. “I don’t know my dear but don’t worry Mommy will look for him.” I replied. “Just continue to enjoy you’re party!”

“Nick! Nick! Where are you?” I shouted. I went inside our room to see him lying on the bed “Are you okay, hon? You look so pale!” I said. “No, I’m okay. Don’t worry my head just aches so much.” I kissed him on the forehead. He was about to rise when I told him not to. “Hon, just sleep and rest, I’ll tell Nicka that you’re fine. I’m the doctor here so you have to follow.” “Okay ma’am.” He chuckled.

The next few days were not coming up very well. Nick had severe headaches but still had to go to work and he was also being so forgetful. Nicka was very moody and she doesn’t cooperate and I was so busy with my responsibilities in the hospital. I don’t know what to do but still I have to be strong for our family.

About a month a later, a very disastrous event occurred that changed our life. Nick had a seizure and the bad thing about it; I was out of the country for a conference. I was worrying so much. Every now and then I would call to check how he and Nicka was doing but unfortunately it was always the maid who answered my phone calls. I returned after 2 weeks and realized that Nick is still in the hospital. “What could be wrong?” I whispered to myself. I phoned home and the maid answered. I learned that Nicka is still sleeping and the maid just told me to go directly to the hospital because of a certain reason.

As I reached the hospital, people’s eyes were on me. I could feel it. I could sense that something is really wrong but what could it be. Then I heard a group of trainees talking. “How could she not know what’s wrong with her husband?”. The other asked. “I thought she was the best.” The other said in reply. I tried not to listen. I tried not to worry. I tried not to pay attention to every whisper or talk I could hear. I tried not to look but the more I see people whisper while I pass the more my heart wants to burst. Could someone just approach me and tell me the truth?!

As I reached my office, my closest colleague, Mike, approached me and told me to follow him. I tried to keep up with him. I tried to follow the speed of his feet but barely could I. Mike had to hold me to make sure I won’t fall when we reached a familiar room. It was the same room I stayed in when I was waiting for the labor of my first baby. “Jenicka.” I murmured to myself. My voice was so low that even Mike didn’t hear me. I have to be strong for Jenicka. The thought came directly into my mind.

As we entered the room, I can see machines and apparatus attached to Nick’s body. It was exactly the same room where I stayed, with the green wallpaper, the air conditioner at the right end, the TV across the bed everything was the same. The only difference, the emotions; during my stay, the room was always full of people giving fruits and flowers and they were all excited to see my baby. However with Nick’s stay, although there are flowers and fruits, the room is so dull. When Nick confesses his love for me, no words can express how happy I am and to describe this room, no words can be used.

“Jen!” Mike whispered loudly.
“Uh. Sorry. What?” I replied
“Just wait for Nick to wake up. He wants to tell you himself.”
“Okay. Thank you”

He nodded in response and left the room. I am all alone not exactly alone but alone because I have no one to turn to. I want to cry but I don’t want Nick to feel bad. I want to scream at the top of my lungs but couldn’t because I don’t want to disturb him. “I’m the worst doctor!” I mumbled. “No, you’re not.” A voice replied. A very familiar voice that I so much missed; a voice of the person I so much love. “’NICK!” I replied. I couldn’t explain how I feel. I moved nearer Nick’s bed and sat beside him carefully.

“Jen”
“Nick”
“Jen I love you and Nicka but please don’t let the child come here.”
“Hon, you know how much I love you and I promise you not to let Nicka worry.”
We sat in silence. I want to know what’s wrong with him but I don’t want to start the topic so I waited for him.

“Jen”
“I have Metastatic brain cancer.”

I did not reply but tears were already starting to drop. He wiped the first drop and kissed my cheek. Then he continued.

“All those symptoms, the headache, seizures, bleeding, nausea, swelling and vomiting, Jen.”
“You were bleeding?”
“Only for the days I’ve been here in the hospital. All the symptoms were present.”
“Nick! I’m so sorry! I told you I’m the worst doctor!”
“No! You’re the best! Jen, the doctors gave me at most 2 months to live. With this, may we have a vacation together with Nicka anywhere? Let’s just spend my two months happily as a family. ”

I was speechless. I just kissed him on the forehead and the next I knew we slept. I was holding his hand just making sure he is safe.

The following day, I was awakened by the sounds of pumping, doctors, machines, and even crying. I woke up and saw that Nick was bleeding. Bleeding so much that, doctors cannot do anything. They were all doing their very best. I was there as well but not as a doctor but as a wife. I was like a statue. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t talk. All I could was pray. I went outside to see Nicka and my parents and Nick’s parents all comforting me. They wanted to tell me that everything is going to be fine but as a doctor myself, I know, it’s not fine. I know that it is something really serious and if no one can do something about it, DEATH will be the answer.

Then Nick was pronounced DEAD. We went inside, even Nicka, and there we could see Nick so pale and lifeless. The once jolly and gay person, the person whom I entrusted my whole life to, is dead. One of the nurses took a white sheet and started to cover the body of my only love and as he starts to cover his dead body our love’s happy ending also starts to fade; hope also starts to end.

That is my love story. Those were the times when I believed that love always has a happy ending but then I realized that love doesn’t really have a happy ending, like most fairytales have, because love has no ending. As long as love grows swiftly in our hearts even if at the times we struggle the most, love will still have no ending.

“Mommy! Mommy! Are you done talking to Daddy?” Nicka asked.
Another familiar voice; a voice of the daughter of my only love, a voice of why my life should go on.

Fiction: Heartwarming Confession

by: s0me1_you_know

"Why are my eyes so drawn to her?" Jacob asked himself as he watched Madison at the corner of his eye, fast asleep.

It was their free period. The students already broke into their gangs and cliques, discussing the latest information a.k.a gossip they heard about their crushes.

Jacob was only half - listening to their conversation when someone suddenly asked him, "So, who do you like, Jacob?". "Uh... er... I don't have anyone who I like..." Jacob said. The group, losing interest since they can't guess his crush, stopped asking him... at least for the moment. "...I think..." he said, finishing his sentence. Luckily no one heard him.

Their next class was P. E. The boys stayed in the classroom to change. The girls, after changing in the girls' CR, stayed outside so they wont fall victim of the guys' pranks. While waiting for the teacher, the boys decided to play a game of tag. As the game progressed, the boys became more desperate to finish the game before their P. E. starts.

Jacob wasn't caught yet since he was athletic... due to the fact that he possessed a lanky frame and long legs. Johnny, wanting to end the game stuck out his foot, causing Jacob to trip. He brushed himself and found that he had some cuts and bruises. Some of them were still bleeding.

A hush descended upon the boys as a shadow fell over him... and he heard a voice... her voice... "Here, let me help. This came up in my first - aid training last summer." Madison said, pulling out a clean bandanna. She helped him hobble to the nearest faucet where she cleaned his wounds and tied her bandanna to the deepest cut, which was bleeding still. Tying it securely, she offered to escort him to the clinic but Jacob declined saying, "It's okay. You still have to help in the demonstration, right? I can manage." With a doubtful look, Madison went back in the direction of the demonstration.

As Jacob hobbled along, his thoughts were suddenly filled with images of her brown hair under the sun, her expressive eyes betraying more concern than she was willing to let on. He shook his head and smiled inspite of himself. He stopped, and leaned on the wall.

"Aaahh... so that's it..." he said to himself. He touched her bandanna..."I like her...", he quietly added under his breath...