11/23 Chapter 15

¹Ulysses- The older brother of the female protagonist from the author's Uncensored. He was mentioned on as Miko's lunch date. ²Joy- The ma.s.seuse from who gave Miko a "special service" but got rejected in the end. #GeniusAndGifted

“The genius accepts f.u.c.ked up emotions; the gifted pretends nothing’s wrong.”

-x-

One of Jhing’s biggest insecurities after purpose in life is her importance. A lot made her feel worthless; a person that no one should follow. However, Jhing was sure the word stupid would never describe her.

Puzzle pieces clicked; Bee was the girl at the signing. Jhing wasn’t good at memorizing faces but she was sure Bee Gonzaga was the one who gave her the box and asked about that dreaded question: Where do broken hearts go?

MJ, of love and karma, JhingBlanco. She wrote that on Bee’s book dedication.

Melchizedek Jesus… Crux.

At this moment, she felt stupid.

Well, Jhing has never expected that she will be meeting Miko in the end. After all, it's over between them. She ended it with an FB block, FB deactivation, new sim card, and new apartment. Jhing knows how foolish she is… how f.u.c.ked up… but what the f.u.c.k—the reason why she was avoiding him is to stop the pain she was feeling.

Jhing perfectly knows well that the baby wasn't Miko's.

The memories were too fresh for her to forget; their chats, the ex, her tears, the baby, his explanations… but no matter what she does—it still hurts her. She felt like she was being stabbed by the words 'you're not important.'  Is this her love and karma? Why the heck did she write it that way, anyway?

She was striving to move the f.u.c.k on.

But there you go. Love plus karma?

Back to negativity… and beyond.

Maybe her move was a big mistake.

Maybe she needed another plan.

Maybe Jhing should stop trying.

But stop trying what? Move on? Fall again? Breathe?

The last word seemed tempting.

Jhing was tired of running, so she decided to stop and act normal. There's no point anyway—running, avoiding, ignoring—not only she will hurt herself, Jhing will also inevitably hurt other people.

Jhing didn't want to move her body but she had no choice. She had to get up even if she felt like s.h.i.t. She needs to face everything; editing, writing, working, prove her worth….. And face Miko.

Which didn’t happen eventually due to Miko’s 3-day absence?

“He's working from home,” said Miss Stels when Yayo asked where Miko was. “He had to do other stuff in his own shop.”

That was a bad news for the women who were looking for Miko that day. They cried as they went out of the office.

When Friday morning came, Jhing saw Miko. He was at the pantry, sitting at the corner— laptop on the table, and a cup of coffee. He was wearing his eyegla.s.ses again, bags under his eyes, and a serious face.

Jhing’s heart pounded when he looked up at her. She got even more anxious when he smiled at her. It was at that moment when Miko was taken aback because Jhing tried to return the smile.

Her smile was more of a grimace.

If she's not going to run away, might as well be civil… ish.

They got busy with their work and deadlines. After finishing the last ma.n.u.script, Jhing started a new ma.n.u.script and almost vomited the words after reading the opening line and paragraph.

RING RING. I woke up from the noise. When I look at the time—KYAAAAAAAAAAHHH! I'm already late for my first day of school! You're really stupid Patrixziah!

Before she can read the next sentences and utterly ruin her mood, Jhing commented: This opening paragraph should be forbidden in the writing world. This was written too many times in different languages that once you read it again, you’ll die a sudden death.

Opening line [or paragraph, for that matter] should be:

Unique [I watched a video of booktubers and it was amazing how they knew the book by the opening / first line with blindfolds. Aim for your opening line to be uniquely remembered by readers.

Catchy [but this is subjective! Write a sentence, paragraph (a book!) that can make readers be attracted & attached] Important to the story [if you wrote a green box in the opening, that green box should be of use next time.] Vague or vivid, it must raise interesting questions like ‘Who? What? Why? How?’

[Not questions like: “Huh? I re-read it 23 times but I still can’t understand the first line” or “Huh? And so?” Sadly, the last question was in my head when I read the story’s opening paragraph. How many stories have I ever read where they woke up from their alarm and realized they were late? And then what? She'll start running to catch up before b.u.mping against her male lead?

There are clichés that are bearable, and there are those that have been used so many times that it'll make one crazy in the worst way [example: waking up late for first day’s school. I cannot stress it enough.]

Here’s a sample of a generic opening line [not sure if it’s really an opening of any book. Sorry!]: “Once upon a time, there was a girl who lived far, far away.”

Think fast. What story’s in your mind? Now!

I think of Brave (Merida, anyone?) but some might think of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty or Frog and the Princess. It’s too generic. Here are my renditions of a less common opening line that will own the story. Guess which story is which and try to write your version of first lines.

“She swept the floor, cooked dinner, and sighed when her stepmother’s voice kept calling her to make tea for the guests.”

“The princess, the Fairest of them all, has the skin as white as her name: Snow White."

“She has been sleeping for 100 years."

“”I wish I have human feet,” Ariel said, wiggling her tail of a fish, and sighed.”

“The Beauty must be dreaming that fiction books she read were real when she first saw the Beast.”

Disclaimer: Not final. Remember; brainstorm and re-write until you bleed the best for the story. Make people remember your story by your strong opening line/paragraph, not the story of someone else.

Surprisingly, the story got interested after the cliché first chapter. Jhing didn’t even hear the heavy rain when the night came. She stood outside of the building in a daze while waiting for a miracle so she can go home safe and sound.

Minutes pa.s.sed, she decided to run for her life.

The second Jhing stepped in the raining world, the rain miraculously stopped… no, someone sheltered her under their umbrella. Her heart beat fasters as if it was sure who was beside her, and the traitor heart was right; Miko was leaning his umbrella to shield her.

“You'll get wet,” he said with a smile.

Her chest tightened. Jhing walked faster but Miko was persistent until it gets to the point where they were disturbing other people.

Fed up, Jhing finally gave up. She let Miko shelter her under his umbrella. Then as if her hand had a brain on its own, she held the umbrella— Jhing's pinky touched Miko’s index finger. A static-like electricity decided to go through her vein. She noticed how Miko’s grip tightened on the handle.

Did he feel it too?

Jhing couldn't help but push Miko out of the umbrella’s premise while her lips pursed into a thin line—trying not to smile.

“What the?” Miko was shocked. “Why did you push me?”

Jhing shrugged and walked faster with his umbrella in her hand. Without shelter, the latter got wet from the rain so he quickly runs to chase after her. Jhing felt another static, more electrifying than last time when Miko grabbed the handle and almost touched her hand.

Jhing abruptly pulled her hand out….. and Miko pushed her out.

d.a.m.n. She got wet too!

Miko laughed his a.s.s off but ran towards Jhing to get her under the shade. The two started chasing each other again until a taxi slowed down in front of Jhing. Without thinking, or maybe she thought whatever, I can just eat instant noodles as long as I can get away from here, b I might have to eat instant noodles for a few days but whatever, as long as I can get away from here, Jhing entered the taxi cab.

Ugh, my money.

Before closing the door, Miko rushed in to follow her. She was stunned. He was even the one who told the driver on where to go! And it wasn’t her place.

“W-what—why are you here?”

Miko smiled. “I need to go somewhere.”

They both shivered. They were not only wet, it was also getting cold. She wanted out but the rain was heavy. What a ha.s.sle! She sighed while Miko smiled. It seems like he was teasing someone on his phone.

“Where are you going?” Jhing asked. “I need to go home. I can't ride with you to wherever you need to go."

Miko didn’t answer. He was texting.

Eavesdropping wasn’t Jhing’s hobby, but she peeked on his phone to satisfy her curiosity for his smile. She even leaned closer, trying to read his text.

Her eyes widened when she read Miko’s text:

I wonder why this person is so curious about my text?

Jhing quickly looked away. Her cheeks flushed when Miko laughed.

“Where the heck are we going?” Jhing asked, annoyed.

Miko put his phone back in his pocket. “I'll just drop by somewhere, and then I'll take you home.”

“I can go first.”

Miko frowned at her words. “No. It's raining ah, and it's dangerous."

Jhing’s eyebrow rose. “Dangerous? Where? Inside or outside?”

The driver smirked, so did Miko.

“It won't take long. I'll pay for the cab.”

Good news, she doesn't need to suffer from instant noodles!

Jhing’s nod ended the conversation.

She stared out the window. Her hair on her skin stood up on the end because of the rain and cold. After a few minutes of silence, Miko shifted in his seat and poked her arm.

Before she uttered a complaint, the man spoke to the driver. "Sir, can you please lower the aircon? The person beside me might turn into a block of ice because of the cold ah," he said.

Jhing was surprised. Wow.

When the driver turned up the heat, Miko whispered, “There, her coldness will start melting now."

Jhing heart felt like it burned.

“By the way, I'm sorry,” Miko said after a few minutes while Jhing didn't turn to look at him. “I couldn't come beca—”

“It's okay.”

“An emergency—”

“I told you, it's okay. I get it,” Jhing said.

Miko stared at her while his face nearer by the second. She scowled at his actions and pushed his face away.

He laughed and asked, "Are you sure it's okay?”

“Do I need to be not okay?"

“It depends on you. Maybe you're just hiding it?”

“I don’t. Don’t put words in my mouth,” Jhing said. “I was also lazy that day. I’ll just email you instructions about the ill.u.s.trations.”

When Miko didn’t respond, Jhing focused her attention on the scenery flashing outside. The rest of the ride was filled with silence until they reached their destination. Jhing didn't have any plans of stepping out but Miko pulled her out after paying. The rain has also stopped.

After crossing the road, Jhing looked up at the grandest restaurant entrance she saw in person. There were mirrors, lights, and a hanging chandelier! She looked at Miko who was talking on the phone with widened eyes. s.h.i.t. Was he planning on doing something? Will they eat here? Is this his way of saying sorry!?

No. this was too extravagant. Jhing was only wearing shirt and jeans, and so was Miko! They couldn’t eat here, could they? This is a type of restaurant that you'll need to wear a formal dress to enter!

Miko talked to the receptionist. Jhing noticed that even the guard and waiter were wearing fancy suits. She needed to go. ASAP. But before she could run away, the waitress already lead them inside.

“This way Ma’am.”

Everyone’s beautiful, and the place shouted glamour with crystals and diamonds. Some looked at them with weirded expression; others didn’t bother as they eat with cla.s.s. On the other hand, Jhing felt like a tiny insect. Alien and isolated.

They were led to a table for four.

Dammit, she looked like a dirty wet rag.

But Miko looked like he didn’t mind even if they look like p.o.o.p.

Jhing's hands trembled not because of the cold but because of the shame. Helpless, she looked at Miko. Before she could catch his attention, a guy in a suit walked towards them with a girl holding his arm.

“Here's our Cinderello!” Miko almost shouted.

Jhing became even more embarra.s.sed because they caught others' attention. Only the violin and organ can be heard so hearing Miko's sudden loud voice shocked them.

The guy in front of Jhing pulled a chair for his date. The other girl in dress was smiling, but Jhing felt she was also uncomfortable like her.

The guy looked at him and smiled at her.

“Who’s this pretty lady you’re with?”

Ay s.h.i.t, he's handsome.

“Bro, she's Jhing,” Miko said. “My co-worker.”

“Nice meeting you, Jhing. I’m Ulysses¹.”

Jhing was taken aback when Ulysses held her hand and was about to kiss the back of it until Miko pushed Ulysses’ face away from her. The latter's date laughed at their interaction.

“You have a date, right?” Miko said as he shifted his gaze to the girl. “Are you Raf? Or Sef?”

Jhing felt embarra.s.sed in Miko's stead.

“Uh—”

Ulysses cut her off and looked at Miko. “What do you want now?”

“First, it was Joy²,” said Miko. “And now, women from Tinder?”

Ulysses smirked. So handsome¸ Jhing thought.

The group finally sat down on their seat. Sitting on Jhing’s sides were the other girl and Miko while Ulysses was across from her. 

Miko’s forehead wrinkled and addressed his concern to the girl. “You speak Filipino, right?” he asked. The girl said yes. “Good. Are you my tropa's girlfriend?"

Jhing saw the uneasiness in the girl’s eyes. This situation looks as if Miko was hara.s.sing the prince and the princess!

“Did you know that your boyfriend is using Tinder—”

“Hey—” Ulysses cut Miko off, but Miko glared at him.

“Hey, your a.s.s! b.a.s.t.a.r.d, stop speaking in English if you can speak Filipino ah," Miko said which made the girl smile while Jhing was confused.

“Bro, we all know that I'm more handsome than you—” A LIE! “—but stop using me for that Tinder thing. Don't make them come to our café either."

Jhing felt cold when Ulysses looked at her with a smile.

“Especially in our office. Freaking…  our co-workers are gossiping about me. The guard even gave me a condom and said 'Keep it up!'"

WHAT THE f.u.c.k?

The girl laughed while Jhing stared in shock. Ulysses, on the other hand, made a manly chuckle. She felt uncomfortable under his stare.

“Then why is she here? She’s from Tinder, right?” Ulysses asked.

h.e.l.lo? Does she look like someone who uses Tinder? Didn't Miko just mentioned that they were co-workers and… wait—Indeed, why the h.e.l.l is she here?

Miko pointed at her. “She's jealous.”

“What?” her initial reaction.

Miko frowned and whispered, “Just say yes ah.”

Jhing was threatening Miko with her eyes when Ulysses laughed. “Fine. I’ll stop hara.s.sing you with girls from that app,” Ulysses said. “A gentleman doesn’t want a lady getting jealous.”

He looked at the girl beside him. “They’re like monsters.”

But she's not jeal—ugh.

“Get lost,” Ulysses said after a while. “Stop hara.s.sing my date.”

Miko added a few words to his friend’s date, "Take care of your boyfriend well. You never know when he'll turn gay and have hidden feelings for me ah,"

And to Ulysses, "Leave the Tinder and me alone. One more woman—” which the man just ignored.

Jhing and Miko went out of the restaurant as if it was a dream. But it wasn’t.

“Dang, talking to him made me hungry," Miko said caressing his stomach. He looked at Jhing. “Dinner?”

Her stomach answered the question.

Rather than the fancy restaurant, the two ended up in a small store to eat. She ate in silence while Miko kept on talking about Ulysses and his pranks on Tinder. Miko found out that Ulysses was the culprit because the 'Tinder Miko' was speaking in English.

“They don't even know how to p.r.o.nounce my name,” Miko complained. “One of them called me Mel Cheese! Since when did I become a cheese?! Crazy women.” Miko shook his head with disappointment.

Jhing wanted to ask, ‘so, they were not your women?’ but was afraid Miko will think she’s interested to know the real deal. And she's not that stupid to not figure things out after all that stories.

They fell silent after that conversation. Jhing doesn't talk a lot in the first place anyway. After a while, Miko sighed before bringing his phone out and texted someone. Jhing didn't try to peek this time because of what happened in the cab.

Although, she was clueless why Miko gave her his phone.

“Call.”

“Ha?”

“Answer it.”

Unsure, Jhing held Miko’s phone near her ear. The first thing she heard over the phone was a baby's cry. 'Baby—shhh. h.e.l.lo? Jhing?'

Jhing almost had a heart attack when she heard that voice. She looked at Miko who was busy mixing pepper and soy sauce on his empty plate. “Uh—”

'It's Bee! MJ's ex—baby shh—I mean Miko? Sorry, I got used to calling him MJ…. Baby, don't cry. Ate, can you hold her for a second? I'm talking to someone on the phone.'

A few noises. Silence. A sigh.

'h.e.l.lo, Jhing? Sorry about that. Anyway, I’m Bee.'

Still, no words.

“It's fine if you don't say anything. Miko told me before that you're not comfortable in talking? Anyway, sorry if I borrowed Miko last Sunday. I panicked when my baby had a hard time breathing so I called Miko. I didn’t know you two were supposed to meet and I’m sorry for it, really. We’re exes but we’re just friends now, and I'm done with being clingy. I really am sorry—”

Jhing felt like someone squeezed her heart.

“Bee,” Jhing’s voice sounds foreign when calling that name. “It's okay.”

'Really?' Another explanation. Bee’s voice was jolly. 'Miko is insane but he’s really kind, too kind… but please…' then Bee said added a few more sentences before ending it. “Let’s meet without Miko knowing. We'll think of a plan on how we can sabotage his life,' Bee laughed before greeting goodbye.

Jhing took a minute to absorb everything from the phone call to the fancy hotel, the hurt, the KapeLibro, and the women. When she returned the phone to Miko, the idiot smiled as he put ketchup on the pepper and soy sauce and G.o.d knows what thing he was creating.

“When I was a child,” he started. “I always mix different food on the plate, pretending to cook.”

Jhing found her voice saying, “Oh? When you were a child? When, like a minute ago?”

Miko smirked and looked at her, hand mixing the thing or whatever you call it. “Ha!” he shouted; a smile on his face. “Ha. Ha. RIP Jhing’s humor.”

Jhing rolled her eyes as if her life depended on it.

After dinner, the two walked in silence towards their ride.

“Jhing,” he called, then whispered, “Were you jealous?”

Her reply was as fast as her heartbeat. “You wish.”

“Awtsu, no hesitation.” He laughed. “Can't you at least lie so I can feel how handsome I am?”

Miko leaned his hand on Jhing's shoulder. She wiggled his hand off but Miko was like leech sticking to her skin so she eventually gave up.

“Did you not feel any jealousy at all?” Miko asked.

Jhing bit her lip as she stared in front as they walked.

Miko smiled. “You don't have to get jealous. That was nothing.”

For some reason, his voice, words or maybe the quiet night, calmed her heart’s wild beating. Everything was feeling light. And it felt quite nice.

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