The Long Weekend

Artwork by Robbie of The Creative Dork

Nine hours until my presentation the next morning when my phone made that awful sound, telling me that I received a message, which at that moment was not very welcome. The clock had just struck midnight and I was still facing a blank Powerpoint slide, trying to find the first word. Still, I picked up the phone and read the dreadful message: Hi. Is it a good time to talk? Can we meet? Are you busy? It was from a woman, whom I barely knew. It was the fifth time that I received a message like this. The last four were from her. I responded as though I had all the time in the world to engage in … [Read more...]

The Elbow Fight – Math Love Stories: Tangent

airport terminal

More than a couple of years ago, I received this text message --- a quote --- from a friend: Math tells us three of the saddest love stories: 1. TANGENT: lines who have one chance to meet and then parted forever; 2. PARALLEL: lines who are never meant to meet; and 3. ASYMPTOTES: lines who can get closer and closer but will never ever meet I was so blown away by this simple text message that almost three years later, I still have not deleted it. Now, I decide to write simple short, short stories that are inspired by the message. First up, TANGENT. --- The Elbow Fight From the moment I … [Read more...]

Unusual Breakfast

romantic-breakfast-story-3m

Here we are again. In the usual corner. Usual table. Usual diner. Usual time. And most probably, usual meal. I'm getting tired of this really. Everything's a routine. And for what it's worth, you're the only same old thing that I'm not tired of. But I'm tired of this. Having the same food for breakfast before we go to work. "What are we really?" I speak first. You give me a puzzled look. I speak again. "You said we're friends. But the things we do --- the things I do with you --- the thing's I've done FOR you --- and the things I'm so willing to do. They are things I don't usually … [Read more...]

“Julia/Juliana” Random Scene 1

couple beach goodbye

This is lifted from a screenplay I wrote with Tonet for a Hawaiian film. We were commissioned by a Filipino-American producer. It’s a romantic sci-fi musical tentatively titled “Julia/Juliana.” It is yet to be shot. A little background. Michael is a white soldier. Juliana is his ex-wife who abandoned him. Julia is his new wife who looks, speaks, and acts almost exactly like Juliana. When Juliana decides to return and win back Michael's heart, things get ugly. Julia leaves Michael and doesn't want to be found. Anyway, this is just one scene. 82   EXT   BEACH,   NIGHT – … [Read more...]

’7-Night Stand’ Random Scene 1

moon skyline

This is lifted from a screenplay I wrote for one of my college organizations. We were so prepared to shoot it but we had some problems. And by "problems," I mean budget. It's a romantic comedy tentatively called "7-Night Stand." Anyway, this is just one scene. 34 EXT  ROOFTOP  -  Later that night Marco and Nicole are on the rooftop. Lying on a mat on the floor. Next to each other. But with a foot distance between them. It's almost midnight. The moon, their only light source. They have not said anything since the moment they reached the rooftop. For the past few minutes, Nicole … [Read more...]

7 Missed Calls

walking down dirt road

Note: Blogger’s original work. Don’t plagiarise. To those who would dare, as my friend Ayn says it, may the wrath of heaven and earth fall upon you. This is fiction. Please see legal and ethical reminders on the sidebar. Thanks very much. Seven missed calls. When I saw this flashed on my cellphone screen this morning, I knew my day would end this way. In a walk along this road connecting the college to Commonwealth Avenue. With you. It'd been a while. "How have you been?" Your voice was a bit shaky. If I didn't know you better, I'd say you were nervous. "Great," I … [Read more...]

Unsaid

feet beach

"What?" "What would you say if you got me alone?" "Well, right now I got you alone and I'm not saying anything. So I guess, uh, nothing?" "Why don't you say something?" "What?" "Come on. Say it." "Say what?" "You know. It." "Oh I can't say it. You're in a relationship. My parents raised me well." "But you've said it to me before. Once. Why can't you say it again." "You had your chance. You let it pass." "Oooh. I know, someone here is just afraid." "I'm afraid that you're afraid that I might really say it. And mean it." "No, I'm not. I dare you. Say … [Read more...]

Just Did

sunset beach goodbye

Note: I already posted this on my previous blog, click here. I just had to move it here so I could file my short stories under one category. Anyway, usual reminder: blogger’s original work. Please see legal and ethical reminders on the sidebar. Thanks very much. Again, this is fiction. When one of my bestfriends and I were at a resort somewhere in the south three years ago for his despedida party (he would be flying to London in less than two days), we decided to leave the crowd for a moment and stay on the beach. We were lying on the sand. I was staring at the moon and I was quite … [Read more...]

The First Day of December

rain drops

Note: Blogger's original work. Don't plagiarise. To those who would dare, as my friend Ayn says it, may the wrath of heaven and earth fall upon you. This is fiction. Please see legal and ethical reminders on the sidebar. Thanks very much. It's been a bad day. After wasting hours at a cafe drinking practically every cup of coffee that place had to offer, here I am now. Alone. And waiting for the bus. I've been to different places in Europe but this is my first time in Bulgaria. And it turns out to be the most frustrating day I ever lived since I stayed in Europe. Four hours at a cafe. … [Read more...]