A whirlwind online love

It was the day that she didn’t expect, a magic that could be happening to anyone. She was scrolling an online dating app; not looking for any particular guy though, but was hoping she could find someone to date with.  Yes, she was single and unmarried with a teaching job that could eat up all her time. She doesn’t have time to find someone in real life because she too focused on her job and maybe because she’s hesitant to say yes to anyone.

He’s a good-looking guy with a very catchy bandana covered on his face and riding on a classic and manly motorcycle that was on his profile picture; the very first time she saw him. He lives in Brooklyn, but loves to travel anywhere in the world. He’s interested in a lot of things and very active; from baking to scuba diving. She does stuff like that too when she’s away from work. She goes clubbing and hangs out with friends just like him too, so maybe that’s the reason she finds him very interesting.

Days passed, they started chatting and exchanging compliments to each other. It was August 1 when they chatted and finalized their very first meet-up in real life, that time he was in Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania as his parents’ home; and, the time too that she participated, ‘The Chardonnay Run in New York-Hudson River Park Pier 26’ together with one of her best friends.  But then, they agreed and decided to date the next day.

The event was glorious and fun. In fact, at the end of the finished line, there was a wine and cheese offered. She and her best friend decided to continue the celebration at the local pub. They partied a little too hard and she ended up sleeping on a best friend’s couch that night. On the next day, she went home and recuperated from a hangover, and also hoping a message from him. She didn’t receive any messages from him at all and she felt a little dismay. She was really hoping, he’ll text back or update her but she received none. She started complaining to her mom that he’s not texting her the entire day and maybe he’s not interested anymore.  But her mom said, be hopeful child, maybe he texted you, but the messages didn’t go through successfully.

She was upset but still hopeful that her mom might be correct so she decided to continue waiting. She took a nap for a couple of hours to recuperate more, but around 7:04 in the evening, she received a message from him, quoting ‘I guess today was not good and I hope you’re okay’. She baffled, but then managed to text him back, ‘Yeah, I was waiting for you to let me know when you were leaving PA? And I hope you’re okay too’. He retorted right away, ‘So I guess you didn’t get my text message then that I was back in BK’. She responded to him, ‘No, I didn’t’. 

She’s still annoyed at that time and thought it’s a ridiculous excuse, it’s like ‘the dog ate my homework’ excused. But her mom laughed at it and she said, 'I'm exactly right'.

But then the guy proved her wrong, he sent her a screenshot of the message and it was sent around 2:04 in the afternoon. She was surprised and puzzled at the same time, about the missing message and him for being honest. It’s the first time for her to actually experience that kind of thing though. It was embarrassing and not a good impression for someone.

After a few exchanges of messages, they finally met-up around eight in the evening. She had no time to wash her hair but tried to keep it clean though. She pinned her hair half-up and remain the other half down. She wore a black sleeveless top with rib undershirt and blue jeans complemented with brown sandals. She chose to look simple to hide the hangover last night.

They met at Masal Café, a Turkish coffee shop in BK that she often visited it. It’s her favorite place to chill up because they allowed the customer to stay in the café for a longer time. She barely remembered the details of their conversation, but they hang out until after 10 in the evening. It was purely conversation only and they parted ways on extremely happy notes.

He texted her on the next day that he had a very good time with her, she couldn’t stop grinning because she felt the same way too. And he added, he was glad that he did send another message despite not receiving any texts from her. At her deepest thought, she didn’t receive any messages from him earlier that day.  If she did, she wouldn’t assume he changed his mind about her or was just moving along with someone else in the dating world.

They continue chatting and seem they’re comfortable with each other now. Then they dated again, it was fourth in August and this time another embarrassing moment. She accidentally left her wallet in her beach bag. But prior to that, she was at the beach the entire day and just ran home for a showered and changed; then drove back to their meeting place to pick him up. Actually, they’re going to Coney Island Beach- an open-air Resto on the boardwalk. It’s a nice place for a sea-site viewing where they offered a casual grab and signature cocktails.

When she’s about to park her car, she realized that she left her wallet at home. She felt panic and he felt it too, that something’s wrong. He asked, ‘Are you okay? ‘And, she responded, ‘Oh, I think I left my wallet at home’. He just responded to her with a teasing smile and said ‘I guess we need to have a third date so you can pay me back’ and they both chuckled.

They enjoyed the night and at the beach. And they managed to get in the Resto despite not having an id because she left her wallet at home. However, the friendly attendee suggested them to use the back door and they did it. It was an awesome night with someone so gentle and funny to be around. From there, they’re heading to L & B Spumoni Gardens, a Family-oriented Italian Style eatery in Benson Hurst, Brooklyn. They have this unique square-shape pizza and a lot of interesting pizza flavor. While in the middle of a good time and chats, an ode middle-aged man with a quart of milk talking in gibberish and referring them ‘husband and wife’ most of the time. They couldn’t manage to correct him because he’s talking nonstop and the only thing they could do were to both smiles. It’s funny though because they’re just starting dating at that time, she didn’t expect that they’ll last long and ended her to be his fiancée.

Again, they had another date for the third times. And guess what? It’s the same venue, the last time she owed him for some drinks. They had a lot of fun than before and comfortably chatting to anything. Then they went for crabbing afterward in Sheepshead Bay. Actually, there were cockroaches’ everywhere and she couldn’t move freely because she wore flip-flops. But then, she manages to help him secure a crab in the net. He was successful catching the crab, he got one and they gave it away to the two other crabbers.

And from then on, he CRAB- tured her heart.

The Wooden Ladder

A short story is written by Roxan F.

Thug! Screech! Boom! “Hahaha…Come and get me Abel!” A little bubble-eyed girl just shouted while climbing the stairs.

It’s a fine Monday morning where people are very busy lifting things to one of the vacant rooms at the back of Sophie’s house. Children are giggling and playfully running up and down the stairs that catch Sophie’s interest. Then suddenly, a young lame boy just called her,” hi sister!” with a wavy hand gesture. She did not mind the sister term, but what catches her attention most is the way how the boy walks. He walks haltingly as if he has hobbled between his legs.

     “Who are they? ‘What are they doing?’” Sophie wonders as she rolled her eyes with full of excitement. “I’ll definitely make friends with them today,” as she runs to the kitchen.

“ Dad! Dad! Where are you? ‘There are new people at the back of our house and new faces too.’ ‘Who are they Dad?’”, as she enters the kitchen where her dad cooks breakfast for them.

Dad answers her, “baby they are our new neighbor and there are new children too who can be your playmates soon.”  “ Really Dad? ‘Can I go outside and play with them now?’” as Sophie is jumping with excitement. “Oh, honey not now, no one can watch over you while you’re playing with them and mommy is not yet around too.”  His father continues to do his work, but Sophie is very stubborn. She keeps on tugging her dad’s hand to go outside, but her daddy keeps on ignoring her.

Then, when her mother arrives home, she suddenly jumps out into her mom’s arms. “Oh baby, how are you doing, did you have some fun today? ‘Did you visit Cassandra’s place?’” Mommy asks her. “No mom, I was here the whole time and daddy did not allow me to go anywhere because no one can babysit me.”  “Oh, I see, so you want me to accompany you to Cassandra’s place, but did you sleep already?” “Mom, can I sleep tomorrow, I really want to play outside with our new neighbor.” “New neighbor? Who?” Mommy asks her cryptically. “Yes mom, it's our new neighbor at the back of our house. ‘I want to go there! I want to meet them.’” “Later baby, I’ll ask your dad if you can go there, ‘okay?’”

Since, Sophie is not allowed to go outside; the new children (Abel ad Abigail) visit her instead.

Abel is a year older than Abigail. He is a lame child that has a problem with his right leg, but hyperactive. He keeps on moving around and grabbing things without asking permission.  Abigail is eight months older than Sophie. She is smart, bubbly and has huge eyes. She is also very active and keeps on asking nonsense questions that would irritate you eventually. Sophie is a bright, adorable little girl. She loves to play around and cookery is one of her most favorite things to do. Time passed so quickly and the children need to go home.

So Abel and Abigail kissed Sophie’s cheek and said goodbyes. Sophie is not use with goodbye, so she is stunned ad confuse. “Why do they need to go home now?” “Honey, it’s already dark outside and they need to   pass over the pavement. ‘Don’t worry your daddy will going to build a small ladder at the back of our house tomorrow, this will be the entrance and exit door for your friends.’” “Really mom, oh I’m so excited can’t wait up until tomorrow.”

Sophia has a good night sleep and she woke up very early. Thank God, it’s still warm outside and surely a sunny day- a perfect day to play around. 

She seems so excited and eager to check the ladder at the back. “Oh, wow, a new wooden ladder for me can’t wait to use this. ‘Hey, dad! Daddy! I have a new ladder now for my friends.’ ‘Thank you very much, I really love it,’” as she hugs her dad tightly and kisses her dad on the cheek.

Her foster dad loves her so much and most often spoil her with new toys while her foster mom pampers her with all of her heart.  She still remembers how tiny and fragile Sophia was, just a size of a twelve ounce of a cola bottle. She was only six-month-old premature when her parents delivered her at the Frasco’s residence. She has difficulty in breathing and has a lot of complications. They doubted if Sophia could live longer because of pneumonia and neonatal infections.  The couple struggled and gave up a lot of things for her to live on.  It’s how the way they love Sophia very much.  Everybody blames her biological father because he gave up his child and it’s so painful if Sophia will know the real story in the future.

Every 10 in the morning, Sophia will go down the ladder to meet up her new playmates that are supposedly her biological siblings, and four in the afternoon, Sophia will go up again.  It becomes a routine for her. Abel and Abigail are aware that Sophia is their little sister, but Sophia is not. She is too innocent for the truth, although she had a kind heart when she’s around with her siblings. Her foster mom can see that through.  It’s hurtful when she finds the truth, but more heartbreaking when she is just watching her siblings through the glass window.

The wooden ladder becomes the tool for her to meet her playmates, her siblings. She is able to know them better and her biological mom too. Sometimes, her real siblings wanted to emphasize something that they are related to each other.  But Sophia did not absorb it well. She looks up them as playmates only, even how Abel tried to call her sister in front of many people. 

Her foster parents love her so much and they will never instill her how irresponsible her biological dad is and how pitiful her siblings are. 

***The End***

The Twist and Thorns of Heaven’s Life

Courtesy from: Simon and Schuster.com

Title of the Book: Heaven-Casteel Series

Author of the Book: VC Andrews

Summary:

It was a sad and solemn night sitting outside on a dilapidated porch as she is waiting for her father to come home that night. Heaven stared at the tempestuous sky and thought about her future. There had to be a good place for me somewhere, where I don’t need to worry and the pain would continue to go away. All of a sudden, the silence was broke by an owl hooted that echoes throughout the night, followed by the howling wolves that are roving around the forest. The cold wind from the Northern shrieked that whistled around the backwoods are trying to thrash out their wobbling cabin. Yanking and swooshing as it continues to blow it away.

There are instances that you get exhausted and it turns out that no one is to hold on. Then, you thought a glimpse of fortune would turn you into a pumpkin, but then, you realize this is not what you want and you wish everything would turn back the way it was. Heaven Leigh Casteel is an ill-fated fourteen-year-old girl, created by Virginia Cleo Andrews or known as VC Andrews, who grow up in the scum hills with half-siblings, Tom, Fanny, Keith and adorable Jane that she valued most. With a weary stepmother Sarah, longing for her husband’s love and the self-centered father Luke, that threatens her precious dream. 

Heavenly is the most beautiful and the smartest girl in the backwoods. Therefore, many boys attracted to her and that would include Logan Stonewall, a new neighborhood down from the hills that came from a rich family. The two young couples build a special relationship, but she never confide him her true situation. There are times that Logan sensed her that she needs help, but still Heaven refuse to accept any offers from him and the only person that she gets along is Tom. 

Heaven’s father was ruthless and most of his time was spent at local whorehouse. Then, eventually he is infected with syphilis thus causing Sarah to carry a stillborn child, and that was the last chance Sarah could ever have to draw Luke’s attention on her.  Sarah becomes devastated and stow away leaving them with a piece of paper while Luke on the other hand stalked out into the night leaving his children alone in the shack.  The poor young girl left empty handed and loaded with huge responsibilities including the burial of his grandmother. She wanted to cry aloud, hoping that these are all dreams and someone could wake her up from the nightmares. They all stood still and hugging each other for comfort. She wanted to curse her father for being so insensitive and cold-hearted to his children. She wanted to burst into tears, but she couldn’t do it.  Passed summer and winter came. The food was gone out so Heaven was busy looking for food in the forest while Tom chopping woods to warm them. Fanny then was also busy, chasing boys and doing silly things. She always caught up with trouble and fined her hooking around the boys.

One day, Luke came back brought them with food and many things, but his luck is not with him. He began to look for other option to earn extra cash and come up with the idea of trading his children for only $500 each. He sells the first two kids, Keith and Jane to a wealthy family with no children. Heaven burst into tears and realized that she can’t do anything. Shortly after, someone is interested with her, but Luke convinced the preacher man to choose the younger girl, Fanny. Later than, Tom is the next one, he was sold to a farmer and that time she couldn’t bare it anymore. Suddenly, Heaven speculates that something is not quite right, why a sudden change of emotion on her. Then, one night the poor young girl accidentally overheard the conversation between her grandfather and Luke that he should also send Heaven away. She couldn’t understand why everyone wanted her gone so badly and feels rejected.

After few days, the young girl’s buyer came up, Kitty and Cal Dennison. Kitty is a lunatic and very obsessed with tidiness. Sometimes she becomes violent and maltreated Heaven that causing her bruises or black eye. On the other hand, Cal is different because he shows a lot of affection and then eventually persuaded her. They developed an intimate relationship, partly because she is lonely and needed someone to care for. Then, one day Kitty is sick and diagnosed with breast cancer. She wanted to go back home and join up once again with her family. The three of them go back to Winnerrow and finally Heaven will be reunited again with her siblings Tom and Fanny.

She tries to keep away from Logan because she is guilty of having a relationship with Cal and that Heaven wanted to keep the secret buried. However, Logan and the young girl crossed their path wherein too late to turn back. The feeling of both individuals seems like burning and every minute is being rekindled. Heaven agrees with Logan to meet him on the next day, but then when she goes home to Kitty’s house, Cal grabs her and forces her to kiss him. She tries to push him away, but it’s too late, Maise the younger sister of Kitty just saw it. Maise then quickly informs her family about the situation and the rumors just quickly spread all through their hometown. Now, it’s too late, Logan confronted her about the incident and she confessed everything. Logan feels betrayed and leaves him no choice.

Shortly after, the young girl goes to the hospital and finds Kitty in a gloomy mood telling her that Luke was looking for her. Supposedly, to apologize for everything and that he wanted her to live with them or find her mother’s family as other option.

Heaven choose to find her mother’s family and she seems so ready to conquer her new journey. Cal droves her to the airport, then shortly followed by Tom and Fanny saying good-bye to their dear sister.  While she is reading the newspaper, she finds out that Kitty was dead. Cal didn’t mention anything to her that they could have the freedom to love each other. Heaven feels ashamed and being betrayed, after everything they have shared together, he dumped her when he got the opportunity.  Now, she is alone again and hoping that one day, she could find her happiness.

This is one of my favorite novels because it shows compassion, betrayals and hardship in life, which is closed to reality.