Separate Lives 2

To Ate Sue, after a hundred years *smiles*… I planned on making it longer but then you’ll have to wait another hundred years, torn between time and length, I decided on sacrificing its length.  I hope it delivers still, much love, mwah!

She stalked out of the room, leaving you by yourself.

She’s gone, you succeeded in pushing her away.

Now the place that used to cradle you with warmth became a room so vast and filled with icy loneliness, you felt yourself shudder unintentionally. 

**********

You saw her the moment she walked in, but even if you didn’t, you’d still know because your heart started its flip-flapping ways, just like always whenever she’s near.  You wanted to approach her at that very moment but you know you can’t, she was surrounded by friends, her compatriots, and you very well know that you are now considered an enemy.  A frown formed, instinctively.

You waited.

And then finally, she was alone.

“Hye Jung.”

You heard your own voice, it was calm.  To bystanders, it looked like you were just acknowledging an acquaintance, a colleague, but a trained and knowing eye could see the throbbing of your pulse.

Silence.

And then, she walked away… without a word, without a glimpse.

You stared, a myriad of emotions floating on your gaunt face.

Until it was just pain, pure and complete.

Ooh, it's so typical, love leads to isolation
So you build that wall (build that wall)
Yes, you build that wall (build that wall)
And you make it stronger

You swirled the amber liquid that your glass holds as you hunkered in a bar somewhere in the posh district of Apgujeong, hoping to drink yourself to oblivion.

‘But I told them that I would never give you up, come heaven or hell.  That we are in this together, that nothing and no one can separate us.  But I guess, I was wrong, there was you, you did the job, magnificently.’

A recurring thought, no, a recurring memory.  You decided, it’s a nightmare, a frequent and periodic one.

You were the asshole who initiated the break-up, you were the one who destroyed the relationship, you were the one who let go, so you should be the one moving on first, that’s how it should be.

But here you are wallowing in your self-made hell hole.

“You either get her back or you get on with your life without her.”

You looked up to see Jaejoong, one of your industry best friends. 

“It’s been what, three months…” he continued when you gave no inclination that you understand what he just said, “and you’re still here drinking your sorrows away, like a forlorn lover.”

You didn’t take the bait.

“Shall I drink with you until we are so out of ourselves, we won’t even know who we are, then we can vomit our intestines out and suffer hangover together, and if we are lucky, we can even experience some body-hauling from your security, at least I prefer that than crawling home,” he sneered.

“Leave,” your monosyllabic response.

“You can’t just waste away Hyun Joong.”

“Watch me.”

He let out a guttural laugh and snapped “I know you can mother fucker, but I am asking you not to, you can’t just rot in here and blame it on your being heartbroken.  Hwangbo-sshi shouldn’t carry the weight of your ruin.”

He waited… for his words to sink in.

“Fuck me!”

“I could but it wouldn’t change a thing, would it?”

You clamped your jaws so tightly a vein pulsated in your cheek as you bit back your wrath. 

He watched as realization and acceptance finally dawned on you, he showed no remorse or pity, instead he heaved a sigh of relief, it has come to an end, YOU are now ready to truly let go.

Well you have no right to ask me how I feel
You have no right to speak to me so kind
Some day I might (I might) find myself looking in your eyes
But for now, we'll go on living separate lives
Yes for now, we'll go on living separate lives
Separate lives

Your shoulders began to shake and you caught yourself weep.

The Waiting Game

Dearest Papercrane,

                I tried writing SCR 7, I swear I did, but I’m too tired, and aging a bit *grins*, to do it, I think, I also lack the inspiration, alam mo naman na wala na ko masyado balita sa mundong kinababaliwan ko dati, working sucks, payo ko sa’yo wag ka magtrabaho pag-graduate mo, tambay-tambay lang, hahaha :P

                Your birthday just passed, you’re graduating soon and I was late the last time we met, so I thought, I really owe you an efef, but then, I also celebrated my birthday (ilang ulit na simula ng magkakilala tayo), you almost always came late everytime we met and there was even a time or was it two that you didn’t even bother to show yourself after agreeing to a meetup, so yeah, my afterthought, ‘I don’t owe you a thing,’ quits lang tayo, hahaha…

Dearest Lloydie,

                I’ll go straight to the point, I envy you!  You are a corporate slave, albeit with a ginormous salary *grins*, and you can still write on a whim, how can you do that?  Teach me, I wanna write on a whim too :D

                In your case, I concede.  You just celebrated your birthday, you were sorta, kinda promoted at work and I was, admittedly, late the last time we met; you wrote me a birthday fic, I never came earlier than you do eversince we decided we wanna see each other’s faces, except for that one time, I think we met Marie, Papercrane’s cousin that time, so I kinda really have to give you something in return, ano ba yan, wala akong kawala sa’yo, kaloka ka, be late next time, okay!

Seryoso na, happy birthday you guys, siningit-singit ko ang pagsulat nito habang pinapagawa ako ng executive summary, wish ko lang di nahaluan ng Joongbo ang accomplishment report na nai-submit namin sa DILG, hahaha!  Love u both!

Dearest Ate Sue,

                Wag mo isiping nakalimutan ko na ang continuation ng Separate Lives, meron promise, di pa lang natatapos, a little bit more patience manager-nim. Love you!

**********

2008

Kim Hyun Joong was working his butt off in Japan, sometime during their 6-months stint as pretend husband and wife in MBC’s We Got Married, when he found out that Hwangbo Hye Jung’s natal day was August 16.  That along with other information about her he enthusiastically researched in the internet.  He sent her a text message, greeting her, extending his heartfelt wish.  He admits that it was wrapped in awkwardness but it was his first and he, of course, expected a bit of leniency. 

He made a glorious riposte, as everyone in Ssangchu Land know, he even swore that she fell in love a little at that time, he felt it as per his words.  A serenade scented by peaches and regaled by the moon and the stars -

I don’t know you but I want you all the more for that,

Words fall through me and always fool me and I can’t react

And who would forget, the promise of a thousand paper cranes.

2009

Several months had passed after they both bid reality TV goodbye, he became the star that she wanted him to be, a drama actor, a Hallyu celebrity.  They parted ways as friends, not that he wanted nothing more, he had made his intentions known, but she was adamant, they started as a fake couple and they ought to end as such, an opinion he didn’t share but he complied nonetheless.

She celebrated her 29^th birthday with a fan event, a thank you present to her avid supporters.  He, on the other hand, celebrated it on his own, he was in Hong Kong at that time.  They spent a good two hours on the phone that night, talking and laughing about nothing in particular.

‘Saengil chukaha-yo!’

‘Kumao.’       

                                                                                                                                                                      

‘Saranghae-yo…’

‘Pabo.’

Click.

 They were physically apart but it didn’t felt that way.

2010

Her 30^th was celebrated in the midst of friends and loved ones; he was there, of course.

“I love the watch, it’s very pretty.  Thank you.”

“You deserve all things beautiful. You are very much welcome.”

Sigh.

“What’s with the *sigh*? It’s your birthday…”

“It’s half past one, my birthday is officially over…”

“We’re being technical eh, humor me then.”

“I’m thirty…”

A minute of silence.

“And?”

“My parents told me that they wish for a grandchild, and soon,”

“Your oppa’s getting married in a few months and by the looks of it, they’ve already started the 

process of making that wish come true. “

“Tsk, you and your runabout thoughts, uhm, hormones…”

“I can help you know… but does it have to be in nine months-time or we can like practice a bit?”

“Ah, molla!”

A couple of wishes could have come true, her parents’ and his, if she had only conceded and accepted his help.

2011

His career skyrocketed after We Got Married, offers abound, projects are aplenty, but 2011 was his busiest.  During that year, the barest of necessities seemed like a luxury, he scarcely had the chance to eat or sleep on time. It was exhausting, don’t get him wrong, he love his music, he loves performing, he, even, appreciates all the attention and the limelight but it gets tiring and lonely.

Spending time with her hidden from the watchful eye of fans during his normal days was such a chore but it turned much worse that year.  Taking time off work to hang-out, eat out or just plain see her for a while turned to be an indulgence he so craved for but he was allowed to do so rarely.

They celebrated her birthday a week late, in the wee hours of the night, at her apartment’s balcony.  They watched the stars come to life and falter in the morn as they talked about each other’s life and career, places and people they want to visit and meet, stuff they long to buy, dreams they still wish to fulfill, and every other thing that crossed their minds.

“You’re off to Japan, again, in a day, right?”

“Yup!”

“Be gone then, you need to visit your parents and drink, at least, a few bottles of soju with your best buds before you go.”

“That I must do.”

“Right, so quickly give me my present… and wish me a boyfriend, and go.”

He gave her a set of jewelry he had carefully chosen at Mont Blanc.

“I wish you’d keep me.”

She just smiled, a smile that warmed his heart up to his very toes. 

2012

The year of the London Olympics, the much-awaited year of Ssangchu-fanatics, the year that Park Choong Jae, aka Junjin, came back from the military, the year that he was reduced to just another male best friend.  He understood that the latter was the first and original best friend, that he was a mere second, a filler at worst, but man, it sucked, jealousy was such a bummer.

Her 32^nd birthday was spent partying with Junjin, they were born on the same year and just three days apart, and some other friends, while he was away overseas, as usual. 

His birthday gift – a week-long trip to Guam , with an extra bonus – himself.

“Thank you, but don’t you think, this is a bit too much?”

“Why are you here then?”

“I don’t wanna offend you,” she teased, “besides, who in their right mind would decline such an 

offer, and in my case, it wasn’t an ordinary proposition, it’s a birthday gift, my birthday gift.”

“Then what exactly are we discussing here?”

“Why are you such a grouch?”

“I am not…”

“Yes, you are!”

And it went on and on until the sun shined its hottest and they were forced to leave – the beach and their childish banter.

Their last night was spent playing games and drinking beer, laughing and poking fun at each other, just making the most out of their little rendezvous.

“Hyun Joong…”

“Hmm…”

“If by the time I’m thirty-five and I still haven’t found the man that I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with, I want either you or Choong Jae to just… give me a child.”

 Zzzzzzzzz…

He stared, slack-jawed.

2013

Ever since she made that drunk and not-so-decent proposal almost a year ago, he had been on his tippy-toes. 

“She’s turning thirty-three in two weeks, and then there’s two more.”

“I beg your pardon sir.”

“Huh?” he looked at the bartender like he just found out he was standing there.  “Oh, don’t mind me, I 

just have this strange habit of talking to myself,” he smirked.

Waiting is such a pain in the ass.

He was, fortunately, in Korea, the day she turned thirty-three, a small and private affair was prepared by her family, a surprise birthday gift.  Food and booze abound and because everyone who were there knew each other well, no one seemed to care how much they had eaten or how much they had to drink, it was merry-making at its highest, a night without a care.

August 17, Saturday, she was woken by the stream of sunlight that escaped the window curtains, it was her room, she was certain.  But her bed felt different like there was an extra weight on her side, she also felt differently, like something had changed.  She took a deep breath and felt a wave of nausea, “Ah, morning afters.”

She opened her eyes and was startled to see two large, striking eyes smiling up at her, yes his eyes were smiling at her, like he finally won an acting award.  She opened her mouth to say something but was distracted by his sudden movement, her nerves must have took the day off for she didn’t felt quite a thing before that or she was just plain dumb to have not realized that she, Hwangbo Hye Jung, and he, Kim Hyun Joong was lying side by side in one bed, sharing a comforter that covered only half of their bodies and they were both splendidly unclothed.

“Kim Hyun Joong,” she roared.

But he just silenced her with a kiss, a kiss that turned into kisses that trailed down her whole body and heated up her whole being.

Several hours later, when both were sated from making love and pleased in discovering each other’s form, he teasingly declared, “Why wait for thirty-five when we can begin at thirty-three.”

Why do tomorrow what you can do today?  Aja, Kim Hyun Joong!

Separate Lives

Para kay Susan Bal, huli man daw at magaling, nahahabol pa rin, I hope it's true, BELATED BLESSED BIRTHDAY! 

Thank u sa gifts, super appreciated :) Love you!

“Hye Jung…”

Your name, a name you hear so often, it seems like it doesn’t bear any weight anymore, but tonight, the sound of that name brings back all the burden that you so wanted to forget.

**********

Yours was a story made out of a fairytale book, not the conventional sort though, the one that many are accustomed to, yours was a bit different, a bit extraordinary.

You met at a time when both cannot afford any complication in life, when both were just fighting to stay afloat career-wise.  In a way, you met unexpectedly.  No plans, no expectations, it just happened, you met, you fell in love, the both of you were once happy… together.

It wasn’t easy, it was one hell of a roller coaster ride, the pride of Everland, the roller coaster that you once rode with him, couldn’t compare to what your relationship had gone through.  You experienced the best and the worst with him, together you defied fate, friends, loved ones, each other.

You two almost made it, that’s what you believed anyway… until, he decided that it was time to put an end in your love story.

He just finished dinner, a feast that you prepared with love, after all, it was the first time he was home, the first time he was with you, after a month of being separated, because he need to work, because he need to iron out some things with his parents.

But you weren’t primed to what he was about to say, if you knew, if you only knew, you would have used all your power to delay – the inevitable. You were blinded by then… you were madly in love.

“Buin,” he started.

You had always love the way he spoke that endearment, it was like a balm to your weary soul, your very own magic word, but the way he said it at that time seemed so somnolent, like he was trying to control his own feelings, like he was fighting his own inner battle, like he was hiding something.  Yes, that hitch in his voice gave it all away.

“I don’t know how to say this, I really don’t.  I’m not even sure if I wanted to but I know I had to, I’ve been raking my brains out these past few days, or is it weeks, hell, I am not even certain about that.”

“Shillang,” you tried to give him back his focus.

“Fuck, I hate myself! I hate being a good son, no, I hate myself for being a spineless dolt! I’m blabbering and I hate that too!  I pray that in time you’ll learn to forgive me, I pray that in the shortest possible time, you’ll learn to forget," he paused, sighed and went on, "me and what I am about to do."

You just looked on, waiting for the catchphrase, waiting for that one devastating line.

One deep breath, "let's end this, we need to end this."

You opened your mouth as if to say something, closed it, opened it, closed it again, all the while staring at him, at a loss.

"My parents," 

"I know," you cut in, "they told me."

He didn't say a word, prompting you to continue.

"But I told them that I would never give you up, come heaven or hell.  That we are in this together, that nothing, no one, can separate us.  But I guess, I was wrong, there was you, you did the job, magnificently," she ended.

It was his turn to stare... and more, he felt empty.

**********

"Hye Jung..."

You've dreaded coming to Jung Ryeo Won's birthday, a former member of Chakra like you, but as she is a dear friend, you've decided to take your chances.  And because you're such a lucky girl, your worst fear came to life... he was even talking to you.

You steel yourself, from the onslaught of emotion, from the recurring pain. You feel nothing, that's what you wish to believe and it will happen, not just yet, but someday.  Someday, you'll be okay.

You took a deep breath and walked away.  

And then it played...

You have no right to ask me how I feel 
You have no right to speak to me so kind 
We can't go on just holding on to time 
Now that we're living separate lives

Note:  Ate Sue, may continuation ito promise :) Wait lang konti...

Once and Always

Para sa chinggus, mahal ko kayo! Sa mga nag-birthday na, belated gift ko sa inyo, sa mga magbi-birthday pa lang, advance gift naman, hahaha... Sana magustuhan nyo :)  Noimee, singit ka na din dito ha :P


Somewhere in one of those exclusive and affluent district in Seoul, a certain Hallyu star was having his much-needed me time, which he could use to sleep, one of his favorite pastime, or he could drink with his best buds, something he wasn't able to do for a while now, but nope, he decided to mope in his bed and think of the past, a past he so wanted to relive and turn around.

He was a struggling idol leader back then, yes their group have quite a number of doting fans but it wasn't enough to make them afloat in the business.  Their company set them out to try their luck in the Land of the Rising Sun, they got noticed alright but not in that immeasurable way that their company hoped for, and they even suffered a fallout in their own home.  To save his group, he reluctantly entered the world of Korean variety shows, he became a husband, er, a make-believe husband to Hwangbo Hye Jung.  Yes, the drop-dead gorgeous, kind-hearted, ideal woman of all idol-kind, only because mankind would be a bit extreme.  He wouldn't claim to have fallen in love at first sight because he simply didn't, his fall was a progression, a continuity of some sort, something he didn't plan nor expect, he didn't even noticed it until he was already off the cliff.  He's not complaining or anything because truth be told, being given the chance to love her is his greatest happiness, second to none, even to his music.

It was an exhilarating and satisfying ride with her, from We Got Married-induced lovey-dovey moments to real life intimacy, it was perfect... up until the fool that he is, uhm, was, because he firmly believes that he's all mature now, made a fatal mistake.  The green-eyed monster struck him when he chanced upon a text message from Bi, he used to call him Bi-hyung but after that incident, let's just say he wasn't able to get over the fact that he was the cause of his pains *crying bullets*, if he were to tell the whole truth, it was just an ordinary birthday message and dinner invitation from a friend but because he was a jealous freak, he made a hell hole for himself, wait, just look at her, come on, who wouldn't be jealous?  So, he flew to Hongkong with Yong Saeng and created a scandal that would ruin his life forever, nothing really happened though, he wanted to, yes he did, you know to let off some steam and a bit of his body heat, but he couldn't, he was, after all, deeply in love with another woman.  But there was no turning back, he had to reap what he sow, he was bound to suffer the consequences of his temporary insanity - he broke her heart on the eve of her 29th birthday, tsk!

And now, four years later, he's still hang up with what ifs and could haves.

Kim Hyun Joong heaved a sigh.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the four, or so, corners of MBC, a meeting that may turn his life around was taking place.

"We need to do something, the higher ups already issued an ultimatum," the PD griped.

"We're going to have Taecyeon and Wu Ying Jie soon, they're idols and both popular so I'm sure our ratings will pick up by then," one creative consultant spurred.

"If we aren't sacked yet by then," a bespectacled writer chimed in.

"What are you suggesting then," the creative consultant asked.

The writer shrugged, "beats me!"

"I know! We give the audience what they want, something that they had been asking for" the PD beamed.

The staff and crew of We Got Married looked at each other knowingly, did some eyebrow wriggling and scrambled off to do what they had to do.

Two weeks later...

After a grueling push-and-pull with their managers...

And after an arduous inner battle, Hwangbo Hye Jung and Kim Hyun Joong finally decided on appearing in the show - a We Got Married Special Edition, a reunion of the first season's finest, the Ssangchu Couple reunited.

It was awkward, meeting again after a number of years and greeting each other like they were just colleagues, like they don't have any connection deeper than that of Korean entertainment industry.  In all honesty, it actually stings.

But to hell with that, she was there and they were standing in the same stage, breathing the same air and pretending to be civil, friends even... it was enough!  Heck, he felt like Christmas came several months earlier and Santa sent him the grandest gift of all.

There was the customary introduction and greetings, a blast from the past video clips, reminiscing and story-telling, discussions and interviews.  It was maladroit-ish but he enjoyed every minute of it, and he claims he's all mature now, HA!

"Hyun Joong-sshi," Lee Hwi Jae called his attention, "do you miss Hwangbo-sshi?"

"Of course," his quick reply, "working with her is such a privilege, I mean she is the one and only Hwangbo Hye Jung, and I became his husband, I bet, ani, I know that a lot of men envied me, and some may still do," he grinned.

"Then, persuading you to come back to We Got Married as her make-believe husband will be easy," Hwi Jae commented.

"No! I am quite positive that our stint as a fake married couple in 2008 will be our first and last."

"But you just said," Hwi Jae began.

But Kim Hyun Joong didn't allow him to finish, "Our time together was, IS, magical, with and without the camera rolling, it will never be matched and can never be duplicated.  OURS is a once in a lifetime experience but it is for keeps.  We met and fell in love once and it will be for always."

The world was at a standstill.

Until she smiled and beckoned him. "Once and always."

The One That Got Away

currently obsess with Katy Perry's song :)


Beijing, 2012

During one of his interviews:

He took his seat and plastered that dashing smile. The smile that earned him millions.

The usual, more of never ending, question of what his ideal type of girl is was asked of him, he used to count how many times he had answered such a question, of how he gave the same and simple reply but sometime during the expanse of 8 years that he had been in the business, he lost count.

But that interview was unlike any other.

His answer was the same but the way he threw caution in the wind, made it different.

It was a stark disclosure, definitive, bold.

"My ideal type of girl is someone that is like a friend to me, has a good personality, put less make up on normal days, with a plain appearance. A simple, honest character, someone who is able to spend time in harmony with me and my friends."

"When there is someone I love, I will continue my love for her no matter how difficult it is."

"Working with Hwangbo sunbae, we appeared as a couple at that time. We really had a great collaboration back then, I miss those times. However as artists, we are all very busy with our craft, so we can't contact often, but if there’s an opportunity for another collaboration, I am more than willing to work together again."

They were done, the interviewer was about to say her farewell, and it was then she noticed the difference, he's smiling alright, but it wasn't his million dollar smile, it was more vibrant, like he meant it, like he was really happy. And his eyes, there was a certain spark, of relief, of happiness, of being true.

She smiled her own, "I wish you the very best Kim Hyun Joong! I know that it'll make a lot of women, and some men, cry," she grinned, "but I hope you find the one that you're looking for very soon."

A falter in his smile, a crack in his composure, "I had," he whispered.

Call it women's instinct, maybe that was why she knew, "I know. I just," a pause, "I wish you happiness Kim Hyun Joong-sshi."

They share a smile, knowing, sincere.

Korea, 2012

A few days before his interview:

Somewhere around the Apgujeong district, in one of those private and posh bars and restaurants, a certain 4D prince was out and about hoping to have a taste of Korean nightlife before he drown himself in another bout of out-of-country promotion tours.  His work and ever-rising career as a Hallyu star hindered him from drinking, playing and hanging out with his friends, he's almost sure he already forgot what chilling out is.

He was seriously having fun in the midst of old friends and acquaintances when his attention was caught by some bellowing and hooting from a group of folks right smack in the middle of the establishment, call him curious or a snoop but something about that group drawn him in.  And when his eyes focused on her, he instantly knew why.

The smile that shone in his face could have sold a billion copies had it been caught in film, the sight of her have that effect on him, watching her in the television and from afar give him a certain kind of happiness only she can give, but watching her upfront, smiling and happy, warm his heart, like he did something good and he earned that joy, like he owns it, him.

But cursed his sight for seeing something it shouldn't.  

A platinum band with pear-shaped diamond flanked by surrounding pave-cut stones.  

He would have loved to live like a fool believing it was just one of her ordinary accessories, if only.  If only she hadn't flaunted it like it was the most beautiful ring she ever laid eyes on, if only she hadn't admired what's in her hand like it's the most precious jewelry she ever had, if only she didn't glow like that, like she's the luckiest girl in the world.

'I see you're getting married.'

Beijing, 2012

A few days after his interview:

On his way to another photo shoot, he got a text message, something that he has been waiting for but at the same time was scared to receive.

He drew a sigh - a release of fear, a prayer for strength, a sense of something that is to come.

'Your recent interview created quite a stir, you mention a few words about the show and it made the headlines, something only you can do (insert a smiley). But I thank you, for the nice words... and for remembering, it has been what, four years?'

'Forget? Never! I just don't go wearing my heart on my sleeves (insert a smiley).'

'I'm glad you didn't loose your sense of humor.'

'It didn't matter whether the world knows or not, whether they had forgotten or simply keeping mum, ALL that matters is you, YOU should know, and you do, right?'

'I guess...'

'I'll take that as a yes (insert a cocky smiley).'

He waited for a reply but there came none.

'But, I know, you're waiting for something else, you wanted something bigger, something that you can gamble on, something more real. And I wasn't able to give you that.'

She didn't took the bait, she kept her silence.

'I may not grew the balls that you said I was lacking overnight, but what if I did in the long run, what if I can do all the things that you hope for, now, until whenever?'

He stared at his mobile phone, holding his breath.

'Sorry.'

One word and it was over, everything that was and ever will be, gone.

'Yeah, me too...'

"You just don't know how much," a silent tear and then it was done.


And in another life I would be your girl
We keep all our promises, be us against the world
And in other life I would make you stay
So I don't have to say you were the one that got away
The one that got away

Deuce

I began writing this story November of last year, during my first week at work, to those who are clueless, I got back on the working grind that same month. I was still full of (myself *grins*) energy then, I attempted to be a superwoman, it was an epic failure, obviously; being a working mom sure is hard, REALLY HARD. Five months later, DEUCE is finally, finally done. I deserve lots of love, don't you think?

Oh yeah, this is sort of a second chapter of GAME OVER, or not; it can be and can be not. Hmm, I just decided that I'm still undecided, so yeah, uhm, just carry on *grins super-duper widely*.

"Can we talk?"

"Not here Hyun Joong," she answered

"Where then?"

He waited for an answer but there came none. "Tell me where and when and I'll be off, I'll obey you like a good little pup just give me a chance to explain, to tell my side of the story. I know you're angry, and I can't damn well do anything if you choose to continue to be so but you have to hear me out sooner or later, so please..."

He paused, waiting... but nothing came. Not a word, not even a glance or a sigh, and as much as he hate to admit it, he must be turning into an emotional looser, because it hurts, the way she treats him like he's nothing, freaking hurts like hell.

"I had looked for you everywhere, but you're ability to hide surpasses even that of my best security men, after almost a month of hide-and-seek I had finally caught on, I deserve a reward don't you think," he paused, hoping for a response. He heaved a sigh and continue, "a minute or five of your time would do."

Silence. His litany was met with silence. At that time even a twitch would have suffice, heck, he would have welcome violence, even.

"Aren't you tired of hiding, of running away?" he pressed on.

"Aren't you tired of running after me?" she countered.

"I will never! I'll go to the ends of the world and run after you for the rest of my life if I have to. I'm willing to do that, and I am sure I can do that and more. I need you that much. I love you that much."

"You ne-"

He didn't let her defer him, afraid that he might loose his nerve. "But the pain of knowing that I am the one you're running away from, that I can't handle; the mere thought that you detest me that much, that my existence in your world prompt you to hide, is killing me."

He stopped, pain and regret laced his voice, but hope, hope shone in his eyes.

She gripped the back of the chair, hard, stilling herself from all that she heard, more than his words, his misery.

She was almost in the loosing front of her inner battle but she can't, not just yet, she wasn't ready... to forgive... to forget.

"I can't, I'm sorry," she whispered, drained.

Her answer didn't make sense, but he understood nonetheless.

"Hye Jung-sshi," an intruder called; they both turned, curious.

His presence painted a whole new picture, a small smile tugged on her lips, which eventually turned into a satisfied smirk.

"Jung Ji Hoon, you know I've been waiting."

He looked at his watch, "Not a minute late, I think a hug is in order," he teased.

She giggled, literally. A bit inappropriate if you'll ask her husband.

"Oh, Hyun Joong-sshi, thank you for lending me your wife."

He stood rooted.

She passed him by, "Deuce!"

He stood still, rooted, AND at a lost.

Game Over

A short one, may nang-irita lang sa akin kagabi at dahil pinili ko manahimik para di ma-hurt ang feelings nya, eto isang efef, asar lamang, hays... pasalamat kayo sa taong may sala, bigay ko account nya sa FB, hahaha...

They've been married for a year but that doesn't stop women from throwing themselves at him, who wouldn't, he's a real life Adonis who has the world in his hands.

Kim Hyun Joong is one of the leading icons of the Hallyu wave and, currently, one of the flag bearers of Korean entertainment's pursuit to stamp their name in the international scene. He was an idol leader who made a name as a solo artist, both as a singer and an actor, but his boldness made him a star - he had gotten married at the age of twenty-seven with his reality TV co-star, Hwangbo Hye Jung, who is six years his senior.

It wasn't an easy choice, he weighed his chances and gambled. It is fortunate for them, for him, the age of romanticism lingers, theirs was accepted as one of those twisted fairy tales.

He continued on his path and became a household name not just in Korea but the whole of Asia, while the woman behind him opted to let her star dimmed and focused on her business ventures, charity works and being a wife.

It's not perfect but they wouldn't have it any other way, they were the half of each other's soul, they fill the void in each other's heart, he completes her and she completes him.

It was pure bliss. Until he made one fatal mistake.

He gave in to temptation.

It wasn't planned, he never ever dreamed of cheating on his wife, it hadn't cross his mind, not ever. It just effin happened.

He was tired and lonely in a place far from home, and she was there. He long for warmth in his bed, and she was there, willing to give it to him. He had a little too much to drink, she was there, and that's all it took.

For him to walk on the path of no return.

He woke up dazed, liquor do that to people, he saw the woman in his bed and panic surged in; he remembered what happened and he felt loathing so powerful, how he hated himself; he thought of Hye Jung, that's when fear crept in.

He knows her too well.

But the deed is done, he had already sinned against his wife.

He did everything to keep that impropriety a secret, but the guilt, the shame, it's killing him. Remorse made life a bit difficult each day, he looked as dashing as usual but inside he was breaking apart.

Every time he came home to a sulking Hye Jung, he trembled in fear; every time he had an out-of-town and out-of-country schedule, his trepidation increases; every time she went out to hobnob with her celebrity friends, he feared for the worst.

But he was able to pull through, he still had his wife by his side, unsuspecting, undoubtful.

But secrets are bound to be revealed, it's an unwritten law of the universe. It is just a matter of time.

And his came, just when he expected it least.

It was their second wedding anniversary and he gifted her with a beach house in Jeju, she was more than grateful and immediately agreed on a getaway. A secret rendezvous,a second honeymoon... almost.

They arrived in the island an hour after twelve and decided on having lunch at Seaes, before heading to their new home.

Wrong move.

They were deflected out of their way when his former PD spotted him at the hotel, it is but necessary to pay his respect, so he asked his wife to go ahead and order for him.

Another wrong move.

He approached the PD and his crew and was aghast to find out who the star of the drama they were shooting is - the woman who had led him to infidelity. But she was nowhere in sight, so he was forced to ask and then he wished he didn't.

He bowed and strode away, and ultimately made a run for it, but he was too late.

He found them, talking, he walked closer, with muffled steps, midway, he caught her eye and was privy to her un-shed tears.

The deed is done.

Game over.


NOTE: I have a food blog, Pud Blag ni Ako, and yes I'm shamelessly pimping it, go and give me some love there, puhleese!

She

Bubuyog, utang muna ung fic na promise ko sau, pwede sana ito pero dahil may mention ng ibang girl, I dare not dedicate it to you, hehe. I promise to do it as soon as I'm able :D Para sa chinggus na tigang sa efef, hope it delivers :D

**********

A man's road to success is never easy, and his is no different, what he have now - the fame, the fortune, the adulation of fans all over the globe - those are but fruits of his hardwork and sacrifices.


To most it is just one of those days, but not to him, today he won't care about anything but himself, it's not often that he was given a day or two of rest, especially after he released his first solo album, he now made a mark on his own, he is and forever will be a part and leader of his group SS501 but it'll be hypocritical of him to say that breaking out and making it through, all on his own merits, didn't send him off to a different kind of nirvana. But he won't dwell on any of that today, today he woke up with one goal in mind - to have a taste of happiness, a glimpse of his heaven.

He cooked himself some ramen, checked the stacks of DV-R, all of which are her shows, recorded by the wife of his manager hyung for his viewing pleasure, grabbed the remote and found himself the most comfortable seat on his couch. It has been a while and he had missed on a lot so he had planned on doing nothing but be high on her, his personal brand of ecstasy, his very own cocaine - his happiness, his addiction.

He was on his last few discs when the door to his condominium unit open, he was too engrossed on watching her to hear the tick of the lock.

She came in armed with meat and soju, she has never been comfortable drinking any kinds of liquor but months of being with him thought her to conform to what he likes. She still lacks the tenacity to go on a drinking binge with him but being with him as he do so is enough for her, any activity that permits them to be together is good enough for her. She took a number of steps in and was frozen in dejection, he was casually seated on his couch watching the woman she knew he loves like the rest of the world doesn't matter, like no one else exist but her.

It felt like an eternity had passed before she got the courage to say a word, she faked a cough to get his attention but even that cost her heartache. It took her three tries, three fake, forceful coughs before he took notice, before he took his eyes away from the television screen, away from her.

"I don't know who among us three has the worst fate, she, for having been robbed out of a happy ending with you; you who had fallen for her, a woman you are forbidden to love and then settling with another woman you knew you can never love; or me, for being that woman. To the world, I, Jung So Min, is your girlfriend, envied by everyone, but in reality, I am just a stranger you, Kim Hyun Joong, had never spared a minute to know and you will never do... am I right?"

She held her breath and patiently waited for a reply, hoping against hope that he'll say or do something to disprove what she had just said but none came. She silently made her way out, battling with her own tears, she had known it since the beginning, she knew that she's in for a heartache but that didn't stop her from dreaming, from hoping... even at that moment, the part of her heart that isn't broken still beats for him.

He stared at her retreating back, willing himself to call her name, to stop her from leaving, to promise her a new beginning, but he just can't, because everything that she had said is true. His heart, his whole being, doesn't belong to him anymore, he had given it to her, to his one true love, to Hwangbo Hye Jung.


They may not be together, but that doesn't mean they can't love each other from afar.

What's In a Name? (Part 3 - A)

Finally, an update. Don't you just detest my laziness *grins*? Actually, this time, I have an excuse, been sick, was confined for two days, because I am a friggin' glutton *lol*, most of my cyber friends know (read: if you don't know, it just means one thing, we're not, hahaha, kidding!) that I am allergic to certain kinds of seafoods but none the worst than squid and they also know how stubborn and hard-headed I am, eating and sampling a few once in a while. I get out unscathed most of the time, because I am always equipped with the right meds and allergy-busters, but some times I do get punish for all my wrong deeds *grins*, and so I did, but I am fine now, ready to write you a decent enough efef and have a taste of calamari again *tongue out*.



She went out of the restaurant and left, willing herself never to look back, determined to build a life without him.

She sighed, 'Freedom is bittersweet.'

She was welcomed home by the incessant ringing of the phone which she didn't bother to pick up, every ounce of energy she has had been sucked out of her, now all she wanted was to lie down and rest. 'Another failed attempt on an anniversary celebration, third on my list, all with the same man. Oh, why is my future so bleak?' Even her thoughts made her weary.

Her mind and heart had took on a grueling task and was just begging for some repose but the respite that she so desired, was also the respite that she couldn't have, just like Kim Hyun Joong, the only man that she dreamt of spending forever with, the same man who didn't gave her forever a chance.

She was lying in bed prompting herself to win over the ceiling in a staring contest, a battle of will, when she heard the silent creak of an opening door, "Darn, I forgot to change the code again." For every time she seek refuge at her place after a fight, the drat man that she so love was able to sweet talked her to a reconciliation, all because he knew the code to her security lock. She was that easy, she was hopelessly in love.

She rigidly wait, pretending slumber, torn between her will to face reality, to let him go completely, and her wish for a fairy tale ending.

She felt his weight beside her, so she braced herself for an onslaught of tender words, words of repentance, words of endless promises, but she felt like eternity had passed before she heard him whispered, "Hye Jung-ah."

And her heart sung of love all over again, her mere name coming from his lips was enough to thaw the ice that she had been coating her heart with. 'Oh God, give me the strength to resist, please force my heart to understand that I can't live like this, not for long...'

"Hye Jung-ah please... I know that you're awake, I had watched you sleep for a dozen times, for every time I made you wait, for every time I made it home late, for every time I woke up scared that you're not beside me anymore, for every time you fell asleep after we made love, the tranquility in your face, in your form, I know all about it; I'm sorry but your light and constrained breathing gave you away. Let's talk," he pleaded.

She steeled herself from his beseeching voice, willing herself to stay still.

He waited... for a response, a nod, a twitch, any sign that she's listening, that she still care. But he was awarded with none, "I know that you're angry, I know that you're hurt, I know that you've given me a second, third, fourth, fifth, hell, my hundredth chance and I know that I screwed them all up, I know that I am not the best boyfriend, I won't even compare to a regular one" he smirked, contempt on oneself. "Bloody hell, I even know that you can find a man hundred times better than me, someone who will always be at your beck and call, but what do I do, I love you too much to just let you go. I love you too much to..."

"Marry me then," she cut him off, a challenge and a plea.

He was flabbergasted, he didn't expected that, not from her, if it was her way of shutting him up, she succeeded big time.

He looked funny with his mouth ajar, his hand suspended in mid-air, his body immobile, he looked like somebody stunned him. She would have laugh, if she wasn't feeling aggrieve, if she wasn't dying of a broken heart.

Minutes had passed, but it seems like a lifetime to both, "No?", she choked, using all her mental prowess to bind her brewing emotions, to settle the score.

"Hye Jung-ah, you know that I want to, it's been our plan all along... but... it's not yet the time, I am not ready, my career's just taking off, my fans..."

"Arasso," she said, stopping his litany of excuses, "I understand."

"Hye Jung-ah," he called in the tiniest of voice, scared of what was to come, of her verdict.

"Then, we both know what to do," her answer, her voice firm, her face free of emotions.

"Wha-"

"I want something that you cannot give," she continued, blocking his words, unwilling to give him time to think of a rebuttal, of another way out, she was scared, because more often than not, her mind looses to her heart, and her heart doesn't belong to her anymore, he had ruled over it eversince they got together. "And I am tired of being the adult in this relationship, I am tired of being patient, of giving in, of waiting, of hoping... I want a break, I badly needed a break -"

"A break, a space, I'll give it to you, whatever you want, I'll wait in the sidelines, I'll wait until you're okay, I'll wait patiently, until you're able to call me, until you say my name."

"I wanna start anew."

"We will start anew, I will be better and we will -"

"I want out Hyun Joong, I want out," she whispered, drained.

He staggered under the power of her words, 'she wants out, after years of trudging the high waters with me, after years of being together, she wants out, like it doesn't matter, like it's that easy.' He stared at her, his hand balled into fist, pain written all over his face. "I know it hasn't been easy," he begun, "but we... you and I, we belong together, we are meant to -" but he was cut off.

"We are meant to part ways, we are destined to live our lives separately, can't you see, we had tried for three years, but look at us now, we still weren't able to make it," agony laced her voice but her words were firm, she was determined.

"Hye Jung-ah, listen to me..."

But she already made up her mind, his unwillingness to make her a priority just sealed it. "I'm exhausted, you know you're way out," was her reply, an end, to their conversation, to the discussion, to what they had.

She burrowed deeper in her bed, pulled the blanket up to her chin and turned to her side, away from him.

He just looked on, rendered speechless, his heart broken, his fire to live doused off.


Ang chapter 3 - B susulatin pa lang, kung ako sa inyo di na ko aasa, hahaha...

The Luckless is Loving the Lucky

Dear all,

This song has been on constant replay on my music player since three days ago, I don't know why, I'm just sooo in love with it :D

I know that this song has been out for the longest time already, but just humor me and listen, owkie.

Much love,
ME :)

Don't you think a Lucky-inspired romance story will be nice? Yes? Now we just need to find an efef writer who is willing to write us one. Hmm, who should we bother... lloydie? the bruha? or bubuyog?

Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

ITO GINAWA KO PARA KAY AHJUMMA, WALA LANG GUSTO KO LANG, HAHAHA...


They started as entertainment colleagues who played husband and wife in a reality show. They started as an awkward tandem, who didn't even know how to make a conversation, how to do a show.

Then they became this make-believe couple in the eyes of the public, a make-believe couple who were slowly learning about each other, trying to hold on to the littlest of things to make their relationship, or whatever, work and prosper.

One may credit it to their hard work or to their natural ability to be charming, them being husband and wife was such a hit, even they themselves were torn whether it was still for the show or if it was for real.

The secret looks, the silent stares, the timid smile, those teeny weeny details started it all - they bridged the gap between reality and make-believe... without them knowing. The thing is, it wouldn't have mattered even if they did.

Emotional barriers, personal restrictions, inferiorities, they had thought through that; internal battles, fights in the fore front, those were in their midst; and still they let each other fell. Tried as they might from saving each other, in the end, both fell in love... deeply.

Theirs didn't had a name, they knew that they both love each other, even with all the buts and the ifs, but it wasn't something official, they just felt it with their hearts, and that was enough. Enough to have made them glow, enough to have made them giddy, enough to have made them fly.

It was a private affair, an industry secret, their stint as a married couple is such a success because they weren't acting, they were playing their role for real. Their chemistry on-screen was strong enough to pull in everyone, but the friction and electricity off-screen was way up the grid, television sets would have exploded if their sweet moments were caught on cam.

The playhouse ended, but the characters remain.

Full schedules, rising careers, mobs of fans, breaking traditions, that's what they had gone through, months of not seeing each other, of not hearing any news, but they were able to pull through. For them, no distance, no distractions, no words were needed, because their hearts, what they had, it filled all gaps. What they had was pure, and that had been their leverage against the world.

And then, one snowy day, on the 20th month, they decided on taking the plunge, on putting a name, on being official.

They had the easiest of conversations, the simplest of dreams; they shared the hottest of kisses, the grandest of life; it was the greatest of love.

It was almost a happy ever after... sadly, they did not come out of a fairy tale.

The will to keep on fighting vanished, the urge to prove people wrong ceased, the conviction to make it to the end was lost and the belief that they are meant to be together forgotten.

What was left were snippets of the past, of what could have been...

And then, it was surrender!


"Not everyone who fall in love are meant to be together."

What's in A Name? (Part 2 - B)

ETO NA, WISH KO LANG WORTH THE WAIT ITETCH :P


His effort fell short.

The time he reached the restaurant, she was gone, long gone.

The night when they were supposed to celebrate their third anniversary, turned out to be the night that he broke another promise, the night he broke her heart yet again. The good man that he was, told him to just let her go... to a better place, to a better man; but the man that he is, the selfish and unfair man that he had become decided on holding on, on chasing after her, on promising anew.

And he did, erase that, he tried.

She had gotten wiser after dealing with him, with their relationship for the past three years, because the minute he spewed lengthy and flowery promises, she begun to make a demand of her own. A demand he can readily give now but he was stupid then, he made the wrong choice, he said the wrong words, he messed up. He thought it was a demand so unreasonable, she wasn't serious; he thought he can work his way out and about it, without her taking a notice; he thought it was just one of those demands that a girlfriend would make to have her petty revenge; he thought it was just a means to shake him, to ponder on his mistakes and do better.

But he thought wrong, it was an ultimatum.

It was a part of a tactical game that he didn't realized they were playing, it was one of those crucial moves and he miscalculated, and so he lose. And just like those cliche love stories, theirs ended, with the lead girl leaving her arse of a boyfriend behind, because he lacked the mental capacity to understand her and physiological ability to be in a relationship.

She turned her back and walked away, leaving him heartbroken... empty.



"The usual," he told the bartender.

He is a regular at the club, he usually comes with friends, but that night, those who belong in the entertainment world like him were busy working on their schedules, while those who work with regular jobs weren't thrilled with the idea of getting drunk on a weekday. 'It doesn't matter though, it's not like I still recognize them when I'm wasted,' he smirked inwardly.

He came straight from a photo shoot, he was tired as hell, but he needed his daily dose of liquor to lull him to sleep; if he don't, he'll just end up lying in bed restless, thinking about and missing her.

The bartender smiled and passed him his drink, "Where's the rest?" he inquired.

"Oh, some are busy, most are just sissy," he grinned at his own reply.

"Hye Jung-ah!"

The grin was wiped off his face, he was frozen on his seat.

But in that instant, he felt his heart beating, pumping blood through his veins, his heart heard her name and it functioned back to life.

The past couple of months, he has been living like the walking sculpture that he was dubbed as, without guilt, without pain, without hope, he didn't know when exactly he became numb to it all but all that was left of him was emptiness; he felt restlessness once in a while, when he's sober enough to actually feel a sense of loss, of missing her, but more than that, he was just a shell of what Kim Hyun Joong used to be.

She took it all away with her.

"Hye Jung-ah," the woman who was seated a few seats away from him called, again, while waving her hands up.

He looked at her, an unfamiliar face but he still followed her line of vision, albeit slowly, hoping against hope, that it was the same Hye Jung that he long to see, the one woman his heart beats for.

But he was bound to be disappointed, the lady sashaying her way closer to them was no way near the person she shared a name with. 'I should file a patent on her name, a label only she can have,' he thought, sighing.

His frustration prompt him to drink more than he planned to, "Hye Jung-ah," he breathed. The name brought a smile on his face.

"Hye Jung-ah," he whispered, a little louder, more audible.

"Hye Jung-ah," he huffed, it was loud enough for the few people beside him to hear.

"Hye Jung-ah," he called.

The woman who was lucky enough to be born with her name, came closer and seductively asked, "You call?"

He lifted a fraction of his head to look at her, he drowsily inquired, "Hyeee Juuung-aaah?"

"Yes," she replied, her excitement evident.

"Hye Jung-ah," he smiled, her name a sweet ambrosia to his alcohol bittered-mouth. He stood up, draped an arm around the girl's waist and walked out through the backdoor where his car and driver was waiting.



And that was what started it all, his playing with fire, his playing with her namesakes.

The first wasn't intentional, he even blamed it on alcohol; the second, partly was, he blamed it on being sober enough to had missed her to madness; the third, he wasn't entirely sure anymore; the fourth, fifth, sixth, up to his recent conquest, he had forgotten how to care.

He lost the conscience to give a damn, he forego the need to find a justification on what he was doing. Because every once in a while, he wants to feel his heartbeat, every once in a while, he wants to feel alive... and only she can make him feel that.

For every time he hears her name, his heart comes to life; for every time he says her name, he is awaken from a long and lifeless sleep; and for every time someone answers to his call, it feels like everything has fallen to its proper place, it feels like everything is finally okay. Only her name can give him the pleasure and the privilege of being whole. Only her.

He isn't proud of what he had become, but it was a means to survival. Humans were created with the instinct to survive, and he's just one.

He was actually doing good.

Until he heard the news.


*** Part 1 is here, Part 2 - A is here, in case you missed it :)


*** Chocolates, chocolates, chocolates... hahaha! You want part 3, it's in my folder, I'll post it after I receive my chocolates and caramels, weeee! CHOZ LANG!

I Miss You So

Di na ko marunong magsulat, pero dahil marami na ko utang na fic, eto sapilitan, hahaha, pagtyagaan nyo na...

Special mentions - the_BRUHA, ellehcar817 (their twitter names), just because i am an absentee twitter buddy and i adore their compliments, it makes my heart flutter *grins*. and to my ff-addicted chinggus, you know who you are, love yah!


You lift the glass to your mouth and let the amber liquid flow and burn your throat, as you stare at the woman who had starred in your dreams the moment she came into your life and haunted it the instant she left. The woman you had promised to love and to cherish, the woman you hurt and pushed away, the woman who for the past hours haven't shown any indication that she knows you, that you were once a part of her life.

You both belong in the same industry so meeting each other was never a mystery, she is the epitome of what a man wants and what a woman wishes to be. You were an antsy youth the first you two met, and her being the quintessence of a dream girl, yours to be exact, didn't help in the matter. The second, third and other random meetings and bump-ins didn't redeem your first impression failure, but still, you must have done something really good in your past life to warrant a chance to work with her... closely work with her. You landed the best job in the world, you played her pretend husband for eight months, you wanted it longer but you were owned by your management company at that time and you had no say in such matters.

But then, the heart doesn't concern itself with trivial matters like time and space, it doesn't know of boundaries, it doesn't measure and weigh, it just beats to let us live... and love.

Being with her was, in your perspective, the closest thing to heaven. Looking back, you were a few steps away from it, but a moment of doubt took all your chances. Your heaven is a grand mansion, a penthouse, a humble room, anywhere she's willing to live, the place you'll remain for eternity; your ambrosia is her smile, her laughter, her stares, sweeter than any a god had ever tasted; your nirvana is her, living with her is a calm no other can give, a balm to your exhausted body and tired soul. It was... almost...

You were young then, the reason you forced yourself to believe, the truth, you were a weakling. You wilted when faced with a problem, you showed fear and hesitation, you let go of her hand and turned your back. You still clearly remember that night.

"A rumor about an idol having an intimate relationship with one of his sunbaes has been on top of every search engine all day, haven't you heard?"

"I did."

"So what do we do? It's obviously about us..."

"Calm down, the writer didn't hint on any names, so it is still relative."

"Calm down? How can I, when the life that I worked so hard on building is on the brink of tumbling down? How can you stand here and tell me to calm down? What do I do if it comes out that we're together, how will I deal with it, huh?"

"I don't know, either. It's too early, how did they find out, I haven't think this far..."

"That's exactly the problem, we didn't think this through, aaah, I don't know, I need to get out of here..."

It was just a moment, but that was all that she needed.

You received a text message from her saying that everything will be okay, and the fool that you were thought that she understands, that you were forgiven.

That was the last you heard from her.

You know that you're unworthy, undeserving, but that didn't stop you from missing her, from loving her.

That was three years ago, you're still the heartthrob that girls and women fantasizes about but you also became one of the most sought after leading man in the industry, a respectable singer and songwriter, one of the brightest multi-media Hallyu star and now is in the process of breaking the international market; while she had gone to conquer Europe - she raised the charts in the UK, she graced countless magazines in France and Italy, and her fashion creations are visible in the whole continent, apparently, she came back to do the same in Asia.

Yes, she came back.

You approach her, hoping she wouldn't run, but the glint of pride you see on her eyes told you that the thought never crossed her mind.

"Anyeonghaseyo," you greeted.

"Hyun Joong-sshi," she quipped, direct and distant.

"You look good, ani, you are beautiful!"

"Komapta, you're not so bad yourself," she smirked. "How are you? Have you been good?"

"Ani..."

"Huh..."

"I miss you so," you confessed, no sweet talk, no lengthy explanations, just a sincere plea for a second chance.