four cups of coffee

    Maiko kept looking back, sideways and straight ahead of her,cold perspiration on her forehead and on the other undesirable parts of her body, like on the palm of her right hand for instance, which was consciously linked to J's. Yesterday was their luniversary  (in urban dictionary - monthsary), and they were celebrating it a day late due to certain unavoidable complications. This day should have been one of the greatest days of her life but it didn't feel like it was. She was too anxious and worried. Still, she forced herself to feel better, more for J than herself. All of a sudden, J let go of her hand. He inconspicuously  moved away from her as a thought of his caught his attention. Maiko moved ahead and waited for him at a distance. After a while, he joined her with a sheepish , uncomfortable look on his face. He said nothing. They walked a few inches farther apart, holding hands just seemed like the clumsiest thing to do. They'd been together for four years and she wanted to tell the whole world. But why is life being unfair? Why won't people just let them be and be happy for the two of them? In few months J will be moving to another place and be staying there for good. "How are your friends?" J asked in an attempt to shatter the awkwardness. "Just fine," Maiko answered flatly. And her day was just ruined.

   

    Natsumi read K's message for the 15th time, and smiled a smile the kind of which only the truest embodiment of bliss can inspire. K is just too good to be true. Natsumi enjoyed the way the strands of his hair would fall and the way he swept them back. She adored his laugh and his smile. Everything just seemed so unreal that sometimes she wonders if in fact she wasn't in a fairy tale. Magical birds and fishes, the sky and sea are the kind of thoughts K inspires. Natsumi is one blessed or cursed with an imagination possessed and followed by not so many, and in K she had found a kindred spirit. Everything is nearly perfect. In other word, ALMOST. Her story is somehow similar to Chieko, the only difference is that she told R the truth that she had a paramour. Natsumi was so confused, she has a live hostage yet all her attentions, thoughts, imagination was diverted to K. Since when was K gonna make a move? Natsumi was almost getting desperate. The thought that he was just there, but never been able to call him just hers was driving her mad. Who was K fooling with this just-friend shenanigan? They were not "just friends" and they both knew it.  What in the world was he waiting for? She wanted to cry but thought otherwise. At least, somehow he's still around. Isn't that reasonable enough to be thankful? Her mind started to ease out. Crap! She just wished her heart would just follow.

   It was heaven looking into Al's eyes and getting herself lost in them, not only is he a genuinely good person, he met almost everything that Keiko wanted from a man. From the superficial like his choice of music and clothes, to deeper matters such as the principles he abides. Al also has a healthy sense of humor. Keiko loves everything about Al. "Honey, do you want something to drink?" Al anticipated Keiko's needs. Another thing she just loved about him. "A soft drink would do, Hon." "Be back in a sec." said A. Keiko felt giggly and giggly all over. Al looked very handsome in his blue shirt. She never expected to fall this fast after - after what exactly? It's not like "they" were actually together. They went out thrice and only as friends. But something about the way his dangerous eyes twinkled had turned her into a willing captive. She caught a sight of Al with her soft drink and gave her a sort of smile. He sat down and said "I have a paramour and we've been together for six long years and in March we're getting married and you know that, right?" What a sudden turn of thoughts! Al felt himself blush with guilt but managed to hide his dilemma. " I have my ways even in the little things that I do to make you feel special to me", Keiko reminisces the day that she wouldn't forget...the day he brought her to Manila Memorial Park, where they sat on the ground and had this candle light dinner. Weird huh! But romantic. Oh but that was then.

    Maiko was first to arrive in a Java shop, they always meet there every Saturday. She took a seat near the glass wall so she can clearly look at the wanderers, criticizing and adoring what each was wearing. Five minutes later, Keiko joined her, uttering a curt hello which the former was too preoccupied to notice. Ten minutes later, Natsumi entered the shop. She didn't bother with many pleasantries. All three sat together, all trapped in their own little words scarcely acknowledging each other's existence. Finally, a very puffy-eyed Chieko, who obviously had just been crying, came. She started talking about someone. No one was in the mood to hear yet another sob story, but as no one wanted to hurt her feelings, they all tried to feign enthusiasm. "Yesterday, I told R everything...that I've fallen in love with him. I don't mind if he thinks I'm berserk. I set aside all my fears and not be scared about what's going to happen. He's so good and has this big heart. So he left!!! Then all of a sudden he avoided me, never responded to any of my calls or messages", Chieko cried. She looked at her best friends to answer, but all she got were some "uhhms...and well..."

At that moment, it was becoming clear to all of them each one was carrying some emotional boulder. The stone being so massive as well as heavy had blocked much of the flow of rational thought.

"I know what we all need," Chieko declared quite abruptly and all three heads turned to her, "...a good cup of coffee." And for the first time that day, all four ladies were able to smile. 

(Dedicated to my friends - hope you remember this story...a part of your story.. our story.)