‘The red string of fate connects two people that are bound to cherish and love each

other for eternity…’

“…bound” I chuckled, as I closed the book I was reading.

I sipped on my coffee looking right across the table.

Ah, what a sight, really. She’s one big pathetic mess I thought, as I put the cup down
the saucer.

She blew her nose on multiple layers of convinience store tissue while still sobbing and
wiping her puffy eyes with the same paper.

Eww.

“Ayoko na! Ang sakit-sakit na. Gusto ko nang makalimot please! Pagod na pagod na
‘kong umiyak. Miss please help me.” she said in between her annoying weeps.

I looked at her hand and she still have her red string knotted on her pinky finger. A
shaded string that is close to turning black.

“Are sure? I just want to warn you. There’s no turning back once I release you.”

She immediately replied “Oo, now please! AYOKO NG UMIYAK. AYOKO NG

MARAMDAMAN ‘TO! Do your thing so I can get over this! PLEASE!” she shouted
causing the people to look at us.

I pulled the hoodie over my head.

“Okay…okay jeez, wag ka namang sumigaw.”

I took the back of her hand and placed it under my palm. I untied the string knotted
losely on her pinky finger.

As I did that she stopped sobbing

As the string gradually faded I saw her pupil widen followed by a deep slow exhale.

She smiled and leaned her back on the chair’s cushion.

She rested there for about a minute before cleaning the pile of tissues scattered ontop
of the table.

She looked at me and said…

“Thank you.” offering her hand for a hand shake. But instead I handed her my bill.

“Thanks for the coffee, Karen. I guess I’ll see you around.” I left the coffee shop only to
be welcomed by a sudden downpour outside.

Aish

I ran, along with the crowed who also forgot to bring their umbrellas and a few who
didn’t bother using theirs. It really doesn’t matter though since my place’s not that far
from here.

The door’s bell chimed as I entered my apartment.

“Nakalimutan mong magdala ng payong?” I was startled by the sudden voice that came
out of the kitchen. But there was no need to check who it was.

“Akala ko bukas pa kayo dadating?”

I hear simmering sound and inhaled to sniff what she’s cooking.

Kaldereta

“Anla ako’y nasusura kay Bitoy nilayasan ko.”

I took off my jacket and shoes saka nagdiretso sa kusina.

She’s murmuring, cursing under her breath. She’s saying that, but her string is still red.

I sat on the kitchen stool.

“Bat’ hindi nyo sinama si Ellein?”

“Oo, alam ko namang CLOSE na CLOSE kayo at HINDI kayo mag aaway.” she
answered in a sarcastic tone.

I smugged. I never got along with my step sister ever since we were kids.

“Dumalaw na’ng Papa mo?” she asked while blowing air on the ladle.

“Next month daw s’ya bibisita eh. May business trip daw sila ni Arlene.”
“Hmm.” She slurped the viand “Parang may mali…”

I laughed at her expression. “Ako na nga d’yan! Mama naman ‘noh ba’yan.”

We chatted for hours while eating dinner. Nagkwento s’ya tungkol sa pamilya n’ya while
I consulted her opinion regarding my new book. She was really amazed by how I come
up with plot twists and sudden turn of events. We watched a T.V. shows, laughed, cried
and she ended up falling asleep on the couch. Kumuha ako ng kumot sa kwarto and
covered it on top of her.

“Destiny, destiny, destiny… your mom is such a kid.” I murmured to myself.

I sat down, opened my laptop and scrolled down my site to check for new clients.

I made a website for the ones who wants their strings cut off and named it ‘ender’. And
if you’re wondering if everyone sees ‘these’ strings, the answer is no. I will not call me
special since I’ve already met someone who can see the same. The bastard who untied
my string when I was just 4 years old, the creep, the horror and I hope he’s dead by
now.

Not that I’m not greatful though because you see, cutting the strings clears your
emotions, and I mean CLEARS IT. Therefor, eliminating the hindrances of… feeling.
Just like the ones with with the black strings who is unfortunately the ones rejected,
scarred and or maybe the partner is long dead. I simply untie it and *poof*, the pain is
gone. I don’t just go around untying peoples’ strings though because it can’t be
connected again, I tried. No one can connect to the ones’ I ended but they can still get
married and have kids if they want, but not always with the one without string just like
them, but most of the people without strings don’t seek out love anymore, they seek
knowledge, career and… well… fame.

Just like my mom and dad. They got married, had me, divorced, and made a new family
with the one they are really connected with. Sometimes I wonder if that’s the reason he
untied me. Maybe I was not meant to be with anyone because I shouldn’t have existed
in the first place. But there are also some without strings still unable to see what I see. I
don’t know man, I feel like I’m just wasting time trying to make sense of it all.

I heard a bloop and checked my account. Another client.

^Dear Ender,

Blah, blah blah… Please help me deal with blah blah. Can I please be released from
this pain?

I yawned as I reply.

^I don’t think you’re ready to get over him yet.

“Yeah, why not suffer a little longer?”

He replied.

^Please, I just want this feeling to go away. Wala din po akong ibang taong
masasabihan. My parents won’t accept me kung aamin ako sa kanila.

“Huh, I need to see this kid first.”

^Look, I think you just need someone to talk and not someone to take away your *I
paused for a bit* feeling. But sure. Let’s meet up. Even if you just wanna talk about it.

I yawned again. I shut my laptop down a soon as I heard that he replied. That means
that’s the address where we’ll meet.

I layed on my bed falling into deep slumber within seconds.