The music pulsed through the dimly lit bar, a vibrant mix of laughter and the clinking of glasses. Walter held Judith tightly, spinning her gracefully around the dance floor. For a moment, the world outside faded away, and it was just the two of them, lost in a rhythm that connected their hearts and minds.
But as they swayed, a drunken raucous laughter broke through their bubble. A man, leaning heavily against the bar, suddenly pointed at them. "Wow, I can't believe you brought a disabled woman with you! You really think she can enjoy dancing with you?"
Walter's smile evaporated. He turned slowly to face the stranger, a hardening of his gaze coloring his once soft expression. "What's your problem?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with anger.
"Oh, did you bring that woman to be your entertainment? You expecting her to be a... a slut?" The drunk's laughter was loud, mocking, intended to cut.
Fury surged through Walter. Without a thought, he closed the distance and punched the man squarely in the jaw. The bar went silent for a heartbeat, and then a flurry of hushed whispers erupted around them. Walter kicked the man repeatedly, fueled by indignation at Judith's humiliation.
But amid the chaos, Judith remained steadfast. She didn't flinch, even as her heart raced. Instead, she reached for her walking stick, gripping it tightly. She'd faced ridicule before and, this time, she refused to be a victim. With a swift motion, she swung it between the man's legs.
The drunk let out a pained scream and crumpled to the floor, clutching himself, his laughter replaced by a whimper. Judith's eyes sparked with fury. "You damn call me that! You don't even know me!" she shouted, raising her stick once more, ready to strike again.
Walter stepped in, placing a firm hand on her arm. "That's enough, Judith. You've hurt him plenty." He glanced down, noting the man's retreating form, crawling away as if escaping a nightmare.
But Judith's anger didn't subside easily. "I use this," she said, lifting her walking stick, "for pervert men who think they can judge me. They don't understand—this isn't a weakness, it's a strength." As she caught her breath, a smirk played on her lips. "And they'll learn to think twice."
Walter's laughter bubbled up, breaking the tension. "You're brilliant! He thought he could mock you, and look how that turned out for him." He smiled wide, the weight of the earlier confrontation lifting as the warmth of Judith's spirit shone through.
Judith's frown softened into a sardonic grin. "The bodyguard I hired taught me some moves. It's all about knowing their weaknesses. Men think they're invincible—it's about time someone showed them they're not." Her confidence was magnetic, drawing Walter closer.
"Judith, you're too cool sometimes," he said, admiration filling his voice. "And you know what? You've earned their respect tonight. They'll think twice before laughing at you again."
She tilted her head, considering. "You know, you might just have a point. I think... sometimes it really is necessary to fight back."
"Makes for a good story too," Walter added, winking at her mischief.
"Speaking of stories, we should definitely have that drink now," Judith suggested, her earlier fervor fading into excitement.
"Of course," Walter replied, leading her toward the bar.
Later on, Judith and Walter decided to drink beer together when they are together in the table and they just both feel great.
"I really like this, I mean you know enjoying this moment at the bar, and since I got annulled from my husband and you see that I really only doing my whole priorities for my children..." She said, after taking sip to her beer. Then he grinned to her "Oh I know that your very responsible enough and I can see that you are that much responsible like your always thinking about them and your ex husband must have conscience about what you always did, and I can see you are a very good mother.."
"Oh thank you, anyway how about you? Are you already married?"
"No I'm not, and since birth I'm still single..."
She shouted when she only realizing now "What! I mean your single since then!"
"Why did you shout? Because it was so shocking that you realize now I'm 27 and I'm still single..."
"Wow, and I never met a guy who is still single and I always meet that yes they are other who is single but they already had children with other woman.."
"I also never had children, and I only had one niece at home, who she was the daughter of my sister..."
"How about you're past relationships? Never had girlfriend, fiancée or somehow interest? Or are you never in love to someone?" She did take a sip to her beer, but he heave a sigh when he was about to tell his story "I really never had a partner in life, but I once in love to this girl...and but she did betray me..."
"Oh why, and who is this girl?"
"She was my former colleague in my University and I was like so in love with her but I really had a crush on her, but you see that I did tried to be friends with her and it was like nothing happen.."
"what you mean, nothing happened?"
"It's like that she did directly told me that she never likes me in the first place and I realize that she embarrassed me with in front of her group friends and that's why, I'm never had a school crush like that ever again.."
"I can't believe that girl bullied you so bad, and why did she reject you like that? so what does she say?.."
"She says that she never likes fat people like me..."
"Wait, you're fat at that time?"
"Yes, but you can see now I'm manly as ever..."
"Wow, I can't believe it...and there's nothing wrong with fat people anyway, and I think that people nowadays are too judgmental and maybe that's why your single maybe you think the same way about what I think.."
"Yes, about people now are mostly cheaters and sometimes they are just like that and they didn't care if they hurt feelings and also that was the saddest truth to me..."
"I find that really true, and anyway I really enjoy talking with you..."
After they did enjoyed drinking and later on Walter and Judith are going to walk through their home but he decided to take her home. "Maybe I would decide to take you home if you want..." He said with his confident smile. "Oh I think probably..You can take me home if you want, I'm sure you really want to see if I'm already protected and I'm fully fine now..." She said while she smiles at him.
"But still I want to take you home and I don't know exactly where your house was..."
"Just follow me.."
He did follow her where she was going and until Rafella was still guarding the house and she saw that they are both giggling together and had a nice conversation together, when Walter leave and Rafella wondered what is going on.
"What is going on there, Judith?" Rafella asks when she gets curious. "Oh come on, you don't need to get curious and he was my new workmate now and I'm glad that he was working on the company and so on...I don't need always to do overtime and there is almost a lot of new employees like him are applying a job.." Judith explains to her confidently when she just giggled when Rafella's curious.
"Oh really, and this isn't you called flirting?"
She giggled afterwards "I told you I'm not flirting with someone and I am just did enjoyed with him and he was just being friendly with me..."
"Really, so that's why you need someone who needs to be your companion..."
"Rafella" She shouldered her hip, when she was hearing Rafella was giggling to her "What? Then saying you're finding a handsome guy and then doing flirting him if he looks like Dylan Bruce!"
"I'm not that assuming to find a handsome guy like him..."
"Or like Patrick Dempsey!"
"Please, and this time...I'm not really into these things now, and this time I want to rest now..." she moved her wheelchair to come already inside of her house. "Oh and I am sure that you need to rest now..."
Judith leaned back in her chair, the warm glow of the bar wrapping around her like a soft blanket. It had been a long time since she had found herself in a place like this, surrounded by laughter and the clinking of glasses. In the dim light, she felt a sense of normalcy that had evaded her since her marriage fell apart. She looked across the table at Walter, who was stirring his beer with a playful grin.
"I really like this," She took a sip, the fizz tickling her nose. "Just enjoying this moment at the bar. Ever since I got annulled, I've been so focused on my kids. It feels good to step outside of that."
Walter chuckled, a genuine, warm sound that blossomed in the air between them. "Oh, I can see you're responsible. You've always got them on your mind. Your ex must feel the weight of that conscience sometimes."
Judith laughed lightly, her heart fluttering at the shared understanding between them. "Thanks. Anyway, how about you? Are you married?"
His face fell slightly, like a curtain drawn suddenly in front of a bright day. "No, I'm not. Been single my whole life, actually."
"What!" she exclaimed, a string of laughter bubbling from her. "You're twenty-seven and you've never had a girlfriend?"
Walter shrugged, a shy smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I know, shocking, right?"
"But wow, I never met a guy like that! Usually, the single ones have kids with someone." Her curiosity peeked, and she leaned in closer.
He nodded, his gaze drifting to his glass. "I never had children. I have one niece, though, who's the light of my life."
"What about past relationships? Any heartbreaks?"
He sighed, the weight of his past settling heavily on his shoulders. "There was someone... but she betrayed me."
"Betrayed?" Judith's brow furrowed in concern.
"Yeah, she was a colleague back in university. I was smitten, but it turned out she didn't feel the same." He grimaced at the memory. "She made it clear in front of her group of friends. I don't want to go into details, but let's just say rejection stings."
Her heart ached for him. "What did she say?"
"Something about not liking fat people. It's hilarious, isn't it? Look at me now." He gestured vaguely to his physique.
Judith held back a laugh, her empathy clashing with amusement. "It's ridiculous how cruel people can be. But you're clearly more than that."
"Yeah, it's sad, really," he replied, a light bitterness lacing his tone. "People can be cheaters and don't care who they hurt. That's why I'm single. I don't want to go through that again."
"I completely understand," she said softly. "But it's refreshing to talk to someone who gets it."
As they finished their beers, Walter's smile returned, his confidence visibly rekindled. "Can I take you home? I want to make sure you get back safely."
Judith hesitated for a moment but then nodded, a skip of excitement in her chest. "Okay, but I don't know if I'm ready for you to see how chaotic my home can be."
He laughed, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just follow me."
As they walked down the street, side by side, Judith felt a warmth growing between them. It was like a breath of fresh air, filling a void she hadn't realized was there.
When they reached her home, Judith glanced back at her friend Rafella, who was leaning against the door, watching them with curiosity etched on her face.
"What's happening here, Judith?" Rafella prodded, her tone teasing.
Judith rolled her eyes, a grin escaping. "He's just my workmate. Nothing going on, really."
But Rafella wasn't convinced. "Oh, come on. You two look like you were having more fun than just discussing the latest project."
"Fine," Judith laughed, nudging Walter lightly. "Maybe I enjoyed his company a bit more than I expected."
As Rafella chuckled, Walter raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge in his gaze.
The flickering light from the TV threw shadows across Marvin's living room, illuminating moments from the romantic movie that wafted through the air like candy. Sidel curled into the couch, her heart fluttering between the fictional lovers on screen and the gnawing separation from her mother. The moment felt sacred, yet she couldn't shake the underlying anxiety. In a quiet impulse to distract herself, she reached for her phone.
Her fingers danced across the screen until she stumbled upon an online presence that made her heart leap: Jasmin. The name alone held a universe of memories—inside jokes, whispered secrets, and the lingering scent of hope mixed with heartache. She hadn't seen or spoken to Jasmin in ages, and the yearning to reconnect enveloped her like a warm blanket.
Tapping on the message icon, Sidel hesitated for just a heartbeat before writing, "Hey! It's been too long." She hit send and waited, her pulse quickening. But instead of a text reply, a voice rang in her ears—a call from Jasmin reverberated through the room.
"M-Mom??" Sidel answered, her heart racing at the unexpected connection.
"Hey Sidel, what now?" The voice, laced with concern, was oh-so-familiar yet strained.
Sidel took a breath, summoning the courage to share her truth. "Um... you know Uncle Walter really wanted to find you. Please, just tell me where you are now or else he's going to get even more worried."
"Just far away in Wuppertal... please don't need to guess, and I don't want to stay with you right now. I just don't want you to feel bad about me not having a better job," her mother's words rushed out, heavy with the weight of their shared burdens.
"I'm sorry, Mom. It's just irritating that my classmates are still bullying me... They make fun of me because of you." Her voice cracked slightly.
There was a moment of silence, and Sidel imagined her mother, perhaps frowning at the truth she'd just spoken.
"What about Timo?" her mother asked gently. "Are you still upset with him?"
"Actually, yes," Sidel admitted, tears welling up as she admitted the truth. "I really miss him so much, but I need to relax and get better. They wouldn't let me see him."
"Mom, if you need anything, just please come back. I don't like that you're far away from me, for us," Sidel whispered, the longing palpable in her voice.
"I know, but it's the best thing for me right now. I'm trying to feel better," her mother replied, her tone softening.
"I love you, Mom," Sidel said, a small smile breaking through her tears.
"I love you too. Thank you for everything. Sleep well, Sidel, and remember that tomorrow is another day."
As the call ended, Sidel's emotions burst forth like a dam breaking. She cried softly, the tears trailing down her cheeks, a mixing of sorrow and relief. Marvin, sitting next to her, wrapped his arms around her shoulder, his warmth a comfort in the storm.
"Are you okay?" he asked, concern shadowing his eyes.
"Don't you see that I'm not?" Sidel retorted, wiping her tears but failing to hide the flicker of gratitude in her voice. "But I'm getting better. I talked to my mother again. I can't believe she didn't forget."
"Oh, she loves you so much. I can feel it," Marvin whispered, his embrace tightening around her.
"She really does," Sidel agreed, her heart slowly unclenching. "I just hope she can get better too. It feels like everything is my fault."
"No, it's not your fault. You just don't want to feel miserable. That's normal," Marvin reassured her, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"I think I'm making things worse!" Sidel cried, her voice rising as emotions cascaded forward. She found herself using the entire tissue box in one desperate attempt to collect her tears.
Marvin stared, partly shocked and partly amused. "Are you going to use my whole tissue for that?"
"Do I need to pay for it?!" she shot back, half-laughing through her tears.
"Of course not. Just... let's do something enjoyable."
"I don't know..." Sidel sniffled, the rawness of her emotions ebbing slightly.
As they sat amidst scattered tissues and a fading thunder of emotional turbulence, Sidel realized that in the warmth of Marvin's presence, she wasn't alone.
In the sprawling Heinen mansion, the kitchen was one of the few places that held any semblance of warmth. It was meant for culinary delights, but today it was filled with the scent of freshly diced onions and something far less savory: the tears of Jasmin. Staring forlornly at her phone, she exclaimed, "Sidel, why do you have to be so far away?" The screen went dark, leaving her alone, once again.
Just then, Henrik strolled in, his demeanor a mix of confusion and concern. "Sorry to interrupt, but I thought we were supposed to be guarding the place, not hiding out in the kitchen."
"Guard? Is there going to be a basketball game?" Jasmin shot back sarcastically, wiping away a stray tear that had escaped her eye.
"No, it's called a tiebreak," he replied, scratching his head. "What do you call it? Time break? That's for tennis!"
"Oh, of course. You could be the new Merriam-Webster," she quipped, rolling her eyes.
Henrik frowned, sensing that her raucous humor hid more than grief for Sidel. "Honestly, are you crying? It's just onions!"
"Crying? Me? Nah, I'm just practicing my method acting for a cooking show," she retorted, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"Right, because I'd watch 'As the Onion Chops.' Are you sure that's not a salad you're trying to make?" He leaned against the counter, arms crossed, feigning seriousness.
His persistent inquiries only fueled her playful annoyance. "Am I on trial here, Henrik? What gives? You're not asking for my recipe—are you auditioning for a food network?"
"Well, if I were, I'd need more than just a kitchen drama expert," he replied, unable to hide his amusement.
Suddenly, Jasmin seized the knife in a charmingly theatrical way and cut through the last onion with gusto. "You know, I could use these for my face," she said, holding a slice up with peculiar confidence.
Henrik's eyebrows shot up. "Your face? Really? You think that's a good idea?"
"Of course! It's like beauty therapy!" Her enthusiasm bordered on the manic.
"Beauty therapy? Are you serious? You do know people typically use cucumbers, right?" Henrik pinched the bridge of his nose, struggling to keep a straight face.
"Well, I don't have cucumbers on hand! Besides, this is an experiment! Whitening onions, for the win!" Her confidence grew with every word.
"Wait," Henrik interrupted, "you don't need to whiten anything! You have no wrinkles!"
"My eye bags tell a different story," she pouted, momentarily self-conscious.
Before he could protest further, Jasmin blended her humor and casual flirtation into something more serious. "You're forgetting our little secret, Henrik."
"What secret? That we're just coworkers guarding a mansion of secrets?" he deflected, although curiosity glimmered in his eyes.
"No! That I'm secretly in love with you!" She laughed but added, "or was it the other way around?"
Henrik burst into laughter, relief washing over him. "You mean this secret relationship that began—what? Three days ago? Or was it before you married Martin?"
"What? You can't be serious!" Jasmin's bemusement only fueled his joy.
"I'm dead serious! I love you! All those times we..."
In a burst of uncontainable energy, Jasmin closed the distance, and before he realized what was happening, they were kissing. The blissful moment drowned out any lingering onion tears.
"Wait, are we really doing this?" Henrik stammered between accidental kisses.
"Absolutely!" she declared, hastily removing her blouse, her heart racing. "Now, get with the program."
As Henrik finally absorbed the absurdity of the situation and the impulse of attraction, he cast aside the line of logic. Perhaps all those secret rendezvous—no matter how ridiculous they seemed—were exactly what they needed.
Sidel stepped inside the cozy home, the tantalizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee welcoming her. She spotted Walter at the small kitchen table, the sunlight filtering through the sheer curtains and casting a warm glow on his face. A plate of crispy buttered toast and a jar of homemade strawberry jam lay invitingly before him.
"Good morning!" she chirped, a spring in her step as she walked over.
Walter looked up, his eyes crinkling with a smile. "So, how was your sleepover?"
"It was nice, actually," Sidel replied, pouring a generous amount of jam onto her toast. "But I did get a bit dramatic last night..."
He raised an eyebrow, sipping his coffee. "Oh? I see there's a story there. What happened?"
Sidel's fingers paused mid-bite. "My mother called. I didn't pick up, but she left a message. She was upset about her job, said she wants to get better. I've always complained to her... maybe it's my fault she feels that way."
Walter set down his coffee, leaning in closer. "No, it wasn't your fault. You just care about her. The fact that you talked is important."
She took a breath, feeling the weight of vulnerability lift slightly. "Thanks, Walter. You always know how to make me feel better."
"Hey, how about you? How was your first day at work?" she asked, eager to shift the focus.
Walter's face brightened. "Oh, it was good! Met some new people, and I think the new CEO has some solid ideas. It feels... promising."
"I'm so glad to hear that! It's great that you're excited. Maybe a promotion in your near future?" she teased, smirking.
Just as he chuckled, his phone rang, interrupting their banter. It was Alody. Walter's expression changed to one of excitement.
"Hello, brother?" he answered.
"Hey, Alody! How are you doing?"
"I'm good! I'm actually very happy to call you!" Alody's voice came through, sunny and bright.
Walter leaned back slightly, a smile transforming his features. "That's great. What's the good news?"
"I'm going to Germany next week! I finished my requirements, and my passport is ready!" Alody's enthusiasm spilled over the phone.
"That's amazing! Is everything set?"
"Yes! All my important documents are in order. I'm thrilled to see you and stay with you as soon as I get there!" Alody's excitement was palpable.
"That'll be fun! Just remember, don't rent a place right away. It'll be tough without friends," Walter advised.
"Of course! And I'll bring snacks—my polvoron! Don't forget about that!" Alody laughed.
"Can't wait to see you, Alody. Take care!" he said before the call dropped. He hung up, the smile on his face lingering.
Sidel watched him, her heart swelling with warmth. She admired how he juggled responsibilities effortlessly yet always made time for family. In that moment, she thought of her own family—instead of feeling sadness, she felt a flicker of hope.
Walter returned to his breakfast, savoring the toast as if each bite were a moment to treasure. The conversations, though tinged with issues, reminded both of them that life was a tapestry of joys and challenges. Sidel realized she could be an anchor for her mother while letting the ripples of hope spread in her heart. Walter, too, knew that shared moments like this, gentle and ordinary, were what truly crafted a fulfilling life.
With a newfound resolve, Sidel picked up another slice of toast, reaching over to Walter. "Let's celebrate this day. It's beautiful, just like your coffee-making skills!"
Walter chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment."
John stood outside the terminal, watching the bustling crowd as the sun broke through the clouds, casting rays of light on the chaos of departing travelers. He glanced at his watch and felt a mix of dread and admiration bubbling inside him. In a moment, Alody would emerge, her excitement palpable in the air. They had been friends since childhood, but today marked a decidedly bitter goodbye.
When Alody appeared, her face was aglow, her eyes bright with anticipation. She was practically bouncing on her feet, a whirlwind of energy. John couldn't help but smile despite the lump forming in his throat.
"Masyado kang excited..." he said, raising an eyebrow, his tone playful but laced with something heavier.
"Syempre naman! Mas excited ako kasi aalis na ako sa lugar na 'to," she replied cheerfully, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, her suitcase at her side buzzing with possibilities.
The enthusiasm radiating from her was infectious, almost making John forget his sorrow for a moment. But as she beamed at him, the pang of loss struck him sharply. "So, hindi mo na ako mamimiss?" he asked, trying to maintain a casual front.
"Wag ka ngang masyadong choosy! Pwede mo naman ako i-chat online, and ang daming mo kasing sinasabi sakin, eh!" She scoffed playfully, but her laughter died down as she saw the seriousness in his eyes.
He sighed, "Pero pwede ka naman pumunta sana sa Japan, eh."
"Anong magagawa mo kung gusto ko talagang mag-stay sa Germany?" she shot back, the determination clear in her voice. John had always loved this about her—her fierce independence and unyielding spirit.
"Ano bang gusto mong puntahan don?" he pressed, hoping to spark the conversation in a different direction.
"Berlin Wall, English Garden, Allianz Arena, Ruhr Park, Lock Room and many more!" she exclaimed, her excitement growing with each name she listed, dreams unfolding into reality.
"Ang dami mo naman gustong puntahan. Buti tinulungan ka ng lolo mo na makapunta doon," John said, though he felt a twinge of jealousy for the opportunities she had. His own travel plans had been thwarted by responsibilities he couldn't escape.
"Even if I needed his help, gusto ko lang don puntahan si Ate Jasmin..." Alody's voice softened, revealing the deeper reason behind her move.
"Mag-ingat ka palagi..." John finally said, the weight of their friendship settling like a fog between them.
"Thank you..." she replied, and a warm smile spread across her face.
As the looming moment of departure inched closer, John felt the bittersweet reality of their farewell crystallizing in the air. Alody bounded toward him then, and they embraced, the warmth of her excitement clashing against the cold of his impending loneliness.