Chapter 1

“YOU know what? I think you’re delusional,” Cristy commented after Leslie told her about what happened to the restaurant three days ago. “And, why did you tell him about your assumed mental disorder?”

Leslie hushed her friend’s mouth. “Lower down your voice, Cristy.” She looked around their office. One of their colleagues passed by and waved at her. She smiled and waved back. “Enjoy your lunch!”

Cristy rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You don’t love Ricky anymore?”

“I was shocked when he showed me that diamond ring and kneeled in front of me…” Leslie blew her breath. “I didn’t know that he could fall for me that fast—”

Cristy leaned back to her desk. “I am asking you if you don’t love him anymore, Leslie. I did not ask how he proposed to you and how you felt about it—”

“I know,” she muttered and scowled at her friend. “I can’t find the feelings I found in my heart when I lay my eyes on him for the first time. I don’t love him the way I did before.”

“The six-month jinx attacked again.” Cristy hopelessly mumbled. “Poor Ricky, he’s such a hottie, a good catch. But you just hurt his feelings. He’s the right man who fell in love with the wrong woman.”

Leslie narrowed her eyes to her friend. “Sometimes, I don’t know if you’re really my friend.”

“Guess what? Most of the time, I am asking myself why I got a friend like you. Did I made a terrible sin in my past life, and the universe is punishing me for that?” Cristy exaggeratedly faked a cry.

“I did a research about BPD,” she said, ignoring her friend. “And, it says there—”

“Wait, wait,” Cristy stopped her. “Tell me first what Ricky’s reaction was when you told him about your behavioral something.”

Leslie leaned back on her swivel chair and closed her eyes. She’s tired again, emotionally, and mentally. “He said that he has a psychiatrist friend and that he’ll help me to undergo therapy if he confirmed that I have BPD.”

Cristy leaped from her seat. “Really? Then problem solved!”

Leslie opened her eyes and turned at her friend. “I refused.”

Cristy’s jaw dropped in disbelief. “What? Why?” She cupped her forehead. “My goodness, Leslie! I can’t see any problem with that. Ricky loves you, and he’s willing to help you with your…” Her voice trailed off when she looked at her. “Leslie…?”

“I don’t love him anymore… And, I don’t know why or how it happened…” Her hands started to search for something on her desk. “I-I don’t know… When I woke up that morning, I can’t feel anything towards him. The giddy feeling was gone. I no longer yearn for his touch… I don’t know why…”

“Leslie… calm down.” Cristy caught her trembling hands. “It’s okay… breathe, Leslie.”

She breathe slowly, she let her lungs to be filled with cold air. That is what she deserved. Crisp air, for her frozen heart. For my broken heart…

Her phone rang, a familiar set of numbers appeared on the screen. Cristy took her phone and silenced it.

“You know what, I think you need a break,” she said and pulled her up from her chair. “Let’s go to Pampanga.”

Her brows furrowed. “Pampanga?”

“Yup! We’ll burn some fats in Clark, Pampanga!” Cristy snatched some papers from the other desk and scribbled something on it. It was too late when she realized that it’s a leave slip. “Here you go!”

“Cristy, I think it’s not the perfect time of the month to file our leave. Our boss won’t allow us,” Leslie said, she looked at their 2017 calendar desk. “We’re in the middle of January—”

“And the weather is cold.” Cristy closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself. “The trees are dancing in the same cold wind that is kissing our body while we run in the field surrounded with green grasses full of morning dews…”

Leslie thinks about it, nature and fresh air are what she needs right now. “But, why in Pampanga?” she asked, nearly convinced. “Why not in Baguio? It’s colder there.”

“Why not in Pampanga?” Cristy returned her question. “I wanted to try jogging in the Clark Field. And, besides, we’ve been in Baguio several times—where you met Adam, your seventh ex-boyfriend.”

Leslie glared at Cristy. “Do you really have to mention his name?”

“Oh, yes. For you to realize how it’s easy for you to fall in love and to fall out of love,” Cristy handed her the paper. “How many boyfriends you had at the age of twenty-eight?”

Leslie signed her leave slip. “I’m not counting it—”

“You lost count, you mean?” Cristy taunted.

She glared at her best friend. “Maybe, it was you who needs a piece of psychological advice. One moment, you’re a thoughtful friend to me, and then in just a blink of an eye, you’re a rude and—”

“Why the two of you shouting?” Their boss, Mr. Ahn, peeked from the door. “You haven’t eaten your lunch?”

“Mr. Ahn, your timing is so perfect, just like your suit!” Cristy ran towards the door and gave their leave slips to Mr. Ahn. “Please approve our emergency leave. Leslie is in a terrible state right now…” Her voice started to quiver. “She needs a break…”

Leslie was shocked to see that Cristy was really shedding tears! Mr. Ahn tapped her friend’s shoulders before signing their leave slip. Leslie couldn’t help but suppress a smile. Cristy is indeed an actress.

“As a friend, I have to be on her side… I want to make sure that she won’t do anything that could harm herself,” Cristy added while still crying.

Mr. Ahn nodded. He’s a widow who still looked handsome in her late fifties. And, according to rumors spreading around the real estate company they’re working, he loves women with Pinay beauty—like Cristy.

“Everything will pass.” Mr. Ahn murmured comforting words to her friend as if it was her who’s devastated. “Where do you plan to go?”

Cristy wiped off her tears using Mr. Ahn polka dots necktie. “We’ll go to Pampanga,” she glanced at her and winked. “I want Leslie to enjoy the cold breeze in Clark Field.”

“I have an apartment for rent in Clark if you want I can call my landlady to book you a room for two,” Mr. Ahn offered with a smile. “It’s my offering for you Leslie, I hope somehow, it could lessen your sadness.”

Leslie’s smile widened. “Thank you very much, Mr. Ahn.”

“Okay, then. Call me when you get there. I’ll call the landlady to prepare your room. When is your plan to leave?” Mr. Ahn looked at their leave slip. “It wasn’t indicated here.”

Leslie turned to her friend. They haven’t talked about the date yet. “Cristy?”

Cristy’s lips formed a slow grin. “Tomorrow.”

***