I Was Here

cycle. She wears white sleeveless top, purple leggings and pink slippers. And her black hair is neatly pulled on a ponytail with some baby bangs falling on her forehead. As she genuinely smil

he bookshelf. I hold a book and

re some white cracks coming out from the surface of the couch. And you bet, it is the only couch we have for a family of two plus a dog. This couch is older than Mallory, maybe four or five years ol

knee length dress and black school shoes with long white socks. And beside the girl is wh

s often tell the story a little differently as compared to the book version. Just like Nicholas Sparks, A

me back years ago before I had Mallory? I am sure I don’t want to not have her, even when she is naughty and needy most of the time. I blow the thin white smoke which comes from the cup. Or what i

east we are fine. I am thankful that I still have a job despite the pandemic. And the most important thing is that Mallory and I a

ead of Corona Virus also known as Covid 19.’ ‘Due to the Covid 19 pandemic lockdown has been implemented in numerous

n’t really changed with the pande

ry. For this reason, pursuant to my powers as President under the Constitution and RA 11332 (Law on Reportin

us. ‘We can sit here.’ I said to Peter, my co-worker and best friend who is more introvert than I am. He is my best friend and we don’t talk that much. Peter either follows what I say or ignores me, and

ate contains half a cup of rice, roast

`We have to watch the news, they might send us home early today.’ He sits beside me as he breaks my chicken in

some

I said. ‘Did he sa

‘Adios, and see

ore than

‘So plan ahead wh

abou

he said. ‘I will

’s so

out you

uality time w

s just

watch the number of vehicles passing by. 6:00pm, the traffic alr

otice how the bus is overloaded with passengers th

sks since it is not Japan or Korea. The temperature here is so warm that you may not want to cover your nose and mouth. And yes, Covid 19 is what everybody didn’t see coming in a very hot country l

es are waiting to take over the city. Crazy, indeed. 27days of quarantine, I need to store some food and other basic needs

n Enhanced Community quarantine

e of the bluetooth earphone to his right

What would you like

do I like t

s of

rse.’ h

to his favorite band, Kings of Leon. And tha

ke to eat later b

aid. ‘What

. ‘We can share

. ‘I have here fresh

’ he said as he pulled two pieces of bread inside a small brown paper bag. I pierced the tetra pack of milk using a

as a hole at the end of the sleeve where his thumb would like to pop out

ooking at my f

thi

ka

et he was wearing while I rubbed my hands

d laughed. ‘Wait

e quickly returned with an extra t-shirt

said. ‘One

ha

air conditioner makes my lips dry

pStick while he pouted h

uilding. We didn’t say much. A simple walk enjoyin

e

ngs o

th the str

g at th

he's gonna

er gonna

wanna b

u're al

about a b

had it in

uld be

uld be

uld be

uld be

u in the

on you

ying with

t up again

wanna h

u by yo

that you're

that it's g

uld be

uld be

uld be

uld be

ain't g

rom the s

g on h

had the g

onna fi

be the

them m

em all the f

ittle ta

uld be

uld be

uld be

uld be

ain't g

forev

in't go

forev

ain't g

forev

in't go

forev

t got

inted white. And the floor is covered with light brown wood. I lay on the bed covered in light blue sheets

Dream, because lately I have been dreaming. My dreams are not bad though,

e me. In my dream he gives me small yellow flowers together with a letter. I was reading his letter when the dre

I want you, all I have to do is dream, dream, dream.’ Outside the window, the sky turns a little darker and the sun is about to set very soo

he busy crowd. I was sent early from work d

ite reviews about books and movies and also articles based on a variety of subjects reque

ket to buy some bread, milk and biscuits. And strange how people do panic buying

n out of stocks of alcohol and vitamin C, quickly as that. You will see shopping carts and baskets loaded with essential g

, cheese and pancake mix to detergent soaps, bath soaps, shampoos and also boxe

ong queues everywhere, including the basket lane. A

brown hair lay on her shoulders. ‘Is it okay if I leave my cart here, I just forget to get something.’ ‘Sure,’ she said, and I think with those

le taking care of her child and making money. A little skin care routine won’t hurt my budget. I stand before the shelf containing different types of facial toners; cha

ld friend whom I asked a favor. ‘Can you take the

aid. ‘Are yo

o go,’ I said. ‘Aunt Grac

wn. I want to take one more look at the city before things change, or s

edals slowly passing my direction and I see his face without his face mask on. He smiles at me until I watch him go away. It

dream I could not sleep. I maximize the volume on my mobile phone and I pretend to sleep. And suddenly I feel something appear beside me on my bed. Something m

k first before I run and hide? I count again one, two and three before I open my eyes. And when I open my eyes, I am awake from a dream. I look beside me and

n window. The sun has just risen. I see a cloud which floats like a huge cotton in the b

walk to the bathroom and stand in front of the mirror looking a

ally turn around with my elbow ready to hit first. But as soon as I turn around he is gone. I stood there motionles

e our office is located on the 16th floor of the building, I have a very nice view of the rain from here. The rain water drops slowly, and

phone. ‘Is that in the UK?’ I asked. ‘Yeah, I’m not sure though if it’s in Italy or Spain.’ she said and sipped from her cup of coffee.’ We watch a self made video by a guy who is currently experiencing lockdown in a foreign country. ‘Covid 19 is real and it’

my chair to Jenny’s working station

h article,’ I said. ‘Hurry up

me.’ she said with her eyes fixed on the

‘Whenever you’re ready

chair back to my work

s gho

ha

said, turning her head to me. ‘He was kind,

hat hap

. ‘Everyday he would talk to me until he just stopped. He won’t

said, tapping

give me closure.’ she said. ‘

I said, ‘Don’t worry, later let’s go to t

outside the glass window of the office pantry. Drops of water stick on the glass for a short while before they slowl

id. ‘And my mom and dad sepa

row up wit

said. ‘My mom, she ba

e is

dad.’ she said gently tapping her finger on the t

ning my head to her

nd the floor is covered with white tiles. At one corner placed a medium size white fridge next to the

small black cup. And just like a few steps away t

stove. Suddenly the telephone begins to ring. I r

el

tonight.’ Mallory s

,’ I said. ‘See you

she said. ‘Let’s read

bab

e M

und of the tea kettle. I quickly return to the kitchen. I

sink, where I get an empty glass. I open the next cabinet to get the glass jar of powdered milk. I pour a spoon

hi-Chan wiggles his fluffy black tail for me. He is covered with mostly black fur and some parts of him are white. He raises his two feet attempting to reach me as he gently bite my hand

onight,’ I said, ‘So yo

e with him. I truly appreciate how he k

time, and it’s probably not just my imagination. I hurry inside the house and shut the door close. My heart beat fast as I look at the window

enter table at the living room. I opened Face

I’m seeing ghost ins

’t tell me you stil

ntered him t

u need a boyfriend. Even ghost pity y

it

ed between y

my best

asking you

but he didn

hy

id it’

aughing.’ she said. ‘