Leap OF Fate

If there was any blessing she can consider in her life now, it was her new job. She poured all her energy in her job that she would go home completely exhausted and would immediately fall asleep as soon as her back touched the bed. Exhausted, she had no time to think about anything, much more to feel about anything. She switched phone numbers and did not let her friends know about what happened, not even Mary. The pain she has was too much. She did not want to interact with anybody. Disconnecting from everyone saved her from having to tell another soul what happened that day, something she did not have energy for. Her heart felt so much pain and recalling the events will just reopen her wounds. 

A new lease of life is what she wanted. Devoid of any pain or memories that will remind her of the pain. She wanted a life not tainted with all the pain that he brought. 

“Bitch!” a familiar voice floated to her ears one day as soon as she set her foot in her apartment’s entrance. That voice, despite the anger in them, for her felt like home. Serene looked at Mary as she angrily stomped her feet to approach her. “Why can’t I reach you? Did you change your number, or did you block me? I had to ask your Mom where you are right now. Who am I to you, huh? Am I still your best friend?” She berated her. Mary seldom cried, but this time she was crying out of anger and frustration. 

Serene just hugged Mary. For the first time in a long time, she felt warm. She hugged her tightly and just quietly sobbed all her pains on her shoulder.

“You stupid girl! Why did you cut me off?” she nagged her, but she rubbed her back like one would to coax a child. The more Mary nagged, the more Serene felt aggrieved, and she cried some more. All the emotions that she held back in the past months were like a broken dam. In a short while, they were getting attention from people who were passing by the apartment’s lobby. “Let’s go up your unit,” Mary urged Serene. 

Mary almost did not recognize Serene’s apartment. Her friend, who was a neat freak, now had a sloppy home. She cannot believe that the immaculate apartment she used to visit and the one she’s in now we’re the same. 

trashcan overflowed with rubbish. Her stove top was very oily. Her living room was the same. It was a total disarray. There were empty food packets

clean or not. At the corner of the room, Mary spotted several empty wine bottles. She just let out a deep sigh and shook her

looked dry, the dark circles around her eyes looked like indelible ink. Her hair was a mess. She was a mess. Her heart tightened looking

reach out

eyes. They both sat at the edge of the bed. Serene’s head rested on Mary’s shoulder. The latter gently caressed her friend’s hair. After wordlessly sitting

they cleaned one room after the other. They felt exhausted when they finished. Serene had

they chose a quiet corner to sit on. While waiting for their food to be served, Serene held Mary’s hand and

Mary playfully responded.

room. Serene told Mary everything that happened that day, making sure that she did not leave out any detail. The whole exercise was cathartic for her, but was a catalyst to Mary’s anger. She called Bryan many names, many if not all of them unpleasant. Had it happened before, Serene would call Mary

at all, but the air between them no longer felt suffocating and depressing. After the meal, while they were drinking tea, with a concerned look, Mary

will be OK.” Serene sounded like she was convincing herself rather than answering a question. She looked at Mary seriously, and once again said, “I