Long Distance Love

By Kate Valdez

Gone were the days of racing heartbeats and pinking cheeks, of secret friendships and random trysts. Gone were the moments of stutters and awkward glances, of sweaty palms, tentative touches and breathtaking kisses. Far were the days when there were butterflies in her stomach, threatening to spill out when he grins, lips curled up and eyes crinkling.

Cecilia had long-accepted that they were gone for good, and there was no way to pull back time. But deep within her, she knew. That memories may be forgotten but never the reason for her beating heart

• Language: English
• Publisher: DayBac Publishing
• Release date: Oct 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781540101105

Book preview

Cecilia piled up the mangoes on her small wooden table, making sure that the freshest and the tastiest-looking ones are presented to entice more customers. She smiled at the mother-son pair crossing her spot and offered her goods, but was turned down with a shy smile.

The market is in its typical rowdy state, particularly weekend mornings, with men in dirtied shirts carrying heavy cargoes on their shoulders, and the voices of the vendors creating the usual sound reminiscent of public markets. Cecilia could feel the sweat trickling down her back and she fanned her face harder with the piece of cardboard she tore off a carton earlier.

She swatted away the flies that came close to the fruits while greeting the people passing by, each time hoping that they will buy from her so she can go home early. Mentally calculating her earnings for the day, she patted the body bag fastened around her waist and smiled.

She stood up at the thought and brought attention to her fruit stand with her loud voice, when she stopped, brows furrowing and lips parting in surprise, when someone caught her sight. Though unsure and partially decided that she was imagining things, she hastily picked up the remaining fruits, shoving everything in a sack and ran away. The old lady selling vegetables beside her narrowed her eyes at her in suspicion but Cecilia ignored her in favor of going as quickly as possible.

‘It can’t be. He’s gone.’ Her steps became hurried and she sprinted her way out of the market and to her home, ignoring the streaks of mud striking her long skirt as she walked along.

She took the stairs two at a time and barged in their apartment, relieved to see Kokoy sleeping on the banig mat, lying on the exact same spot as she had left him earlier. Closing the door behind her, she recalled the man at the market and gasped loudly when everything sunk in. ‘It’s not him. He’s dead.’

***

The sky was dark and dreary and young Cecilia bunched up her skirt, holding it with a hand tightly as the wind blew stronger. Wisps