Petals & Chocolates Volume III

By Triscia Mae Abe

""Loved you yesterday, love you still, always have, always will." 

- Elaine Davis"

""Loved you yesterday, love you still, always have, always will." 

- Elaine Davis"

""Loved you yesterday, love you still, always have, always will." 

- Elaine Davis"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Jan 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9789360492847

Book preview

Petals & Chocolates

Volume III

Ukiyoto Publishing

All global publishing rights are held by

Ukiyoto Publishing

Published in 2023

Content Copyright © Ukiyoto

ISBN

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated, without the publisher’s prior consent, in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

www.ukiyoto.com

I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more.

– Angelita Lim

Contents

Short Story by Triscia Mae Abe

Poem by Lahari Mahalanabish

Short Story by Bihong Kollogov

Poem by Kuntala Bhattacharya

Short Story by Jessika Sims

Short Story by Leslie Riola

Poem by Abigail C. Gomez

Short Story by Debanjali Nag

Short Stories by Juju’s Pearls

Short Stories by Monika Arora

Poems by Plabi Pradhan

Short Story by Purnima Dixit

About the Authors

Short Story by

Triscia Mae Abe

Light After Darkness

I grew up in a messy environment. I always witness fights between my mother and our neighbor’s. My mother always says that I am a bastard, that she doesn’t want me because I am a product of a one night mistake. My mother raised me alone even though she didn't want me to begin with.

At a young age I did my best to earn money to support my education by selling flowers, candles and rugs outside the church. The priests in the church offered me help but when my mother found out, I only got hit. Me and my mother often hide and move house because of her fighting with the neighbor’s issue. My mother loves alcohol and she even uses my savings on it but thank God, even though life is hard for me he didn’t let me die miserably.

Our neighbors back then always called me names for their own entertainment. Like witch, beggar, dumb, that I don’t have a father and I am just a mistake. My poor innocent heart breaks every time they say those painful words on me. I even tell my mother that our neighbors' kids are bullying me but guess what? She just walks away and she comes back with hair that looks so messy with some bruises too.

I finished my elementary education with my own blood, sweat and tears and graduated with high honors in my high school with the help of my teacher’s. They didn’t let my hard work go to waste. They often say that I am intelligent and I am not used to it because, as I grew up, I often heard my mother saying that I am stupid, that I don’t have a future to begin with.

Where do you think you're going, Wendy? my drunk mother asked me.

I let out a deep sigh and faced her. I see, you’re drunk again, mother.

So what? It’s none of your business. You are just my child. my mother said while glaring at me.

If you say so mother. If you say so, I whispered then sighed.

Looks like I need to take over time again on my part-time job because my mother spends all of my hard earned money on her alcohol again. Well, it’s okay as long as that makes my mother happy.

My mother is suffering from severe depression and I didn’t know the reason why because she keeps it to herself. I talked to her about it but she just ignored me.

So where are you going, my bastard child? Hand me your money. I already spent all of the money that you gave me last night, said my mother while eyeing me from head to toe.

I am going to school, mother, I said calmly. After work mother, I’ll give all my earnings to you.

That’s good, and what? School? Don’t make me laugh, you stupid child of mine! my mother exclaimed while laughing. You’re just wasting your time and money on that stupid thing.

Here we go again.

I just shook my head then walked away. I am so tired of hearing my mother’s insults and complaints. I am now in my last year in college and I am very grateful to those people who helped me and supported me in my dreams and that’s obviously not my mother but she’s my inspiration though.

The people around me say that I should abandon my mother because she is evil but I can’t do that because she is the reason why I am alive. She is the reason why I am breathing and she’s also the reason why I am suffering. I love my mother so much even though she’s sometimes a pain in my ass. My mother loves money so much that’s why I am working double time.

As I reach the huge gate of the University I can’t help but to be amazed and mesmerized. I still can’t believe that I am able to be here because I lack money and I can’t afford it. Thankfully they have scholarships and I passed it.

Good morning Wendy, said my classmate, Jovan.

I smiled widely at him and said, Good morning! How’s your day?

Good, how about yours? asks Jovan.

Well, not as good as yours. I replied then chuckled.

Jovan and I entered the University, smiling widely. I am a Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Science and I am so happy with my course because I learned a lot of things about Science and teaching.

My professors often praised me because I am a very fast learner and I have good grades. Well, I need to have one because of my scholarship.

Did you finish your lesson plan? asks Jovan as we sat on our assigned seats.

Yes, I finished it. How about you? I asked.

I didn’t because I forgot about it, Jovan said lifelessly.

Oh god. I whispered. You're dead.

Yes am I, Jovan replied, then messed up his hair.

We both got silent when our first professor entered. Our professor starts on discussing in front while me and Jovan, continue chit-chatting.

Jovan is my childhood friend and also my cousin on my mother’s side, but unlike me, Jovan grew up in a loving family. I didn’t even know who my father was.

You know what Wendy, I pity you, Jovan said that caught my attention.

Why? I asked with a forehead creased.

Jovan clicked his tongue and leaned closer to me.

Because you did all the hardships alone. Aunt Wina didn’t even bother checking you out even when you’re tired or sick. She only wants one thing, and that is your money.

It’s okay, I said.

Jovan stares at me like I’ve said the ridiculous thing that he ever heard making me giggle.

Are you even real Wendy? Jovan said while gasping in shock.

Yes I am. I replied