Today and Everyday

  “She’s joking, she never helps out.” Rodney said.

  “Shut up.” Meredith said as she pushed him.

  “Oh, no, hey, it’s okay…” Nathan said, “I can manage…”

  “No, it’s okay…” Meredith said and tried to carry a box. It was heavy. She almost dropped it. Rodney tried to keep himself from laughing while helping Meredith carry the box. Meredith shot him dagger looks. Rodney was still laughing as he went up the stairs with Nathan ahead of him. Meredith was trailing behind.

  ***

  Meredith went to the kitchen at 2 in the morning and was surprised to find Nathan there, tinkering with his laptop.

  “Hey.” She greeted.

  “Oh, hey…” Nathan smiled as he saw her.

  “Why are you still up?”

  “Big Insomniac.” He said, “I barely sleep most days…”

  “Oh. Tell me about it. I have the same problem.” She smiled. “Want me to cook anything? Or make anything? Juice? Milk?”

  “Oh, no, I’m good, thanks…”

  “Okay then…” Meredith said as she sat down next to him.

  “So, you and Rodney? How long have you been living together?”

  “Oh, since our last year of college… My parents are in the states, his parents just divorced, we were thesismates, so, we thought it was more economical…” She smiled.

  He smiled, as well, “Must be so close, huh?”

  She laughed, “I think he’s gay.” She said.

  He laughed, “Nah, I don’t think so…” He smiled. “Hey, I think I should head to bed, try to get some sleep, I’ve a meeting tomorrow, wedding prep…”

  “Wedding prep?”

  “My bestfriend’s, remember?”

  “Oh. Oh yes…yeah, you should try to get some rest…”

  “Goodnight, Meredith.”

  “Goodnight.”

  And with that, Meredith saw him go up the stairs. He’s such a challenge. She thought. But I am not giving up. And with that, she went up to bed, too.

  Two less lonely people

  Nathan was in the clothes shop the next day, having his measurements taken with the other people in the entourage and the wedding planner. He thought the wedding planner was really beautiful. She looked like a young Natalie Portman, complete with the doe eyes… But she had sad doe eyes…

  “So, how many of the married couples you’ve helped divorced?” The maid of honor, Alexxia asked Courtney who was helping one of the bridesmaids fit in her gown. Courtney saw Alexxia shoot a dagger look at Nathan, the best man. Some of the people laughed.

  “Well, thankfully,” Courtney said, “Just like, five percent of those couples broke up.”

  “Ooh…”

  Nathan then spoke, “Know why those brides broke up with their husbands?”

  One of the bridesmaids asked, “Why?”

  “Because they don’t marry the best man.”

  Courtney laughed alongside the other bridesmaids, but Alexxia only raised an eyebrow.

  “How could you be the best man when you think that way?” Alexxia said.

  “Hey, I am joking.” Nathan said.

  Alexxia just took a deep breath. Just then, Chris and Amelia went out of the office inside the shop. They were in a meeting with the fashion designer.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” Chris asked.

  “Oh, we were just joking around…”Courtney smiled. She also noticed that Amelia gave Nathan some dagger looks.

  ***

  Minutes later, everyone went their own ways except for Chris, Amelia, Nathan and Courtney.

  “You know, I think we should eat out…” Chris said.

  “Yes, let’s.” Amelia said, “Let’s go to my favorite restaurant.”

  “But, hun, that’s a bit far from here…”

  “I’m sure they wouldn’t mind…” Amelia said.

  “Oh, yeah,” Courtney said, “I could take a cab…”

  “Cab? Why?” Nathan asked.

  “Oh, my car’s in the mechanic…”

  “Hey, that’s okay, you can ride with me.” Nathan said.

  “Oh, it’s okay…”

  “I insist.” Nathan smiled.

  She smiled too, “Okay then…” She said.

 

  ***

  A few minutes of silence until Nathan turned on the car radio, and a Moldy Peaches’ song started playing.

  “Hey, I like this song…” Nathan said.

  “Yeah, good one…” Courtney smiled. “So, how have you and Chris been friends? I mean, we were college classmates, I never met you…”

  He laughed, “That was because I was in Ireland then. I originally lived here but my parents decided to go back to our homeland… homeland, how can they call it that? I didn’t even grow up there…” He smiled, “That was way back in highschool, junior year…”

  “Oh, I see…” Courtney said, “Must be good being back, huh?”

  “Yeah. I missed it here.” He smiled. “You friends with Amelia?”

  “Uhm, I don’t think you can call us friends…” She said, “And I am not so sure if I can call you friends, either. She doesn’t seem to like you enough…”

  He laughed, “She really doesn’t.” He said. “And Alexxia doesn’t, either.”

  “Oh. Why?”

  “Because I dated Alexxia once upon a time. I was vacationing here then, it was just for a few weeks, but then, yeah, they hated me coz of it…”

  “Maybe you broke her heart…”

  “No…” He said, “It just didn’t work out. It wasn’t anything serious… Alexxia just couldn’t bear being the dumpee and not the dumper.”

  “Oh.”

  “So, what about you? Probably you’re in a very successful relationship…”

  She smiled, “No.” She said, “My boyfriend just broke up with me… yesterday.”

  “Oh.” He said, astounded, “Sorry.”

  “It’s…It’s okay…”

  “What happened?”

  She shook her head, “I guess, he figured out he just doesn’t love me anymore…We were together for three years, but the past year has been really crucial…But you know what sucks? He broke up with me over the phone.”

  “What a jerk.” He said, and Courtney thought he really meant what he said. It actually made her feel better.

  After that, they talked some more, not minding the occasional traffic. Soon, they were laughing. A few minutes later, they arrived at the restaurant. Nathan helped Courtney get out of the car. They were smiling as they walked up the restaurant with Chris and Amelia.

  ***

  Nathan brought Courtney home after the dinner. “I…I had a nice time talking to you.” He told her.

  “I had a good time, too.” Courtney said and smiled.

  “So…I’ll see you again soon?”

  “Of course.” Courtney said, “I mean, you’re in Chris’ wedding…”

  He laughed, “Right,” he said, “Of course…”

  “So, uhm, ugh, I shall go in now…”

  “Yeah, uhm, take care.” He said.

  “You too.”

  “See you soon.”

  Courtney just smiled, “See you, Nathan…”

  And with that, Nathan saw her walking to her house, and all he can think of was, God, I think I’ve fallen for this girl.

  ***

  Nathan found Rodney and Meredith at the dining room when he came home that night.

  “Hey, you’re late for dinner…I cooked pasta…” Meredith said.

  “Oh, I’m sorry…” Nathan said, “Let me make it up to you…I’ll order Pizza…Is that okay?”

  Meredith smiled, “Pizza sounds good.”

  “Any requests?”

  Rodney just shook his head, “Just no anchovies for Meredith…” He said.

  “No anchovies comin’ right up.” Nathan smiled and called up the Pizza parlor.

  “So, sh
ould I heat up the pasta now?”

  “Oh, no,” Nathan said, “I’m… I’m full…” He then took his wallet out and got some money, “The pizza’s my treat though…” He smiled, “Sorry, I’ll make it up soon… Goodnight.” He then went up the stairs and to his room. Rodney laughed as he closed the door. The doorbell then rang.

  “Ooh, now I’m excited for Pizza…” Rodney told Meredith. Meredith just shot him dagger looks.

 

  Love and other disasters

  Alyssa and Clare met up with their old friend, Emmy one afternoon at the coffee shop. Emmy just came back a month back from Ireland where she stayed for two years. She’s now starting her own accessory line, and today, She’s showing her creations to Alyssa and Clare.

  “Wow, these are really nice…” Clare complimented.

  “Why, thank you…” Emmy smiled. Her long light brown hair flowing down her shoulders.

  “You know, we’re really glad you’re back.” Clare smiled, “And that you came back to being artistic!”

  Emmy smiled, “Well, what can I say? This is home. And being artistic is me.”

  In the middle of looking at the accessories, they heard someone call Alyssa’s name. It was a guy.

  “Alyssa?” the guy called out.

  Alyssa and the other girls looked at whoever it was who said her name. They were then surprised to see that it was Benj, Emmy’s ex.

  “Benjamin!” Alyssa called out. Benj walked up to them and hugged Alyssa.

  “Baby Clare!” He said as he saw Clare and hugged her.

  “Benjyboy!” Clare smiled, “My God, how are you? It’s been too long!”

  “I know, I missed you.” He said and then saw Emmy sitting down. She looked up at him and smiled. They haven’t seen each other in about three years.

  “Emmy,” He said.

  She stood up and they gave each other a peck on the cheek. “Benjamin.” She said, “Hey.” They then sat down.

  “I thought you were in Ireland?” Benj told Emmy.

  “I was…” She answered, “But I’m home now…”

  “She’s actually started an accessory line…” Clare told Benj and held one of the necklaces on the table, “This is one of her creations…” She smiled.

  “Wow, that’s nice…” Benj smiled. He couldn’t help but steal glances from Emmy. He thought he looked better than ever, older, yes, like they all were, but still had those beautiful, expressive eyes.

  “Thanks…” Emmy said. She didn’t expect to see Benj now. She actually didn’t know how to speak to him anymore. Three years is a long time… “So, how about you? Last I heard you were in Australia….”

  “Oh, yeah, I was, for a while… for work… But nothing beats this place…It’s still home…”

  Emmy smiled.

  “Oh, I think I shall treat you girls for dinner, it’s been so long since I saw you all!” Benj said.

  “Sure thing, Benjamin…” Alyssa said.

  Benj looked at the Menu, “Uhm, hey, Chicken honey casserole… Emmy this sounds like something you would like…”

  Emmy smiled, “Uhm, no, I…I’m a Vegan now…”

  “Oh.” Benj said, surprised. He never thought she’d be a vegan. She loved to eat.

  “I’d just have an eggplant casserole…” Emmy said.

  “Okay….” Benj said.

  Soon, they were eating. He was looking at Emmy with some fascination as she ate her eggplant dish. Clare caught him looking at Emmy. Benj hurriedly turned his eyes on his food when he saw Clare look at him.

  “So, Benj, how’s the fiancée? Getting married anytime soon?” Alyssa asked.

  “Oh, uhm, there won’t be a wedding…” Benj said, “We broke up.”

  “Oh. Sorry, what happened?”

  He just shook his head, “It just didn’t work…”

  Emmy butted in, “Uhm, so how long were you together?”

  “Four years…” Benj answered. But those four years weren’t as great as the six months we had, Emmy… He said in his mind.

  “Wow, four years, that’s long…” Was all Emmy could say. Four years. Our six months now seem so short…well, it is short… But never did I experience such joy…and such pain… She thought.

  “Uh, yeah…” Benj said, “It wasn’t all easy, though…especially when I wasn’t around…” He paused, thinking about how Lana betrayed him, how she lied about being loyal when she was falling in love for someone else, how hurt he was… And how he lied, as well. He lied about still being happy when he wasn’t. “So, what about you? Someone in Ireland?”

  Emmy smiled, “Well… I was once married….”

  “Excuse me?” Benj said, almost spitting out the juice he was drinking, “Did you just say you were married?”

  “Uh, yes, I was, for five months…” Emmy said.

  Benj was surprised. “Oh, uhm, what happened?”

  “Just like what happens to most couples… It didn’t work…”

  “Oh.”

  ‘But there’s no bad blood between us…It just…It just didn’t work…” Emmy said and sipped some juice, “He’s from here too, actually…”

  “That’s ugh…that’s nice….” Was all Benj could say, not even knowing if it made sense. “How about you girls, lovelives? Clare?”

  Clare smiled, “Oh, no…I probably won’t find him, he might not exist anymore…”

  “That’s not the Clare I know…”

  “Well, maybe, that’s the Clare you should know…” Clare winked, “Oh, Alyssa here has a boyfriend though…”

  “Oh, wow…” Emmy said.

  “Yeah, a boyfriend that Clare hates…” Alyssa said.

  Clare took a deep breath, “It’s not that I do…It’s just…He’s not right for you…”

  “And how do you know that?”

  Clare paused for a while and then, “Because I know him.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Clare took a deep breath, “Okay. Months back, when I was in Singapore, I met Paul. We…We almost got together…”

  Alyssa laughed, “See? That’s why you hate him. Because you didn’t get him.”

  “Alyssa, let me finish first, okay?” Clare took a deep breath and continued, “We didn’t get together because… Because he’s married.”

  “What?!”

  “He’s married. He’s been married for years. Alyssa, he’s lying to you. I don’t want you to be in that kind of situation…I just…I care for you, you’re my bestfriend, okay?”

  “That’s a lie.” Alyssa said, “I cannot believe you ever said that.”

  “Alyssa, I won’t lie to you, you know that. I’m just concerned…”

  “That’s bull.”

  “Alyssa, maybe Clare has a point. After all, she won’t lie to you…” Emmy said.

  “Yeah, I mean, Alyssa, do you actually know that guy a lot?” Benj said.

  Alyssa then stood up, “Fine, side on her!” She said, “Who will ever want to side with nonsense Alyssa? Of course, you’d be on smart, beautiful, perfect Clare’s side!”

  “Alyssa,” Benj said.

  “You know, I thought you were my friends… but no, you can’t even be happy about me. So, goodbye!” Alyssa said and walked out of the the café.

  Clare was astounded. She then sat down after a while.

  “It’s gonna be okay…” Emmy said, “Don’t worry…”

  “Thanks, Emmy…” Clare said and got her bag, “Uhm, I’m sorry guys, I think…I think I should go…”

  “Will you be okay?” Benj asked.

  “Yeah, thanks…” Clare said and bid her goodbyes. She then walked away.

 

  ***

  Minutes later Emmy and Benj found themselves sitting at the park bench near the café. They used to be here too, years ago, when they were still together.

  “That was harsh…” Benj said. “I mean, honestly, I thought we’d be the ones who were fighti
ng if we all saw each other again…”

  “Yeah,” Emmy laughed lightly, “I know…”

  Benj was surprised. She never laughs lightly, He thought, She used to have a big, boisterous laugh.

  “Alyssa must really love that guy…” Emmy said.

  “The guy must be something then.”

  “Or she may just really be in love…” Emmy said, “I mean, people can always airbrush relationships…”

  Benj didn’t know what to say. “So…how are you?”

  Emmy looked at him and smiled meekly, “I’m good…and you?”

  “I’m…I’m good, too…” Benj said. This is awkward, He thought. There was a pause and then he spoke again, “You know, Emmy, It’s nice seeing you again…”

  She smiled, meekly, not the usual big smiles she gives. “It’s nice seeing you again, too…”

  “I can’t believe you were married…” He blurted out, “I mean, not that you’re not capable of getting married, it’s just…” He paused, “What happened? I mean, really?”

  “Well, we fell in love…Of course we did…” She answered, “But…you know, two New Yorkers in Ireland… basically, we were friends, and at that point, it felt like the right thing to do…so, yeah, we got married… But…But it didn’t work.” She said, “Some things don’t really work out, you know? But it’s okay, I mean, I’m not mad at him… It really just didn’t work.” She told him, “What about you? You had a four-year relationship… What happened?”

  “Well…” He said, “We weren’t compatible…”

  “You wouldn’t stay in that relationship for four years if you weren’t compatible…”

  He sighed, “Okay, we were. For a few months… But then, things changed, like it always does…” He continued, “We were very different… And then I left, things got worse… And then…” He paused, “And then she found someone else…”

  “Oh.” She said, surprised, “I’m sorry…”

  “It’s okay…” He said, “Besides, I think we also lingered on too long. It just wasn’t working anymore. We tried, but it never really worked… And… It wasn’t the same as what we had…”