Cinquain Poem | Gifts

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

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Short Story | First Encounter at the Library

 By Eurielle

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First Encounter at the Library

It was not something I always do even when I love books; however, I found myself in the campus library on the evening of our first encounter. 

It was not the typical guy-approaches-girl-who-reads-in-the-corner or guy-and-girl-reaches-for-the-same-book first encounter. 

It was when I saw you at the neighboring aisle of tall bookshelves between the gaps of various books about this world’s history.

You are looking for a reference book for your Japanese-American World War II concentration camps paper, browsing so seriously that you never seem to notice me.  

It was fascinating, really, looking at you. I might be biased, but I felt that you’re one of the most beautiful humans I’ve ever seen - barring those idols and celebrities I found myself watching from time to time. I couldn’t believe my eyes, and then I felt ashamed.

I thought, with my careless personality, that I wouldn’t care if I looked pretty in another person’s eyes. I thought, with my negative regard for romantic relationships, that I wouldn’t fall in love so easily. I thought I wouldn’t be one of those people who gets attracted to physical appearances but instead adored the inner nature of a person. But alas, I seemed to be one of those shallow types of people who only cared about outer vessels.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s true that physical appearances were really what attracted people the most initially. There were times when people would think beauty is equal to kindness or talent or general outstanding characteristics. An angelic face meant the person also had an angelic personality. 

But was that true? Some. Not at all times. Why, back in elementary, I had a crush on this guy and he was the most handsome in our whole class, but then wasn’t his personality actually sucked that one time? 

Although I didn’t mean to bring him up in this narrative. I still think you were much better than him. Although you seemed serious, the quiet type of a man, there was a gentle aura coming from you that charmed me. I would take a couple of glances at you. Mind you, I never did this before. 

But before I could admire you more, you seem inclined to return to your desk. I forced myself to focus on my own list of references. Returning to my own desk, I was surprised you sat next to mine. What was this coincidence? Or, to hope upon the stars, a destiny?

I cautiously approached my seat like a mouse afraid to break the silence which surrounded us. Within this corner of the library, on its third floor, there were only you and me. I set my books down while biting my lips. I still didn’t understand why I was so anxious at that time. 

It was my most magical night.

Moon and sun exchange hi and hello for more than a month. The semester was ending. I thought I would never see you again. Shockingly, I was still the same old me even when I fell in love with you - shy, inactive, and totally pessimistic about love. 

But my negativity did not stop me from visiting the library nearly every night, sitting on the same spot, letting my night pass by doing assignments and projects while waiting for you to show up. Yet you never did. 

You never did until three nights before the final week. 

Friday. As usual, I entered the library’s elevator from the main floor and pushed the third-floor button with anticipation. Since you’ve never returned since that one time, I didn’t have any hope that you’d ever be. 

Yet you did. 

But I didn’t expect it to be like this.

When I arrived at our secret corner - debatable since it was a public area - I found my seat already occupied by another person’s backpack. I was disappointed. Why, of all times, did someone use my reserved seat when it might be my last evening (this semester, at least) after a month-long availability. I couldn’t complain because the owner was not there.

I was annoyed. However, I managed to calm myself and rationally thought that this might be time for me to sit on your chair. The one you’ve used that evening. That night I fell in love.

I put my belongings down, then went to check that bookshelf again. I was pacing back and forth looking through the gaps like that first encounter we had. But you weren’t there. Giving up, I rounded the corner, and to my astonishment, you were there.

You were smiling brightly. You were laughing silently. You seemed to be enjoying yourself. You look more ethereal now.

Then you reached out your right arm. And you tucked a hair behind the ear. And you tightened your hold on those hands. 

And I heard my heart break.

You reached out your right arm across and caressed her sweet, pretty face. From her cheek, you tucked her mischievous hair behind her small ears. You brought down your arm and took a hold of her dainty hands and tightened your hold.

And I was there witnessing them all. I was there when you leaned in to put butterfly kisses on her lips. I was there when you saw each other eye-to-eye, forehead-to-forehead. I was there.

I wished I was not there. 

 I wished.

Oh, how I wished.

Article | I Had Fun Putting All Of These Together

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

Written on December 23, 2021

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

So, last week, December 16th, I couldn't sleep. It was 4 or 5 in the morning already, but I haven't gotten any sleep. I was too excited. So many ideas came into my head. I have 2 8-cubes ClosetMaid Cubeicals Organizer for almost two years now and they were lined up against the wall below my window sideways. When I put them there last year (February/March 2020), I was so satisfied. I actually wanted those window seats/sofa that has little drawers or shelves for other things, but the ClosetMaid one was too flimsy for people to sit on. Either way, I was happy with it. But for the past couple of months, I haven't done a major clean-up in my room and I got so tired with the build-up, I knew I have to clean up. I knew I have to change the organizers' positions to give my room more space. My plan was to put the 2 organizers atop each other and make it into one huge shelving where I put all the things I liked and representative of me.

Look at this photo:

Cinquain Poem | Gingerbread

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

Short Story | Amidst the Snow, A Red Rose Bush Thrives

 By Eurielle

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

A cold two-fifty-six past midnight. In the dead of the night wherein nearby townhouses' lights are extinguished, a lone person walks the snow-covered Main Street. The closed shops' wall lanterns give a warm glow. The snow has receded since yesterday, but one still needs to carefully trudge due to concerns of falls and broken bones.

The person, a man, wears a huge, black leather trench coat and black knitted gloves. Around his neck is a navy blue knitted scarf. A black mask covers his mouth and nose. He has a monocle over his right eye that glints under the street lights.

He stands about six feet and three inches tall. He must have had a big stride before he hurt his left leg. Now, he's just a limping man with a wooden cane.

Silently, he leaves his rainboots prints, easily covered by the gentlest snowfall. Once in a while, he pauses and looks at the moonless sky. Only the dim twinkle of the streetlights shines his path. Still, he continues. 

He's been walking straight down the street for about fifteen minutes when he turns into an alleyway.

An ear-piercing shriek wakes the small downtown at around four-thirty-eight. The horrified screams continue until several townspeople from nearby townhouses gather. There are those irritated for having their sleep halted, but most are concerned.

Jessica Powell, the manager at Amelia's, a small coffee shop in the downtown area, arrives at her job early in the dawn to work on some paperwork before other employees arrive for prep. The shop consistently opens at seven and they start preparing as early as five. As always, she leisurely treks the ten-minute walk from the parking building to the shop, hugging herself with her windbreaker to keep the cold wind away.

Turning to the alleyway where the side door to the employees' lockers is, a terrifying sigh greets her. There, from inside the big communal garbage bin hands two shoes connected to a pair of slacks. At first, she thinks it's a trick, a prank from one of the teenagers in town, but the pool of blood covering the snow and the severed head atop a supposed snowman says otherwise. She has the bad luck to actually meet the still open eyes of the dead man. 

The "snowman" has a navy blue knitted scarf, twigs for arms, and black knitted gloves for hands. It's situated between the hanging legs and feet. Next to it is a wooden cane.

A chill not from the morning frost runs across her spine and she feels a cold sweat pooling on her back. Her loud screams wake the neighborhood, especially those who are living in the townhouses just across the street. 

Jessica is still in shock when the police ushered her inside the now open coffee shop. One of her employees who arrived five minutes after the ordeal makes her hot cocoa which she cannot drink because it reminds her of the blood she saw earlier. One of the crowd calls the local police department and police cars arrive at the scene not even five minutes later. 

Although the shop is open, it's certainly isn't open for business. A burly officer approaches, "I know you're in shock, but may I ask some questions, Miss?"

Jessica looks blankly at him. However, Sherry, the shop's cashier, brings her out of her stupor by holding her right lower arm. Jessica lowers her head, then nods.

"My name is James. Kennedy James," he introduces. "I'm an investigator. Can you please tell me if you know the victim?"

Jessica processes the question, then shakes her head. 

"Then, do you know why he was murdered next to your coffee shop?"

Again, she shakes her head.

After a moment of silence, Officer James asks, "Why are you out so early in the morning?"

With that, Jessica lifts her head and looks him in the eye. "Officer, I haven't seen you here before. Are you new?"

"Huh?" Confused with the sudden inquisitive question, Officer James answers, "Well, yes. I'm an officer from the city. Now, please tell me why you're-"

"Officer," Sherry interrupts. "I don't think Miss Jessica can answer you right now. She's clearly shocked and traumatized. As for your question, Miss Jessica is the manager of our coffee shop. She comes earlier than the rest of us other employees because she has the key to the shop and she usually starts doing paperwork before we come in."

Sherry is a bit protective of Jessica because the latter is the one who offers her the job. She's the best manager. 

"Oh, I see. Well, since I can't get anything from her right now, we'll talk again later," he turns around and walks to his fellow officers. 

"Everything will be alright, Miss Jessica," Sherry comforts her. Jessica nods in response.

"Jessica! Jessica!" Mrs. Sudnerson frantically calls out as she enters the coffee shop from the entrance.  

Jessica, who continues to gaze at the distance after Sherry leaves her when she asks to be alive, turns to her boss. She cannot stop her tears when she sees the older lady. 

Mrs. Sunderson is a sixty-eight years old widow who lives in a big Victorian-style family home. The coffee shops have been in her family since the town's founding. At first, it wasn't a coffee shop but just a bakery. However, when Mrs. Sunderson went on a European trip in the nineties, she realized she enjoyed the coffee shops she'd been to, especially the ones in France and Italy. Right away, she studied and learned all the tricks to having a successful coffee shop. She is the manager until three years ago. Before that, she taught Jessica all she knows about managing and creating tasty coffee and aromatic bread.  

Mrs. Sudnerson puts Jessica in her arms, and Jessica welcomes it. "My child, I've heard what happen. Tell me, how are you feeling?"

Jessica shakes her head. "Mrs., it's very traumatizing. I cannot forget his eyes... Mrs., his eyes were terrifying. Although I should be very sorry for him for he's the victim, the sight of his severed head and shocked, fearful eyes gives me so much fright. I don't think I can ever sleep peacefully again."

Officer James hears this and he walks over. "Madam, you are? He looks at the older lady.

"I am this shop's owner, officer. The name's Sunderson. Mikaela Sunderson. Please call me Ela," she says kindly. While still holding Jessica's hands, she looks the officer in the eye. "Please, sir, tell me, are there any ways I can help you?"

"James," He introduces and continues, "Then," he brings out the photo of the severed head. "Do you know the victim?"

"Oh my!" Mrs. Sunderson breathes, hands on her chest. Jessica, herself, closes her eyes. "Officer, how dare you bring out this photograph right in front of Jessica. Don't you think she's traumatized enough?"

Officer James has the face to feel ashamed. Chastised, he says, "My apologies. But, um, have you seen this man before?"

"Of course not," Mrs. Sunderson looks over the photograph after making sure Jessica cannot see it. Her face is terrified, but she manages her composure very well. "This town is a close-knit community... even I have never seen you before, Officer."

"The dispatch sent everyone, including the officers from the city, when a dead body was mentioned," Officer James replies. "In addition, I'm an investigator handling the case."

"Well, since this person is a stranger to us, you might as well talk to the local hotels, inns, and motels. Even the lone B and B might have an answer... unless he's somebody else's relative from the outside," Mrs. Sunderson advises Officer James who nods and writes down the information. 

"Thanks, Madam," he salutes. He leaves the front door before turning around and approaching them again. "I'm sorry. One moment, I noticed some cameras outside the shop, if possible, can you pull up the video recordings from between midnight and now?"

Mrs. Sunderson glares at him then calls out to Henry, a waiter, "Henry!"

The young man hurries, "Mrs. Sunderson?"

"Help Officer James with the camera monitors." Then at Officer James, "Please go with Henry here to the back. The monitors for the cameras are inside Jessica's office."

"Yes, ma'am," Henry quickly nods and ushers the officer to the back.

Mysteriously, even with the recorded video of the murder, the investigators cannot determine who's the murderer. No, it's not because the video recordings are grainy. Contrarily, they're very sharp and clear. The problem is no one can identify the suspect because he is covered all over.

The good news - the victim has been identified. He's an outsider who happened to be in town for the night. He checked in at Sunflower Fields Inn B and B, the only bed and breakfast in town, around five, almost six, in the afternoon. According to people he interacted with, mainly those who have been in the B and B and local pub, the man had an official business in Saywood City, the nearest city from their own Lily Creek Town. The city, about 350 miles further northeast,  is a seaport city historically known for being one of the first cities in the country. Although it is an old city, it's still bustling and continues to grow because of the booming construction businesses. 

The victim, George McIntosh, was an engineer from Gould City, a border city in the south, who was looking for a contractor. Because he found Saywood City's construction business reliable and efficient, he traveled north to negotiate a contract for a farmhouse he wanted to build in the south. He decided to stay the night at the next town's B and B when darkness engulfed the sky during his travel. 

Those who saw him say he eats at the family diner, Nana's Cajun Flavors, then went to the local pub, The Garage. The pub closes exactly at midnight every day. Coincidentally, it is situated across from the parking building where Jessica always parks. The B and B are on the other side of Main Street, near the local neighborhood houses. From the pub, it takes thirty minutes to forty-five minutes on foot. 

The mystery is that some locals saw McIntosh leaving the pub at around nine. Another local says he saw McIntosh walking past the alleyway and hitching a ride with Uncle William, Auntie Betsy's husband. Both of them are the caretakers of B and B who live locally and across Sunflower Fields Inn. The last person to see him was Gretel, a woman who stayed in the B and B. According to her account of the story, she was in the living room when McIntosh entered the inn. She couldn't sleep that night and opted to have decaffeinated tea before going to bed. She said, "McIntosh waved me goodnight mentioning an early morning drive and needing rest. I was in the living room until around one. I didn't see him or anyone coming down the stairs. There was one occasion where I went to the downstairs powder room because I needed to pee. I think I was there for five, six minutes? Maybe longer than that..."

When asked why she's in the powder room for so long, Gretel raised her brow and answered, "I was engaged with the video I was watching and ended up sitting on the toilet for quite some time. So what? Afterward, I went upstairs to my room to go to sleep."

There is a possibility that during the time she's in the powder room, McIntosh slipped out. But why would he do that if he needed his sleep? No one can answer. 

A six-foot, three-inches tall man treks a relatively empty woody area in his leather trench coat and wooden cane. His limps are still prominent, but considering he can safely walk the snow-covered street, the trek, which goes high and low depending on the slope, is as easy as pie to him.  

He hauls a full and heavy garbage bag across his living room into the kitchen. His hunting is successful. He makes sure he cuts through flesh and bones cleanly and stores the meat in the freezer in the garage. It takes him a long while, but he feels satisfied.

Celebrating, he cooks the meat steak style and brings it outside. He decides to enjoy his coffee and steak as he welcomes the morning light. He smiles.  

Update: Take Her To The Moon ON HIATUS

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

Alas, here comes the time wherein I have to put the story on-hold again. Although I like to continuously update Take Her To The Moon every Friday, as an independent writer with busy academic schedule, I just cannot. 

Take Her To The Moon will be on hiatus until further notice. In the meantime, please read my Cinquain Poems every Monday and let me know your thoughts about it!

Also, please look forward to September Acrostic Poem 2022 Recommendation on May! Anyone can start recommending words/phrases again for the annual SAP!

Article | It's Been A Year With June's Journey

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

Written on December 23, 2021

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

I was only playing for fun and leisure, but I found a competitive team and great groupmates. Last night, I finished the first volume of June's Journey. I never thought I could, but here I am. Although I love searching for objects, what I really enjoyed was putting my Orchid Island together and visiting different countries!

Below, you could see pictures of my Island - and although I might put it in a massive makeover later on I was actually 100% satisfied with its current look. 

Cinquain Poem | Socks

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

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Chapter 60 Take Her To The Moon

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

Take Her To The Moon

Chapter 60

“Well,” Secretary So continued. “They didn’t really go into specifics. They just said the CEO was very excited when he saw the project.”

“Well, at least we didn’t need to cancel our appointment with them today, right?”

“No, President, we don’t. The CEO was on his way when his secretary called to inform me. I should get ready for his arrival.” Secretary So stood up when he was dismissed to prepare for the GAP’s CEO’s arrival.

If it was only the employee, they might just need to clean a bit, but this was the CEO.

Off prepared himself as well.

Word: 100

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Chapter 59 Take Her To The Moon

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

Take Her To The Moon

Chapter 59

“Yes, sir,” he continued. “Apparently, the architect you chose to design the new shop building in Pangasinan had another project. They had a misunderstanding with their client and had to redraw a whole new design.”

“Oh wow,” Off sat on the sofa inside his office. He gestured for his secretary to do so. “That’s rough. So did they say they’ll send a new one?”

“Yes, sir. Apparently, GAP’s CEO found out about it and volunteered to do the project instead.”

“Oh? Aren’t they busy running their own firm?” Off said. He scanned another file from the previous meeting.

“Well… Uhm.”

Word: 100

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Chapter 58 Take Her To The Moon

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

Take Her To The Moon

Chapter 58

Off, at thirty, was a successful businessman in the fashion world. He co-owned a photography studio with Tay who managed the ‘taking-the-pictures’ part of the business while he managed the ‘talking-to-possible-clients’ ones. 

Arm’s fashion house was also co-owned by him. His friend didn’t want to deal with the business side of the fashion industry and Off wanted his friend to focus on his creativity. 

Everything was good. They were. Until Gun walked back into Off’s life. It was the best.

“President,” his secretary worriedly approached him. “GAP called. There’s a delay with the architect they’ll send.”

“They said why?”

“Yes.”

Word: 100

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Article | I Cooked A Mean Noodles From Scratch... For The First Time!

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

Written December 23, 2021

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

I was craving noodles since forever. I wanted to eat Lucky Me Pancit Canton or Nissin Ramen noodles. Since those two were depleted months ago, there were no more noodles inside our pantry except for Cheese flavored cup noodles (I was not a fan) and Chinese egg noodles (they're thin and looked like buckwheat noodles). There were other noodles for misua and for pancit bihon, but they're not what I was looking for. On another note, my dad cooked misua with meatballs twice this month, if I remembered correctly, and yes, they tasted so good, but I really wanted instant noodles. What I cooked was semi-instant, if I may say so myself. The noodles were instant, but the soup was created by me.

I asked my sister's opinion on the soup and she said it tasted so much like instant ramen noodles, and I agreed one hundred percent.

Cinquain Poem | Candles

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

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Chapter 57 Take Her To The Moon

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

Take Her To The Moon

Chapter 57

It’s been half a month. Off’s busied himself with his business plans. Tay and Arm learned what happened after Off’s off behavior - he became more introverted and closed-off. He stopped coming with Tay when he visited New on the other side of the campus.

He thought he’ll get a message from Gun at least to explain what happened - if there’s even explaining what he did - but nothing. Gun stopped messaging him. Apparently, he also never mentioned him in front of New. At all.

At first, Off was very hurt. He was angry. Then he learned to move on. 

He did.

Word :100

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Chapter 56 Take Her To The Moon

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

Take Her To The Moon

Chapter 56

Gun pulled Off’s polo shirt’s hem. “P’, let me explain. Please. P’Off, let me explain.”

He touched Gun’s hands and slowly pried them away from his shirt. He shook his head. “I need to think about this, Nong. I need to think about us. I hope you do, too.”

He exited Gun’s apartment building after he calmed himself down in the restroom on the lobby floor. 

He didn’t want to go back to his dorm. He didn’t want Tay to tell him “I told you so.” 

Off found himself driving around the city until he found an empty playground. 

Silence.

Word: 100

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Chapter 55 Take Her To The Moon

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

Take Her To The Moon

Chapter 55

Gun attempted to grab Off’s right lower arm, but he chucked it away. Dodged him.

“If you were to cheat on me, why even boost my hopes up? I asked you to date because I love you, okay? You think I only fancy you then get tired of you later on?”

He clenched his fist. He cried harder. “It hurts here.” He gripped his chest; above his heart. “It hurts, Gun. It hurts.”

Gun repeatedly says “I’m sorry” while sitting in front of him. He was crying, too. 

“I think I need to get out of here.”

“No, P’. Explain.”

Word: 100

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Update: Welp... Spring Semester Started Last Week!

 By Eddlynn Jennifer Mangaoang

Please do not copy or post to another site. Thank you. Enjoy reading.

So here's what's going to happen since I'm starting another semester.

Poems are ongoing every Monday. 

Articles will continue to update. 

Take Her To The Moon chapters - there will be another hiatus. I know :(  I really wanted to finish it, but it's hard to do so when I need to focus on my studies as well. It's my second to last semester, guys! Please understand. To read previous chapters, start here >> THTM

In terms of updates about my life or whatever I'm doing, you can follow my Twitter account: @ejmangpoemstory.

Another note... I'm thinking of starting a Ko-Fi or something similar. I really need income because the federal financial aid that I'm getting was already $0. That's what being a super senior does to you.

Lately, I've been applying to numerous scholarships online, but truthfully, I'm not even sure if I could win one or more. I even applied for our university's scholarships, but again, I'm not sure if I could win them. Thank you all for understanding. If you think I should start a Ko-Fi, comment down below. Hopefully, someone's willing to support my blog site and content. Thanks again!