Phl Works

The Little Things

“I haven’t done a thing to deserve a treat though” he asked a bit confused

I looked at him knowingly.

Oh how I love this man.

Yes, you did something.

You woke up earlier just so you could call to tell me good morning, wrap myself up and review my notes for boards.

You reviewed my schedule and created a new one to make alarms for breakfast, water break, nap, lunch, and dinner.

You scold me for not eating on time.

You hold my hand when I told you not.

And you didn’t forget to tell me i love you and good night.

“Why are you looking at me like that? You’re weird” an eyebrow up as he continued when he got no answer from me.

“And I love you too” I answered, hiding my smile to tease him more.

-Phl

Bulalacao Pt..2

“Mas maganda siguro kung may coffee shop dyan no, tapos dun natin titingnan lights ng mga bahay sa baba. Pagawa ka nga Engr.! “

5 years ago, you told me that.

On a saturday night, sitting on the upper part of the retaining wall, listening to the crickets and the sound coming from the parked truck.

Talking about how would I construct a coffee shop on that mountain ridge in front of us.

I just looked at you that time while you kept on taking pictures of the view below.

The darkness of the night didn’t stop me from noticing your serene eyes while looking at the shots you made.

And now I’m here again, on the exact same place where we sit that time. Reminiscing the past, the view before while looking at the view now. I didn’t expect that this coffee shop would boom this much.

I’m seeing a lot of happy faces.

Friends laughing at each other.

Taking pictures of the view, admiring it because it’s really good. Good thing I listened to you.

Then I saw you.

The same serene eyes complementing that contagious smile I loved about you.

You still have your camera on like you always do.

You’re looking at it with so much appreciation, I assume you liked the view. I was about to walk to you when I heard someone call your name

“Hoy Zi, picture naman tayo, puro ako nalang kinukunan mo, saka picturan mo yung lights sa baba, ang ganda oh!” I heard her shouting at you with a giggle.

“But I like this view more eh” you said as you wink at her which made me stop from coming to you.

###

-Phl

I still don’t know

Was it easy? Is it even worth it? I asked myself a countless of times now.

When did I lose you? For how long now? Did I lose you when I’m busy doing my school works? Or is it when I didn’t go with you at your friend’s party?

I know something has changed when you’re not calling my name with the same fondness, with the same care, the warmth was replaced with coldness like you now don’t care.

I know something has changed when the sparks and excitement in your eyes when you see me didn’t remain.

I know something has changed when you drum your fingers continuously on the table or tapping your feet on the floor. It seems like you want to hurry into some place I’m not aware before.

I know something has changed when you kept on glancing at your watch when we’re together as if you want to be somewhere else by this hour.

I know something has changed when I caught you staring at me, with confusion in your eyes, with what was that?.. nervousness? hurt?

I know something has changed so why don’t you tell me something because I’m afraid I couldn’t bring myself to ask.

-Phl

Double Edge

An old soul and an odd one

I’m the latter so certainly you’re the first one

They met on a war

A war among themselves

The latter asked if this is the right place

The first one asked if this is the right time

The old soul decided that this is their right place

And the odd one agreed and told this is their right time.

The old soul taught the latter how to live

The odd one showed the first one how to love

Together, they find peace

but later on they remembered that they’re at war

They fought and fought and fought

They bleed from a scratch then suddenly there’s a lot.

Do you know what happened next?

I killed them.

Because peace and war can’t coexist in the same page

And for this story, an old soul also can’t coexist with an odd one.

Will It make me a killer

If I decided to end their misery?

Will it make me the bad one

If I stopped believing in their capacity?

Am I still the odd one?

If I started thinking like them, like the society?

-Phl

Bulalacao

I was scared then and still am scared now.

I thought heights fear me the most but losing you surpassed it.

Like how we found that place that night.

The bliss I felt together with a pang of pain.

Thinking how long would it last? Would I be fine? And if not, how? You’re my safe place, and if you leave, where would I go?

-Phl

Tik-o-tak

The night is deep and so is your thoughts again.

You begin wondering, where did all go wrong?

Did you even matter?

My dear strong woman, it’s time now.

Maybe its time to forgive yourself for trying so hard and still be disappointed at the end.

Its time

Forgotten

March 18,2020

Although things didn’t turned out like how I pictured it in my head, I’m still thankful that u came in my life. I had fun, really. I know that what’s meant for me will always be for me, what’s not will never be. I know that. Just give me more time, 2 years ain’t enough to let my feelings go but I’m hoping that after giving this to you, all my feelings will finally go and find its right way.

Thank you for the friendship we shared. It helped me mold the woman I am now. Thank you for saving me, you may not know this but I really hate guys. You gave me reasons not to. For the past years that we shared, there are so much things that I think my heart will remember for life.
I’m bidding my lasy goodbye.

Maybe I’ll see you again in our next life, or the life after that.

But for now, for the last time,

I love you Pat.

-Phl

Healthy Weeknight Meals

Cooking can sometimes feel like a chore at the end of a busy day. It’s often tempting to throw a ready meal in the oven or call for take out. But preparing a simple and healthy family meal doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. Here are some quick wholesome dishes that you and your family will love. They can even be prepared in advance.

Better than Poutine

I know, what could be better that a steaming plate of fries, gravy and cheese curd? Fries, gravy, cheese curd and bacon, that’s what! Throw in some fresh shallots, chilli, and a splash of roasted bone marrow and duck gravy, and we turn this popular French-Canadian dish into a something sublime.

Breakfast at my House

During the week we’re often walking out the door with a coffee in one hand and slice of toast in the other, but on weekends breakfast is never rushed. It’s a late affair, sometimes spilling over to lunch, with lots of reading and chatter in between courses of fruits, poached eggs, honey and toast. One of our favorite things we like to serve when friends are visiting are buckwheat blueberry pancakes.