Compilation of one-shot Stories

Fleeting Realities

In the bustling city of Baguio, where the mist swirled around the pine trees and the cool air carried the scent of pine and rain, Mia kept herself perpetually occupied. Her days were a whirlwind of activity: she juggled multiple part-time jobs, attended endless meetings, and filled her evenings with volunteer work and social gatherings. The constant motion was her shield, her way of escaping the quiet chaos that brewed in her mind.

It was a chilly afternoon when Mia found herself in a quaint, little café nestled at the edge of the city. The café had an old-world charm with its wooden furniture and antique décor. It was a place where people came to unwind, but for Mia, it was another item on her to-do list—a meeting with a potential client for her freelance graphic design work.

Mia arrived with her usual flurry of activity: her phone buzzed with notifications, her bag was filled with work-related documents, and her mind raced with deadlines and commitments. She greeted the café owner, who knew her by name, and settled into her favorite corner table.

As she opened her laptop and began setting up her work, Mia glanced out the window. The view was mesmerizing—clouds floating lazily above, with the cityscape stretching out beneath them. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to be still, but only for a moment. The hum of the café, the clatter of cups, and the gentle chatter of customers quickly pulled her back into her whirlwind of tasks.

The client arrived, and their meeting went smoothly. Mia efficiently discussed the project, took notes, and promised quick turnaround times. As the client left, Mia packed up her things, ready to dive into her next task. Yet, as she walked to her car, something felt off. The world outside seemed distant, like she was viewing it through a foggy lens.

That evening, Mia returned to her small apartment, which was cluttered with half-finished projects, open books, and notes scattered across every surface. She had promised herself she would spend time organizing and catching up on her personal projects. But as she sat down at her desk, the familiar feeling of being overwhelmed washed over her. The tasks that had once seemed urgent now felt insurmountable.

In a moment of frustration, Mia closed her laptop and sat in silence. The stillness of the apartment was deafening. The distractions of the day had faded, leaving her alone with her thoughts. As the night deepened, she found herself gazing at the ceiling, her mind wandering through the maze of her daily routines and the fantasy worlds she had created to escape them.

Mia's figurative world was a place where she had control—a vivid tapestry of imaginative scenarios where she was always in command, where the endless tasks and obligations didn't suffocate her. It was a world where she could escape the harshness of reality, if only for a little while.

But tonight, the line between her busy reality and her imagined escape seemed to blur. The more she tried to stay busy, the further she felt from the real world. She had crafted a cocoon of activity so intricate that she was losing sight of the genuine experiences and emotions she once cherished. Her figurative world was becoming her refuge, but it also threatened to pull her further away from her true self.

As she sat in her dimly lit apartment, Mia pondered the cost of her constant busyness. The imaginative worlds she built were comforting, yet they were becoming a cage of their own. Her efforts to stay busy had succeeded in keeping her mind occupied, but they also left her feeling detached and ungrounded.

Eventually, Mia decided to take a different approach. She needed to reconnect with reality, to embrace the silence and confront her thoughts rather than avoiding them. It was a daunting task, but she knew it was necessary.

The next day, Mia chose to spend a few hours in solitude, away from her usual hustle. She went for a walk in the serene gardens of Baguio, letting the natural beauty and tranquility seep into her. The simplicity of the moment helped her find a new perspective, a balance between her busy life and her need for genuine connection.

As the days went on, Mia made a conscious effort to ground herself in reality. She allowed herself moments of stillness and reflection, balancing her busy schedule with time for self-awareness and appreciation. It wasn't easy, but she began to find joy in the present and felt more connected to her true self.

Mia learned that while staying busy could be an escape, it was also essential to face and embrace the reality of her emotions. Her imaginative worlds still had a place in her life, but they no longer defined her existence. Instead, she found harmony in blending the vibrant colors of her dreams with the rich textures of her real world.

In the heart of Baguio, amidst the tranquil gardens and bustling streets, Mia discovered that she could live fully in both her imagined escapes and her tangible reality. It was a balance that allowed her to shine in both worlds, finding peace and fulfillment in the dance between the two.