An epistolary

Liking a person wasn't supposed to feel so encapsulating, but Una Madia Grajales freezes up whenever he's near. The knots and butterflies in her stomach makes her buckle and shut down and all she could do was gush about him to her best friend who was nothing but supportive. He cheered her on, gave her some pointers, he even made some adjustments just for her to spend some time with her crush. But down the line, Una realized she never cared for the butterflies. She didn't like freezing up neither the churning in her stomach. She wanted clear skies, warm blankets, fuzzy socks, and wistfully, the one who gave her a turtle plushie in the middle of the night-just because. And perhaps, she was too late to recognize that what she needed has always been there all along when he's already a thousand miles away. The chances were probably thin, but maybe it was exactly what they needed to begin again. Begin Again (Love in Paris # 4) Completed (2021).

Weddings. Vanya Nadine Joson dreaded weddings. Within her circle of friends, she was the only one remaining single and unmarried. Single, for as long as she could remember. She was slowly accepting the fact that she'll grow old alone, and she was already preparing for it. Her retirement plan was laid out, she already picked her senior home, she even began to draw out her last will on her mind. Until zooming out for the possibilities for the next forty years began to overwhelm her. Living alone wasn't so bad after all. But there was a time where she hoped for her wishful thinkings to come true. A time where she pictured an entire future with someone. Every night, in all of her prayers, he was there. In her mind, in her dreams, in her wishes. In the quiet. He was her secret she kept hidden in the dark. There wasn't a second passing by where she didn't regret how everything fell apart. They almost had it. If she could stop the clock and trace back every second, she would. Because the moment he left, everything came to a pause. The stillness made her numb as the years went by. Vanya remained unmoving. Stuck. And always wishing. Stuck on Pause (For the Record # 2) Completed (2023).

Overwhelmed by academic pressure, Vina Nathalie Joson decided to drop everything that could be a source of distraction, even her three-year relationship. Filled with doubts and seemingly spiraling into the deep end, Vina was losing grip. Losing herself. That breathing alone was hard. And the only person that has been keeping her steady and hopeful was gone. But she couldn't allow herself to drag him with her into the deep end. It was cruel. She had to let him go even if it means she needed to hold her breath. Yet, there he was. Still staying by her side. With a love that's steady and unwavering. Silently wishing for everything to go back the way it used to be. Or maybe, that was just him being hopeful. And all he was holding on to was an idea and moments in time that are too precious to let go. If We Could Press Rewind (For the Record # 1) Completed (2022).

Three years after their breakup, Nastia Kahlila Quijano swore she has already moved on. Ending things up with him was a decision she didn't regret. They needed it. So when the ghost of three years appeared as her neighbor, Nika wondered what she did so wrong to meet him again. She wondered how he lived in between the years they weren't together. She wondered how he became so happy after she left. And if things were truly over, how come they're back at square one? [NOW] Malay Natin: Siguro Ngayon An ongoing novel (2025).

There are some things that aren't worth keeping. Nastia Kahlila Quijano has been convincing herself that walking away was the right thing she did. Even if it's already been three long years ever since she left. But with every passing second and every in-between of those years, she couldn't seem to getaway with the feelings still lingering in her system. She was haunted by the ideas of him, what might have been, and their memories together. Each day, each night; it was a choice she didn't want to regret. She was determined to move forward. But the biggest relapse struck her unexpectedly. All of her effort and hard work went down the drain. She couldn't seem to pull herself back from the memories reeling her in. From the phantom lurking in the form of her next door neighbor seemingly pulling her back to his arms. Maybe she should run away. Far enough where they wouldn't meet ever again. Far from his reach. Maybe she should treat him indifferently until he finally gives up. But Nika couldn't seem to handle the thought of him walking away and ending up with someone else. She couldn't have that either. Maybe, it was time for her to let things happen like clockwork. Maybe fighting it was futile. Maybe the right thing to do was run back to him. In his arms wide open. A place in the world that's only meant for her. Maybe, this time, they were meant to be. Book cover by: goldenaraw (on twitter)

It was a complete three-sixty. From the girl casually winding up at the bar who suddenly turned into someone's pretend girlfriend, Nastia Kahlila Quijano never saw it coming. She wasn't supposed to give into someone who were clear and upfront with their boundaries. There was no other choice but to treat him as an off-limit, like a whiskey bottle hanging at the top shelf-seemingly invisible to her eyes. After all, Nika was only returning a favor. Pretend relationships were bound to end anyway. But the thin line between their make-believe and their reality were beginning to blur. They couldn't draw out what's real and what's made up anymore. Then the boundaries began to solidify and the haze was gone. The line became clearer than before, reminding Nika why it existed in the first place. Maybe it was too soon. Maybe, they should leave it at that. After all, how could she lose something she never even had? This is an epistolary story written in taglish. Completed (2022).

Mihika Tahlia Ortiz just transferred to Manila for her first job. Living by herself in a crowded and busy city was daunting; she has never felt more alone. But with the help of a new friend, Mithi seems to have found her footing and everything fell into the right places. Or did it? Why is her heart suddenly skipping beats every time he's there? He was only a friend. Just a friend. Or not? This is an epistolary story written in taglish. Completed (2022).

Rosabella Nataline swore to keep off dating when she got her heart broken two years ago. She kept herself protected and bound by a rule she established. It was absolute and unbreakable. Until he came. Unannounced. Secretly loving her in a safe distance. Secretly Yours - an epistolary novel Completed (2024).

There is a thin line between love and hate, and Constantine Illaraza believes her feet have always been firm and steady on the other side of the ground. She hates him. Sincerely. But what can she do when she has to make everyone believe otherwise? Coco knew what she signed up for. Everything they had done was just for show. The hugs, kisses, and sweet nothings, all of which were hardly theirs. But somewhere between love and hate lies a thin line, a blurring of everything fair and reasonable. A line she tripped and a line he crossed. A great undoing of all things they pretended that were never theirs. Hardly Theirs - a novel Completed (2024). Book Cover art by: haiz & izzazazaie (on X/Twitter)