𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃 (𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐍𝐄) "Living full of regrets and pain is worse than dying." Kristine's life didn't just fall apart, it was ripped away from her piece by piece. Zachary, the man she trusted with her entire world, cheated on her and got Stella pregnant. And when Kristine finally told him she was carrying his child too, he didn't choose her. He didn't fight for her. He rejected her, pushed her away, and left her alone in the darkest moment of her life. Then she lost the baby. And with that loss, she lost herself. Now Kristine moves through her days feeling like she's underwater, breathing, but barely. The trauma and betrayal haunt her every waking moment. The grief drags her deeper, and the silence becomes a place where dangerous thoughts grow louder. She's slipping deeper, drowning in a pain no one sees, and on some days, she wonders if disappearing would finally give her peace. But how do you save yourself when you're no longer sure you're worth saving?

Crisanta Camila Alcazar is the baby girl of Altagracia. Bunsong anak ng may-ari ng isang malaking azucarera, she was pampered and always prim and proper. Walang mag-aakalang may magagawa siyang isang bagay na ikakahiya ng kanyang pamilya. When it happened, she was devastated. The truth was revealed and yet everyone seems to their fingers to someone else, hindi siya. Hindi siya kayang paratangan ng probinsiya ng ganoong bagay. She was guilty and regretful. She carried it within her, and never forgave herself. Nang umuwi si Alonzo Salvaterra, nakita niyang pagkakataon iyon para humingi ng tawad. She was always soft spoken but this time, she hopes that her voice was enough. And that it will get to him. This is the second book of Azucarera Series. The series consist of three books. The two other books are: Against The Heart (Azucarera #1) Hold Me Close (Azucarera #3)

Charlotta Yvonna del Real is the queen of Altagracia. Anak ng may-ari ng malaking Azucarera, she has it all - friends, popularity, riches, boys. But well, maybe, not all. May madilim na lihim ang kanyang pamilya. Isang bagay na hindi inaasahan para sa kanila. The deal Real's were always the epitome of a perfect family, not until that night. Inukit sa puso niya ang galit at pagkamuhi para sa mga Castanier. She was sure that when the Lenadro Castanier is back, she would throw them out of Altagracia. Even if it was against her heart. This is the First book of Azucarera Series. The series consist of three books. The two other books are: Getting to You (Azucarera #2) Hold Me Close (Azucarera #3)

Josefa Hanabella Valiente is the ugly girl of Altagracia. She is often bullied because of her ugly looks. Binansagan siyang ng maraming pangit na pangalan at nasanay na siya roon. Now that her father's dead, everyone bullied her more. The people of Altagracia hated her father's deeds and she can't do anything about it. Tanging ang pusa niya na lang ang kakampi dahil mismong ang kamag-anak ay masama rin ang trato sa kanya. Her heart got broken and she swore to herself that she would never be that helpless bullied girl again. In time, she earned her place and is now popular, the way she wanted it. Pero nang bumalik ang lalaking bumasag sa bata niyang puso, bumabalik ang mga pangarap niya noon. Her daydreams came back, too and she didn't know what to do. Her daydreams that consist of many things. Including holding him close. This is the third and last book of Azucarera Series. The series consist of three books. The two other books are: Against the Heart (Azucarera #1) Getting to You (Azucarera #2)

THE LOSERS' CLUB SERIES #1 Have you ever been so smitten with someone that you were just so grateful they existed? Tipong makita mo lang siya, solved ka na. Kahit hindi mo siya makausap o makasama, inspired na inspired ka. That was the case for Dawn Karsen Navarro, a die-hard fan of a prominent singer and songwriter, Dior Kobe Gallardo. Kahit pa laging General Admission ticket lang ang nabibili niya at halos kasinlaki lang ng gagamba ang natatanaw niya mula sa upuan, marinig niya lang ang boses ng binata, kuntento na siya. So, when luck pulled a trick on her poor heart, she didn't hesitate to take advantage of the opportunity. She went from being in the farthest row to being in the backstage, from seeing only a glimpse of her idol to a face-to-face encounter, and from hearing only a fraction of his life to knowing everything there was to know about him. She had made a lot of progress. But, why did she go back to being seated in the farthest row? Why did she go back to being just a mere fan? After everything they vowed, why did she go back to being a stranger in the midst of the crowd?

THE LOSERS' CLUB SERIES 3 In need of juicy news for her online publication, the struggling journalism student, Millicent Rae Velasco, was forced to interview the intimidating student council president of their university, Juancho Alas Montero. But, not wanting to be the subject of rumors, he rejected her instantly. So, paano siya? Paano ang last requirement niya bago maka-graduate? Si Juancho ang iniatas sa kanya ng isinusumpa niyang prof na gawan ng profile article! Isa pa, dito na lang siya makakabawi! Kailangan niya pang higitin mula sa dulo ng impyerno ang grades niya! Being in a hopeless predicament, she ended up chasing after him. She hid behind the bookshelves where he was studying, memorized his schedule by heart, and talked to him straight on when she could. She only had one goal---write an article about him. Nothing more, nothing less. But life had a lot of things in store for her. Because through the glances she'd stolen, she picked up the sharp fragments of his life. Through the hidden smiles, she unraveled the content of his heart. And through the pages she'd written, she caught herself falling in love with him.

Started: 04/27/2021 Ended: 08/24/2021 Ang hirap palang tumanda. Ang hirap magbayad ng bills. Ang hirap suportahan ng pamilyang akala ay isang milyon ang suweldo mo. Ang hirap ngumiti sa nanay na mataas ang tingin sa'yo pero hindi ka kayang ipagtanggol. Ang hirap tabihan sa hapagkainan ng tatay na pinag-uubusan mo ng pera pero hindi ka maalala. Ang hirap mag-abot ng tulong sa kapatid na baon sa utang. Ang hirap intindihin ng hipag na nakakapagpa-rebond pa kahit kapos na kapos na. Ang hirap pakisamahan ng bunsong halos ilahad ang mga palad tuwing makikita ka. Ang hirap ngitian ng mga taong tanong nang tanong kung bakit hindi ka pa nakakapag-asawa. Ang hirap humarap sa mundong isasampal sa'yo na mag-isa ka. Tulong, bigay, utang. Isang iling mo lang, madamot ka na. Kasama mo sila kapag may maibibigay ka, pero hindi mo sila mahahanap kapag wala na. Ikaw ang kakayod, sila ang tutuka. Ikaw ang iiyak sa pagod, sila ang magtatamasa. Iyon ang summary ng buhay ko. Sobra-sobra ang naririnig na paghingi, kulang na kulang ang naririnig na pasasalamat. Sobra-sobra ang pagpapasensya, kulang na kulang ang natatanggap na pagpapahalaga. Sobra-sobra ang binabayaran, kulang na kulang sa kasiyahan. Kaya nang dumating sa buhay ko ang nag-iisang lalaking hindi ako nakita bilang naglalakad na alkansya, ang nag-iisang lalaking nakinig sa mahabang listahan ko ng problema, ang nag-iisang lalaking nagbigay sa akin ng kakaibang saya, ipinangako ko sa sarili na sa gitna ng hirap ng pagtanda, magtitiis ako basta't siya ang kasama. Kahit pa ang kapalit noon ay pagtalikod sa minahal na pamilya. Kahit pa ang kapalit noon ay paglaban sa mundong pinatatakbo ng kapangyarihan at pera. Kahit pa ang kapalit noon ay ang pagdurusa't pag-iisa. Siya ang ginhawa, pahinga, at kasiyahan ko. Dumating man ang araw na tanaw ko na ang dulo. Dumating man ang araw na wala na kaming sagot sa lahat ng bakit at paano. Dumating man ang araw na pareho na kaming talo.

Lavender is in love with Yuan, the perfect guy--kind, sweet, charming, and a musician like her. The problem? He's not real. He only exists in her dreams. *** Lavender Laxamana can't sing or play the guitar in front of anyone anymore. She hides in her dreams where she can perform and play music to her heart's desire with Yuan. Lavender has already accepted that the man she loves is just a figment of her imagination, but when she crosses paths with Aki, a starting artist who goes by the name of Musikero and looks and sounds like Yuan, Lavender is hopeful they can finally be together in real life. But reality slaps her in the face when she finds out Aki is the exact opposite of Yuan, and he loathes her. While Lavender struggles to find the connection between Yuan and Aki, can she finally find the courage to stop escaping from reality--no matter that Aki may be in love with another woman? And can she finally face the rhythm and beats of her heart and pursue her passion again? How far will she go--or not go--for her dreams? DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish. COVER DESIGN: Regina Dionela

(Complete) || Love has many kinds. There is this unconditional love. There is this friendship love... brotherly or sisterly love. A family love. Some looked for self-love. ~O~O~ A short story written for the Writers-Readers Freundshaft Club's One-Shot WriCon with a theme "Self-Love". It was held last August 1, 2020. Won first place with an overall rating of 97.5.