Heartstrings of Destiny

Love's Detention: A Matchmaker's Dilemma

I was curious because when Sister Aly arrived, she reverted to her usual self. It's the act. He only pretended to be a woman once, and it seemed like he just gave up on it. Now, he's in shorts and an oversized t-shirt. Her hair is tied in a messy ponytail that seems untouched since yesterday.

I shook my head as I glanced at Brother and shook even more when I noticed he had no reaction. The something I couldn't name that I saw in his eyes before is now gone. So is it just like that? He likes her when she's feminine and not as much when she's herself? Do my brother's feelings switch on and off?

"Bro! Mom has something for me?" Big Brother asked Sister Aly.

Sister Aly rolled her eyes. "A lot! That's why my shoulder hurts from the amount of Tita's shipment!"

Sister Aly dropped a large cloth bag on the floor slung over her right shoulder. From there, she took out some Tupperwares with only dishes, then a bunch of bananas, a plastic bag of mango and melon, and a small Coleman with only shrimp.

"Wow... that's a lot!" I exclaimed. I grabbed the ones that I knew would spoil right away and put them in our mini fridge. I left them both in the living room to talk, but as usual for both of them, they just teased and showed off like they used to do. Brother looks at Sister Aly like a man again.

Conversation:

Brother: Sister Aly, got anything for me from Mom?

Sister Aly: A lot! That's why my shoulder hurts from Tita's shipment!

(Sister Aly drops a large cloth bag on the floor.)

From there, she took out Tupperwares with dishes, a bunch of bananas, a plastic bag of mango and melon, and a small Coleman with shrimp.

Me: Wow, that's a lot! I'll put the perishables in the mini fridge.

(I leave them in the living room to talk.)

Brother: (teasingly) So, anything exciting from Mom?

Sister Aly: (teasing back) Oh, you know, the usual. My shoulder is paying the price for it.

(They continue to banter and show off like they used to.)

Monday arrived, and we all left the house almost simultaneously. Brother headed to work, I was off to school, and Sister Aly was on the hunt for a job. Thankfully, I had Poopy here to keep me company.

"Do charms really work?" I inquired. I couldn't help but recall how Sister Aly opted for her old jeans during the interview, despite my attempts to convince her to wear something more formal.

Poopy shrugged. "Yes and no."

I furrowed my brow. "What do you mean?"

"See, the thing about charms is that it's not about the object itself; it's about the energy surrounding that object. When you associate something with either bad luck or good luck, you attract the corresponding energy. So, if, for instance, you believe a wristband is bad luck, you'll experience misfortune every time you wear it because you've convinced yourself it's unlucky. The same goes for good luck," Poopy explained.

Curious, I pressed on, "What about Serendipity?" We were nearing the school, with many students passing by.

"You mean fate?" Poopy asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, the movie," I clarified with a sheepish smile.

"I like that movie," Poopy commented.

"But do you believe in it?" I inquired.

"Of course. I'm Poopy, remember?" he replied with a smile. "Why do you ask?"

I nonchalantly shrugged. "Nothing. It just felt like a perfect movie, you know? Everything unfolds according to a grand plan, like a domino effect. One shift from you could impact everyone around you. It's mind-blowing."

"Everything happens for a reason," Poopy chimed in.

I nodded. "Right. But in real life, it's not as easy to believe in."

"But you did believe in that story," Poopy pointed out.

"Well, yeah," I admitted. "I think that's the only time I believed in destiny and soulmates... well, before all this."

The morning breeze swept in, and I watched with fascination as tiny particles shimmered in the sunlight. Poopy took in a deep breath, closing his eyes as if savoring the air.

I glanced at the bustling street, where no one seemed to care. Why? People were so engrossed in their own lives, taking the little things for granted. Or maybe I was just being unusually observant. But the feeling was good, uplifting -

"Sorry!"

Suddenly, someone bumped into me. I swayed, attempting to regain my balance. Two hands grabbed my arm and back, likely preventing me from falling.

I slowly looked up, finding myself dazed and staring at the newest heartthrob of our school - Josh.

"Candice, hi!" He looked somewhat surprised.

Conversation:

Josh: Candice, hi!

Candice: Oh, hey! Sorry about that. I was lost in thought.

Josh: No worries. Are you okay?

Candice: Yeah, thanks for catching me. I guess I need to pay more attention to my surroundings.

Josh: It happens to the best of us. So, what were you thinking about?

Candice: Just contemplating life, you know? The whole idea that everything happens for a reason.

Josh: Deep thoughts for a Monday morning. I like it.

I was a bit surprised that he still remembered me. "H-Hi," I stammered, feeling a bit nervous.

"Sorry I bumped into you. I wasn't really looking-"

"I-It's okay," I replied.

He smiled down at me, and, wow, he's handsome. His smile showcased a perfect set of white teeth, a great contrast to his perfectly tanned skin. I had to look away before I started drooling.

Glancing at Poopy, I saw him shake his head in disapproval. 'What?' I asked with a frown.

"You better stop yourself, Candice... before it's too late," he warned.

'Come on. It's just a harmless crush!' I retorted. "Sure!" I told Josh when he offered to carry my things for me.

I still couldn't shake off the earlier scene with Josh at the gate when another surprise unfolded. I overheard students talking outside my class that Jasper had gotten into a fight with a gay teacher.

I quickly left my class to go to the dean's office. What was that boy thinking?

Many teachers were outside the dean's office, including Josh, whom I had a crush on. The dean was reportedly inside, along with Sir Brian, the older professor who is a bit flamboyant.

"What happened?" I asked the person next to me, which unfortunately turned out to be Sammy.

Conversation:

Candice: (to Josh) Thanks for offering to carry my things.

Josh: No problem. So, what's up?

Candice: Just heard about Jasper getting into a fight with a teacher. Heading to the dean's office to find out more.

Josh: (concerned) Oh, that's not good. Let me know if you need anything.

(They part ways, and Candice heads to the dean's office.)

Candice: (to Sammy) What happened here?

Sammy: Jasper got into a fight with Sir Brian, the professor.

Candice: Seriously? What's the story?

Sammy: Not sure. We're all waiting to find out.

"They said Jasper threatened to kill Sir Brian if he touched him. The gay man who reported to the dean was very scared."

I was taken aback. Scared for his life? I thought it would be a simple altercation! Anna! I looked helplessly at Poopy. 'What will I do?' I asked him. 'When Jasper is expelled, the chance for his and Krisha's hearts to connect will be lessened!'

He looked back at me in disbelief. "That's what you're still thinking? He's on the verge of expulsion, Candice, have a little consideration," he said, a little irritated.

'Sorry.' He was right. What was I thinking? Maybe I was just under pressure because it's been a month, and still, nothing. I didn't want to pile up tasks because I didn't know where to start. It didn't help that I was back to square one with Brother Sic.

The whispers among my companions ceased when suddenly the dean and Sir Brian emerged. The dean's eyes focused on me.

"Ms. Sebastian!" the dean called out. "It's good that you're here."

I frowned. "Why, sir?"

"I need you inside." The dean ushered me in, then whispered, "Cruz doesn't want to talk. He says he only wants to talk to you."

The dean let me into his office, and there I saw Jasper, looking downcast and seemingly indifferent to the situation. The dean nodded at me and closed the door, leaving Jasper and me inside. Well, there was also Poopy.

I sat across from Poopy, feeling frustrated. "Why did you do it? Do you know you could get kicked out?" He just rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. Great, I thought. Did I think this person would actually talk to me? "Can you at least have the courtesy to tell me what happened? I can't help you if you won't talk," I added.

Poopy looked at the bulletin board on his right, deep in thought. I knew he knew I was right. Then he called me, right? He should know that I could be trusted, I thought to myself.

I heard him sigh. "Candice was touching me," he spat out, using a different name.

I crossed my arms. "Those who saw Poopy say something different. They said that Krisha was just asking you if you wanted to join him for lunch. Then you suddenly threatened to kill him," I explained.

Poopy shook his head. "I'm not talking about Krisha."

There was a long pause after that. I didn't know what else I could say at this point, but I knew that Poopy was admitting something big - something I didn't expect him would actually admit, for that matter - to me.

"I was just a child when my gay brother-in-law started touching me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "He would come to my room every night and..." His voice trailed off, and I could see the pain in his eyes.

My jaw dropped. I didn't say anything. I knew that his brother-in-law, whom he called "Fiify," was molesting him, but I didn't think that he would actually tell me about it.

"When I went to high school, I was able to fight him off," Poopy continued, his voice still barely above a whisper. "But he was threatening to leave us just to get his way to me. I became a working student to support my studies. I want to break away from him, little by little."

I could see the determination in his eyes, and I knew that he was serious about wanting to leave his brother-in-law's clutches. I didn't know what to say, but I knew that I had to support him in any way that I could.

"I'm here for you, Poopy," I said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever you need, just let me know."

Poopy looked at me, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Candice," he said, using a different name. "You're the only one who understands."

I smiled, feeling grateful that I could be there for someone who needed me. It was a small victory, but it was a victory nonetheless.

I sat across from Poopy, feeling a mix of emotions. "He stopped eventually, but there were still instances when he seemed like he wanted to do it again," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, tears rolling down his eyes as he spoke. "It's not until I punched him hard in the face that he realized that I'm not going to put up with it anymore." I felt a deep sense of sympathy for him; nobody deserves to be molested, and it was clear that this had left a lasting impact on him. "I'm sorry to hear that," I said softly, "but what you did to Sir Brian was still not right. Do you know that person has a heart condition? What if something happened to him, and you're still not accountable?"

Poopy sighed heavily, his eyes downcast. "I already told her I don't like her, but her skin is ugly," he said again, his voice barely above a whisper. I could see the pain and frustration in his eyes, but I knew that what he did to Sir Brian was still not justified, no matter the circumstances. "Even so," I said firmly, "you need to apologize to him."

He looked at me, his eyes filled with regret. "I'll do it," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

I tapped him on the shoulder. "You should go out more, find some friends. You shouldn't take the weight of the problem on yourself. They won't be much of a burden if you have some friends to share the weight with."

He nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude for my words of encouragement. "Will you be okay though? Is your brother still..." I trailed off, not wanting to bring up any painful memories for him.

He shook his head vigorously, his eyes filled with a mix of relief and sadness. "I used a bed spacer to get away from him," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Oh... good."

Suddenly, the door opened, and Dean entered, looking expectant. I nodded at him, and he asked Poopy to go back to class while he froze me for a moment to discuss what had happened with him in private. I told Dean that it was all because of the trauma that Poopy had been through that led him to act the way he did towards Sir Brian, and Dean seemed to understand the gravity of the situation before dismissing me.

I couldn't bring myself to mention the personal details about Poopy's stepdad molesting him to Dean. It was too sensitive a topic. Instead, I simply recommended that Jasper be suspended and then issue an apology to Sir Brian. I planned to speak with Sir Brian myself later to provide some context from Jasper's perspective, while still keeping certain aspects vague.

As night fell, I arrived home at the apartment and immediately retreated to my room to work on a manuscript.

"What are you working on?" Poopy, sitting on the edge of my bed, asked curiously.

"You know what I'm working on," I replied, focusing on the typing.

He picked up my iPod lying on the bed, likely intending to play his playlist filled with songs mentioning his name. "Too narcissistic," I teased, knowing he could hear me.

He shrugged casually. "I've told you, I'm not capable of such feeling." Poopy then lay down and closed his eyes, putting the earphones in each ear to listen to music.

"Mina! Let's eat!" my brother called from outside. "Will you be joining us? Our sister, Fiify, might have arrived. Our brother is acting silly again. He came home early but waited for Fiify and even bought the food."

Our sister, Fiify, also chimed in. "Speaking of our sister, does she have a job?" she asked, changing the topic of conversation.

I put my laptop on sleep mode and left the room. Sister Aly served food while Brother sat in front, playing on his cellphone.

"How are you, Sister? Do you have work yet?" I asked Krisha.

She smiled at me and nodded. "I already started earlier."

"Nice! Where?" Brother asked.

"Starbucks."

We both gaped at her. "Wait... why Starbucks? Aren't you an engineer?" I questioned.

"So? Is it forbidden to be a barista when you're an engineer?" she laughed.

"You're like a pre-teen. You study hard for five years and then you're just going to be a barista?" Brother looked at her incredulously. Indeed, I still remember, they both cried with mom when they were five. Then they almost failed their board exam. Several tries before they became licensed. And now, Krisha will become a barista? Just wow.

"Do you even know how to make coffee?" I asked her.

She nodded. "Sure! I took a crash course in bartending," she replied.

"You did a crash course and then you didn't include me?" Brother asked with a confused expression.

"You were busy with your girlfriend before," Krisha answered, and he looked away. "What? Aren't we going to eat yet? I'm hungry."

I sat down to eat, and they did the same. Krisha only bought cooked food. When Brother is the one who cooks, oh... the house will burn down.

Conversation:

Brother: How are you, Sister? Do you have work yet?

Krisha: I already started earlier.

Brother: Nice! Where?

Krisha: Starbucks.

Both: (gaping) Wait... why Starbucks? Aren't you an engineer?

Krisha: So? Is it forbidden to be a barista when you're an engineer?

Brother: You're like a pre-teen. You study hard for five years and then you're just going to be a barista?

Krisha: (laughs) Do you even know how to make coffee?

Candice: (nodding) Sure! I took a crash course in bartending.

Brother: You did a crash course and then you didn't include me?

Krisha: You were busy with your girlfriend before. What? Aren't we going to eat yet? I'm hungry.

Krisha really wants to pursue culinary arts. She loves to cook. But my brother aspires to be an engineer. Well, I'm helplessly in love with Brother, so that's it... where it is, there it is.

It's love.

After I finished eating, I immediately returned to my room to work on my manuscript. Endless ideas swirled in my head. A lot of what-ifs. Suddenly, the world seemed like a vast ocean, with so many fish out there just waiting to be caught.

I was so engrossed in my manuscript that I didn't realize Poopy was already reading what I was writing.

"Hey!" I pushed him away. "Do not read." It's amazing when someone else reads what you write or type. I feel like my privacy is being violated.

"I read that in your mind. It's just messy," he said to me with a smile.

I gave him a stern look. "Stop reading my mind, will you?"

"Why would I? I like reading your thoughts. They are so random," he commented.

"You're really unfair," I said to him with a frown. I finally closed my laptop and then faced him. "Why can't I get inside your head?"

He smiled at me. "Because you're already here."

"Huh?"

He shook his head. "Nothing. What's the manuscript about?" changing the topic.

Conversation:

Candice: Hey! Do not read.

Poopy: I read that in your mind. It's just messy.

Candice: Stop reading my mind, will you?

Poopy: Why would I? I like reading your thoughts. They are so random.

Candice: You're really unfair. Why can't I get inside your head?

Poopy: Because you're already here.

Candice: Huh?

Poopy: Nothing. What's the manuscript about?

"It's about a matchmaker... and you."

His eyebrows furrowed. "A love story between a matchmaker and me?" he asked.

I nodded. "But that's just pure fiction! You might think so I have HD with you," I immediately explained.

He laughed. "Nah... it's unlikely to happen. And it shouldn't happen. We can never be together. Fate won't allow it."

"But that's a romantic notion, right? The angel of love falls in love with his matchmaker. That's sure to sell. There are so many hopeless romantics in the world."

"Love transcends the laws of heaven and earth. If only it were true..." He sighed.

"Yeah..."

It was romantic when a matchmaker and the angel of love fell in love and stayed together. In a way, though, it could be tragic. What if they can't be together? What if they are punished when they insist on what they want?

It seems more believable when the outcome of the story is tragic, but since I know that the happy ending will sell better, it's not just a happy ending.

"What's so good about a happy ending? Why do you want a happy ending so much? Wasn't the notion saddening, given the fact that it's an ending? It seems like you won't be able to enjoy happiness if it's already over story. Why not have a happy journey instead?" he asked one after another.

Conversation:

Candice: It's about a matchmaker... and you.

Poopy: A love story between a matchmaker and me?

Candice: But that's just pure fiction! You might think so I have HD with you.

Poopy: (laughs) Nah... it's unlikely to happen. And it shouldn't happen. We can never be together. Fate won't allow it.

Candice: But that's a romantic notion, right? The angel of love falls in love with his matchmaker. That's sure to sell. There are so many hopeless romantics in the world.

Poopy: Love transcends the laws of heaven and earth. If only it were true... (sighs)

Candice: Yeah...

Poopy: What's so good about a happy ending? Why do you want a happy ending so much? Wasn't the notion saddening, given the fact that it's an ending? It seems like you won't be able to enjoy happiness if it's already over. Why not have a happy journey instead?

"People love the idea of hope. You know that... even if the journey is bad or tragic, as long as they have something happy to look forward to, it's okay. Most people prefer that to being happy right now but the ending, tragic," I explained to him.

"Yeah, but a happy journey means you have lived a fulfilling life, right? Why do you prefer short-lived happiness?"

I shrugged at him. "Beats me. I'm often bemused with my own kind."

"You people are so complicated."

"But that's what makes us beautiful, right?" I suddenly remembered the One Direction song. LOL. "How about you, angels? How do you think?"

"We see things way too clearly. We could even see the consequences of our every act. So we often do the right thing."

"Do you make mistakes?"

He nodded. "Of course. Even He makes mistakes. Only... He does them on purpose, so that doesn't really count."

My mouth formed an O in amusement. When I actually talk to him, I can't stop being amazed. He knows a lot.

"Did you ever commit a mistake?" I asked him.

"Yes... one."

"And what mistake is that?" I asked curiously.

"I can't tell you. It would be another mistake on my part if I do," he answered.

"Come on," I insisted. "It won't be that grave of a mistake, maybe?"

Conversation:

Candice: People love the idea of hope. You know that... even if the journey is bad or tragic, as long as they have something happy to look forward to, it's okay. Most people prefer that to being happy right now but the ending, tragic.

Poopy: Yeah, but a happy journey means you have lived a fulfilling life, right? Why do you prefer short-lived happiness?

Candice: Beats me. I'm often bemused with my own kind.

Poopy: You people are so complicated.

Candice: But that's what makes us beautiful, right? (laughs) How about you, angels? How do you think?

Poopy: We see things way too clearly. We could even see the consequences of our every act. So we often do the right thing.

Candice: Do you make mistakes?

Poopy: Of course. Even He makes mistakes. Only... He does them on purpose, so that doesn't really count.

Candice: (amused) Did you ever commit a mistake?

Poopy: Yes... one.

Candice: And what mistake is that?

Poopy: I can't tell you. It would be another mistake on my part if I do.

Candice: Come on. It won't be that grave of a mistake, maybe?

He gave me a tight smile. "On the contrary, it was the gravest mistake I've ever committed."

"But-"

"You're wondering why I still could do all those things I showed you." It was not a question. It was a statement. He was reading my mind again. He sighed. "I was hoping you won't ask, but I guess that's inevitable. This... was my detention. I was ordered to take someone under my wing—no, not just someone—you in particular. I was about to make you a matchmaker. It was my gravest punishment."

"Huh? How was that punishment for you? Am I that hard to teach?"

"Do you have any idea on what's the gravest mistake an angel could commit?" he asked me weakly.

I shook my head.

"Fall in love," was his answer. Shock. Bewilderment. Confusion. My brain suddenly went haywire. "I committed that mistake, Candice. I fell in love..."

"Whose?"

"I can't tell you." My shoulders slumped in disappointment. You know that feeling of being given a big bar of chocolate and then taking it back? That... that's the feeling. Hang up. "I'll tell you this though. If you did not fulfill the task at hand by next Valentine's Day, you will be taking my duty as a matchmaker forever. And as for me, I will remain as is. Neither mortal nor angel. No one anyone will see me but them. And I will be given one feeling and it will stay with me for eternity."

"And what feeling is that?"

"Misery. I'm bound to be miserable forever."

Conversation:

Candice: On the contrary, it was the gravest mistake I've ever committed.

Poopy: You're wondering why I still could do all those things I showed you. I was hoping you won't ask, but I guess that's inevitable. This... was my detention. I was ordered to take someone under my wing—no, not just someone—you in particular. I was about to make you a matchmaker. It was my gravest punishment.

Candice: Huh? How was that punishment for you? Am I that hard to teach?

Poopy: Do you have any idea on what's the gravest mistake an angel could commit? (weakly) Fall in love.

Candice: (shocked) Whose?

Poopy: I can't tell you. I'll tell you this though. If you did not fulfill the task at hand by next Valentine's Day, you will be taking my duty as a matchmaker forever. And as for me, I will remain as is. Neither mortal nor angel. No one anyone will see me but them. And I will be given one feeling, and it will stay with me for eternity.

Candice: And what feeling is that?

Poopy: Misery. I'm bound to be miserable forever.