The Restaurant Was Charming, The Kind Of Place You’d Only Stumble Upon If You Knew Exactly Where To
The restaurant was charming, the kind of place you’d only stumble upon if you knew exactly where to look. Warm lights cast a soft glow over the table, and the hum of quiet conversation filled the space. We had been talking about everything—our favorite places to visit, the movies that shaped us, even our love-hate relationship with dating apps. It was one of those nights where everything felt easy. Until the food arrived.
The waiter approached, carefully setting a large, beautifully arranged seafood platter between us. Shrimp, mussels, oysters—the works. The kind of dish that would impress any other date. But for me? It was like watching a horror show unfold in slow motion.
I froze, staring at the plate as my stomach sank. The last time I’d come into contact with seafood, I ended up in the hospital, my throat closing before I could even realize what was happening. The mere sight of it was enough to send my heart racing.
“Everything alright?” he asked, noticing my hesitation.
I glanced up, not wanting to make a scene, but there was no avoiding it.
“Uh… I’m actually allergic to seafood,” I said, my voice quieter than usual.
His eyes widened in shock, and for a split second, I saw the panic flash across his face.
“Oh God, I’m so sorry,” he said, his hand immediately going to his forehead like he couldn’t believe his own mistake. “I didn’t even think to ask. I swear I’ll double-check next time!”
I couldn’t help but smile, even as the waiter, who overheard, swiftly took the plate away to replace it with something less life-threatening.
“It’s okay,” I replied, waving it off, though I couldn’t quite hide the nervous laugh that followed. “Happens more often than you’d think.”
He looked relieved, but the guilt still hung in the air. He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table, his expression sincere.
“No, really, that’s on me. I should’ve asked. I don’t want to accidentally kill you on a first date,” he said with a grin, though the joke barely masked his embarrassment.
I laughed, the tension breaking a little more. “Yeah, that would definitely put a damper on things.”
As we waited for the replacement dish, the conversation flowed again, though with a few seafood-related jokes sprinkled in.
“I’ll be sure to stay far away from shellfish from now on,” he added with a sheepish smile. “You’ve made me rethink my entire seafood-loving existence.”
“Well,” I said, “at least you’ll never forget this date.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “No chance. Next time, I’m asking about everything. I’m talking allergies, preferences, zodiac signs—whatever I need to know to avoid another seafood disaster.”
I couldn’t help but be charmed by how quickly he turned the situation around. It wasn’t just that he apologized; it was that he genuinely cared. He wasn’t trying to brush it off or make me feel like I was overreacting. He was thoughtful, and the way he handled it—so effortlessly kind—was something I didn’t expect but appreciated more than I could say.
As the night went on, it became less about the seafood mishap and more about how we laughed through it. That small moment could’ve been awkward or embarrassing, but instead, it brought us closer. His genuine concern and the way he quickly promised to do better next time told me a lot about who he was.
When the new dish finally arrived—this time a seafood-free option—he grinned. “Now, how’s that for a safer choice?”
I smiled back. “Perfect."
The night wrapped up, and as we left the restaurant, the cool breeze brushing past us, I found myself thinking about how one small mistake revealed so much about someone’s character. It wasn’t about avoiding errors or being perfect; it was about how we handle those little bumps along the way.
As we said goodnight, he leaned in and said, “Next time, it’s on me. And I promise, no seafood.”
“Deal,” I said, laughing. “Just steer clear of lobsters, okay?”
We parted ways, and as I walked home, I realized something. It wasn’t the flawless date that stuck with me—it was the way he turned a near disaster into something that felt like the beginning of something real. A small mistake, yes, but one handled with so much care that I couldn’t help but look forward to whatever came next.
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So, here I am, sitting by the window, and I can't help but wonder—what's up with the weather today? It's one of those bizarre days where the sun is shining like it’s trying to convince us it’s summer in full swing, yet at the same time, it's raining. And not just a light drizzle. Nope, proper rain. But here’s the kicker: there are no rain clouds in sight.
It’s like the weather couldn’t decide what kind of mood it wanted to be in today, so it thought, “Why not both?” The sun is out in all its blazing glory, making everything glisten, and yet there’s rain falling from what appears to be a perfectly clear sky. Honestly, it’s kind of funny and confusing at the same time. I keep looking outside, expecting to see dark clouds rolling in, but nope. Just blue skies, light clouds, sunshine, and a very confused me.
It’s one of those surreal moments where nature decides to remind you that it doesn’t play by the rules. It's like the universe is saying, “Who says rain and sunshine can’t coexist?” If you look outside, it’s like a scene from a dream. The ground is wet, but the air is warm. Raindrops are hitting the window, yet there’s light pouring into the room. It’s like the sky is crying and laughing at the same time.
In a strange way, I kind of love this kind of weather. It’s unexpected, and there’s something magical about the contrast. Plus, who doesn’t like a good rainbow moment after the weird mix of rain and sunshine? It’s like the weather’s way of saying, “Okay, I might’ve been a little confusing, but here’s something beautiful to make up for it.”
At the end of the day, it just goes to show how unpredictable and wild nature can be. It’s one of those things where all you can do is sit back, laugh, and enjoy the strange beauty of it all.
This summer, I’m heading to Iloilo... alone. My best friend was supposed to join me, but she has important things to take care of, and I don’t want to get in the way.
I’ve already envisioned all the things I want to do in Iloilo. Plus, I’ll be attending a wedding in Capiz, which makes me even more excited for the trip!
Depression is an odd thing. It doesn’t always stem from a single reason, and it’s not something I can just “snap out of.” There’s a common misconception that people are depressed because they’re constantly sad, but that’s not always the case. For me, it feels like a heavy weight that sits on my chest, something that zaps my energy, motivation, and joy—even on days when everything is going okay.
Some days, it’s the little things that pile up: unanswered emails, personal doubts, the pressure of being a parent—especially to a son with autism—and the overwhelming sense that I’m just not doing enough. Other times, it’s bigger, unresolved issues, like dealing with loss, past traumas, or feeling like I’m constantly underperforming in areas of my life, despite my best efforts.
Living with depression also makes relationships tricky. I often feel disconnected from people, even those I love. Sometimes, I withdraw, not because I don’t care but because I just don’t have the energy to keep up. Other times, I overcompensate, trying too hard to be present, only to feel drained afterward.
As a single mother, I’m responsible for more than just myself, and that pressure can be overwhelming. While I love my son deeply, managing life on my own sometimes feels like walking uphill with weights tied to my legs. It’s not about him—it’s about the relentless pressure of trying to be everything for everyone while still battling my own inner demons.
I go to therapy because I know I need help unraveling everything that’s been tangled up inside for years. There are days when I feel a glimmer of hope, when I feel like maybe things are turning around. But there are also days when I just need to ride out the storm, trusting that even though it feels endless, it will eventually pass.
So if I seem distant, tired, or not like myself, it’s not that I’m avoiding anyone. It’s just that I’m doing my best to survive the battle that’s happening inside my own head.
Friendships are supposed to be straightforward, right? You trust each other, you have each other’s backs, and you keep the big stuff honest. But right now, I’m sitting with a secret that’s tying my stomach in knots, and I have no idea what to do.
My best friend’s boyfriend—someone I never thought I’d have a problem with—has sent me indecent messages after him opening up about his escapades. At first, I brushed it off. Maybe I misunderstood. Maybe it was a weird, out-of-context joke. But it’s clear now that it wasn’t. His intentions are blatantly wrong, and I feel trapped.
Do I tell her? Do I risk being the one to ruin everything? I know how much she loves him. What if she doesn’t believe me? What if it blows up in my face and our friendship never recovers?
But then, how do I stay quiet? Every time I see them together, it feels like I’m lying to her by not saying anything. She deserves to know what kind of person he is. But telling her would mean breaking her heart and possibly being the reason her world falls apart.
I keep playing the scenarios in my head, and none of them end well. If I speak up, I might lose her. If I stay silent, I’m protecting a secret that’s eating me alive. How do you even choose between two terrible options like this?
I wish I had answers, but right now, all I have is this sinking feeling that no matter what I do, someone’s going to get hurt—and I might lose someone I care about either way.
And scars are souvenirs you never lose The past is never far
I choked on my pill. 😂 Jesus.
"Not Wasting My Time on People and Things That Don’t Deserve It"
There’s a point where we start to realize that time is one of our most valuable resources. Every moment spent on people or things that don’t uplift, inspire, or even respect us is a moment we can never get back. Whether it's relationships that drain us or tasks that don’t align with our goals, learning to say no is a form of self-respect. It's about choosing wisely—investing time in people who genuinely care and things that truly matter. The more I understand this, the more I protect my peace and prioritize my energy for what’s really worth it.
