Chapter 2

Chap 2

RYLAN'S POV

"Would you like something to drink?" he asked.

"Oh, don't worry, thank you very much for the food you gave me. The last time I ate was yesterday," I said, taking a bite of the fries that I dipped in ketchup.

"Also, thank you for saving me earlier. If you hadn't stood up for me, I might have become a call boy."

"You thank me too much, all of it are fine ," he replied, I also noticed that he was standing in front of me.

"You stay here, I'll just buy inside."

I couldn't stop him because he was walking so fast. I just continued eating. It didn't take long and he was back.

"Here," he offered, handing over the purchased soft drink to me.

I just accepted it and said thank you. A few minutes later, I was about to finish eating, but suddenly he spoke and I turned to him.

'He's still here,' I thought. I was amused by the food because I only tasted something like this for the first time.

"It's been a month since I came home to the Philippines, because I worked abroad for several years," he continued.

I didn't answer and just listened. He gave me food so I felt obliged to listen to him. 'Hayys, I also have a different way of showing my gratitude.'

"You Rylan, which province are you from and why did you decide to come here to Manila?"

I turned to him because of his question.

"Oh, I'm from Bulacan, I happened to be here in Manila like other people from the provinces who want to get a job. The difference between the city and the province is not new to me. Many people there advised me to be careful when I come here. Especially my parents, I know they are worried about me, but I really persevered to come here because I want to help them."

He was just staring straight in front of us, but I noticed that he was still nodding every now and then, meaning that he was listening.

"I have younger siblings who are studying now, that's why, if I find a job here, I want to support their education, I also want to send money to my mother to reduce our debt and if I'm lucky, maybe I can stop them from working, especially dad. His job is very dangerous."

"What is your father's job?" he asked while turning to me.

"He works in a rice field."

"What's so dangerous about that? Is the land he's farming eating humans?" he asked again laughing.

I looked at him and boredom is evident in my face before answering..."He's not a farmer, he sprays chemicals in the rice fields," I insisted.

'He's crazy, he just asked me is the rice fields are consuming a human.'

"Of course, he might get sick because of that," he agreed while scratching the back of his neck.

Now he realizes what he said earlier. And that little thing relieved the sadness I was feeling. 'At least, he knows how to joke' I said to myself with a smile.

But the little joy I felt didn't last long either when I remembered my father's condition. Hopefully I can find a job here before he catches up and gets sick.

'But, who would accept me in any job if I haven't showered yet,' I thought to myself as I secretly smelled my armpits.

"I've been living in a condo since I went to high school," he said, a look of surprise on his face as he looked at what I was doing.

"Condo? Is that what you mean?" I asked him, pointing at a tall building not far from us.

"Yes, that's right, it's nice to live in a condo, it's high and the view is really amazing. But when I was coming back to the country, I decided to buy a house here in the Philippines so that I could have privacy and tranquility," he continued.

Honestly, I don't know the reason why he is telling me all this, but he was able to listen to me earlier so I will do the same for him.

"---and what I wanted came true, when I got back here in the Philippines I thought of buying a house in a subdivision in Makati. The house is beautiful, I got my privacy and tranquility that's what I want but..." cutting he said more.

"But?" I asked him curiously.

"--it's just that I need a maid. I don't know how to cook, every morning I only drink coffee, and then I can't clean the house anymore because I'm busy with work," he moaned with difficulty as he caught his breath.

What he said made me think, I was about to throw my dignity and ask if I could apply but he suddenly spoke again.

"Do you know how to clean the house?"

'Of course, that's my job in our house because my mother isn't always around to do that, she's busy doing laundry next door and taking a small work at the market.'

"Do you know how to cook?"

I'm sure of that. I really like to cook and it's my hobby, maybe because of the many times I've been working in a restaurant before. I'm also happy when others like my cooking.'

"Yes, I know how to, why did you ask?"

"Can you just take you as my maid?"

I suddenly became deaf because of what he said. I just thinking how to ask if I can apply and then he already hiring me. I was still dumbfounded while staring at his face.

"Are you willing to take job, Rylan?"

Wait, I have to answer because this is what I've been waiting for, to have work. This is it so I won't miss it anymore.

"S-Sure, Dylan! I accept the job. Thank you very much!!!" I happily replied with a series of nods.

'Goodness, today is really lucky for me!'

"So, where are your things?"

"Ah, my belongings is in Quiapo. I'm just leaving my stuff there. Then, in the afternoon I'll pick it up," I answered, while following his walk.

"Come on, let's get your stuff."

'Huh? But Quiapo is a bit far from here... I don't have the fare either, I don't want to spend this gay money, it's not mine.'

"Don't worry, I have a car with me," he said with a smile.

We got to the fastfood parking lot when I saw a very nice car, it was black and it really looked like it was going to be expensive. I just noticed that he was already there and was waving me to come closer.

"Get in," he said as he opened the car door.

The truth is that I'm ashamed, I don't want his car to be dirty because of my dirty clothes, that's why even though he's waiting for me, I still can't move and follow his order.

"Is there a problem?" he asked with a mixture of concern.

"Nothing, what... I'm just going to walk. Can you wait for me there," I answered, also noticing the furrowing of his eyebrows.

"I know we haven't known each other for long, but I'm not a bad person Rylan, I won't hurt you and especially I won't take you to another place whenever you get in my car," he answered with sadness.

I was shocked by what he said, it seems that we didn't really understand each other because I have no doubts about his personality, in fact I feel at ease and I feel secure when I'm with him.

"Huh? That's not what I was thinking, Dylan, what... the truth is that I'm ashamed to ride, besides being dirty, I'm--"

"Rylan, you don't have to worry about it, it's okay." he said with a smile.

I don't know, but because of those smiles of his, my mind was confused and in the end I couldn't refuse him. I didn't do anything and just got into his car. It's cold inside and very fragrant.

"Rylan put on your seat belt," he ordered because I don't know how to put it on so I don't know what am I doing.

Maybe he noticed that I don't know how to fasten the seat belt he was talking about, so I was suddenly surprised when he approached me and seemed to hug me, so I just closed my eyes.

After a few seconds of closing my eyes and holding my breath, I heard a 'click'. I was embarrassed, he just fastened the seat belt, I was nervous, I thought he was going to do something. When I turned around, I noticed the smile on his lips.

The car started moving. As I looked out the window. He was just looking straight ahead and serious about driving.

Things happened so fast, I still can't believe it, I finally have a job.

I suddenly remembered when I first arrived here in Manila, the buildings that surrounds me were dizzying, I felt like a crazy person standing in the middle of the road where many people were walking fast and passing around me. It's very refreshing here in the city, everyone is so busy and in a hurry.

It seems like they will lose a lot if a minute passes.

The first day I arrived in the city, I spent it immediately applying instead of looking for a place to stay, so when night came, that time I don't know where to sleep. Maybe because I was tired, I decided to sit in front of a closed shop and unexpectedly, sleepiness visited me there.

The days went on and on, I was still saving the two hundred pesos that was my last money, almost a loaf of bread and a lot of water was my technique to make my money last a little longer, even though I knew it wasn't enough for in the next few days.

I also experienced a lot of sadness and longing because I feel like my heart is about to give up, I want to go home I know that, but there is a part of my heart that tells me that I have to be strong for my family. Apart from the fatigue and hardship, that is not the only thing I have experienced in my few days of staying here in the city.

"Rylan? Are you really okay? I've been calling you for a while now," Dylan said.

"Ah, yes, I'm fine. Where are we?"

"We arrived a while ago and stopped here, but you didn't move so I was worried about you."

"I see, I'm really sorry, let's go," I said in a hurry to cover up the shame I felt.

When we got out, my eyes immediately searched for who I had left behind my belongings, it was just a bag with only dirty clothes.

While we were walking around, I finally saw her, she was an old woman selling banana cue here in front of the church.

"Grandma, thank you so much for always watching over my stuff," I said happily.

"Oh, that's nothing, you should always be careful hijo."

While I was talking to Grandma, I didn't notice that Dylan was behind me.

"Grandma, how much is this?" he asked the old women.

"One of these banana cues is 12 pesos hijo."

I was embarrassed to think that maybe he was hungry because he gave me his food earlier, but I also didn't think that even though Dylan is rich, he eats street foods like this.

"Alright, I'll buy all your goods so you can go home early," said Dylan, smiling at the old woman.

Lola couldn't believe what Dylan said, neither could I.

'He looks very hungry indeed.'