CHAPTER 2

After opening my room, I quickly took off my high-heels and then just threw them somewhere and then went to my bed and slumped down there. I lay down horizontally.

I immediately felt the fatigue of my body. The room is so quiet.

I am the only one living in here since I decided to fulfilled my dreams five years ago.

I was drowsy and tired but I still tried to get up and go to my small bathroom.

I took off all the clothes on my body and submerged in the cold water flowing from the shower.

After a few minutes, I came out of the bathroom naked. I then wore a pair of pyjamas.

Suddenly, I heard my stomach growling. I was about to go to sleep but I am really hungry.

I put on my slippers and took my wallet then left my room.

The hallway I was walking in was still quiet. I looked at the time on my wrist watch.

Seven minutes before midnight.

I quietly walks downstairs.

I passed the small side table near the door where our landlady was sitting and quietly wrote something on her notebook while computing on the calculator next to the notebook. I haven't noticed her after I entered the place. The landlady is already in her 60’s but the way she fix her face and wore a dress, she looks like she’s only in her 40’s. But the wrinkles on her face were visible. She’s always awake from night ‘til dawn.

There is only one thing I hates most about her. It’s her bad attitude. She really loves shouting at people. I can't remember a conversation between the two of us that went really well.

"Good night, miss!" I greeted her. But I received no response from her.

I was about to go out when the old lady suddenly spoke. "Where are you going?" She asked.

I stopped walking. When I looks back at her, she’s still looking down at her notebook while writing.

I turned forward and smiled at her. "Just about to buy something outside to eat." I replied.

The old lady raised her head and an evil look appeared on her face as if she’s ready to shout at me at any moment.

I maintained a sweet smile on my lips even though I am not already comfortable with the looks she’s giving to me 

"What’s the month now?" The old lady asked.

Slowly, my smile faded and was replaced by astonishment.

"Uhm… November?!" I confusedly answered.

"And?" She adds.

The old lady frowned even more because of my response to her question.

Minute had passed while both of us remained silent.

Suddenly, the old lady hit the table in front of her with a bit of force, causing the items placed there to shake slightly.

I also flinched in shock.

I was suddenly nervous because of her act.

"You haven't paid your rent for three damn months." She said in a strong tone.

I suddenly remembered. Shit! How could I forget about that?!

Suddenly the old lady laid her palms in front of me. "Where is it?" She asked while raising her eyebrow.

I snatched my wallet from the pocket of my pyjamas then opened it and took five thousand pesos from it.

I then closed the wallet again before returning it to my pocket.

I plastered a sweet smile again on my lips before placing the money on the lady’s palm.

"I'll just add more tomorrow." I said, still smiling.

The old lady immediately closed her palms then counted the money then crumpled it and pinned it to the notebook.

"You can leave now." She said and then looked down at her notebook again.

I bowed slightly to it. "Thanks a lot." There was still a slight smile on my lips.

I walked out. I am just going to walk to the nearby 7/11 store in our place. I will have less money to buy food if I still uses a tricycle. I am just going to walk, after all, it's not that far. The sari-sari stores near tus are also closed because it is already midnight.

After more than ten minutes of walking I had already arrived. I immediately went inside and took a cart and headed to the noodles stall.

I grabbed two cups of noodles and two pieces of spicy extra big pancit canton. I also took five pieces of eggs and a penny of salt each. I also added bath and dishwashing detergents.

I roamed around the area to buy all the other things I needed.

In a few minutes, I finished shopping and was about to go to the cashier to pay when my eyes caught the single piece of my favourite selecta ice cream pandan flavour in the freezer. I am saving money but I am craving of my  favourite ice cream.

"P299!" I exclaimed at the price of it. "It's too expensive! Will I be satisfied with it in two weeks?! What's going on in the Philippines?! Why is a simple ice cream even expensive?! My god!”

I stared at the ice cream for a seconds. My mind is debating whether to buy it or not because I has more important things to buy than eating an ice cream.

Even if it was just a small amount, I don't have spare money.

In just a few seconds, I had already decided.

I took a deep breath before pushing the cart towards the cashier.

Back then, such amounts were only coins for me. But after what happened in my past, even fifty pesos is hard for me to spend on anything especially on useless stuffs 

Especially now that I have studying siblings and a sick mother who needs monthly financial support.

I put down what I purchases one by one at the counter and the cashier immediately took care of them.

After paying, I immediately left.

As I was walking home, suddenly there were hands appeared in front of me face and the ice cream K was looking at earlier was on it which caused md to stop walking and turn to someone.

A man taller than me and with a muscular physique, in a blue polo shirt with sleeves folded up to the elbows and black jeans stood by his side and held out his hands in front of me. His nose is pointy and his hair is a bit messy which makes him even more handsome. His blue eyes are also brighter. It is also obvious that the man has a foreign blood. 

But despite the amazement of his looks, I was astonished to see what he was doing.

What is he doing? My mind asked.

"For you." He said with a wide smile.

His voice is very baritone and manly.

I frowned even more at what he said.

Why is he giving me the ice cream? Do I know him? This is the first time I saw him.

"Uhm.. Sorry I don't know you so I won't accept that." I said with a forced smile on my lips.

I noticed that the man's face was slightly wrinkled so I felt guilty.

"It's a pity. I don't usually eat ice cream. I saw you staring at it earlier and it looks like you like it so I bought it for you." He said. "I know I'm weird because I suddenly approached you even though we didn't know each other. Sorry for the inconvenience. All right, I'll be going now." He said with a smile but obviously, it was just a forced smile. It stepped back from me 

"Wait!" I quickly grabbed the man's elbow, causing him to stop walking.

When he turned at me again, I immediately reached for the ice cream that was in his palms. It wasn't in cellophane so I immediately felt the cold of it.

"Thank you very much for this." I said smiling.

I am a very compassionate person. I don't want to see people feel sorry for me even if I doesn’t know them yet. But, I also don't want to offend them.

A smile spread on the lips of the man, he is smiling at me.

I didn't know why I was so light-hearted when it comes to people. Maybe because of the kindness he is showing to me. Or maybe because I just have a really soft heart for anyone.

"I'm Kiel." The man introduced himself with a smile and laid his palm in front of me.

I accepted his hand.

"Dahliah." O responded.

Immediately, our hands parted.

“By the way, why are you still out? It's already quite late at night." He smiled.

“Ahh… I just bought something. I just came home from work." I replied.

Kiel nodded.

"Are you just going to walk home?"

I nodded. “Yes. It's not too far from where I'm staying."

“Uhm… is it okay if I walk with you? I will just accompany you on your way." He offered.

I wondered if I would agree or not. Even though the person I was talking to seemed to be kind, I did not know him completely. I didn't know what he would do to me.

“Don’t worry. I’m harmless. I promise." He even raised his one arm as if his swearing.

I smiled at his act.

“All right. Let's go." I said and went ahead to walk.

I felt him following me.

For a few minutes, no one spoke between the two of us until Kiel broke that silence when he suddenly cleared his throat so I turned to him.

"So… What do you do for a living?" He asked.

I looked at him.

"I am a flight attendant on an airline here in the Philippines." I replied. The man nodded.

"For you, is your job hard?"

I thought about it.

“It is quite difficult because we have to stay awake for about twenty four hours to take care of the passengers. But the fatigue becomes worth it when I see the smiles and the satisfaction of those people that I serve." I said with a wide smile on my lips.

“How about your lovelife? Any special someone?” He asked.

I slightly laughed at the question.

“Nothing. There are more important things I need to focus on than that lovelife."

"We're the same." Kiiel agreed.

We talked a lot more until I realised that we are right in front of my apartment building.

I turned to Kiel.

"Do you live here?" He immediately questioned. I nodded in response.

“All right, I’ll be ahead of you. Thanks for accompanying me."

The person in front smiled broadly. "You're welcome. Nice to meet you. I hope we’ll meet again.”

"Me too." I replied. "Be careful on your way home."

I immediately turned around and stepped into the apartment.

I stopped walking and faced Kiel once again. He’s looking at me. The smile does not disappear from his lips. I waved at him. He also waved back at me.

I turned around again and went upstairs to my room.

When I got inside, I immediately cooked and ate. 

I also ate half of the ice cream that Kiel gave me 

Even though they only knew each other for a short time, I was immediately relieved and confortable around him. Maybe I am just like this to everyone I know and interact with. I am kind to everyone. I am kind to people who were also kind to me. I was only straightforward sometimes when i spoke.

But, the moment we talked earlier, the man seemed familiar to me. I seemed to have seen him somewhere but I just couldn’t figure out where and when.

I did not forget about Kiel until I was completely asleep. 

I woke up when suddenly my alarm clock rang loudly. I took it from the bedside table and then turned it off.

I removed the blanket that covered my body and stretched.

I slowly got up and went to the bathroom to take a shower. Then I went to the kitchen to cook the two eggs I bought last night.

When the egg was cooked, I combed my hair before going out for a while to buy marinated chicken and rice at the cafeteria just across from our apartment 

When I returned, I immediately put on the plate what I had bought as well as the egg I had boiled. I know how to cook but I am lazy and my body still hurts from overwork.

I looked at the time on the wall clock glued near my refrigerator. 01:14 pm

It’s already afternoon.

I was finishing my meal when my phone suddenly rang from my room which was open, so I left the food for a while and immediately went to my bed.

I looked at the caller I.D. Jean.

"What else does she need now?" I asked weakly.

I answered the call and put it to ny ear.

"Hello?"

I was greeted by a loud sound from the other line. Sounds of very loud music and shouting of people. I knew immediately where Jean was right now.

“Hello? Hello? Jean?” I called her name but all I could hear are the loud sounds.

I frowned as I waited for the person on the other line to speak.

"This woman is at the bar again. It's still early.” I said in a low tone but I was sure my friend would not hear what I just said.

"Hello, my frenny!" It was my friend's voice. I could clearly hear her voice now. I think it came out so she could talk to me properly.

"Do you need something?" I asked calmly.

I heard my friend on the other line shudder. "You alright?" I asked worriedly.

“Yesss!!” Jean answered like a snake.

“It's still early to get drunk. Maybe something bad will happen to you in there. You know that place is dangerous for those like you who are modest and have a weak alcohol tolerance."

“Tsk! Stop talking nonsense. You are not my mother. I am with my friends anyway. Don’t worry about me, frenny.” Jean responded.

“Your friends brought you to disaster before. Hayst! You haven’t learned your lesson.”

There was a one time that this woman was almost got raped because of her so-called “friends” that let her go with a crazy man when she was so drunk.

“Just shut up. You talk too much. I'm not too drunk yet. I’ll just ask if you’ve decided to come with us?!”

I suddenly remembered her offer.

If I was the one to be asked, I would have wanted to come, I would be giving myself a break once in a while but, I am currently saving money for my family who are depending on me. Even if she said that I will only be paying 30%, that is still a lot of money.

“I’ll pass. I don't have a budget for that.” I replied.

"You don't have a budget for yourself but you are spending a lot for the people who are not blood related to you. Tsk!”

I just took a deep breath.

No one really understands what I do for the people who I call “family”. I would just prefer this way so that no one else would know what happened in my past. I didn't want to remember any of those.

"I already gave you my answer and that's it. If you don't have anything to say, I'll end this call." I said with a hint of finalization.

“Tsk! It's up to you!” The person on the other line then immediately turned off the call.

I looked on my cell phone for a moment as I lowered it. Then I went back to eating. I just ignored Jean.

I took a shower after eating and went to a laundry shop near us because I had not been able to do laundry for several weeks due to my excessive focus on my work.

While waiting inside the laundry shop and texting the person I calls “mom”, suddenly someone sat next to me causing me to stop typing and turn around.

At a single glance, I immediately recognized who it was.

"Kiel," I uttered his name.

I saw that he was carrying a basket full of many clothes.

He looked at me with a wide smile. “Hi! You are also here.”

"Ahh… Yes." I answered sparingly then smiled slightly at him. They stared at each other for a moment.

"There’s still a vacant one." I cracked as they both stared at an empty machine.

He smiled at me. "Wait a minute." He said.

I nodded.

I watched his every move. He acts so manly. His physique is muscular, it is unbelievable that someone like him is in a place like this. He looks like a rich guy. From the looks of him, you would actually think he’s a model in a popular magazine. Such looks and physiques are what I often sees in magazines.

I first said goodbye to my mother through text before putting my cellphone in the pocket of my shorts.

Kiel sat down next to me again. "So… How are you?... I mean, how was your sleep?" He started a conversation.

“Uhm… It's good. I woke up in the afternoon from the sweetness of my sleep.” I then laughed awkwardly.

"Me too. I was thinking of you.” He replied. A reason for me to stare at him.

"H-ha?"

"Nothing. I came home late last night so I also woke up late.” He then said with an awkward smile and scratched his head.

"Ahh!" I then smiled sparingly.

I turned to the front. "Wait a minute." I then quickly stood up and went to my clothes in a laundry machine.

We stayed in the laundry shop for a few more minutes while waiting for what we were doing to finish. We didn’t talk much.

When we got out, Kiel suddenly spoke. "Uhm… Are you out of work today?" He asked. 

I nodded my head. "The company gave us a one month vacation so I don’t have work today and for the next few days and weeks." I amswered.