Chapter II: The Intruder

I stormed all the way through my bathroom leaving the weirdo who was making himself busy, looking around. I roamed my eyes through every corner of my bathroom, the rope was missing. I couldn't find it anywhere. I even opened the mini cabinet attached to the wall beside the small mirror. Wala. It was gone. Naglaho na parang bula.

So, he wasn’t bluffing when he said that he did not see any rope. When I came back to my room, he was still there. “I believe I already told you to leave, haven’t I?”

He just smirked at me. “Look, masyado na akong naging mabait sa’yo. Just leave or else I’ll call a police!” His smirk faded, he walked towards me so I took a step backwards.

“I believe I said that I would answer all of your questions. I am a man of my word, miss?” I raised a brow.

“What? Magbibigayan na tayo ng pangalan ngayon?” And then what will be next, he’ll ask for my number so that he can contact me in case he needs someone to help him. Heck, no! “I’m Chris.” He said, neglecting the thing I have just said.

Tinalikuran ko siya. Naglakad ako papunta sa kusina para uminom ng tubig. He followed me. “The door is not locked. Help yourself and leave.” Itinuro ko pa ang pinto para makita niya na gusto ko na talaga siyang paalisin.

My mood was ruined. My death day was ruined. Everything is! I could almost feel my tears building up but I tried my best to hold it back.

Just when he was about to walk his way out, my landlady opened the door. “Hoy babae! Wala ka pang bayad ngayong buwan! Anong balak mo? Ha!” She was looking straight at me so it happened that he did not noticed him. My eyes widened. Naka ayon sana lahat sa plano kung hindi lamang dumating ang lalaking ito!

Manang Tessa would be the first one to see my dead body, sana. She would always go around the apartment three days before the payment due date. I left the door opened for her to go inside and see my hanged body in the bathroom. But it did not happen!

She was looking at me furiously like I’ve done a crime. Masyado siyang sigurista sa pera. I did not answer her, “ano! Due na sa twenty-nine, sabihin mo lang kung hindi ka makakabayad. Aba! Madaming gustong mangupahan dito sa apartment na ‘to, madali akong makakahanap ng kapalit mo!” Umirap siya, and then her eyes widened after seeing him. “Aba! Aba! At may kasama ka pang lalake! Wala ito sa usapan, dadagdagan ko ang renta mo!” I was too tired to answer her so I just nodded.

“Susunod po ako sa inyo, just let us talk for a minute.”

Manang Tessa hesitantly closed the door looking at the strange guy, so he smiled at her, with that, Manang Tessa immediately smiled back and closed the door.

Fool.

I threw a glare at him, “how many times do I need to tell you to leave!?” He did not answer. He walked back into my bedroom, after a minute he came back with a paper in his hand. He handed the paper to me before walking outside my place, “thank you again.”

The creaking sound of the door registered in my ear. I threw the paper somewhere. I lost my composure and fell off the floor. It was a great idea, but it did not go according to plan. Everything seems a little bit darker, the harsh flow of water continues, the light looks like giving up. Blinking.

Blinking.

Blinking until it totally turns off.

Just how much more should I endure this pain again?

I hugged myself and cried for the same reason—I did not die.

I woke up feeling dizzy.

I still don’t want to be awake but my alarm kept on ringing. Light passed through the curtain, and as soon as it hit my skin, I knew that I was late for work, again. I quickly fixed myself and went downstairs, not minding the dust that welcomed me in the hallway.

The landlady greeted me with a wide smile, which is extremely odd. I handed her the payment for this month but she just looked at it, “binayaran na nung boyfriend mo ‘yung renta ngayong buwan. Nag-advanced na din siya ng tatlong buwan.” Her smile was dreamy, “hindi mo naman sinabi na may mayaman kang boyfriend. Tapos gwapo pa!” Hindi ko siya pinansin.

So, this is what that guy meant about susunod siya kay manang Tessa.

He pisses me off! So much!

I shrugged at her and walked my way to work.

Everything was bright and it dazzled me.

I rode a jeepney and went off Drizzela Street.

“Bruha, ‘di ka pumasok kahapon. Tapos ngayon...It’s almost eleven na!” Cristine greeted me with her loud voice, “hmm...go home, ako na ang bahalang magsarado ng café.” She stopped brewing a coffee and looked at me with amusement. “Oh, shoot! Bago ’yon ah! Tama ba dinig ko? Puwede ba na ulitin mo?” I rolled my eyes at her, “sige na, ulitin mo. Ang sarap kasi pakinggan.” She continued what she was doing. She was being loud again, good thing there are only three people at the coffee shop right now and they are busy in their own worlds. “go home. Bago ako mauntog at iwan ka dito mag-isa.”

Her smile widened, “this is for table two,” she handed me the tray with coffee and a slice of cheesecake. I just nodded while she seemed so happy, she even danced while removing her apron and going at the back door. She even muttered that she can finally go to a date she’s been postponing for a week.

I wore my apron and walked the tray to table two.

The day seems so boring and the coffee shop is gloomier than ever. The cream-white theme doesn't help the atmosphere for being too minimal, paintings all over the wall and a stalk of white flowers at every table.

Everything's so bright; I feel like I couldn't breathe. The color combinations don’t help, the three people with their laptops sipping over a cup of coffee for almost two hours is worse. The only good thing here is the money they are paying me off and that I can control the music. Shuffle it, play whatever I want, and skip it as I desire.

A shuffled song of Rivermaya is currently playing. Himala. I am enjoying the beat, feeling the rhythm, and singing along. 

Patricia came unexpectedly. She’s supposed to be back by Friday, as far as I can remember it’s just Wednesday today.

She walked in with shopping bags in her hands. “Hey! I missed you!” She said as soon as she got in, I didn't even mind looking at her. “We have less than usual, eh?” She continued blurting out nonsense all her way to her office at the backdoor. I rolled my eyes when she gestured at me to come along. Well, she’s my boss so I followed her.

“I missed you so much!” She threw all the bags on the floor and hugged me. Halos hindi na ako makahinga. She’s squeezing me like we haven't seen each other for a year!

I gently pushed her and smiled awkwardly. “You came earlier than usual.” She sat on her chair gracefully and faced me with an irritated look. “You’re supposed to be glad; you know.” I sat on the chair near her, pointing at the bags she brought, “what are those?” her giddiness came back. “Clothes! For us!” She started opening each paper bag, throwing all the dresses she said meant for me. “Patty, you don’t have to do this.” I collected all the dresses and handed them back to her.

Patricia has always been kind and I don’t want to abuse it. She’s an amazing woman, the one who was always there for me. “When I told you not to work here and stay at my place, you didn't listen. Now I just want you to try on and get the dresses and you still don’t want to take it. Nakakatampo ka na.” She crossed her arms and did her paawa-look at me.

She's been my best friend ever since, I couldn't ignore her. She screamed “yey!” and told me to close early so that we could fit the dresses together. I told her about me being unpunctual and that I made Cristine go home early because of it. She just laughed at me and told me that she’ll make herself busy at her desk, scheduling the deliveries. She even reminded me for the nth time to close the shop earlier. Wala na akong nagawa kung hindi ang sumunod, she owns the shop and I am basically one of her workers.

A few customers came in and settled themselves, my playlist was still on-going. I couldn't figure out why I was feeling this heavy, my thoughts were flying somewhere. I feel like a robot in my usual routine. I’m tired of it but I cannot do anything about it because I am programmed for it.

I have once read that the way to be happy is to be good, maybe this is the reason why I am unsatisfied with life. I’ve never been a good person in my entire life, maybe this is my punishment.

I should've died!

Now I remembered that stupid, weirdo guy again.

I immediately held my pocket jeans and I was relieved to find the square piece of paper. The first thing I noticed was the ugly handwriting. I managed to read it though. The crumpled paper looks like it has been through a lot, well what can I do? I threw it off somewhere. After breaking down last night, I spent the whole next day cleaning my entire place. I managed to find the paper near the trash bin, it was all crumpled. I do not have the energy to read it, not until now.

Chris

0923*******

Octavius Subdivision

I’m a man of my word. I would answer all of your questions (or you can just call me if you want ) once we crossed paths again. I have a strong feeling that it will be soon. Thank you for opening the door Ms.