Chapter 2: The Old House

Ria's POV

My guess was right.

Strawberry St where this house is for rent, is one the branch of the main road leading to my college building.

What a coincidence…

Only ten minutes walk?

Wow, this is really a great opportunity. 

I have to admit that the streets in this city are really well managed.

Every branch of the road will definitely lead to one big road.

So are the small alleys.

After entering Strawberry St, there is an alley that leads to a residential neighborhood.

These neighborhood usually contains ten houses.

According to Trisha, every alley like Strawberry St. will be filled with five group of housing area, each of them will consist of ten houses.

This has been the case since 50 years ago.

***

Entering this neighborhood, made my mood greatly improved.

It is very cool and shady here.

There are tall Catappa trees and their wide branches stood side to side along the way .

Even though the blazing sunshine is kinda terrifying on the day in this dry season, we won’t get overheat under here.

Their wide leaves will block the sunlight from touching our skin.

The gentle breeze blows and it makes you sleepy. 

Despite how dry the weather’s now, I like how neat and green this area is. Even though each house has a medium length fence in front of it and has their own garden inside. But outside, they keep the grass prim and the plants freshly maintained.

Wow, the atmosphere here is truly relaxing and comfortable.  

This was way too far from my expectation. I thought, I would face the same scene like these two days of my visit at those boarding house.

Well, at least that was my hint, if I refer it to the price…

We walked towards the house from the front gate, on the right side of the road. House number three.

Wow...

This house is beautiful! And big!

It's not that kind of ridiculous huge house but for a single person, it seems too big.

I can clearly see the white curtains on the second floor window.

Obviously, this house, is an old house but still a very nice one.

I wonder why a house like this with a low cost like that?

In the middle of the city…  Just a walk away from the crowd, education areas, moreover spacious, two levels....

Perhaps...

"I'll replace this fence lock if you decide to move in. This one is pretty rusty." Trisha said while tried to open the lock gate.

Just like every other house, this one does have a fence. But only as high as my sight. So, I can see the grounds on tiptoe.

The fence doesn't look as old as the house.

It is made of sturdy ironwood. We can see what’s inside from the sidelines of the rectangular block vertically.

I am still in awe of the scenery in its yard, yet it also feels weird.

It was obvious that Trisha had said that this house had been occupied for a long time, but the small garden in the yard was very well maintained.

"The owner of this house pays a gardener, once every two weeks, to look after the plants, trees, flowers..."

She halted but her eyes stared at something above.

I followed her gaze.

She looked up at the house. On the second floor.

One of the blinds on the window pane was open

Hmm?

Was that already open before?

Uh, I’m not sure. Maybe it’s was like that before..

"Er... Wanna come inside?" She turned to look at me with an awkward smile.

Her movements were not as confident as before.

She repeatedly rubbed her palms and fingers, or rubbed her wrists against her skirt...

As if she was alarmed by something.

"Okay, of course...." I nodded with a smile.

After I said that, her nervous expression disappeared.

"Okay! Let's go!"

Aahh... I almost snorted because I felt ridiculous with myself.

Of course she was nervous, because the appearance of the house might make her think that I would change my mind about renting it.

Right? But I think the house looks nice…

Well... My valuation isn't over yet.

We walked through the beautiful arranged Roses, Jasmines and Hibiscus to the front door.

"Don't get me wrong. The garden is well-maintained, but the landlord only hires a gardener. As for the situation inside the house…”

She began with the first key for the front door, from dozens in her pocket.

“...The last time I visit this place myself was since the last tenant here..."

Finally, a key that worked. She managed to open it. 

"Here we go..." She said as she turned the knob and pushed the door inside.

"When was the last time someone rented this house? I asked as I stepped inside.

"Two years ago..." Trisha replied.

I forced a smile wondering how dormant the situation inside.

We entered the house which was...

Bright...

My expectation of a house that has not been lived in and maintained for two years, turned out to be very different from the reality.

I thought it would be bleak because all the curtains were definitely closed, the floors were dusty, the walls were full of cobwebs...

But it’s really bright in here. The curtains were opened, I don’t see any cobwebs or insects this far, the air is fine, although the white sheets were still covering all the furniture, the floor is kinda clean from dust?

"It’s… clean. Are you sure the last time you visited was two years ago?"

Trisha looked a bit taken aback but she immediately smiled.

"You know. Even so I always hire someone to clean it." She laughed awkwardly.

Of course…

The floors and walls look fine.

Now that I look more into it, the ceramic floor looks like it's been mopped.

Yeah, being an estate agent always has to take care of  every single house they manage.

"Come on, I'll take you around..."

Trisha showed me all the rooms in the house.

Downstairs, there is a living room, family room, one guest room, kitchen and dining room, laundry room and a bathroom.

Upstairs there are two bedrooms and one of them is the master suite.

We entered the main bedroom and I saw the curtain that had been drawn earlier from the courtyard.

It looks like it really has been opened before.

"So this is the last room. It's in better condition than you imagined right?" Trisha walked around the room and closed the curtains.

"Hm... That's right. This house is comfortable and has great location for me. Exactly what I was looking for...."

"Well... you are you going to rent it?"

I sat down on the soft bed and looked around.

It would save me a lot of money and I would get an incredibly comfortable place to live.

Although it might be a little trouble if I take care of this house alone. But this is the best offer I can get.

Very close to my main purpose here..

One more thing, the price is the best.

It doesn't even drain my savings too much.

I can even bring a friend or more so we can split the bill. At the same time, in order to not so lonely around here.

Hmm...

However, I had a somewhat strange feeling ever since I came in here.

Why is this place so neat?

Trisha said no one had lived here for two years.

I could catch her lying when she said she hired people to clean this place.

I also remember her saying the house was cheap because of the damage from the old house.

I am not a fool to notice that her words didn’t match with what truly happen here.

The house looks and feels fine....

The walls are not chipped.

The furniture is I can say in their great shape. 

This place is well maintained.

It turned out disturbingly better.

But why does she look nervous?

It was clear that this woman was restless.

"Ria?"

I turned to look at her and she was looking at me worriedly for a moment. 

"Okay. I'm moving in tomorrow, can't I?"

But I don’t dare to bet that I will get another precious offer like this.

----------------------------

She brought another person.

This time, this one looks pretty...

He hoped this girl wasn't like the previous ones...

But beautiful women are usually not that bold right? Or not..

Tsk… He rolled his eyes

You big fat liar, since when did she pay people to clean this place?

Peeking from the bedroom door, he looked inside.

Wow that girl is sitting on his bed!

Luckily he always keep this place at least presentable...

What? Tomorrow?

He grinned.

At last he wouldn't be lonely any longer...