Rainy Season in Manila

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

I've got my laptop, notepad, pen, and other stuff that I needed to make this day happen. I hardly believe that this day will come, but I've come to decide what's best for my decision.

Nang sinabi ko sa parents ko ang pag-alis ko sa part-time job ko sa fast-food, nag-alala sila on how I will support my needs sa school lalo na't it was a big help na rin for my daily needs and other stuff. Aside kasi sa nakukuha kong scholarship, it was a decent amount to help me finish the course I am taking.

Dalawang semester na lang din naman, kaunti na lang.

I walked out of the elevator as I landed on the 17th floor of the condominium building where he was staying for the last five years. He's been all alone—but I guess, not at all dahil nandiyan ang jowa niya and they probably did a lot of things there.

Hindi ko gaanong kabisado ang room niya and I've been only here for a single time so I just followed my instinct and stopped to the door where I feel like it's the right one for me.

I cleared my throat and started knocking on the door. At the back of my head, I keep wishing that it should be him who will come to see me. I'll be so embarrassed if he didn't show up and there's a stranger behind this door.

Sinabi ko rin naman kasi sa kanya na kitain niya ako sa lobby para sabay na kaming umakyat, but he's not welcomed with the idea dahil may inaayos pa raw siya so I have to go upstairs alone. Naglakas loob na lang din naman ako since I really have no other choice. It's either I'll get paid or uuwi akong walang datung.

A second while, I heard footsteps coming in from the other side of the door. I felt my legs shaking. Hindi naman ako ganito and I don't usually feel anxious about this. Though this is my first time to be asked and get paid to be someone else's tutor. And this isn't just someone else. Maraming nakikilala sa kanya. He's thriving on both academic and extra-curricular activities. I believe, malayo ang mararating ng lalaking 'to.

Pero hindi naman ako naiingit. He was born and live with all the things he needed while I work so hard to get mine. There's a big difference, but I'm not jealous just because they are wealthy than my family.

A moment later, someone drew the door open and there I saw the man I was hoping to see. Bahagya akong nakahinga ng maluwag nang tama ang unit na kinatok ko. I would run back to the elevator kung maling kwarto ang pinuntahan ko.

He smiled, might be his way of greeting.

"Nice to see you again, Mister Rochon."

He scrunched his face when I mentioned that. "That's too formal, but yeah, it's nice to see you again—it's like we've never seen each other, but anyway, please come in."

As he invited me inside the room, I timidly walk and try not to roam my eyes around. I've been here before, but it still felt strange to me.

"Sorry, I wasn't able to meet you at the lobby. I was actually cleaning..." He said and then look on the other way.

Napatango na lamang ako. "That's alright. Narating ko rin naman dito. Though aaminin ko, kabado ako kanina kasi hindi ako sure kung tama ba 'yong unit na pinupuntahan ko."

"And what are you going to do if you mistakenly knock on the wrong door?" He asked, but I can sense the hint of a smirk on his face. Hindi ko na lang din pinansin, but it's hard not to notice.

"I was thinking of running back to the elevator."

"So, you're just gonna leave and then bail on me?"

I shrugged off. "Pwede... 'di ko sure, sabi ko nga, nag-aalangan lang talaga ako so I still hope for the best and I'm finally here—"

I wasn't able to finish what I'm saying when he lifted his finger that made me stop talking.