Home for Winter

chapter 03

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chapter 03
Where Would Light Sneak In?

Olivia

"Can i stay here for winter?"

It was a simple question. Pero ilang segundo bago ako nakasagot. His figure makes me wonder for a while. I guess it's the way that he stares, begging, or maybe too melancholic? O baka ang boses niyang napapaos, mahina at 'sing gaan ng niyebe.

His shoulder falls, ever so slowly.

I quickly look away, feeling shy and awkward. I can't still look at people's eye when I talk to them.

"The rental place is available. Sa taas," sagot ko. "I mean, I guess, you want to, uh, rent it?" Sa tagal ko na yatang walang nakakausap, na-uutal na ko at hindi alam ang sasabihin.

He nods. "Yes, please."

"Oh... okay." That's when I realized that this is the first time someone wants to rent.

Anong gagawin? Shocks. Should I print out a written agreement? Magkano ang kukunin kong deposit?

Hindi ako prepared dahil wala naman akong inaasahan na mag-rerent dahil medyo liblib na rito. I just put out the lease notice outside just in case—and out of habit— and now that in case came, I don't know what to do.

"Maupo ka muna at, uh... I'll, I'll just print the documents."

Tumango siya. Tumayo ako at lumapit siya para umupo, dalawang upuan ang pagitan sa akin. I notice how slow and careful his movements are.

"Want some coffee? While you wait, I mean?" I ask.

Lumingon siya sa akin at muling tumango. "Yes, please. Anything is fine."

"Okay..."

I prepare the coffee and serve it to him. Maliit ang ngiti niya nang magpasalamat. I notice the mole on the right side of his upper mouth that moves with the small smile. But even then, the melancholy in his eyes doesn't disappear.

Umakyat na ako at dumiretso sa kwarto. Doon ko hinalungkat ang mga notebook ni Mama kung saan niya sinusulat noon ang tungkol sa mga apartment namin. The contracts, payments, and all. I feel so relieve when I find it.

Bumalik ako at nilapitan siya. We settle the contract and payment without any complain from him.

"I'll be staying just until winter. Here's the full payment," he says. Then he points out the cup of coffee. "Ito 'yong sa kape."

Umiling ako at binalik sa kaniya. "Ah, no, it's okay. Libre na lang—"

"Take it. Masarap naman."

Napangiti ako ro'n at tinanggap na. "Thanks, I guess?"

Tumingin siya sa relo niya. Mukhang bago at mamahalin. It's silver and shinning under the lights. "Can I see my place?"

"Ah, oo. Um, I'll tour you around. Tara?"

The room is small, the same size as mine. Isang kama at sofa, sa gilid ay maliit na kusina at CR. It's painted in cream. The furniture are still covered. Hindi ko naman kasi ginalaw 'to noon dahil wala namang nagtatanong.

I open the light once, it's fluorescent. Turn it on again and it turns white.

"Walang bintana?" agad niyang tanong.

I shake my head. "You can turn on the AC, just in case."

His shoulder falls. "How can I write here?" he whispers to his self.

"Uh, sorry about that."

He looks really concern about it. Kung sabagay mahirap nga naman ang wala. Wala rin ang sa akin but it doesn't really bother me since I do my things downstair. Ang nag-iisang bintana ay iyong nasa maliit na hallway dito sa second floor, just in front of our doors across each other.

"Where would I write?" he asks his self again.

"You're a writer, I...I guess?"

He nods. "You can say that."

I can tell from the style of his glasses and professional looking long coat. Anong genre kaya ang sinusulat niya? Drama? Just a guess because of his aura.

"I guess, you can put your things. Maiwan na muna kita," sabi ko habang tumitingin-tingin siya. "There, I mean."

"Thanks, but I have nothing to put."

"Kung sabagay," bulong ko. Isang itim na brown na handbag nga lang ang dala niya. Buti na lang pala equipped na itong kwarto, kung hindi, paano siya titira rito?

"Okay... I'll be downstairs, in case you need anything."

"Yes, thanks..." he trails off. Then I notice he's waiting for my name.

"Olivia."

"...Olivia." His lips form a meek smile. "Everett," he introduces.

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