Depression Plutus (Curse #4)

CHAPTER 13 Calm Night

OTTILIE VIRSES POV 
 
 
I got home, completely drained from all the schoolwork, and worst of all, Plutus’ threats were still hanging over my head. But the moment I stepped inside, I froze. I blinked a few times, wondering if I had somehow walked into the wrong house.
 
What… what happened?
 
I slapped my face with both hands, trying to wake myself up from whatever delusion this was. But no, I was wide awake. My house, my rundown, barely furnished house, was unrecognizable. Gone was the old couch with its tattered fabric, the dusty fireplace, the barely functioning television, and the dim lighting. Everything was brand new. And not just new, but ridiculously expensive-looking.
 
I ran to the kitchen, my heart pounding. There, I found shiny, high-end appliances: a sleek refrigerator, an oven that looked like it came straight from a luxury catalog, brand-new tables and chairs, and the utensils… oh, the utensils, all gleaming in their organized, color-coded glory.
 
I yanked the fridge open. It was stocked—full of food, all kinds. I opened the pantry next and nearly had a heart attack. It looked like a mini grocery store, shelves filled and neatly arranged. I leaned against the counter, trying to catch my breath, my mind racing.
 
What the hell is going on?
 
Pwede na akong mabuhay ng ilang buwan nito kapag nagka zombie outbreak sa dami ng stocks. I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself. There was only one person I could think of who would do something like this, and the insane level of organization was a dead giveaway, it was none other than Plutus, the neat freak. 
 
Of course, it had to be him.
 
I felt all the energy drain from my body as I stumbled back into the living room. I flopped down onto it, staring up at the ceiling, feeling both overwhelmed and oddly, relieved. Sure, my house wasn’t the haunted wreck it used to be anymore, but this?
 
Saan naman kaya nakakuha ng pera ang isang iyon? Huwag ko lang talaga malaman na galing sa masama ang pinangbili niya ng mga ito kundi palalayasin ko siya sa bahay. Panigurado pati ang kwarto no'n ay puno na ng mga kung ano-anong mamahaling gamit.
 
I laughed bitterly. "What a great life," I muttered to myself.
 
Before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep, too tired to even process how upside down my world had become.
 
~~~
 
 
I woke up to the most delicious smell drifting out of the kitchen. Para akong zombie na tumayo at saka naglakad papasok sa kusina. When I stepped into the kitchen, there was Plutus, standing tall in front of the stove, wearing my yellow apron.
 
He must have sensed me because he slowly turned his head, quirking an eyebrow at me before scolding, "Every time you come home from school, you turn into a granny," Plutus exclaimed. "Seriously? Human bodies are so weak."
 
I ignored his remark, dragging myself to one of the high stools at the bar counter. Kung hindi naman ako ipinanganak na half-human, half-witch edi sana malakas ang pangangatawan ko. 
 
I plopped down, letting out a tired sigh as I mumbled, "I’ve had a weak body since I was a child," before dropping my head flat against the surface of the counter.
 
Nakita kong napapa-iling si Plutus bago bumalik sa niluluto nito. "You want me to fix that? Boost your stamina or whatever?" he offered nonchalantly, not leaving his sight from the pan.
 
Mabilis akong napabangon dahil sa sinabi nito. "Talaga? Pwede ba 'yon?"
 
He pointed his ladle at me with a smirk. "As easy as blinking."
 
My eyes widened as I shot my hands up in the air, practically begging, "Please do it!"
 
Plutus chuckled under his breath, clearly entertained. "Later, after dinner," he said, still smirking as he focused back on the stove.
 
Para akong nabuhayan sa sinabi ni Plutus. I hopped off the stool, practically skipping around the kitchen, gathering plates and utensils to set the table. Napapakanta pa ako ng mahina dahil sa sobrang excitement.
 
"Someone’s in a mood tonight, huh?" Plutus teased.
 
I shot him a playful smirk. "Of course! Madami na akong matatapos na gawain imbis na itulog ang pagod."
 
As we ate, I decided to bring up something that had been bugging me. "So, where’d you get the money to buy all this stuff?" I gestured around the newly bought appliances.
 
"From my bank account. Why?" Plutus said, calm and casual.
 
I nodded slowly, taking it in. "Okay... but what’s your source of income, anyway?"
 
His expression darkened slightly, clearly annoyed at my questioning. "I have an empire in Hell, and I’m a prince. Still got more questions, young lady?"
 
I quickly shook my head, swallowing whatever follow-up questions I had. Sungit, mali naman sagot niya. Ano connect ng tanong ko sa empire nito at sa pagiging prince niya? Minsan bobo din sumagot 'tong si Plutus eh, kasayang, gwapo pa naman sana. 
 
Pagtapos naming kumain, iniwan na ni Plutus sa'kin lahat ng hugasin. Kapag nandito si Plutus doon lang talaga ako nakakakain ng matinong pagkain. Magpaturo kaya ako sa kan'ya magluto? Ang kaso madami na akong utang sa asungot na 'yon baka singilin na lang ako bigla no'n ng malaki. 
 
Nang matapos akong maghugas, napansin kong nakasoot pa din pala ako uniform maliban sa blazer ko. Nang lumabas ako ng kusina, naabutan ko si Plutus na nanood sa bagong bili nitong flat-screen TV na pang sinehan na ata sa sobrang laki. 
 
"Ready na ako, Plutus!" Excited kong pagtawag sa kan'ya.
 
Hindi man lang ito gumalaw sa kinauupuan niya, he just glanced at me out of the corner of his eye before motioning toward the floor. 
 
"Sit down. Right in front of the TV, back to me."
 
I blinked, a bit confused, but followed his instructions. I sat down on the floor, my back facing him as he stayed comfortably on the couch. Parehas kaming nakaharap sa TV ngayon, nasa scene na si Plutus kung saan hinihintay ng magkapatid ang ama nila sa bus stop habang umuulan.
 
Plutus finally spoke, "This will only take a few minutes. I'm fixing whatever's wrong with your weak body." His words were blunt as always.
 
"Okay," I said while nodding. 
 
Then I felt his large hand press against my back, and then a warm sensation spread from his palm, flowing through my body. It was strange, but soothing at the same time.
 
"You know, there’s this theory in the human world that Mei-Mei and Satsuke are actually dead, which is why they can see Totoro." Pagbasag ko sa katahimikan. 
 
Plutus let out a sharp hiss. "Oh, don’t fuck with me, Ottilie. Leave those two sisters alone." His tone was serious. 
 
I chuckled softly at his reaction. "Malay natin, totoo pala?" 
 
Plutus clicked his tongue in irritation. "If you don’t shut up, I’ll stop what I’m doing right now and salvage your body at the forest."
 
I giggled but quickly nodded. Baka tuluyan pa ako ng asungot na 'to. Namayani muli ang katahimikan sa'ming dalawa. 
 
A few minutes later, Plutus announced, "It’s done. Just make sure you rest a lot tonight."
 
I stood up, feeling an odd sense of lightness. "Woah, pakiramdam ko ang lakas-lakas ko na." 
 
Plutus just frowed. "Idiot, it'll take effect tomorrow." 
 
"Ay gano'n ba, sorry naman excited lang," nag peace sign ako sa harapan niya. "Salamat!" 
 
He smirked, leaning back against the couch. "It’s not for free, you know."
 
That made me pause, suddenly nervous. I stammered, "W-what’s the price?"
 
Plutus’s grin turned wicked. "I’ll think about it."
 
I let out a sigh of relief, though I wasn’t sure what to make of his vague answer. I gathered my things and was about to head upstairs when Plutus called out, "Wait."
 
I turned back, confused, only to see him pull out a box from the corner. He dropped it on the couch with a smirk. "For your hair. It'll make it smooth. Since you're a lazy bum, I took the liberty of getting you hair essentials so you don’t struggle with combing it."
 
My eyes widened in surprise, excitement bubbling up inside me. "Talaga?!" I eagerly picked up the box, inspecting the contents.

"Napaka-angas! Salamat!" I said, a genuine smile spreading across my face.
 
He just gave me a half-smirk and waved me off. With that, I hurried upstairs, holding the box. Napaka-arte talaga ng lalaking iyon, lahat ng masakit sa paningin niya talagang ginagawan nito ng paraan. Mukhang hindi na niya matiis ang magulo kong buhok, kaya pati ito ginawan na niya ng paraan.
 
Oh well, it's not so bad to have Plutus in my house.
 

 
To be continued...