SIDED LOVE

2. Moving out was a bad idea.

Ever since I lay my finger on the fine walls of my apartment, I already felt alone. I guess homesickness gets you when you're really attached with your real home huh?

The white ceilings and the marbled floor beneath my feet makes me shudder. I hear the doorbell rang as soon as I found myself comfortable inside my own room.

"Who is it?" I asked while putting on my slippers. The boxes haven't come in yet because they're too big for me to handle so I ask Orsan and victor to help me out bring them in.

As I open the door, I constantly felt the feeling of loneliness. Well, I already felt that earlier.

"Who are you?" I rudely asked to the boy who is wearing a hat. He is holding a box wrapped with christmas decors. "Oh, sorry. Was that for me?"

The boy looked up at me and I thought he was going to give it to me directly. "I'm looking for Sancho Wright. Is he here?"

"Oh, I don't know him."

"But he said 302."

"Yes I know her." Our heads turn to the person who spoke and I jumped from my place. Who is this guy claiming that he knows me? "Hey there brother."

"Sanchiiiiii!!!!" The little boy jumped to the guy who is named Sancho and started rubbing his little cute face on his broad chest. "Who's the girl?"

Sancho dropped the boy safely and took one of my boxes scattered on the ground. He walked to my doorstep and demanded to get in.

"Who are you and why are you he--" he quickly covered my mouth when his little brother started wondering.

"I'm your husband right? This is Sam. My brother. You promised to meet with him right?"

What? Since when?

I tried talking to him even if my mouth is covered but he won't dare let go of my face. "Sam, you can go home now. Dad is waiting for you right?"

"But Dad said I can see you right away! And your girl promised to see me! You even said the location of where I am supposed to see you!"

"Yes, but I was mistaken by the date. You can go home now. We'll see you next time, alright?"

My head started spinning. Why am I here again?

Sam pouted and ran away. I guess the little kid did wish to see his brother. This Sancho guy is still covering my face with his hand.

"Let go!" I pushed him off me. "Who do you think you are? Why are you here? Who are you?"

"I'm sorry miss. I had to do that. My brother is persistent on seeing me." He apologized.

"Why? Why do you have to lie to your brother? I'm not your wife okay?!" I tell him.

"Yes, I'm sorry." Sancho knelt down in front of me and begged.

"So what do you do now? What if your brother comes back? Does he really know what your wife looks like?" I ask. I even let him stay in that position.

He stood up and straightened his shirt. "I'll help you get your boxes in your apartment. Can that simple gesture forgive an old man like me?"

"I guess so." I rethink about this. "Fine come in."

---

"Oh, so that's why." I unwrap the boxes that Sancho put in. "I thought the gift was really for me."

I thought, Sancho was scamming me for a second there. All I never knew was that Sancho was trying to hide from his family.

He has been running away for 2 years now and wanted to live a normal life alone. That is why he rented several apartments away from his real home to get out of their way.

The reason why the little boy Sam thought I was his wife is for him to finally accept that he is married and living with his own family. He accidentally told his little brother about my address and he ran to this apartment just to get Sam out.

It was nice of him to use me as an alibi.

But I don't really mind. As long as he won't bother me again, I'll be fine.

Will I be fine?

"The gift was supposed to be for my imaginary wife. I'm really single you know. I bought this ring last month so that they'd believe my reasoning. Though that part was the hard part. They demand for a marriage contract. My dad even asked to see his grandchild!" He laughed at the last part.

I handed him hot choco which is the only available beverage on my kitchen. "How old are you again?"

"I'm 23. I just turned 23 last October. I'm having fun with my single life now and plus I have a very nice and splendid work!" He flaunted.

He's pretty much older than me since I'm 16. Seven years? That's a big age gap. He should be thankful that his brother didn't notice that.

"Oh, what was your name again?" He asked. "I'm sorry for intruding."

"No, it's fine. I usually am alone so I don't really mind. I'm Olivia Aren which is written on the nameplate outside my apartment door."

"Olivia, huh. Nice name you got there. I thought before that your name will be somehow geeky since you looked so alone."

"Thanks for summing up my life." I replied. I finished stacking the empty boxes away and quickly put on my sleeping socks. "It's getting late, you should head back."

Sancho took out his phone and nodded at me. I still don't know what work he does and I don't have the intention to know.

"Uhm, Olivia I'm so sorry for this reauest but uhm..." I felt trouble as soon as those words left his mouth.

"What?"

"But, Could you please come with me tonight? My dad wants to see you."

END