Love Encounter

Prologue

It is 9pm in the evening. The sun is out but the bright lights of the night market illuminates the area. Indistinguishable noise filled the area and the aroma of grilled barbeques fills the air. It is cold outside but the atmosphere here is warm. This is an occassion that happens anually.

"Here is your order, sir." The street vendor said, "That'll be 60 pesos, sir."

I smiled, nodded and gave him the amount he requested. I opened the plastic and the aroma of the grilled barbeque greeted me pleasantly. As I was about to walk away, my phone rang. I answered.

"Yo." It was my friend, boss, and the CEO of the company I work for. "What's up, Ken?"

"Nothing really haha." He said at the other end. "How is the report going?"

"Ahh. Almost done. We can discuss it already at our next meeting."

"Good." He said. "Then I'll hang up now. See you tomorrow."

I put back the phone inside my pocket. I should hurry home right now and finish that report. I really don't want to pile up the things I need to do.

I walked back towards my car. While walking, I caught a glimpse of a man sitting at the side of the street hugging his own legs. His body is slim but not too slim, clothes are tattered, hair messed up, and dirt stains cover his body. He seems homeless. I stopped and looked at this man. I walked towards him and crouched. I reached inside the plastic bag I am holding and let out a stick of barbeque. It seemed like he felt my presence and lifted his head up. His face is smooth, his eyes are slanted, eyelashes are long, and he... is just perfect.

"Umm..." He said with a deep but warm voice.

I got back to my senses. I offered him the barbeque I was holding. He stared at it and gulped slowly.

"H-Here." I offered. "You can have it."

Slowly he reached for my offering. He looked back at me shortly then started taking a bite out of the barbeque. I smiled and asked.

"Would you mind me sitting beside you?"

He shook his head. I sat beside him and leaned against the wall. I watched people passing by all minding their own business - chatting, talking through phones, and tapping on their smartphones. Everyone is just busy.

"Why would a man in a suit and tie, dressing up so neatly, and seems like a rich person sit beside a homeless man like me?" He asked.

I turned my head to face him. Honestly, I don't know the answer either. Why do I?

"I don't need to answer that question do I?" I just replied.

He just stared at me and smiled.

"Well, I'm not complaining anyway." He said and went back eating.

I smiled back and went back watching the people pass by. After a brief silence, I asked him.

"Umm... what's your name?"

"Ethan." He answered. "How 'bout you?"

"Drew."

He nodded and went back eating.

"Umm..." I said, "It's really cold out here especially now that it is December. How are you able to tolerate it?"

He finished the last bite from the stick. He gulped and stared blankly at the ground.

"It's just something you get used to." He said. I felt sadness behind his words. "But getting used to the cold doesn't mean that I don't feel cold anymore. You just have to endure it."

There was silence. He played with the stick he is holding. I somehow feel guilty of asking him that question.

"Um... how about this!" I said. I caught his attention. "I let you stay in my house in exchange of doing my chores. It's really getting hard for me to manage the house all by myself."

I saw shock and surprise drawn across his face.

"You can't be serious." He said.

I shook my head.

"I mean it." I said.

His expression changed from shock to joy and excitement. His expression made me feel warm inside.

"Really?!" He shouted out of excitement. "This is the best thing that happened in my nineteen years of existence! Thank you!"

He grabbed my hand and held it tightly while staring at me.

"I promise I'll do my best!" He exclaimed.

I chuckled then stood up.

"Come on. You'll start working tomorrow."

He quickly stood up and followed me as we make our way to my car. Suddenly the atmosphere starts to feel warmer despite the freezing temperature. There is something I cannot explain, something I don't need to explain but just need to experience.

"So, you are nineteen?" I asked. He nodded. "Just one year older than me."