Love Encounter

Chapter V

"He is healthy. His check up did not show anything negative. His blood pressure is normal, sugar is normal. Overall, his health is normal."

Ethan and I are currently at a hospital. Last night, I asked Ken for a leave this Saturday and he agreed.

Before we got here, I taught Ethan to do the laundry. After that, we ate together. We took a bath, dressed up, and went here.

Ethan had just finished his check-up. According to the doctor, he has no illness and everything was fine. I was quite surprised hearing this. He managed to stay healthy despite being exposed to various elements outside these past years.

"That's great news." I said. "Well then, let's go Ethan."

We paid for the check-up and went back at the car.

"There is still a lot of time left. I'll take you to a barbershop and get your haircut." I said. "Are you okay with that?"

"Sure." He replied while putting his seatbelt on. "My hair is irritating me anyway."

I started the vehicle and put my hands on the wheel.

"Wait."

He moved closely towards me and, as reflex, I backed off a little bit. His face is close to mine.

"W-What are you doing?" I asked in a shaky voice.

"You forget to put your seatbelt on." He pulled the seatbelt and secured it on the other end. "What did you think I was going to do?" He laughed.

I felt blood rushing to my head because of embarassment. I felt my face becoming warmer and reddish. Ofcourse I did not let him notice me.

"I was just shocked. I am not used to people getting close to me like that." I said in a neutral voice.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay."

I started to accelerate to divert his attention. I focused on driving and it did not took long for us to arrive at the barbershop. The wind chime rang as we opened the doors. We sat on a couch while waiting for Ethan's turn.

"Next" the barber said as he shakes off the cut hair from the barber's cape.

I tapped on Ethan's shoulder. He automatically stood up and went towards the seat in front of the barber.

"Want kind of cut do you want?" The man asked.

"Anything that suits him." I said.

Then the barber let Ethan sit. My phone vibrated. It's Ken. I went outside to answer his call. He asked for my help with some of his work. I did so. Our call took several minutes. After resolving his problem, he hung up. I put my phone back inside the pocket of my pants. I went back inside and I was just in time. Ethan had just finished his haircut.

He looks neater. His trimmed hair parted sideways made him look even more handsome.

"Does it look good?" He asked.

I smiled and nodded. "You look handsome with that haircut."

I paid for his haircut. On the couch, I saw girls staring at Ethan, screeching silently like fangirls. Tss.

"Let's go already." I said.

The girls' eyes followed Ethan as we make our way out of the barbershop. We went back to my car.

"Let's go shopping for you." I said. "I want to buy clothes and other things for you."

"Drew, you don't need to." He said. "I have clothes in my room already. And, I don't need anything else really."

"Those are clothes for the guests." I argued. "I want you to have your own clothes and personal things."

As I rest my hands on top of the gear, I felt something touched my hand. I turned to face what is going on and found his hand laid on top of mine. My eyes slowly made its way from his hands up to his face. There, our eyes met.

"I am in deep debt." He said. "I don't have anything with me to repay you other than myself. So I offer myself to you, Drew. I hope it's sufficient. Tell me anything. I will do anything for you."

I was touched by what he said to me. This is supposed to be a serious matter, but why do I think differently about it? Why do I feel strange?

He removed his hand on top of mine and looked back at the front. I did as well. I started to drive to the mall. On the way, we saw students passing by. It's their dismissal.

"Why aren't you studying like them?" He said as he watched the students pass by.

"I was studying back then." I started. "But Ken, my classmate before, planned to establish a company since grade 9. He asked me to help him. And so I did. He gave the idea to his father and supported him. There were a lot of process after that since we know little about business. I researched and studied all about business. After um... three years of planning I guess, we were finally able to establish the company Brightworks. We were nervous at first, but everything ran smoothly until where we are now."

"You're life is amazing." Ethan said.

I glanced at him. He is looking outside of the window. I turned back to face the road.

"How about you? Tell me about yourself." I asked.

There was a brief silence then followed by a big sigh.

"I really don't want to talk about it. But for you, I will." He said. "I was born in a squater's area. I grew up not knowing my father. My mother, I don't even know if she's my mother because of how she treat me. She never loved me. I did not have the chance to study. I worked on the streets helping my mother to make a living. When I reached the age of 9, she finally left me. I was completely alone... all by myself. A year later, I came home and found my house demolished. I don't know where to go by then. All hope seems to have fade away. My life, it felt... empty."

His voice was shaky. Somehow, I felt the pain and suffering he experienced. The traffic lights lit up the red colored and all vehicle stopped. I looked at Ethan who is still gazing far out the window. 

"Ethan." I called.

He turned very slightly just enough for me to see a quarter of his face.

"I don't know how hard your life was before. But I want to assure you that you won't feel like this ever again. It may seem like you didn't had a family, but I hope you can find your family... from me."

Under the dim light of the setting sun, I caught a glimpse of his smile. He turned away so quickly which made me doubt about what I've seen.

Did his cheeks blushed?

The traffic light signalled go and all vehicles started moving. I pressed on the gas pedal and drove towards the mall.