The Dictionary of a Hopeless Romantic Wordsmith (2020)

Chapter Nine

Why do we feel intensely towards someone we don’t even know?

I felt Ethan's head on my shoulders. He fell asleep again.

We are currently on a taxi on our way to Ethan's place. We grabbed some chips and a few bottles of apple-flavored beer along the way.

It's just thirty minutes before midnight. I watched quietly as the taxi navigates through the empty road of the city. I turned to the windows and watched the buildings quickly fade in and out of my vision. This concrete jungle I am so mesmerized  and fascinated about; I wonder what stories it holds.

More importantly, I wonder what stories this city has in store for me.

Then I turned to Ethan, quietly sleeping beside me.

This whole scenario reminds of that night when our universe found their way to each other. It reminded me of that night where we first got to know each other that led up to this.

Maybe this night is the catalyst of everything that will happen to both of us.

There is a reason why Ethan became part of my universe. I know that he will be an important person to me.

I turned my gaze to the window again. Just watching the quiet city in front of me.

I know this city will give me answers. I just have to be patient.

“Are we there yet?” Ethan asked. I turned to him and saw him rubbing his eyes. He turned to the window to check where we are, “Still not there yet.” he said, his eyes fixated on the view of the city from his side of the window.

I smiled and turned my glance back to the city from my side of the window.

We stopped in front of a tall apartment building.

“Ingat po, kuya.” Ethan said to the driver after handing him our fares.

“So, the place I'm staying in is on the fifth floor.” Ethan pointed at a window on the fifth floor of the tall building in front of us, “Unfortunately, Drei, there's no elevator there so you better get your legs ready.”

“I'm used to climbing stairs.” I confidently said, “Our school has six floors and I never use the elevator.”

“Alrighty then.” Ethan said, “Let's start our climb.”

Ethan's apartment unit is the third door on the fifth floor. The unit is a typical condo studio unit. The bedroom area is furnished with a double-decker bed, and two cabinets. The unit has a small living area furnished with a small table, two beanbag chairs, a bookshelf and a personal computer on the corner. There is a wall separating the living area and the kitchen and dining area. On the far corner of the room is a door which I assume leads to the unit's bathroom.

“Make yourself at home, Drei.” Ethan said, “It's always lonely here during Fridays so it's nice to have some company.”

I turned to him, he is currently looking for something in his cabinet.

“Lonely? Why? Your roommate's always out on the weekends?”

“Yeah.” he answered, “Ray is always out. Either he goes to parties and ends up wasted in a woman's bedroom, or he makes plans to go out of town for the weekend. Either way, I am always left alone here for the weekend.”

“I see.” I said, “Your roommate must be having the time of his life.”

“Well, he's rich so…”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

“Here.” He handed me a T-Shirt, and some shorts, “Go get changed. Your clothes are probably already sticky by now. You can shower too if you prefer.” Ethan pointed at the door in the far corner of the room, “You can use the bathroom over there.”