The Runaway

Chapter 6

"Three-five kada buwan ang renta dito tapos isang buwang advance. Wala pa dyan yung tubig tsaka kuryente kaya ikaw na ang bahala dun kung sakaling kunin mo 'to." said the landlady as we entered a simple apartment. When I realized I'm running out of money, I checked out of the hotel and looked for a cheap apartment and here I am now.

"Ano? Kuha mo?" she asked me.

"Uhmm.. what's three-five?"

"Three thousand five hundred."

"Oh, I see. Then, if I take this, I'll pay that amount for a month."

"Korek. At one month advance."

"Oh, right. The advance, and excluding electricity and water bills."

"Yes! T-teka! Ba't ka ba ingles ng ingles? Nasa Pilipinas tayo, Ineng. Magtagalog ka. Ano? Kukunin mo?"

"Ok. I'll take it."

"Tagalog."

"S-sorry. K-kukunin ko po."

"Akin ng bayad." I took out my wallet and gave her the amount.

"Bibisita ako kada buwan kaya siguraduhin mong maayos ang apartment na 'to." she said after she took my money and take her leave.

I sat on the couch inside the apartment and looked around. I know it's not much, unlike my room at home, but it's nice and simple, and I like it. Then, I remember. I'm financially broke.

"I definitely need to find money." I grabbed my phone and dialled the number.

"Hello?" said the person on the other line.

"Are you free?" I asked.

"I guess. Why?"

"Meet me in La Sole at 2pm. See ya." and I ended the call.

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"Hi." Julienne greeted as she sat on our table.

"I'm glad you came."

"Of course. Why did you want to meet me?"

"Excuse me po. Can I take you order?" we were interrupted as a waiter came up to us, holding a notepad and a pen.

"We'll have two sandstorms and choco shake." Julienne told the waiter who was busy scribbling down notes and then left.

"Where were we?" she asked me.

"I need to talk to you."

"Ok. I'm listening." I paused for a second before I continued.

"I ran away."

"You what?!"

"Shh. Keep it down. You'll disturb other customers."

"Are you out of your mind?! Why did you do that?"

"I had to. I don't want to be forced on something I don't like."

"What do you mean? What had happened?"

Before I could continue, the waiter came back and brought our order. We thanked him and he left again. I sighed.

"You were right, after all."

"Me? Right? About what?" she said looking confused.

"About the set up. Dad's got me engaged to that guy, just like you said. I guess movies can happen in reality."

"Told you. But running away won't solve anything. You'll only make things worse."

"I know. And it's already happened."