DERANGED

CHAPTER THREE: Evanescence

      Michael was the first to get off the cab. He hopped and skipped over pools of puddles and under the row of establishments he waited for Darren to disembark. 

     “Sir, we really need someone to talk to during these tough times, don’t we?” the driver said with a concerned expression to Darren before speeding off. 

      Darren ignored the remark and laughed it off as he dashed towards his unexpected visitor who’s patiently waiting for him outside an already closed hardware store. 

      “Sir Michael, you’re shivering with cold. Let’s go and get you warm up inside.” he gasped as he bolted through a narrow alley going to his apartment tailed by his now totally drenched companion. 

      He instantly handed Michael an unused towel when they’ve reached his flat for him to bathe and get refreshed. Meantime, he frantically tidied up his room; putting every rubbish and mess mixed inside a large plastic bag and throwing it outside his window unconcerned: to his neighbors down below. He wasn’t prepared for this uncalled-for visit; it’s been a long while since he had one so he’s feeling panicky and mortify as he looked around at the topsy-turvy room. 

     A sudden loud repeated knocks on the door startled him. 

     “What the hell!” he hissed between his teeth. 

      He knew it’s the landlord waiting outside his door. It’s the third time in this month he came, pressuring him again to pay for his three-months unpaid rent. 

      “I told him over and over again that I have lost my job and struggling to find one since the onset of this pandemic. Why can’t he even be considerate to me?” Darren asserted in his mind. 

      He tiptoed like a cat across the room and held his breath in order not to make a noise, then stuck his arm out, attempting to switch off the lights when a voice boomed from the bathroom. 

     “Darren, do you have extra clothes?” yelled Michael. 

      “Ahh. . . Yes! Gimme one second.” face-palmed, he reluctantly turned the door knob open. 

      “There you are! I’ve been waiting here outside for ages!” greeted the old man. 

      “Don’t be exaggerated Manong. You’ve only been standing here for a minute.” he sarcastically responded. 

      “Where’s your three-month pay?”stressed Manong.

      “But I’ve told you that I’m going to pay it next month?”

     “Hand it over now. You’ve also said that last month and the other past months .” the old man impatiently said.

      “I know that my neighbors haven’t paid you yet, especially that snoopy old lady next door besides you can’t force anybody to pay you during this pandemic.” Darren argued. 

      “But you have money to pay a cab?” barred Manong. 

      “I didn’t pay for it. My new boss did. He’s actually taking a shower inside. Why don’t you ask him instead?” he confidently said after hearing the shower has been turned on.

     “The who?” 

     “My new boss. I’ve just found a job in Durian Building that’s why I’m confident that I can settle my unpaid rent in the following months.” Darren proudly announced. 

     “Are you serious with that Durian Building? Or you’re just making it up! There’s no goddamn Durian Building in operation in this big city Darren. Hahaha.” mockingly laughed the old man. 

     “Why don’t you just come inside and talk to my boss?” he insisted.

     “There’s Durian Building in this city. It’s true, since I had worked there back in the year 2000.” a voice interrupted as the old lady next door emerged. 

     “So do you think Beatriz this child is telling the truth?” the landlord asked the old woman with a sudden spark of interest.

     “Well, I don’t know because at my age, I seldom roamed the city and I didn’t have any chance to pass by around that area after it was left abandoned eighteen years ago.” Beatriz proclaimed. 

     “No! That’s not true! They’re now back in operation, probably! And I can attest to that since I have been there this whole day attending an orientation.” Darren indignantly said. He’s feeling outraged at the insinuation of him being a liar that’s making up false stories. 

     “Calm down child! Just relax.” pacified the landlord. “I’ll talk to your new boss instead. Where is he?”

     “He’s still in the shower.” Darren sulkily replied. 

     His mood has drastically changed from light to heavy. Of all the things he hated most was to be accused unjustly as a prevaricator. It hurts his ego and self-esteem knowing that he’s innately an honest, frank and oftentimes blunt person. How dare they accuse him of being one? His face began to redden and eyes glinted with fury at these gathering thoughts he can barely hold. 

     “Fudge! Hold on sir!” he squealed in panic as he remembered the extra clothes Michael had requested. 

     The two senile onlookers have also got inside the room; watching the young man rummaged through his large wardrobe in vain search to select his best clothes: a black cotton shorts paired with a white sleeveless shirt which are both noticeably new and still have price tags dangling on them were pulled out. He grabbed a sharp knife hidden inside on one of the drawers, then swiftly cut the tags.

     “Knives should be kept in a kitchen.” mentioned the landlord. 

     “Not me. I can’t sleep peacefully without it near me.” replied Darren. 

     He gently knocked on the frosted-glass sliding door of the bathroom. He knocked again, but this time louder. The other two unwelcome visitors were now exchanging skeptical glances at each other as they intently watched the young man desperately knocked on the door when suddenly it widened ---- opening inwards. 

     “Hello?” called Darren.

     The others also have gathered near the door, prying behind Darren and trying to peek inside. 

     Accidentally, the door was pushed wide open and everyone was shocked. The shower had apparently been turned on; water steadily flowed from it until it had reached two-inches deep. Sachet of used shampoos and bath soap float on the rising water and some have clogged the drain. Yet no one was inside. The bathroom was all empty. 

     When Darren looked back, he saw Manong and Beatriz left for the door. Frightened and confused about what he had just witnessed, he chased the landlord instantly and reached him mid-downstairs. 

     “Manong!” he cried tearfully. “Wait! Let me explain!

     “Enough!” 

      “I’m not lying! He’s here. . . . I mean was here.”

     “Stop bullshitting me!”

     “No. You don’t understand. He has been here . . .”

     “I said enough! Don’t fool an old man like me child lest bad karma hits you back. I”ll just come back next month and after that try finding a different place to stay. I can’t let you stay here any longer. I’m sorry.”the landlord exasperatedly said to Darren. 

     He turned his back around and make for the stairs with wobbling knees caused by the sudden rise of his blood from the heated argument and from something more ominous ---- growing fear. After reaching the stairs, he glanced back to the unmoved figure standing atop the stairs, steadied his twitching fearful eyes and cracked his quivering voice into harsh whisper. 

     “I freakin’ saw you earlier. . . I freakin’ saw you running wildly . . . alone in the rain child. I freakin’ saw you . . . talking to no one . . . with my own two eyes.”