60 Days With You

THE BERG'S

"Hey", a man with sharp features on a sleeveless shirt with a beard appeared on the stationery.

"Oh, there you are. Hi", I said, and walked my way towards him. He offered his hand, so I accepted it without thinking twice. It looked like that was how they were supposed to welcome or greet someone with body gestures.

"Do you have any cars to rent around here?"

"You driving around the city?", for what other reason would I rent a car?

"Why? Should I float it into the ocean for fishing then?", he laughed and wiped his beard. That's ewww!

"I don't think you can drive around the city at your age? Care showing me your I.D.?", I rolled my eyes while I took my pocket and showed him my card. He just nodded and said sorry.

"Anyway, I want a second-hand one with the biggest trunk you have", I said, opening my arms wide for him to have an idea how wide of a trunk I wanted.

" Why are you gonna kidnap someone that you want a big trunk?"

"If I got shits one of these days, I would", he just chuckled and went to a cabinet of keys and threw them at me.

"Second one from the left", he said and motioned his head to the pile of cars.

Grey? I LOVE It! I smiled and handed him the money.

"That one's perfect for my plans. You've got pretty nice cars here I must say".I left him a comment and made my way to the car. Surprisingly, the bag was in the garage. The driver was definitely polite with a big belly he had.

I just smiled silently while grabbing my bag. Maybe because it was how drivers treat their passengers in the Philippines. They offered them a free delivery and I expected they'd do it here as well.

I got all my baggage in the trunk and it indeed has the perfect space I need. And I slid into the driver's seat. I horned once to the man with the beard and he just nodded in return before I made my way out of the shop.

"Hold your wheel safely!", he meant safe driving. British and their expressions.

I took my phone and dialed Ali's number and I never took seconds of waiting before he answered.

"Hey Ali?"

"You in London now? Tell me your location. I'm on my way", he said, and I am pretty sure he's wearing his jacket now and his pants.

"I'm good. I just need to ask you about houses for rent around. You know what kind of house I like?"

"My house", he replied quickly.

"Ali! Ewwww", he just just laughed on the other line.

"I knew you were gonna say that. I've settled in your place already. I've got food in the fridge- your favorites. I'll text the address to you", I just smiled. He just knows everything I need. Like a boyscout.

"It's good to be at the legal age, ayeee?"

"I Love My 20's", I just laughed as I made a signal for a left turn.

"Got to go now, I Love you Ali!"

"You love me when you need me."

"What the f**k bro?"

"HAHAHA I know I'm just kidding. I gotta go"

"Love you"

"Love you too"

And I just heard the line went dead.

I went exactly where the navigation instructed me to do on Ali's texted address and he really surprises me about how he knows me well. I mean, it's totally my style. It's a two-storey house. And it's a container house to be accurate. And the second floor has a terrace beside the bedroom. I texted him thank you and went to arrange my bags and clothes and got them on the cabinet.

I'm hungry.

Should I eat?

But I'm tired

Should I sleep first?

-I sleep first.

I slept for 3 hours and woke up at 3 in the afternoon. I thought it was night already, it was so quiet in the area. Maybe it's because there are only two houses around the area. My apartment, and a house that looked abandoned except for the thing that it had cars and curtains and whatever lies beneath, I did not dare to look at. I decided to tour around the area and familiarize landmarks. The first day was so boring, as expected. And I'm on my way to the convenience store to buy chocolates. Ali bought me everything I needed but not what I wanted to eat. His favorites suck! But I'm really stuck at the gate with a hoodie and pajamas because I really have no idea where the convenience store is.

I definitely remember I passed by one when I took a tour yesterday. Was it on this road to my left? or the road to my right? Or should I just call Ali?

-Yep, I definitely should call Ali.

And took my phone out of my hoodie and pressed Ali's number.

"Are you doing your rounds?"

"Yeah, something's wrong?"

"Well...I...uhmmm, was just wondering...Where is the nearest convenience store?"

The line went dead for some seconds-

"Convenience what? You said you took a tour yesterday."

"I did... But I didn't pay attention because I was trying to memorize the way to the beach and not the store. The way to the mountains"

"You've been going on a vacation for 8 years every year. And you don't know the basics? You should memorize where the police station is, the nearest hospital, emergency number, the store-

"Ali, I'm on a vacation. Not a survival trip", I said, cutting him off and sticking my right hand in the pocket of my hoodie.

"If only I'm not doing my rounds now..."

"Yeah and fortunately you are", because if he's not, he'll give an hour-long lecture to me. With all points, he keeps on repeating all over and over again.

"Yeah, and you seem to be very happy."

"Oh, I am very happy, but can you please tell me the directions now so I can walk myself to the store?"

He just sighed in defeat before giving me the directions.

"Go to your left and go right on the very first street. Make a straight way to pass along the next right street and it's right in the corner", I motioned my hands bended left and right according to his instructions so I'll remember it and understand very clearly.

"So I'll just have to go right twice", I said, and bended my wrist to my right.

"Did I say you go left?"

What a crackhead!

"I meant you made it simple! Now that you've been living in London for years, you can't keep a conversation straight without being sarcastic."

"You win"

"I always win. Got'ta go", I said, and then ended the call before making my way to the right street and going right again.

Walking outside for the first time, I noticed there were houses for real. I really thought it was just me in this area, but there is a house next to me. And next to the house is the ocean.

And I think I just don't hear noises because I don't see anyone in the house, but I clearly heard hours ago the sound of a car engine.

Well, at least I can make loud noises without considering that I'm causing trouble to anyone, because I have a neighboring house, but I don't have any neighbors.