Safe In Your Sound

Chapter 2: Neighbor

It was a short travel, not even five minutes had passed since I rode the tricycle when we arrived at the apartment they were talking about. 

Thinking about their conversation earlier, I thought it was only one apartment with an available room. But now that I see it, I knew I was wrong and felt guilty about my reaction.

There were actually three apartment houses. Two of them seemed to be occupied and I'm sure he lives in one of them. To be honest, I am impressed at how the houses were like those in the cities — cemented and painted — very far from what I have imagined — the traditional nipa houses. 

"This one is unoccupied," the man who has an intimidating aura said, pointing at the house in the middle. 

I nodded curtly and thought if I can rent it right away. But, to whom will I make the negotiation?

I was thinking if I should ask the man but he began to walk away from me. My head turned to where he is going and saw that he is approaching the door of the house on the left side. Ah, so he lives there?

Wait. He can't just leave me here.

"Uh..." I tried to speak but he only glanced at me once before walking to the door. "Wait. Before you go..."

He knocked on the door as if he didn't hear me so I just went to him. I was about to ask him where the owner of the apartment is when the door opened and revealed a old man who I think is in his seventies. The old man only had hair on the sides around his head and bald on top. He flashed us his smile as he looked at me and the man.

"Who is this woman? Don't tell me..." the old man probed. I opened my mouth to speak up but the man beside me retorted quickly.

"She wanted to rent the apartment," he said. I nodded frivolously and beamed at the old man.

His eyes widen in bemusement as he looked at me from top to bottom. What's with these people and they kept looking at me like it's their first time to see a woman traveling to their place? Or are they weirded out by that idea?

I glanced up at him and saw his gaze stopped on my duffel bag before returning them on me.

"You looked like you've traveled from far away," he commented and I only gave him a small smile. And just like that he hurried inside and took something before he went out walking fast towards the middle apartment.

Because of his age and deteriorating body, he could not even walk properly. I was afraid that every time he steps, he would stumble and fall so I held his right arm. I thought he would say something like "no need for you to do that" but he only chuckled at me and glanced at the man who was walking behind us.

He did not even offered to help this old man and only watched us. What a bum!

When we reached the door, he unlocked the knob using the key he was holding and opened the door.

"If I only knew someone would be using this place sooner, then I would have asked someone to clean it up," he chuckled as he stepped inside. I let go of his arm and followed behind him.

"The place is well furnished, ready for use. However, it's still a mess here," the old man said.

I nodded as I look around the place. The furnitures and appliances are complete. Not that much as I what we have in the mansion but I think they are enough to get by. Besides, I still do not know how long will I be staying here. 

I don't know how long it will be but if ever dad finds out earlier than expected then I might need to move out here immediately. Not that I don't want to go back to my real life, I just want to experience living a normal life in an ordinary place where people are not pressured to live against their will and by anyone's rule.

"It's okay, mister..." I trailed as I don't know his name. He chuckled again.

"Just call me grandpa Pol," he said.

"Grandpa Pol, thank you," I smiled and he did the same to me. 

We talked more about the house rules and everything. I have to pay the rent for three months advance. The rental fees include the use of the furnitures and appliances, and if I broke anything during my stay, I will be the one responsible for the repair or for the replacement. The water and electricity bills are on me. 

The fee is not that bad, as well as the house. From how I see it, I should be paying more than what he asked me. The total did not even reached ten thousand for three months. Here, rent is cheaper than I thought. I thought it would cost like a hotel room since it's pretty much the same but I was wrong.

I can't help but notice how the old man was caring and very attentive of me. He told me everything I have to know here and even offered to help with the cleaning. His smiles were warm and the way he speaks is very comforting. Everything about him seems to welcome me.

"By the way, have you eaten lunch yet?" he asked me suddenly. 

I glanced at my watch and learned that it was already noon. I did not notice that time had passed and I don't feel hungry too. 

My mouth opened in attempt to speak but his eyes went through me to look at something. I followed his gaze and saw the man standing by the door with his arms crossed on his chest. I didn't notice he was still here.

"Orly," grandpa Pol called. 

"Yes, grandpa?" he answered right away and stood straight.

"Are you busy?" grandpa asked curiously.

My eyes went to the man named Orly. His name sounds... like a middle-aged man's name. I bit my lip trying not to smile or laugh because of my thoughts.

"I'll be heading to San Fernando this afternoon," Orly replied.

Grandpa Pol sighed in dismay before looking at me. "I'm sorry. I guess there's no one who can help you clean up today..." he said.

I smiled at how thoughtful the old man was. "It's fine, grandpa. I can do it. You've helped me enough," I said referring to the place.

He chuckled and nodded. I thought he would leave but he even invited me for lunch, saying his grandson cooks so well and assured me that I will like it. He also invited Orly, but the latter declined saying he will be leaving already to be home before the night falls.

Grandpa Pol did not insist though. And even when I am not hungry, I accepted his invite. I feel like I should not turn him down.

We went to his home. His grandson was just putting the bowl down when we came. I already left my belongings in my apartment.

"Come on, grandpa. Food is ready," the fair and slim young man said without looking at us.

Grandpa Pol held his arm out ushering me to the dining table. I smiled and went towards it. It was only then when his grandson looked up and was obviously surprise to see me. He looked at his grandfather confusedly.

"By the way, Erica, this is Lucas. Lucas, meet Erica, our new neighbor." Grandpa Pol introduced us to each other.

Lucas held out his hand for a handshake and I gladly took it. He smiled at me and I did the same.

"Nice to meet you, Erica," he said. He looked at the chair in front of me. He quickly went to me and pulled the chair out so I could sit.

I gave him another smile when I sat comfortably on the wooden chair. Not long enough, we started to eat. 

I was expecting that it would be quiet meal, like what I always had back in the mansion. Back there, we are not allowed to speak when we are having a meal, neither were we allowed to bring our phones on the table, like what my father wanted and just like what his father had taught him.

I thought it would be the same to all the families but seeing Grandpa Pol and Lucas conversing happily while eating made me realize that I was really missing out something in my life.

"Don't you like the food, Erica?" I flinched when Grandpa Pol suddenly asked me.

I shook my head quickly. "It's actually delicious, grandpa. You're right. Lucas is really good. Thank you for inviting me," I beamed at them and they both laughed.

And because I as new to their town, I did not escape their curiosity. In the middle of the meal, they asked me some questions about me and where I came from. I gave them answers but did not disclose too much information as possible, only the things they need to know.

Here, I am Erica Martinez, a young woman who wanted to live her own life, travel to places and experience different things. I convinced them that I was an only child of a middle-class family from the south and is now trying to live independently from her parents.

It was a story that I thought of carefully. I was actually thinking of pretending to be an orphan but eventually thought it would be hard to come up with a reasonable and undoubted background. At least, if I say I am from an average family and being the only child at that, they would not question how I even got the money I am using to travel here.

I've learned a few about them too. Grandpa Pol is a widower. He has a son, who is currently working abroad to provide for him and his grandson. Lucas is a college student, taking up civil engineering. I commended him when Grandpa Pol proudly told me that Lucas is a Dean's Lister ever since he was a freshman.

"That's wonderful! I'm sure your father is really proud of you." I commented.

He laughed shyly. "Thank you. I really want to make him proud. After all, he is sacrificing so much for me and I can't disappoint him, can I?"

I nodded and thought of my father suddenly.

All my life, I have been following his orders and doing what he wants me to. I took up a business course in college just like what he wanted, and gave up my dream to become an artist. I want to know, after doing all that, was he proud of me? Did I make him proud somehow?

I guess, not.

He is a man who is very hard to please. As her daughter who have been very obedient of him, I never heard any compliments from him. Not even once. Instead, he always tells me to do better and do my best every time as if I am not trying.

I sighed. I should not be thinking about him. If there is something I should think about, then that is how to start living a life a here.

"Are you going to occupy the house immediately? I mean, the place is a mess and..." Lucas said and before he could say more, I cut him through.

"I'll clean up the place later. No worries," I smiled.

"Well, if that's the case, then let me help. You need someone to move the furnitures and others—" Lucas said rather excited about cleaning when grandpa Pol butted in.

"Didn't you say you have to work on your blueprints?" the old man exposed his grandson which made the latter fell embarrass.

I stiffled my laughs as Lucas tried to make an excuse for him to help me.

"The blueprints can wait, grandpa. I should help her first," he said making grandpa Pol laugh.

I did not try to hide my smile too. I find them cute. Somehow, I wish I had a grandfather like Grandpa Pol and a brother like Lucas.