Safe In Your Sound

Chapter 4: Job

Five days since I got here and I'm actually getting the hand of everything. There are so much differences between the life I used to live in and my current life but I managed to bridge that difference.

The people here aren't that hard to get along with, too. For continuous days since I got here, Grandpa Pol and Lucas never failed to check on me and how I was doing. I met new people too. The other day, Lucas's friends came over and by chance I saw them leaving Grandpa Pol's home, seeing me outside, Lucas introduced them to me.

I was very delighted to meet his friends. They were six and to me that was plenty for friends. I have acquaintances but not really those who I can call friends. But I do have one friend. My best friend. And now that I think about it, I wonder how she is now.

It's been almost a week since I left home. I did not feel alone during my previous nights here, but tonight was different. I suddenly wanted to contact my friend and have a little talk with her but knowing my father so well, I know he is probably just waiting for me to contact anyone and trace my location. So even if I miss her, I didn't risk it. I haven't had enough experience with this life yet and I felt like it hasn't really started yet.

There was nothing much to do here but I don't really get bored even when I do nothing. It's a little too refreshing to do whatever I want without worrying about anything. Other than doing my usual yoga exercises, I do the chores too.

Since I do lack in doing house chores, I spent most of time in practicing to clean. I have also been busy discovering my talent in cooking. I only know a few dishes to cook but I'm trying to learn more. Although I wanted Lucas and Grandpa Pol to try out my recipes, I didn't had the confidence to give them some since I'm not really sure of what it tastes like. I can't let them eat something uneatable.

I was in the middle of prepping the table for my dinner when I heard a knock on the door. I took my apron off and went to open it only to see Lucas standing outside with a food container on hand. He has that boyish and alluring smile plastered on his face as always.

"Good evening," he beamed. I smiled too and looked at the container he was holding.

"Grandpa told me to bring you this," he said. I chuckled lightly as I received it from him.

"Thank you. But..." I paused for a moment and stared at the food container before continuing. "You don't need to do this every night, Lucas. Not that I don't want it but I can always cook for myself."

I stopped myself from mentioning that I already cooked something for my dinner in order not to make him feel bad and not to sound too rude.

He chuckled and scratched his nape. For days, even when I haven't known him for too long, I noticed that he has that habit whenever he's embarrassed. I've seen boys do the same thing back in high school and college. And seeing him that way takes me back to those times.

"Don't worry. I'll try and tell grandpa. He really likes you that's why he kept on doing these things," he explained. "He never had a granddaughter, that's why..." he added when I stayed silent.

I nodded. I understand his grandpa's sentiment but I think he is being too kind to me.

Lucas said his goodnight but didn't leave yet. I was about to close the door when we both heard a tricycle coming. With the container on my right hand, I held the door open with my left as I watch Orly went out of the cab, but unlike the blue polo shirt I've always seen him wearing, he was wearing a gray polo shirt with a fast food logo on the left chest.

"Manong!" Lucas waved at Orly but the latter just nodded as his eyes went from Lucas to mine. He didn't say anything until I heard his door opened and closed.

"Is he always like that?" I asked Lucas pertaining to Orly.

Ever since I got here, he had always acted snobbishly and I barely hear him speak nor see him interact with the others. If Lucas and Grandpa Pol were too friendly, then this guy is way the opposite of them.

"He's friendlier than what you think," Lucas replied which made me open my eyes in surprise.

"You call that friendly? Then how do you call yourself?" I blurted out making him laugh.

"If you get to know him, you'll know. He may look too serious but he's nice and really easy to get along with."

I scoffed. Easy to get along with? He must be joking. "Alright. Forget about him. Thank you again for this," I dismissed and smiled before closing the door.

I ended up eating the one I cooked for myself and reserved the one from Lucas for tomorrow's breakfast.

That night, I was busy accounting for my expenses and my remaining money. I had one hundred thousand cash with me when I first came here and now I'm left with only seventy. I spent thirty thousand in just a week. That's a lot for trying to live simply but knowing that I spent them on food, necessities, rent, and the mattress I bought, doesn't seem bad. Those are my needs, anyway.

But when I checked the fridge, I think I needed to reduce cooking so much and eating as well. I have my fridge almost empty now and that means I need to go shop for groceries again.

I found Lucas watering the plants on Grandpa Pol's small yard, the next morning. He was facing the plants so he didn't notice me right away until I spoke.

"Good morning, Lucas!"

He turned around abruptly and almost dropped the hose as soon as he sees me. He scanned me from head to toe while he smiled back. "Good morning to you too. What's with the get up?"

I looked down on myself and shrugged. "I'm going to the market."

"Is that so? Then would you mind if I go with you?" He inquired.

I quickly shook my head and smiled. "No, not at all."

To be honest, I didn't really approached him just to say good morning. After having quite a hard time the last time I went to buy things and getting them inside the house, I knew I needed someone to help me and it's a good thing Lucas is here today. It's a holiday and of course, there are no classes.

He immediately turned off the hose as he excused himself to change. It didn't take long before he went out again, now changed into a black t-shirt, from the white one he was wearing earlier.

He was the one to call out a trike.

"Grandpa Pol was asking me to buy him some grapes and also a new bulb for bathroom," he explained while we walked inside the grocery store.

We talked about random things while we go around the store. If there is one thing that I am impressed about Lucas then that is him being a smooth conversationalist. He seemed to have a lot of stories up his sleeves which most of it made me laugh.

Because I was with him, I'm a little conscious of what to buy especially when it comes with branded products. When I was on the fresh milk section, I simply glanced at him from the side of my eyes and saw the slight amusement in his eyes which showed especially when I brought out the most expensive one. It was the brand I was used to and I can't seem to lose it.

He chuckled which got me off.

"What's funny?" I asked.

"Nothing. I just realize you're a very healthy person."

I thought he was going to say something about the goods I bought but he did not. Three boxes from last week, I was down to two this week. We went to the hardware store after paying. Good thing it was only beside the grocery store and Lucas had also asked the cashier if we could leave the boxes for a moment while we buy something from the other store. I didn't know that it would be possible until now. I'm learning quite a few things here.

"You can ask the cashier or the guard to look after it if you need to go somewhere else. Most of us do that here. And it's not really a big deal," Lucas replied when I asked if it's really fine to ask a favor like that.

It wasn't really on my list to buy an extra doorknob and a lightbulb but thinking that I might need it knowing that the house I'm living in was unoccupied for a time, it might come in handy.

We were already on the counter when my eyes caught the sign posted on the wall and above the computer. Curious, I asked the cashier.

"Excuse me, miss? Are you still looking for a saleslady?"

The cashier raised an eyebrow, seems like she was confused so I pointed the sign that says they're hiring a saleslady.

"Oh! Yes! We're still looking for one," she replied.

My ears perked at what I heard and I couldn't stop myself from smiling. "Really? Can I apply for it?"

"If you can provide the necessary documents, then why not?" She asserted.

"You want to work here?" Lucas butted in beside me.

I nodded as I looked at him. When I wanted to live simply, I meant everything that comes with it including a simple but decent job. For the past days, I have been looking up some job offers online that I can apply for. It was hard to find one that is near my current address, the closest one is in Bauang and it's an hour and half travel from here. So I'm very happy to hear that they are hiring an extra hand in this hardware store.

Not knowing how they do things around here, I asked the cashier for the specific documents I need for the application before Lucas and I left the hardware and went to get the groceries and went home.

"Are you sure you want to take that job?" Lucas kept asking until we got to my door. He was carrying the box on his arms while I opened the door.

"Lucas, how many times do I have to answer that question?" I asked, chuckling at his persistence.

He pursed his lips and a slight tint of pink painted his cheeks. His fair skin is pretty much a give away just like mine.

"Okay. I'm not going to ask anymore. I'm just a little worried for you," he admitted.

"You don't have to worry about me. I graduated a business course and I'm sure it wouldn't be that hard," I assured and winked at him.

His cheeks turned completely red at what I did. He was obviously taken aback but I couldn't help it. It's really fun to be with him and I kind of got that connection with him too. I feel comfortable around him that I can tease him that easily.

He didn't ask or say anything after that and just quietly helped me out with the boxes.

"Thank you again, Lucas," I said when all was done and he was about to leave. He flashed a smile towards me, uttering a small "you're welcome" before he left and closed the door.

After I finished with arranging the groceries, I spent my time on having my requirements ready for the my job application tomorrow. The thought of it made me smile. I'm really enjoying this life now.