Chapter 2 - Gift
1465 Words
Gift
I've been looking at my ceiling for almost an hour already. Remembering what happened yesterday still scares the sh*t out of me. It isn't my first time dreaming about supernatural beings but yesterday seeing a bat in a city is a first. I mean why are there bats in an alley? Why am I hearing things?
I got up from my bed and stretched my body. I don't have work on weekends, so today is general cleaning day and I also need to buy some groceries.
I roamed my eyes at my ten-square-meter room. It is very plain and can be classified as boring. The walls are painted white, you won’t see any frames on the walls, not even a painting nor a decor. My table in front of the window looks like a disaster because of the papers and pens scattered. I started cleaning it by arranging the papers that are scattered. I organized them all at my table.
After that, I transferred all my clothes to my bed to fold them all. I always do this once a month. I was humming my favorite song – Photograph by Ed Sheeran, when my phone rang. I stood up and picked up my phone on the table. It was an alarm saying I need to go to the grocery store already.
I looked at my clothes and my phone alternately. I decided to finish folding and arranging my clothes on my cabinet first before going to the grocery store. I didn’t eat any breakfast yet but I’m still not hungry.
There is a grocery store few blocks away from our boarding house, so I only walked. I don’t want to ride in a jeepney if the place is a walking distance. In this manner, I can save more money for my future. I went inside the grocery store and grabbed a basket. I was deciding what kind of noodle should I buy when I noticed someone's stare. I looked at my right side and saw a man wearing a hoodie buying some noodles also.
Weird. No one's here in this section except me and that strange man. I was afraid he’s some bad guy, so I hurriedly picked any noodles and went to the other section of the grocery store.
As I walk home, I heard running footsteps behind me. I was so nervous that I ran, too. While running, I looked back and saw a little girl running. I sighed in relief. I can’t help being this paranoid because of weird things that keep happening to me these past few days.
When I got home, I arranged the foods that I bought, ate some sandwiches, and continued cleaning my room. I finished cleaning at 1:00 p.m. I was so hungry that I didn't have time to cook so I went downstairs and saw Mrs. Watsinkon cleaning the table.
"Mrs. Watsinkon, is there any food left?" I asked.
Mrs. Watsinkon is selling food to her boarders. In that way, she can have extra earnings.
"Yes, I cooked your favorite food. Good thing, I saved some for you. But it’s just one serving," she said.
"Oh my gosh! Thank you so much, Miss," I acted like I was crying.
"You little brat. Your food is in the oven. Pre-heat it again."
"Yay!" I kissed Mrs. Watsinkon's cheeks.
I pre-heated the soup and happily went to the dining table humming. While eating my favorite food — fried chicken and mushroom soup, Mrs. Watsinkon sat in front of me.
"Mmmm," I ate another spoonful of rice.
"Are you forgetting something, Elara?" Mrs. Watsinkon asked.
I looked up at the ceiling and tried to remember if I forgot something.
"But I paid the rent for this month," I said.
"Not that, Elara Chantria."
"Hmm? What else then, Mrs. Watsinkon?"
"Tomorrow is August 28," she said, hinting me.
I looked at her bewildered. What about it? Am I forgetting something? Is something happening tom— Oh my gosh!
My eyes widened and I almost choked. I quickly grabbed the glass of water on the table and drank it.
"Tomorrow is my birthday!" I exclaimed.
"Yes, it's not just an ordinary birthday. It's your 18th birthday, Elara."
"Oh! I am excited to be an adult. I can legally work tomorrow. I will also try to apply for some jobs!" I excitedly said.
"You already have two jobs, Elara. That's enough to let you live," Mrs. Watsinkon scolded.
"You know I'm saving up to return to school, Mrs. Watsinkon. I want to finish a degree," I wryly smiled at her.
She sighed and let me go. I don't know if I will celebrate tomorrow. I have no work and I finished cleaning my room today. So, I decided to buy a cake, ice cream, spaghetti, and fried chicken tomorrow. I will hold a little celebration here in Mrs. Watsinkon's boarding house. I will invite Mavy. A little celebration won't hurt.
I planned my little celebration and went to bed early to have a good sleep because tomorrow will be a tiring day again but I hope to enjoy my birthday. My legality in this world.
*******************
I woke up with the noise I'm hearing downstairs. I am still feeling groggy when I heard a knock on my door.
"Yes?" I asked with my raspy voice.
"Elara! Elara! There's food and a gift downstairs for you!" Mrs. Watsinkon repeatedly knocked on my door
I got up and opened my door and saw the remnants of a surprised expression on her.
"What? It's so early in the morning Mrs. Watskinson. Can I sleep more?" my right eye still closed.
"No, no, no. You have to see what's downstairs," she pulled me downstairs.
My vision was still blurry when I saw a big black square box and a lot of food prepared on the table.
"What's happening? Who gave all of these?" my head was full of questions. My sleepiness went off the window and a surprised expression is plastered on my face.
Mrs. Watsinkon handed me a letter. "I don't know either, Elara. I woke up and saw that box and the foods outside the door. The only thing that was there was that envelope. Your name was written on there. So, I think this is all yours?"
I frowned when I noticed that the color of the envelope was black also. What’s with the black color? There was a weird stamp on the envelope and my name was written on the back of it.
Confusion was written all over my face when I opened the letter inside the envelope.
Happy 18th birthday, Elara Chantria Amore. I hope you will enjoy your day today. Please accept my gift.
I know life has been rough for you. I promise to see you soon and ease your sufferings.
- C.I.L.
"What does it say?" Mrs. Watsinkon asked.
"It says happy birthday and please accept my gift." I looked at Mrs. Watsinkon with an unreadable expression. I don’t want her to know everything that was written in the letter. It looks weird and… he wants to meet me? Looks like a stalker to me.
"Is the sender’s name written on the letter?"
"No, but it has initials C.I.L."
"Should we throw it? Or will you accept it?"
"I— I'm not sure, Mrs. Watsinkon," I truthfully said to her.
I went near the black square box and slowly opened it. I'm excited and a bit scared to see what's inside. I am anticipating that it's not some kind of a threat or some picture of me walking on the street.
My eyes widened when I saw a white dress. I looked at Mrs. Watsinkon with a shocked expression. She mirrored my expression. I took the dress out of the box and amazement was evident on my face when I saw the full design of the dress.
The dress was long, it reached above my ankle. It was a high waist and has a puffy short sleeve. The square neckline suits my style. It doesn't show any unnecessary part of my body. The dress was simple but elegant. It makes anyone who wears it an innocent angel. But I am no angel nor innocent.
"Try it, Elara," I looked at Mrs. Watsinkon and saw her smiling at me.
"But—" I was having second thoughts but when I looked at the box again, I saw another envelope. I picked it up and read the letter.
This is my 18th birthday gift for you, Elara. I hope you wear it on your special day. I picked this because this will surely fit you well.
Also, please wear the necklace I bought. It matches the dress perfectly and I am not a stalker, mi amore.
- C.I.L.
- Writer
