Ploy

Hateful

I woke up in anguish as the spicy, pungent and mellow aroma of garlic permeated my whole room. I sat up in disbelief and found myself unhurriedly making my way downstairs. Which spirit is visiting me today?

As I neared the dining area, I could see an abundant variety of bread placed on the table. "Great mother of sustainance, what have I invited to my home?" I asked, mumbling to myself about how wasteful it could be not to finish all of it.

I reached out for the bread that was nearest to me, while a hand popped out of nowhere to stop me from touching the bread. I knitted my brows in displeasure and questioned the owner of the hand. "Why did you stop me?"

"It's not yours"

"How dare you say it's not mine when all of what you used belongs to me in the first place?"

"Go make your own food!"

The person then went back to the kitchen, making me let out a plethora of curses in my head. I gave a quick glance at the kitchen and swiftly grabbed one of the nearest breads beside me and made my way upstairs. I would k-ll that son of a fallen man if the taste is not up to my liking.

I went inside my room and opened all the windows to let out the unwanted smell of garlic. I then went to the low-table near the bookshelf, sat down, and relished the taste of the savoury and sweet perfection all packed in a meager bread. That was it? I propped myself against the bookshelf and stared at the scenery out of my window.

It was the usual scene of an expanse of grass, flowers and trees waving as if to greet you for a pleasant day. It's not really that pleasant when it nears the abundance of rot and leaves needing for it to be maintained. Oh, how the smell of it just makes you want to surrender for your dear life.

Having thought so, I suddenly had the urge to take a shower and get rid of the smell invading my mind. Making up my mind, I went to my wardrobe and got myself some comfortable clothes to wear.

My bathroom is just beside my room as I really didn't have the capacity to walk up and down the stairs whenever I needed a quick rinse. There is not much to talk about, just a rectangular wooden tub attached to the left side of the wall with a faucet attached to it and a cubicle with a composting toilet, as well as a sink near the door.

I hanged my clothes on the rack near the door. And then I undressed myself, throwing the clothes on a basket underneath the sink. My towel was already on the rack, so I had no need and didn't bother to get myself another one.

There was a small divided part in the tub right below the faucet with a wooden ladle. I flicked the faucet upwards, went and sat in the bigger portion of the tub and listened to the sound of water filling the bathroom with its calming song.

...

Half an hour later, my guest could be seen with impatience and discontent as he served himself tea in the living room. Not even a day and he already looks like he owns the place; is he taking me, the owner, as a servant?

"Your name?" I asked.

"A host not even knowing their guest's name is a bit improper, don't you think?" His voice contained a bit of mockery and teasing, making me wince at his words. "Vhilde." He continued. "You can just call me Vhilde."

I nodded at his words and gave him a once over. He was wearing a hood covering his pretty face and hair. I thought that it was a bit of a pity as his hair reminded me of the moonlight's glow and comfort. His face still had his lighthearted smile, which I doubt could even be wiped off, making his face look really punchable. He was wearing a white shirt and pants, which I think could be his favorite color. I shook my head at what seemed like one of the creators' favorite creation. He's too pretty to be real.

"Did you fall for me?"

His voice sounded out in the background. And delusional too. I can't be bothered to correct him, since I don't think he'll even believe what I say. "Follow me, we'll go out to buy you some essentials."

I went out first without even bothering to check if he followed me. It's not like he is blind, anyone can see where I went; since the house is situated just in front of the hill we'd be going through.

I waited a few minutes for him to show up and soon enough, his almost signature frowning face with a small smile was spotted as he took brisk steps towards where I was standing. And questioned as he neared me. "Where are we going?"

"You're not deaf are you? Didn't I just say that we're going to buy you your essentials?"

"That doesn't answer my question."

"It does."

"It doesn't."

I gave him a glare and harrumphed. "It doesn't matter, just follow me."

I turned my back at him and went ahead and walked inside the tunnel. It was only big enough to have two adult women walking side by side on the basis that their clothes would be dirtied by the walls. It was also a bit torrid, so the little bit of water from the rain last night made the surroundings of the tunnel a bit stuffy.

I hastened in my steps; not wanting to stay a second longer in the stuffy inferno of a tunnel.

"You walk too slow." Vhilde's voice echoed through the tunnel. I then yelped in surprise as I felt my eye level raise by a small percentage and my feet uncousously raising as it no longer touching the ground.

"Put me down!" I screamed and moved around in protest.

"No."

"Hurry up then."

"..."

"How long do I have to walk until we can get to the entrance?"

"Just a couple more minutes."

"Mhm."

After what seemed like an enternity of torture, a faint light reminiscent of hope was clear to see in the never ending expanse of the stifling darkness. Praise to the guardian of this hill, I never thought I would make it out alive. I let out a sigh and smiled in relief as we got nearer and nearer to the other side of the tunnel.

"Can you put me down now?" I demanded him immediately as we got out of the tunnel; wanting to stay as far as possible from this unknown variable that I picked up.

I then immediately regretted my tone as I felt the collision of my lower buns and the muddy earth making my originally clean pants an artistic spectacle of what seemed like I had excreted the solid waste that I had eaten.

"You didn't have to do that, you know." I gave him a reproachful look and quickly led the way to the town.

The more time I spend with him, the more I feel that it was such a waste of his pretty face to have such an unlikable personality. I guess our dear creator realized that balancing out a person would be better than making them a target for everyone's envy and wrath.