UMBRELLA IN THE RAIN

CHAPTER FIVE – ANNOYING NEIGHBOR

A week after Nathan and Jenny meet at the convenience store.

Jenny always cross path at Nathan, it doesn't matter if it is weekdays or weekends. They saw at the convenience store, at the laundry shop. Even at the restaurant/ café. near to their place.

Sometimes they saw each other at the bus stop, if Nathan's car were not allowed to used, for number coding system. 

"Oh.. Jenny..." Nathan smiles

Jenny looks irritated since he saw him again. They were standing side by side.

"Let me remind you that this is normal that we see each other because were in the same neighborhood, Oh.. It doesn't mean that I like you..." Nathan came to her and whisper it to her, and then move back to his side again while smiles a bit.

Jenny were glaring at him. It's early in the morning and she have so much to do at the office, so she calms herself and ignored him.

Jenny POV

I woke up with full of happiness, since yesterday Ms. Diana told me that she wanted me to present my project at Brand Managers meeting.

Everything was perfect that day, I make sure that I everything was prepared and so that I can present it with confidence. 

As I'm walking at the bus stop, I was smiling and excited at the same time. Simply because I knew that I will also not see my annoying neighbor today because he will use his car today. I reached at the office with enthusiasm. 

After I presented.

They were silent and reading the handouts that I prepared. I looked at Ms. Diana as she also read it.

After few minutes, Ms. Sheila thank me for the presentation and told me that I can go outside since they need to continue their month meeting. 

My heart sank when I sat down at my workstation, because I wasn't expecting that kind of reaction. I thought they tell me straight right away if its good or bad. Their meeting ended almost 3pm, and still I'm waiting for any updates.

I stand up, and looked at Ms. Diana and Ms. Tisha hurriedly went to their sits. Sir Bobby looks at me and smiles a bit and sit on his workstation as well.

"Jenny?" I heard Ms. Sheila calling me and I hurriedly went to her office.

"Yes Ms. Sheila"

"Sit down" she told me while she was still checking my handouts.

It gets me more nervous and I'm looking at her.

"Well, your idea was promising and as I can see it here you've learned a lot... but we can't materialize this project. You will see there, some lack of information, which we understand since it was only a sample project." Ms. Sheila saw me her handouts and saw some re marks with notes and remarks.

"But it's okay Jenny. You were just starting and I know that one day you will show us your full potential." she smiles at me since and I was looking down. I'm ashamed of myself.

"Don't take this too much on yourself, all of us here experience it us well. There is so many projects and ideas that soon come on your way. Just think this is your learning curve, just read this so that next time you were more equip for the next project okay? Cheer up." 

I smiled and nods as well.

Once I seated on my desk, Ms. Tisha comes next to me and pats me on my shoulder and told me that I did a good job. Ms. Diana nods at me as a sign that she agrees as well.

When 5:00 pm strike I decided to went home, due to frustration I decided to buy some drinks and hearty snack to bring at home so that I can de-stress myself. 

I reached the front door as I heard so many people were at our house and remembered that Rose's parents will stay overnight because they went at the hospital for their yearly checkup.

"Auntie..." stops what I'm going to say because I saw Nathan as well and I look at Rose as to why he is here

"Jenny Oh my... I really missed you." Auntie came next to me and hug me.

"I miss you too. Auntie" I smile but I still signaling Rose

"Nathan told me that you were officemate? He was such a nice young man, he helped us on our bags. And now he was helping us cook dinner." Auntie were smiling at him

"I will do that to any people I saw at the street, no worries Auntie" Nathan smiles as he checks the food he is cooking and put the last ingredients.

"Why did you both bring so many foods we are only two people here, you know that both of you were not allowed to carry heavy things right?" Rose were worried to her parents

"You know, we only came here very often, so that is why we need to make sure that we have everything to our daughters right?" Rose's Dad were at the dining area and talking to Nathan

Auntie get the plastic bag and give it to Rose

"Clean yourself first, and we are about to prepare the table." I just obliged 

After I closed the door of my room, I try to calm myself, because I wanted to cry. I wanted to come home and tell to them what I feel right now but there is intruder. That frustrate me a lot.

The dinner was ready and we are all at the table with Nathan, I'm a little bit silent while Auntie and Uncle were telling some stories. 

"Is there something wrong?" Rose asked me while we are both washing the dishes.

I just smile and I'm okay.

"I have to go now, Auntie. Thank you for this!" Nathan said with a bag full of vegetables and some goodies. 

"Thank you for helping us, and please look at them as well from time to time." 

"I will, Thank you again." Nathan smiles and glance on us and Rose nods to say goodbye.

"Honey, He was so handsome, and husband material as well. I wish we can have someone like him as son-in-law don't you think?" Auntie started to teases me and Rose.

"Why you were always telling us to your daughters, do you wanted them to marry right away?" Uncle were irritated, this family really comforted me, Rose and I went to the living room with beer and the fruits that Rose peeled.

"Huh.. Your Dad starting to get grumpy again... I'm just telling them that make sure to pick a right man like him. And of course like you." Auntie sits next to Uncle and hugs him.

"Mom, Dad.. will you stop please.. I got a goose bumps seeing it .. gosh!" Rose said with weird face look.

I was drinking my beer and Rose came near to me and ask me what is going on.

I started to cry.

They were all started to get worried.

I told them what happen while I'm crying, I know that it is really part of my learning I just wanted someone that will hear me out. Since I cannot do it at the office, my considered family never let me down. They let me cry and talk to me as well. Until it's just me and Rose since tomorrow were weekend, we drank all night.

The next morning, I woke up with a headache because of the hang over at the sofa, and Rose were sitting next to me who were drinking coffee. While Auntie were nagging at her while preparing breakfast.

"Ouch!" as I hold my head, and Rose were smiling at me.

Auntie came near me and bring me a coffee.

"Why do you still need to went outside last night? You were all both drunk..what if something happen to you?" Auntie started to nags again and I'm confused, I'm trying to remember what happen last night. 

"Did I what?"

Auntie came near to me and slap my shoulder a bit, to woke up because of my hung over.

"Ouch...Auntie.." pouting at her.

"Haist! What is good about drinking too much. Huh.." she was frustrated and glares at me

"Stop it, let us all eat." Uncle sit already at the table

"Tsk Tsk Tsk!" Rose were smiling at me and they all went to dining table and I followed as well and seat at the chair as well and started to eat.

"How did you even knock someone's else house. Good thing it's Nathan's. Or maybe you really know his house?" Rose were smiling at me whispering, that I choked while drinking my coffee, because I remember now what happen. And my eyes were wide open in shocked. And then I decided to not eat since they will definitely confront me on what happen last night.

"Ugh... my head really hurts Auntie maybe I will just eat once I have enough sleep." I stand up and pretend that my head was so hurt.

"Okay! I will just leave you some food at the table. Go and have some rest."

"Yes Auntie!" and I went to my room.

Rose were laughing since she knew that it was just scheme.

As I went to my room I try to remember I was at the convenience store to buy beer that the staff were stopping me to buy more since I'm kind of tipsy she knew me, the staff just let me buy since I'm so persistent to have one. When I came outside the store it started to rain. I decided to walk in the rain, let me feel the coldness of the raindrops to me face. I started to cry a bit because of what I felt. My house were three blocks away from the store. But maybe of the rain I thought I was already at the 3rd street, and went to the second house that I was sleepy as well. I went to the door and it was closed I thought Rose locked it so I doorbell. When someone open the door I immediately went inside, and I was complaining at her why did she take too long to open the door. I sat on the living room floor and open the can of beer. Since my hoodie was wet, I wanted to remove it, I remember that I asked Rose to help me to remove it. And then the feeling of wanting to sleep began to weigh me down and slept at the sofa. But I saw Nathan's face, I just thought I was just dreaming that time.

"Why he is always there every time I did something stupid. Haist!" I lay down to my bed and with so much shame I wanted to ask the earth to eat me right now.

And I sit down to my bed, as I'm trying to remember on how I woke up at our living room.

"Please let me remember..." my two hands holding my back neck and banged my head at my bed.

At Nathan's House

Nathan was preparing breakfast after a long jog through the neighborhood, he never get some sleep after they bring Jenny home.

"Good Morning!" Dennis woke and went to the kitchen.

"Go home after you eat breakfast." Nathan said and put the food at the kitchen counter top

"It's Saturday to day why you want me to go home? I already told you that I had a small fight with my Mom." while Dennis preparing the food at the dining table.

"That is why you need to go home, and every time you come here my house is a mess. Haist!"

"What is the name again of Jenny's best friend?" 

Nathan ignore his questions since he knew that Dennis will start asking more questions about Rose.

Dennis glares at him, since he knew Nathan's personality if he was avoiding questions.

"You told me, you never told Jenny where is your apartment? how come she came here drunk? Is there something between you two?" Dennis teasing Nathan that makes him choked.

"I was really shocked when you open the door and Jenny went inside without any hesitation with beer. I thought you invited her...." 

"And she even wanted to remove her hoodie. I was scared as why she is doing that." 

"Stop talking, finish your food and go home. " Nathan stops him.

Dennis prepare to leave even he really don't like.

"By the way, all the things happen here, you need to leave it here. Zip your mouth at the office okay!" Nathan reminded him.

"Okay! Okay! but in one condition during weekend let me stay here. So that I can see Jenny's beautiful friend okay?"  

Nathan push him outside of his main door and closed it after.

"See you next weekend bro..." Dennis knew how to annoy Nathan and leave.

Jenny POV

Rose and I put money at the envelope and secretly put it to their bag since they really don't want us to worry financially. 

After lunch, Uncle and Auntie decided to come back home but before that she nags us about drinking too much. 

"How can have a both a boyfriend if you are both alcoholics!" 

"Mom, calm down you don't have to worry at us were both adults. And don't forget your blood pressure it will go up again." Rose reminder her.

"Haist! you two giving us a problem." Auntie were holding her temper when Uncle is getting their bags.

"Honey, let's go were going to miss our bus schedule." Uncle winks at us and talk nicely to his wife.

"You don't have to worry; Rose and I will visit you more often." I hug her and Rose hug her too.

Rose hugs her Dad and Uncle hold my hand. 

"Always take care each other okay!" as he told us with a sweet smile.

"Okay, enough of this, we need to go." 

And we assist them until we reached the front backyard and hailed a taxi going to the bus station. They don't like us to accompany them at the bus station every time they visit us.

"Bye! Text us once you both reached home okay?" Rose wave as her parents was already inside the taxi and they wave at us goodbyes.

When we come inside the house. 

"Tell me what did you do at Nathan's house?" Rose started to confront me

"I don't remember much.. But did Nathan bring me home?" I was scared on what will she say

Rose nods and laughs as well

"Did Auntie and Uncle know about this?"

"No! We were screwed if I told them."

I sigh in relief

"I was sober but I still remember, and he is with his workmate I forgot his name?"

That makes my jaw dropped, that means beside from Nathan someone from my workplace knew my foolishness.

"Do you know what it looks like?"

"Hmmm.. short than Nathan but I think he is handsome as well. Oh, he has cute smile as well"

"Do you manage to flirt in this situation?" as I pinch Rose side a bit.

“Ouch!” she stops me.

"The only friend and workmate that he is close with is Dennis?"  

"Right... I remember that is right. Dennis, do you if he was single?"

I was glaring at Rose

"Fine, Fine.. If you don't to answer. I can ask Nathan for that since I knew his number." Rose leave the living room and went inside her room and closed it since she knew that I will follow her.

Ever since Nathan became my neighbor my world started to get small, all the things that I usually do like jogging in the morning I wasn't able to do that since I saw him doing it as well. I always saw him at the convenience store and at the laundry station as well. I wanted to have a border between work and home but because Nathan was my neighbor, I'm having a hard time to breathe or let loose. Although he never seems interested on all my craziness still it's awkward every time, I saw him at the office, even worse Dennis also saw it.

around 4:00pm, I decided to buy some ingredient for "Caldereta" at the grocery store and cooked a meal for dinner. Some of it I put it on a disposable container and have a courage to go to Nathan's house.

Nathan's was a bit shocked when he opens the door, her hair was down and it seems that he just took a shower and he is wearing a reading glasses, He is not using it during work and I find attractive to guys who is wearing eyeglasses.

"I would like to apologize on intruding your house. And promise that it will never happen again." while I'm giving the food.

"Thanks!" Nathan show his dimples smiling and get the food.

"Don't worry I told Dennis to shut his mouth at the office." he mentions and I felt relief.

"Thanks! for understanding because I really wanted to a border between work and my personal life. Can we also do that?" I said without any hesitation.

"Yeah.. no problem." 

"Thanks! From now on, let us respect our personal space." I handed my hand for a handshake to let him know that I formalizing our agreement.

And he looks at me with confusion and handed his hand as well for a handshake.

After that I thought It will be alright but.

One time I saw Dennis and Rose hanging out at home, it seems that they were getting along. How on earth they started to be friends? Sometimes Rose will come home early and told me that they have a date. She is having a great time, while me I'm at home waiting for her. 

I tried to call Rose since it's almost 10:00 pm but the she is not answering. I have no choice but to text Nathan and asked for Dennis number.

Jenny: Are you the one that give Rose's number to Dennis?

Nathan: Rose asked for Dennis number.

I started to get pissed.

Jenny: Why did you give his number???

Nathan: Why not?

Okay... He really doesn’t get it...

Nathan: Look they were both adults, and they know what is right and wrong.

Jenny: If Dennis hurt Rose, It's all your fault!

Nathan: How will I be at fault I just gave Dennis number?

I don't want to answer this message anymore, it makes me madder at him because of this.

More weeks passed and I saw Rose and Dennis getting more serious about their relationship.

I was taking a shower before going to bed and I accidentally broke the shower switch and the shower won't turn off. I wore my sleep wear clothes and I was alone since Rose were out on date again with Dennis. 

I was in panicked I don't know what to do, I'm calling Rose and Dennis but they both not answering my call. The water started to overflow from the bathroom going to the living room. I don't know what to do I already put all the quilt near to the bathroom door but still the water going out. The only thing I think of is to call Nathan.

"Hello, Sorry I know that it's so late already but can I ask some favor? Please? I need your help I accidentally broke our bathroom shower switch and the water won't stop..." I'm no longer ashamed.

"Okay.. just give me a minute." and he hung up.

I decided to stop the water by pressing the excess water from the quilt at the kitchen sink and try to rinse the water flow at the barroom door.

After few minutes, I heard a doorbell and open it, Nathan brought some tools as well and went inside.

He went to the bathroom and check the shower, since it still open, he was wet as well, and try to fix the switch. I was amazed as how he was fixing it, I realized there are things that only man can do like this.