The Life of Her

Passing By

Mom would probably be doing anything to know and have my current route. Or maybe she already hired a private investigator to locate me – the last thing for her to plan. I immediately dialed the number that was posted on the wall. The phone rang three times, until a woman’s voice was heard on the other line.

“Good afternoon. Who’s this and how may I help you?” She spoke.

“Good afternoon. This is Amber Kate Madison. Is this Mrs. Jane Jordan of Zealous Apartments?”

“Yes. Currently there’s a vacancy. Are you planning to take a place?”

I smiled as I heard what she told me. “Yes. I’ll be there in an hour, Maam. I would like to take a look at the apartment.”

“Thank you. We’ll wait for you. Have a great day.”

She hang up the call. I stared at my phone for a while as I kept my smile. I instantly placed it back inside my bag and merrily took a cab. The taciturn driver helped me in getting my luggage in the back seat and drove off. He turned on the radio and soft songs coming from my favorite artists echoed inside the car. I hummed with myself. Somehow, I’m secretly a fan of those beats.

Giving him the address, he's really quiet during our ride. His frayed blue cap was tilted on his left side. His white beard, almost I could count them all, probably fifteen in strands are slowly growing to length. His eyes were glued in the main road, but his head was a bit pumping with the music.

I didn’t want to make things awkward, so I did change my focus on the surroundings. The air conditioner was fully on, that I just happened to have goosebumps. Luckily, I was able to put my white scarf with roses imprints around my neck. I slowly laid it a part around my arms and wrapped it along without letting him notice it. After I succeeded, I turned my head to see the highly, well-painted walls of a residential house. It was all made of wood with carved designs on different sides. Some parts of the house were broken and shattered – being consumed with bees and termites.

Despite of being known as one of the beautiful houses in this place, things have drastically scattered like a meander that the soul of an old woman who used to be the owner of such a tremendous place is still on its brink of wandering to find peace. It may seem to be an elegant one – once. But, the place was totally abandoned and somehow no one was ever seen to be visiting it after the incident of a child who suddenly lost his consciousness for a week after he had entered the area just to get his ball.

Stories have been told and some details were added or erased that I don’t know already what’s the truth behind the story or it was just all a child’s bedtime one. As we passed it, my eyes glanced over one of its white tiled windows with a large despicable c***k on the bottom right side. The white that just turned grey from its thick dust curtain was firmly placed inside enough not to let pass the air. But an eerie feeling knocked me coldly when I witnessed how the curtain slowly moved to the left side, like a hand gently pushed it off, leaving a small opening on what’s inside.

There was no one – a total pitch black, not until a pair of eyes staring oddly in my way, appearing beside the curtain then in a snap I saw how the glass shattered ominously. I couldn’t hear anything but the loud beat of the music inside the cab, together with the heavy thumps of my heart. I gulped several times as my vision was stuck in the window until the driver completely turned the vehicle to the next street. I shifted my face forward and positioned myself, holding still, almost gripping the seatbelt over my chest.

Not that I don’t want to remember such sinister advent, the chills were deeply set on my back. Cold, horrendous sweats were rushing through my countenance. Shaking, I took several breathes and slowly wiped them off. There’s no such thing that I could see a ghost, right? It’s just my imagination – having myself playing with my own. I jerked my head. The driver peeked at me and I could clearly see from my peripheral view that he’s curious to lay a question.

“Did you see that?”

“See what?” I asked and looked at him.

He focused again on the street, as he retorted. “The woman behind the curtain.”

I froze from my seat and nodded silently in response. My grip was even harder.

“Most of the people here have seen that woman in the same spot, as if she’s waiting for someone to arrive or she just loved to peak from her window during the afternoon. Have you seen her face clearly?” He asked again, but this time his grip on his wheel was firm.

“I-I didn’t see her face clearly. B-Because it was covered with her long wavy hair. But, I do recognized her white gown. Is…she the owner of the place?” I said.

He nodded. “Yes. She’s Ms. Adair. She’s a well-known teacher here.”

“How…did she die?”

“Not that I know the whole story, young lady. But...stories have been told that her former lover had killed her in her own room, and left her to rot inside and that became hunted for years now. Some also said that she died from an accident, poisoned herself and more…but one thing for sure, no one had seen her before she vanished and that’s stranger than from what’s been told.”

I rubbed my temple. It was excruciating. I almost jumped from my seat when I heard my phone rang. I searched for it inside my bag. The number that’s calling is a bit familiar to me and I immediately picked up the person on the other line.

“Good day. Who’s this?”

“This is Jane Jordan from the apartment. I’m sorry if I called you, but I have an important thing to do. I’ll leave my daughter in the apartment to accommodate you when you arrive. Please feel free to ask questions from her, Ms. Amber.” She said.

“Oh, thank you for telling me. I’ll surely talk to your daughter.”

“Okay. Thank you also. I’ll see you later. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Mrs. Jordan.”

She ended up the call and the driver continued to talk.

“I was able to meet her once when I was still freshly married to my wife. The woman was bobbly and had this happy features, as if problems were not her thing. She was often called as a helper and she just went around this place helping random people, up until her last days. And the thing about her lover? I don’t believe such a silly thing that he killed her. But who knows? After her disappearance, her lover had also vanished without any trace.” He shrugged.

“Her life is a mystery for most.”

“You’re right. So if I were you, don’t go to such a place just like her house. You don’t know what will happen to you when you set your feet inside.” He suggested.

I nodded. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

And it was then he stopped us in front of a spacious road that only two can fit in. The walls on both sides were set high. I stared for it for a while, questioning myself if we’re at the right destination. The driver waited for me to move myself out, but he noticed my awkward look.

“We’re here.”

“Are…you sure this is the right place?”

“Yes. I’ll help you with your luggage.”

We went out of the car and he directly carried my things out, placing them gently on the side of the road. I gave him the payment and thanked him. I waited for him to drive off and then I faced the narrow, thin road. I gulped as I scanned the place. The overbearing smell from the sewers and the damped sacks of garbage made me nauseous, that I decided to hold my breath for a while. I started to walk and heard some shrilled chatters from the distance.

A man with his grey hair, deep brown eyes, broad shoulders, rubbed ocean pants and a white sleeveless was walking to my spot. His face stiffened when he recognized my presence but eventually turned into a scornful wink with a sneer plastered on his face. He started to whistle, but it didn’t budge me. Instead, I didn’t look down – eyes towards my path and I simply smiled at him as we passed each other, pulling my baggage.

“Good day, lady. What are you doing in this place?” He asked.

Now that we’re near to each other, I was able to tell that he’s a good-looking man. Probably in his early thirties.

“Oh, just meeting someone who lives here.” I said.

His eyes traveled down my trunk and rubbed his chin. “I see. Well, take care and don’t let those stray dogs get into you.”

“Thank you, Mr…”

“Shadow-“

“Thank you, Mr. Shadow. Have a good day. I’ll get going.”

I gleamed at him once again and he let me pass. I did not mind to turn my head back at Shadow, probably he’s just there standing, glaring at me. I examined the houses that were lining up. Everything is scattered. Most of their windows were made of wood and have grills. Clothes being hung at the top of their balconies, chairs piled at the side of their main doors. There were no garages and most of them owned motorcycles and bicycles. Children were playing with rubber bands and slippers. Some were enjoying jumping jacks and Chinese garter. Chatters were heard from a group of ladies, clothed with their oversized evening gowns with flowery designs. There were whispering and giggling as they shared their thoughts – probably backstabbing someone. I shrugged. They noticed my arrival and their cold stares welcomed me. It was lovely that I just could turn myself to the main road and travel home! I took another step and heard a rattling sound from one of those roofs.

A black with white spots cat hissed over the corroded, rubicund ceiling as a sleek, curly-haired woman, her body was thin that she could break in any moment, kept shooing it with a broomstick. I felt bad for the feline, not until I saw how it snatched swiftly one of her freshly dried fish. I laughed a bit, even though it may came bad. I tilted my head to the end when I saw a signage of Zealous Apartment. I hurriedly went to it and discerned a lady standing still in front of a small gate.

And it's that period, I acknowledged that the driver was right that the address is here.