Erudite: The Intelligent

Chapter 16

I checked the time after wearing my Birkenstock sandals.

I looked at the mirror first before brushing my hair using my fingers.

Damn the dark circles under my eyes. Good thing I am handsome, it's not that noticeable with my good-looking face.

Well, I slept late last night, I was memorizing the recipe of the food that I will cook, this is even harder than closing a deal.

I sprayed my Incense Oud Eau de Parfum by Kilian.

I don't know why I wore expensive clothes, maybe I want to look presentable in front of the two?

Minutes after walking down the stairs, towards the low land, I suddenly remember that I don't know the exact time and the house of the two! We didn't exchange even one contact!

Holding the recipe that I bought earlier I walked towards a lady holding a wooden basket to ask.

"Uhm hello... alam niyo po ba kung saan nakatira si River?" I cussed inside my head when I forgot the name of the fisherman, damn this is so frustrating. Good thing I know the kid's name.

"Si River? 'Yong bata na anak ni Ramzes?" she asked.

"Yes..." I said unsure.

"Abay oo, halika sumabay ka na sa akin, madadaanan ko ang bahay nila pauwi." the lady offered.

I thanked her then walked beside her. I even buy some of her goods,

She didn't even think twice helping me, one thing I noticed about the people here is, they don't know how to figure out if the person is good or bad. And that's a good and a bad thing at the same time.

"Nandito na tayo. Halika tawagin natin si Ram."

My mouth fell when I saw the house. 

"Wait... sigurado po ba kayo?" I asked nervously before holding the lady's arm.

She's pointing out the nice house! The two-story house that I admire!

"Abay oo naman. Ram hijo!" she shouted while banging the on gate.

"Pero mangingisda po 'yong tinutukoy ko." I said nervously.

The lady just smiled, "Ramzes hijo, may naghahanap saiyo!" after that the gate opened.

My eyes widen when I saw the familiar face and built of a man. What the hell? How did this happen? So, all along he is not just a fisherman? He is the Engineer that they were talking about? Imagine the embarrassment I hold right now? I even insulted him and his job! All along I was the rude person here!

"Salamat, Nang." Ram or whatever his name is, "Tara na." he said then walked towards the wooden door.

I roamed around my eyes in their house, the interior looks refreshing and nice, white with a touch of light brown. He didn't stop walking so I continued to follow him. We stopped inside his kitchen.

"Feel free to use the kitchen." he stated.

"Where's your kid?" I asked trying to start a conversation.

"Upstairs, watching something." he answered shortly.

I just nodded then he walked away again, leaving me here.

I started to ready the recipe, chopped, and washed them.

I'm so nervous while doing all those things, I want everything to be perfect.

While waiting for the food to be cook. I thought of River's mother. I didn't saw her here.

I was brought back to reality when Ramzes entered the kitchen. 

"Where's your wife?" I suddenly blurted out. He was taken a back with my question, I was about to talk again to take my question back.

"I don't have one." he said cutting me off.

I stayed silent for some minutes while preparing for the food. At last, I'm done. I didn't bother to taste it because of nervousness.

"Okay!" I heard the familiar voice shouted.

I heard his small gasped when our eyes met, he run towards me then stretched his small fat arms.

I smiled then carried him, "Hello." I whispered.

"You can put him down, he's heavy." Ram said.

"It's fine." 

River didn't leave me while we're eating, he stayed on my lap, and I was feeding him. We got scolded by his dad but who cares.

Both of us flinched when we heard the ear-splitting sound of a thunder. River hugged me then he buried his face on my chest.

Ram stood from his seat then he walked towards a window before glancing outside. 

I felt the familiar scary feeling that I felt when I was still sixteen.

Ram faked a cough after sitting again, "You should stay." he started.

I was dumbfounded on what he had stated, "But-"

"It's far, the distance from here to your hotel, even an umbrella can't save you from the heavy rain, you'll get wet and dirty because of the sand and mud, lastly, the rock stairs are slippery right now." he explained, cutting me off.

"Okay..." I said, defeated.

Normally, my pride won't let me, but this is different, I have a traumatic past, I can't just torture myself and watch the sea while raining right?

After eating, Ram washed the dishes before instructing me to follow him upstairs.

Now that I think about it, where will I sleep? 

"We only have three rooms here, one for me, one for River and the other one's dirty."

So where will I sleep? Don't tell me, I'll stay in the dirty one? Damn. Never!

"Don't you have an extra mattress? I can join River in his room."

He glanced at me then his jaw moved, "I don't have any, besides River's bed is small, you two won't fit."

I hissed, "Don't tell you'll let me sleep in the dirty room?" I asked.

Ram's forehead knotted, "Of course not. You'll sleep in my room, we're both guys and my bed's pretty big."

My eyes widen after hearing him. What!?

I mean it's okay since we're both guys but I never shared a room with anyone before...

"Here, these are new don't worry..." Ram said before handing the clothes.

I entered inside him bathroom before looking at the clothes, it's a plain white shirt, a black sweatpants and a... boxers. I felt my cheeks redden.

I grabbed the towel that I saw on the rack before removing all of my clothes.

Fortunately, the clothes fit me well. I was busy wiping my hair when I stormed out of the bathroom.

I almost drop the towel when I saw the naked back of Ram, he's shirtless! Only wearing grey sweatpants!

I immediately looked away when he turned around, "Oh you're done, you can sleep now."

I laid on the bed after placing the towel on a rack near me.

I tightly closed my eyes when I felt the other side of the bed moved.

After a few minutes, I am still awake, I honestly, can't sleep.

I gasped when I felt the bed again, moving. My eyes widen when I felt Ram's hot breath on my nape, I moved my feet kicking him a little, checking if he is still awake.

He's sleeping already! Damn, this will be a long night.