Chapter 9.2
1305 Words
"Are you going to sleep? I’ll leave you here?" I asked with hesitation after he came out dressed in a pair of pajamas and sat on his bed.
"It's really annoying to have someone around, don't you think?" he asked like a grown man again.
"Huh?
"Someone who keeps talking nonsense. Like, if I need help? If I am fine? I can tell you if I am in need of help or anything so why bother to ask, right?"
My jaw fell as I gaped at him. Seriously? Is he really a kid?
"You smiled earlier. I just want to see it again."
My lips remained open.
"I would not let you in if not for that smile," he said as if I am obligated to thank him for accepting me inside his room.
"Oh!" I nodded at him although I’m sure he can’t understand the hell I’m talking about. In the end. I gave another smile again.
"You looked tense. The smile earlier is genuine and that's what I want to see now.
My smile faded. We stared at each other for a moment. I have no idea what kind of smile he wants from me. It's not like he's a photographer and he wants me to smile a brilliant smile to have a perfect picture.
"If you don't want to, then go out."
I blinked, alarmed. I feel like I’m in a job interview because of this child.
He tiredly slumped on the bed and covered himself with a comforter. "Just close the door after you, please."
At least, he knows how to make a request and say please.
"Okay, goodnight," I said but he kept his silence. He only spoke when I was holding the door handle.
"Turn off the lights, too."
I nodded to myself. "Should I open the lampshades for you?" I waited for about a minute but he didn’t answer me. In the end, I have no choice but to leave silently after turning the lights off and closing the door behind me.
I wonder what would happen to us if we were to be left inside a room for a day. He’s cute with that cold facade.
In my room though, I feel like going crazy being alone. I feel uneasy with what Manang Imelda just told me about the mother of the Señorito. I spent my time soaking in the bathtub to at least relax. I wore thin white sleeveless and cotton shorts. I think these pairs are old and have never been used. It’s even too small for me. I’m just not comfortable wearing things that are not really mine.
I laid on the bed and stared blankly at the ceiling. I don’t really believe in ghosts but the thought of being alone in this room of a dead person really scares me. Besides, the owner doesn’t know I'm using her room and some of the things here. What is she suddenly…
I heard an indistinct sound of something from the balcony. The curtains are down and closed. The wind is not making it move so I’m sure the glass door is closed.
As far as I know, ghosts show up if something’s thinking about them. I felt goosebumps all over my body just thinking about it. I immediately covered myself with the comforter. I feel like someone’s watching over me and it becomes a struggle moving just to hide. When I succeeded, I refused to move in fear that the ghost might notice me. I didn’t look around in fear whatever it is that’s playing with my head actually becomes real.
Right, Tara! It’s all just in your head. Don’t scare yourself.
But... What if…?
"Can't sleep?"
With the comforter around me. I closed my eyes. The faint light is coming from the lampshade and the comforter is so thick that I can’t see anything when I try putting my eyes near the fabric.
"I know you're awake." When he spoke again, his voice registered on me. It’s the voice of the Señorito. I can imagine him rolling his eyes in his last words.
Using my hands, I pulled the comforter off my face. I saw his silhouette from the dark. His hands were inside the pockets of his sweatpants. Wearing nothing from the waist and above. My eyes widened so I sat upright on the bed. I glanced at the balcony. The curtains are still closed but not as how it looked like earlier.
"What are you doing here? How did you get in?” I asked and looked at the closed and locked common door.
He just casually gestured his hand to the direction of the terrace. I waited for his explanation but just like his son, he didn’t say anything. They will only speak when they want to.
"W-Why are you here?” I retreated and leaned on the headboard. When he inched closer, I pushed myself further behind me, until there’s no space. One more move closer to him, and I will fall on the side of the bed.
"I also can’t sleep.”
"T-Then, w-why are you here? Why don’t you wake your wife and—"
"And what?" he tilted his head to his side and waited for me to continue. I shook my head and didn’t answer, grateful to the dim light and he wouldn’t be able to see my cheeks turning red.
I spread my feet on the space on the bed before he could sit on it. I forgot I’m already on the edge and I have nothing to lean on. Before I fell on the side of the bed with my head first, strong arms held my legs and pulled me.
Now, I'm horizontally lying on the bed crazily, with my arms up above my head. It’s a good thing the comforter is covering half of my body.
"W-What are you doing?" Nervousness crawled in on me when the Señorito stared down at me. His right knee rested on the bed used his elbows as leverage as he cornered me underneath him. His face only a few inches away from mine, I held my breath. "If you don’t leave, I s-scream.”
"Then go," his warm breath fanned my face, knocking me out of my senses.
He didn't stop inching closer until his chest touched mine. I gasped and stopped. He distanced himself a little only to get a good look at me. I couldn’t help but close my eyes as my cheeks uncontrollably burned.
Of course! I should have worn a bra! If I had known an assailant would be here!
"Get out," I hissed in frustration and embarrassment.
My eyes remained firmly closed as he cleared his throat. I felt his body heat leaving me weakly lying on the bed.
"I'm sleeping here."
My eyes flew wide open and stared at him. I closed my eyes after seeing him taking off his sweatpants. "What the actual f**k are you doing?"
"Move," he ordered. Alarmed, I opened my eyes. I sighed a little with relief seeing him with his boxer shorts. But this is all wrong and shouldn’t be happening. "And don't worry, I'm not going to 'fvck' you tonight," he mocked in a bitter way, emphasizing that word.
Feeling like a robot, I distanced myself from the bed to give him some space. I grasped the comforter on my fists, holding it closed to my chest to cover myself. He casually laid on the bed and used the same comforter to hide.
"Are you really going crazy?” I firmly asked. The fear of someone knowing about this is so intense "You know what, you should go, or else—"
"You will shout," he continued with eyes closed and shrugged his shoulders. "It's fine. I'm still sleeping here."
Oh, goodness!
What insanity!!
- Writer
