Two in North

Chapter One: Puta

Before taking off, Toti grinned at me. "Bye, Kim."

"Pasensya ka na sa kaibigan ko, ah?" (I'm sorry about my friend.)

"Can I at least carry my backpack?" I asked as I follow him.

He then laughed. "Andito na tayo." (We're here.)

"Oh."

Compared to their house, this house looked really nice. Not that I'm saying that their house wasn't but I just find it too crowded with all the plants. This house has a tree on the right with just several small plants up front. The house was much smaller than theirs.

Paulo opened the white gate and gestured for me to follow him. He then opened the door and I was welcomed with a clean room.

Awww. Sweating, no more.

Guess, I'm somehow disappointed since I won't be doing any cleaning.

The room was actually a combination of the living room and the kitchen. Before me was the "living room" and it consists of a small couch, an old television and a wooden center table. On my left is the "kitchen" with a small dining table made of plastic placed at the center of the "kitchen." It was small indeed but I love the space.

Paulo placed both my sports bag and backpack on the couch then gestured around the place. "Ito na 'yun." (This is it.)

I nodded. "Thank you. I mean, hindi niyo naman po kailangan maglinis." (You didn't really have to clean.)

He chuckled. "Seryoso ka?" (Are you serious?)

"Uh. . . mukha po ba akong nagbibiro?" (Do I look like I'm joking?)

Paulo then laughed. "Ilang taon ka na?" (How old are you?)

"Nineteen," I answered.

"Oh! Huwag mo na 'ko i-po. Hindi naman nagkakalayo edad natin." (You don't have to say po when talking to me since our age gap isn't that far from each other.)

I walked around and there were two doors at the right side of the room. Opening the door to my left, it was the bathroom. Inside were a water drum and the famous "tabo" which is mostly used when bathing. It's pretty obvious what room the next door is. I opened the door to the bedroom and was greeted with a single bed, a bedside table, a medium sized cabinet and a stand fan.

Everything's good.

Turning back around, Paulo was no longer there. It was getting dark and I guess I'll unpack now.

"Kim!"

"Puta!" Clutching my chest, I looked at Paulo who just scared the hell out of me and even made me swear in no time.

Paulo chuckled. "Sorry. Hindi ko sinasadya." (I didn't mean to.)

I waved my hand to dismiss the subject. "It's fine. What is it?"

"Kumain ka muna ng hapunan," he said. (Eat dinner first.)

Walking out first, Paulo locked the door and the gate to secure my bags inside. The sun has already set. There were still kids playing around and a few other people talking. The lampposts haven't lit up yet so it was a bit hard to see the surroundings.

Paulo opened the gate to their house and gestured for me to come in. Tito Raf was outside the door to their house and smiled at me. "Pasok ka." (Come in.)

I bowed my head politely before taking my shoes off. Tito Raf softly held my arm, stopping me from what I was doing. "Okay lang, hija." (It's fine, young lady.)