Chapter 11

ASTRID

When we arrived at their house, we immediately went inside after she opened the door. I immediately looked around their small house.

I found it a bit small, but I think it’s just fit for the two of them. I noticed that there were hanging medals, ribbons, diplomas and something else on the small altar like thing on the side.

“Pasensya na kung maliit lang bahay namin.” I stopped looking around when nerdy spoke as if she was embarrassed.

I shook my head before speaking.

“It’s okay and besides, I’m just nakikituloy lang naman. Are you two only living here?” I noticed that there was no one. It should there be a woman of age like my mom to meet them when their children come home right? I’m just wondering because there is no one.

Where are their parents?

“Ah yes, kami lang ni Lennie ang nakatira dito. Sana hindi ka rin mainitan, wala kasi kaming aircon o electricfan eh.” Nerdy said, scratching her head and I noticed that she changed the conversation. I just smiled at her before deciding to sit on their small sofa since I was still carrying her sleeping sister.

“It’s okay nerdy. One more thing, stop what you just explained, okay? Kung ayaw mong magalit ako sayo!” It seems that she was afraid of my threat and immediately became silent. Minutes later, I noticed that she stood next to me, I mean five meters away from me.

“Ahm kunin ko na muna si Lennie at ilalagay ko lang sa itaas.” Seriously? Did she really think about that now? Tsk, unbelievable!

“Here, be gentle, and she might wake up.” I immediately gave the child to her and she immediately took her sister from me.

“If you want to sleep first, just go into the other room. Don’t worry, malinis naman dun. Mauna na muna ako sa itaas kasi may gagawin pa ako.” I frowned at what she said.

Not what she said in the other room, okay? But that’s the word ‘something to do’, she said. Seriously? At this hour? But what can I do.!That’s her choice.

“Okay, you go first but wait—do you have a cellphone charger? I hope I can charge it if it’s okay.” She scratched her head before answering.

Does this girl have lice?

“Hala pasensya na pero wala kasi kaming cellphone eh.” Is she serious? I think she was the first person I met who didn’t have a cellphone.

Well, It’s not my problem anymore. Tgere are others who don’t like gadgets rin naman, especially social media.

“Oh okay, if you say so.” I shortly said, and she was staring at me while I was staring at her back in confusion.

Okay? Why is she staring at me like that?

Actually, nerdy is pretty. It’s just that her glasses are big and her hair is a bit curly and not combed. Her lips are also red, which seems natural and it includes her pointed nose too and also her eyebrows, because they are quite thick and look like they haven’t been shaved in decades. In short, she has something to improve, but of course I don’t want to tell her that.

Duh, we’re enemies, remember?

Too bad she doesn’t know how to fix herself. Tsk, this kind of girl is a major turn-off for men. Oh well, maybe not all.

“Ehem, una na po ako, good night.”

I blinked when she spoke. But before I could answer, I heard the door close.

What the? She doesn’t even wait for me to answer?!

Argh the audacity! But wait, what am I saying?! What is it to you naman if she didn’t hear your answer? Big deal?! Big deal?! My mind said. I just dismissed that from my mind and sat back on the sofa while thinking. I yawned in maarte way when I noticed that it was 11 pm at night. Time flies so fast. Earlier you were both okay, but now she’s acting cold towards you—ouch, you poor bitch-oops.

I stood up and decide to go upstairs since nerdy told me earlier that I will sleep in the other room. I was walking on the second floor when a door suddenly opened in front of me, causing me to startle a little.

I saw that nerdy was shocked and seemed to see a ghost.

“Why do you look like that, nerd? You look like an idiot. Stop it,” I said then rolled my eyes at her before walking to the other door and didn’t wait for her to answer.

Huh! Did she think she was the only one who could walk away like what she did earlier? Well, she’s wrong! So bumabawi ka? My mind said. What? No! I mean, arghh can you shut up, brain? I’m not even talking to you, okay?! Psh!

I turned to the small room here inside and immediately walked to the small bed with a Hello Kitty cover.

Wow, my favourite. It still smells like new laundry.

I looked inside and saw some books on the side of the bed in the room. I approached it and immediately took it. Percy Jackson, Harry Potter novels, and many others. In fairness kay nerdy, she has good taste when it comes to books.

Well, I’m not a bit fond of books but it depends of my mood to read one and besides, social media is my kind of pampalipas oras when I’m tired, which is the trend now like TikTok. It’s rare lang kasi I go online, especially on social media. People’s minds there are too toxic and negative, so I say no to social media even though our manager at the modelling agency that once hired us with my bitch friends said that it was necessary. Yup, we do modelling but in secret way cause we don’t want to be getting exposed.

Psh, the audacity, right?!

I stopped thinking when I heard a knock. Maybe it’s nerdy. What does she need now? I shrugged my shoulders and decided to open the door for her before I put the books back on the shelf.

“Ito pala ang mga damit ko at underwear na hindi ko pa nagagamit. Don’t worry, malinis yan.” Nerdy said while I first looked at what she was holding before I took it.

“Thanks but wait, where is your comfort room?” I noticed that it was really just a room and there was only one door, which was only going out and coming in.

“Nandun sa ibaba ng kusina, pasensya na at wala kasing cr dito sa kwarto.” I nodded at what she said before saying thank you. I was about to close the door when she spoke again.

“I just want to say good night again. Sleepwell miss,” she said, smiling shyly while I suddenly felt a weird feeling like something was flying in my stomach that I don’t know what because of her smile.

This is weird. I just nodded to her before speaking.

“It’s okay, but is Lennie okay? I mean, is she your sister?” She laughed softly at what I said.

What the hell is funny?!

“Yes, we are siblings. Hindi ba halata?” I would like to say that it is not because you are a manang and your sister is not. But I decided not to do it because she might be offended and besides, I’m just nakikituloy nga lang.

Next time, I think? Tch, I smirk at that thought.

“A little. Oh well, thanks for letting me stay here for tonight. I owe you a lot nerd.” I said and smiled at her. I noticed that she seemed to be stunned for a moment before shaking her head which made me laugh in my mind.

This girl is really weird.

“Ah, wala yun.” She shook her head before walking away like she was in a hurry but before she could even enter her room, I spoke again, causing her to stop walking and stare at me in disbelief.

“Good night, too, nerdy. Sleep well.” I said and smiled at her, a genuine one before closing the door. I shook my head at nerdy’s reaction earlier and suddenly realised that I was smiling like an idiot.