SEVEN DAYS - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: True Intentions

Morning came and Nathan went out early to go to the grocery. As he came back he saw Elaine sleeping along the stairs. He dropped everything he was holding and rushed towards her. “Elaine! Wake up! What happened to you?” he said as he held her in his arms. She slowly opens her eyes and tries to get up.

“I woke up not feeling well, my body aches. I feel hot, I think I have a fever” she softly said as she shook her head. “I called for you but you were not responding so I came down but I was too weak so I just decided to wait over here” she added. Nathan lifted her up and said “Okay I’m here now, come on I will take you back to the room.”

Elaine shook her head like a child and said “No, I want to stay in the living room, I don’t want to be alone in the room.” Nathan carried her and brought her to the sofa. “Okay then you stay here and I will cook you breakfast” he said. Elaine looked at Nathan and started to laugh. He looked at her and wondered why she suddenly laughed.

“You can cook? You really make me laugh all the time” she said. Nathan looked serious and raised his left eyebrow. “So you don’t believe me, fine then let me show you” he said and went to the kitchen. Elaine kept laughing and sat back at the sofa and turned on the television. After a while she smelled something good so she tried to stand up and immediately walked towards the kitchen. She saw Nathan cooking up something and she could not believe that he was actually cooking.

She sat in front of the dining table and watched him. After a few minutes he was serving her breakfast. Elaine was quite delighted seeing the French toast, scrambled eggs and bacon in front of her, she at once took a piece of bacon and munched on it. Nathan sat across her and started to eat. “I told you I can cook” he boasted. Elaine acted not convinced and said “Well even elementary students can cook this you know, it’s so simple” and Nathan just smirked and she laughed.

While they were eating the phone suddenly rang and Nathan quickly ran to get the wireless phone. He walked back towards the dining table and handed the phone to Elaine. “It’s for you” he said.

Elaine was surprised and she slowly placed the phone on her ear. “Hello?” she said. Nathan got back in his seat and continued eating. Elaine was just looking at him while she was talking on the phone.

“Madam we already have a room for you ready. We need your confirmation if you still want it and we need you credit card details for the reservation” the other man on the line said.

Elaine was silent, she was happy to hear that a room is ready for her but on the other hand she did not want to leave. “Please give me a minute” she said.

“Hey Nathan, they said I have a room ready for me” she told him. Nathan’s mouth was full but manage to speak. “That’s good” he said. Elaine was looking for a reason for her to stay but it was as if he did not care. “Can you bring me to the hotel after eating?” she asked. Nathan looked at her and said yes. Sadness filled Elaine’s mind, she really wanted to stay a little longer. “But I still feel weak” she softly said.

“Then stay here until you get better” he said and continued eating. Even though she did not get the response she wanted from him she now had a reason.

“Sorry to keep you waiting but can you give the room to someone else. I am really sorry I cannot come over today” she told the man on the phone.

“I see, well we look forward to your stay here some other time then madam, good day” the man said and phone went busy.

Elaine put the phone down and looked at Nathan who was looking at her. “Maybe I will just rest today. Tomorrow I might be better so can you help me find a place tomorrow?” she told him. Nathan just nodded. At that moment she was confused, he was nice to her but at that moment she felt that he did not care if she stayed or she went away.

After breakfast Elaine watched television in the living while Nathan was washing the dishes. Minutes later he joined her at the living room but was busy sending text messages on his mobile phone. Elaine was kept glancing at him but every time he looked at her she would turn her eyes towards the television.

“Hey Elaine I was wondering why you don’t have your mobile phone on” he said. Elaine sighed and said “I don’t want to receive calls or messages from him.” She looked at Nathan who was still busy with his phone. “So you really are mad at him” Nathan suddenly said.

“Yeah” she replied. “You may hate him for now but you will forgive him soon” he added. Elaine closed her eyes and thought about what he said. “Maybe” she whispered.

“Maybe? Come on, he is your boyfriend; in the bottom of your heart you still love him. Love does not go away that easily.” Nathan stated. “Would you want me to talk to him and tell him your grievances so you two can patch things up when you return home?” he asked her. Elaine opened her eyes and looked at him; he was looking at her waiting for her reply.

“Why would you do that?” she asked. Nathan sighed and sat back; he put down his phone on the table and said “I believe that once you love someone you don’t simply love him for a certain reason. You love that person for who they are, and if ever they did something that you do not like then tell them so they can change. Its part of growing, so whatever he may have done to you I am sure he feels sorry and wants to change. So give him a chance to change, don’t waste the love that you have for him. I know you feel that you hate right now but deep inside you do still love him. Your feelings of anger are just clouding your feelings of love for him” he stated.

Elaine pouted and remained silent, she remembered Ronald as he was begging for forgiveness. “If you don’t forgive him and you decide to leave him, he might just end up like me” Nathan suddenly revealed. Elaine was surprised to hear him say that so she quickly replied. “End up like you?”

Nathan lit a cigarette and bowed his head. “Yeah like me…” he said and he quickly killed his cigarette. “Sorry I was so inconsiderate, you are sick and here I am making you more sick by smoking” and he started laughing.

“What do you mean end up like you?” she asked again. He stood up and walked towards the kitchen swaying his hips. “He might end up gay like me” he said and laughed loud. Elaine didn’t laugh, she noticed that it has become a habit of him making her laugh whenever he is in a tight spot. She got up and followed him into the garden where he sat and lit a cigarette.

Elaine sat in front of him and asked “What happened to you and your girlfriend?” Nathan quickly stood up and was about to walk away. “I know you’re trying to think of a funny joke again, I noticed you do that whenever I ask you serious questions” she said. Nathan looked at her and sat back down. “Let me ask you, what do you think of me?” he said and Elaine was once again surprised.

“What I think of you? Well you are a nice guy, kind and funny, a happy go lucky guy maybe” she answered. He just smiled and puffed his cigarette. “So you still don’t want to tell me what happened?” she asked. “There is nothing to tell, can’t you see I’m happy, happy go lucky as you say” he replied. Elaine just stared at him; she could not break him down to talk to her honestly. Even though he was smiling at her she could feel it was a fake smile, deep inside she now knew that he had undergone severe pain in his life, a pain that he does not want others to feel.

The rest of the day Nathan took care of her, she acted sick and succeeded. She was treated like a baby, a treatment that she never felt with Ronald. When night came she lie in bed saddened thinking that she would leave tomorrow.

Dawn has broken and she slowly packs her bags. She took an hour in the bath tub thinking whether is she should go or she should stay. She wanted to stay but was ashamed to tell him. She just thought that even though she goes to the hotel he would still tour her around.

After breakfast they headed to the car, Nathan opened the trunk and asked her where her bag was. “I left it in the room” she said as she entered the car. She was hoping that he would catch her drift. “Okay I will go and get it” and he went inside the house. Elaine shut the door and closed her eyes; it was not the reply she wanted to hear. She wanted to ask her to stay but it was too late, they were going to find a place for her.

She heard the car trunk close and looked around and saw Nathan coming in front. As he enters the car and shut the door the more she felt sad. There was no turning back now.

They went to all the hotels and found no vacancy, Elaine was happy. They decided to try again later in the afternoon so they went for a drive around the city. They went to a nearby town to pick strawberries and Elaine did enjoy each and every moment. She enjoyed Nathan stealing strawberries from her basket and acting innocent all the way.

They returned to the city and went around all hotels again, Elaine wished that there was no vacancy and happy she was to see none. They drove around the city once more and Nathan suddenly drove the car in a dark alley. He stopped the car in front of a shabby Inn. Elaine looked out the window and the place was a mess, there were nasty looking people all over the place. She was getting nervous thinking that he would let her stay in a place like that. “Wait here I wont take long” Nathan told her and she started to feel nervous. Nathan went inside the Inn and after a few minutes he went out with another person and headed towards the car. He opened the trunk and Elaine was really furious now seeing what was happening.

The car trunk closed and Nathan stepped back in the car, he looked at Elaine and was about to speak but she could not hold it any longer. “I never thought that you were this low. How could you even think of making me stay in a place like this?” she angrily said. Nathan looked surprised and said “Wait…” but Elaine was really angry.

“I want to go back to your place now! How dare you!? I really cant imagine…you are much worse than him. Take me back now!” she said. Nathan could not do anything but drive towards home.

As soon as they reached his place Elaine went out of the car and slammed the door. She ran towards the house and waited for him to open the door. As soon as the door was opened she ran towards the stairs.

“I will cook dinner” Nathan said. Elaine turned her head at him and shouted “Eat dinner yourself. I don’t want to see your face again! Don’t even talk to me anymore. Let me stay just for tonight and tomorrow morning I will leave!” and she went straight up. Nathan went to the kitchen and started to prepare the food.

Elaine entered the room and closed the door. The room was dark and she could not see a thing. She leaned back at the door and cried. After a few moments she decided to turn on the lights, as the room brightened she was surprised to see her travelling bag in the room. She was confused at the moment thinking how it got there. She approached the bag and there was a note on top of it which read

“You can stay here as long as you want”

Elaine fell on her knees as tears began to fill her eyes once again. He wanted her to stay but he could not say it directly. She could not understand why he would still accompany her to find a room when he left her bag at his place. She felt terrible for thinking that he wanted her to stay at the nasty Inn and those harsh words that she had told him.

Elaine got on the bed and felt really terrible with what she has done. She wanted to go down and apologize but she was too embarrassed to do so. She rolled and turned on the bed not knowing what to do but she decided to go down and ask for forgiveness.

Elaine walked down the stairs slowly wiping her tears along the way. She headed towards the kitchen where she saw Nathan preparing dinner. Nathan saw her and said “Take a sit, it will be done in a minute” and he continued cooking. Elaine could not utter a single word; she could not even move a single step. Tears again fell down her cheeks and she bowed her head.

She suddenly feels and arm around her shoulder so she looked and Nathan was beside her. He wiped her tears softly and said “Stop crying now, come sit and let’s eat dinner.” He guided her towards her chair and sat across her. Elaine could not still look at him so she just bowed her head.

“Elaine better start eating or the food will get cold” she heard him say. “Nathan, I am sorry for the things I said” she whispered. “I know, it’s just a misunderstanding. Don’t worry its fine with me, so please eat now” he answered. She slowly lifter her head and looked at him, he was smiling at her. She wiped her tears and just stared at the food. He stood up and sat beside her and started to put food on her plate.

He sliced a piece of meat and scooped it with a spoon; he raised it towards her mouth. “Say ah” he said. Elaine looked at him and started to smile and she opened her mouth and ate it. “Good girl, now eat” he told her and she chewed while staring at him.

“You must be wondering about the Inn, I was just delivering a package to the manager. I had no intentions of making you stay at a place like that. I know you have seen the note, and I meant what was written there. I just didn’t know how to tell you that I wanted you to stay here as long as you want because you might think I had different intentions” he revealed.

“I spoiled your surprise I am sorry” she said. Nathan laughed and sliced a piece of meat, “Yeah, but I do really want you to stay” he repeats. “Why?” Elaine suddenly asks and looks at him. Nathan takes a deep breath and looked at her and laughed. “I know you are probably expecting a joke from me right?” he asks her. “Well I’m getting used to it already so I don’t expect serious answers to serious questions from you” she exclaimed.

“I want you to stay because I do enjoy your company” he softly said. Elaine was delighted to hear that from him and she moved closer to him and smiled. She tapped him and opened her mouth; Nathan looked at her and laughed. “So now I have to feed you like a baby?” he asked her. Elaine cheerfully nodded and he gamely gave into her request.

SEVEN DAYS - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Choosing to Stay

Elaine woke and slowly slipped out of the blanket; she fixed the bed and decided to go downstairs. As she opened the door a stool was present, on top of the stool was a bathrobe and on the floor a pair of slippers. She quickly wore the slippers and robe then walked down the stairs. As she reached the living room Nathan was not there. The house was silent so she tried to look for him around the house. At the back of the house there was a glass door which was opened, she stepped out and saw Nathan sitting in a garden shade. She slowly and quietly approached him then said “Good morning”.

Nathan stood up and turned around, “Good morning, did you sleep well?” he replied. “Yes, thanks you for the robe and slippers” she said. “You’re welcome, please have a sit” Nathan told her. Elaine sits across him and Nathan pours orange juice on an empty glass. “Here, sorry I don’t have coffee. Is there something you would like to eat? I can cook for you” he offered. Elaine took the glass of juice and smiled. “Thank you but I don’t eat breakfast. Usually at this time I’m already at my workplace” she said.

“Oh by the way I tried calling all the hotels once I woke up and the earliest possible vacancy is tomorrow evening. So you can spend the night here again if you like” he told her. Elaine took a sip of the juice and sat back. “Tomorrow evening, then I guess if it’s okay I shall take your offer if you don’t mind” she softly said. Nathan smiled and asked her “Do you have plans for your vacation here?” Elaine paused and looked away. “I feel embarrassed to say this but I took the wrong bus” she revealed. Nathan looked at her surprised.

“You mean you were not intending to go here? So where were you heading exactly?” he asked her. “Somewhere warm, with a beach, I was planning just to stay overnight then leave but I think I’ll I will spend a few days here since I’ve never been here anyway” she told him. “You went the opposite way, its cold here and we don’t have a beach, all we have are trees and mountains.” Nathan added. Elaine sighed and took a look around, “Well I need to go buy clothes if I’m to stay here” she uttered.

“What for? Let me tell you Elaine, here in Baguio the people don’t care what you wear. Unlike for other places where they give you a total stare down, here it’s different, people mind their own business. So you can wear anything you like” he said. “All I brought were clothes for the beach, you know…” she was about to say when Nathan butted in. “I can imagine what’s in your bag. So tell me did he hurt you that bad?” he suddenly said.

Elaine was surprised hearing those words and she looked at him. “What are you saying?” she asked.

Nathan sat back, took a sip of his juice and then lit a cigarette. “Do you mind if I smoke?” and Elaine shook her head. “Well you see it’s kind of unusual for a person to take the wrong bus and then just decide to stay where that bus brought them to. Although I don’t know you well yet, I feel you are not that irresponsible, your mind must have been thinking of something. So what did you and he fight about?” he added.

Elaine remained silent; she was really surprised how he was able to figure out her reason for taking a vacation. “Okay I guess it’s something private. Since you have no plans for your vacation then let me tour you around the city free of charge” he offered. Elaine looked at him and said “Before you tour me around I need to buy clothes”.

“Tell you what, I have swimming trunks. You can wear your bikini and I will wear my swimming trunks then lets tour the city so you don’t have to buy clothes. Isn’t that exciting, people might say we are crazy wearing those in a cold weather. But you in a bikini….that might be a problem you know” he said and began grinning. Elaine looked at him starts laughing as Nathan pretended to be imagining her in a bikini.

“Do you have a girlfriend?” Elaine suddenly asked. Nathan looked at her and said “Yes, and she is going to kill me when she finds out a beautiful lady slept in my place.” Elaine laughed a bit and played with glass. “So this is going to be a problem for you after all” she told him. Nathan started laughing at her and she looked at him curiously. “I don’t have a girlfriend, I was just kidding. If I did then I would not have let you sleep here or even treat you out for dinner.” Elaine just smiled at him then finished her juice.

They went to the mall in order for Elaine to buy some clothes. As Elaine was about to enter one shop Nathan just stood by the door. “Hey come inside with me help me choose” she told him. Nathan hesitantly followed her inside and whispered “I don’t think this is a good idea”. Elaine looked at him and said “I thought you were gay, you told me last night” and started to laugh. Nathan raised his eyebrows and acted gay, “Oh so now you notice my beauty huh. Fine let me help you choose your clothes” he stated and Elaine laughed harder.

Nathan sat down on a chair as Elaine tried several clothes on. Every time she tried something she would come out to show Nathan. It took them an hour to choose and the attendants had fun as Nathan pretended to be gay the whole time. As they stepped out of the shop Elaine was still laughing and she said “I never have enjoyed shopping like this with my boyfriend, you are really funny.” Nathan continued the act and said “Oh, is your boyfriend cute? When will you introduce him to me? Hmmm he might fall in love with me you know” and people were staring at him.

“Nathan you can stop now, people are staring at you” she whispered. Nathan raised his eyebrows and put his hands on his hips, he walked forward swaying his buttocks. Elaine stood still as she laughed harder and her stomach was aching already. Nathan turned around and shouted “Hey girl, get your act together now, we will be late for our facial you know” he said. Everyone around was amused at his gay antics, Elaine was already teary eyed from laughing but managed to follow him.

They sat down at a nearby fast food joint to take brunch. After eating they went for a drive along Camp John Hay. Elaine stuck her head out of the window like a child and enjoyed the cool breeze. “Hey Nate this place is amazing, so many trees. Can you park it somewhere and let’s take a walk” she said. Nathan parked the car in a shaded area, the both got out of the car. “If I remember correctly there are trails here which you could follow, it’s like a nature hike” Nathan revealed. Elaine looked at him with excitement. “Where is it? I have never gone on a hike before” she says.

Nathan did not know about the trails so they asked for directions from people there. They went to the nearest trail and started to trek it. Elaine was enjoying the walk; she has never seen nature at its finest. She was used to seeing concrete roads and tall buildings. This was the first time she was in touch with nature so she walked slowly. After several minutes of walking, Nathan suddenly stops. “Wait here, just wait here” he says. Elaine sat down on the ground watching two butterflies flying around in circles.

As the butterflies came near her she stretched out her hand and one butterfly landed on it. The butterfly walked along her finger and she smiled. As the butterfly flew away she noticed Nathan standing not far looking at her. She noticed that his pants was muddy, “What happened to you?!” she asked him. Nathan scratched his head and walked towards her, she noticed he was hiding something in his other hand.

“What’s that you’re holding in your right hand?” she curiously asked. Nathan revealed what he was hiding, it was a white lily and he handed it to her. “Well you see and I thought you might like it so I went to get it but I slipped into a pile of mud” he said smiling and scratching his head. Elaine took the flower and started to blush; she looked at the flower and said “You got mud in your pants just to give me this. It’s so beautiful, thank you” she softly uttered.

“Just like you” he whispered and turned around. “What did you say?” Elaine asked him. Nathan shrugged his shoulders and said “We have to get going, come on follow me.” Elaine heard the first words he said so she smiled and gamely stood up. She walked beside Nathan and teased him, “Why would a guy go through all the trouble of getting a single flower? Hmmm I wonder.”

Nathan looked at her seriously, he raised his eyebrow and he said “I got that for me you know, but once I got it I white isn’t my favorite color so I decided to give it to you” he said with a gay accent then skipped and hopped forward while swaying his hands. Elaine laughed and held the flower tightly in her hands smiling as she ran after him.

After an hour they reached the exit, Elaine was tired and was gasping for air. “How far to the car?” she asked him. Nathan knelt down and looked at her, Elaine was surprised and curious. “Come on, piggy back, I will carry you back to the car” he said. Elaine managed to laugh and gamely rode on Nathan’s back. Nathan started to walk forward but Elaine shouted “Wait!” so he let her down. Elaine ran back and picked up the white lily and ran back towards Nathan. Nathan started to walk but Elaine just stood still, he turned around and stared at her and she smiled. Nathan grumpily walked back and madly stared her at the eyes. Elaine was frightened as Nathan grabbed the flower from her hands. He then fixed her hair on the right side and placed the flower on her ear. “There that’s where it should be” he said and he turned around and knelt down.

Elaine was quite moved with his gesture and she rode again on his back. As Nathan walked forward she wrapped her hands around him and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Why are you being so nice to me?” she whispered in his ear. “Midway we are trading places, you will carry me back to the car” he said. Elaine smiled and knew he was just joking her. “You’re kidding me again right?” she again whispered. Nathan took a deep breath and said “Now you’re getting used to me.”

Once they reached the car they drive towards a nearby restaurant to eat dinner. They were both exhausted; Nathan sat back and closed his eyes as they were waiting for their food to arrive. Elaine glanced at the mirror nearby and she sees the flower still in her ear. She smiles and looks at Nathan who was yawning, “I really enjoyed today” she said. Nathan looked at her and imitated her “I really enjoyed today, mud on my pants and shoes, and being a horse on the way back, I really enjoyed today.”

Elaine started laughing but paused after. “Hey Nathan do you think If I decide to spend my whole vacation here it would be as happy as today every day?” she asked. “I can’t promise you that, but I will think of something perhaps” he replied. Elaine looked at the mirror once again and smiled. “Okay then I’m staying”

SEVEN DAYS - Chapter 1

SEVEN DAYS

PAUL DIAZ

Prologue

Elaine is a junior executive at a pre-need firm; she is only 23 years old. She is intelligent and hardworking, to add to that she has a beautiful face and a magnificent body. A simple smile from her could make anyone at ease but today anger was written all over her face.

“Elaine! Wait, I can explain everything!” says Ronald. Elaine folds her clothes and places them inside her travelling bag. “What excuse are you going to use this time? Overtime in the office? Oh I forgot you’re still studying. They dragged to you a party? Or you simply forgot again?” she madly utters as she zips her bag and drags it along the floor.

“Listen to me please, it slipped my mind. Come on Elaine cut me some slack will you” he pleads but they fall into deaf ears. “My birthday last year, Valentine’s day, Christmas day and now this, am I even important to you? Am I not your girlfriend?” she says as she walks out the room. Ronald tries to block her way but she dodges him, he runs towards the door and leans on it. “I am not letting you go. I said I am sorry, what else do you want me to do?” he pleads.

“What do you think is the special event yesterday that you again missed? Tell me and I might forgive you, if you can’t then leave me alone” she says and stares him in the eyes. Ronald looks at her and bows his head and moves away from the door. Elaine opens the door and drags her bag outside as the driver of the cab meets her and takes her bag and places it inside the trunk.

Elaine was about to enter the cab but Ronald held her hand. “Please Elaine don’t go, tell me what to do please” he pleads. “Let go of me I need some time alone!” she yells and enters the cab and closes the door. “I’m sorry! Where are you going? At least tell me where you are going please” he begs of her.

“I’m taking a break, don’t bother calling me. Oh yeah I forgot you never call me actually so keep it up. I don’t want to hear from you while I am away. Lock the door to my apartment when you leave” she told him.

The cab begins to move and Ronald was left standing on the street looking on. The cab suddenly stopped and Ronald rushed towards the cab. He delightfully looked at Elaine at the open window but he saw her in tears.

“It was our first year anniversary” Elaine said and Ronald closed his eyes in embarrassment. The cab sped off leaving Ronald alone in the middle of the street as he falls to his knees.

Chapter 1: Table for two strangers

“Hello Tina, it’s me Elaine, could you do me a favor and file my vacation leave for me. Sorry but I’m already on a bus” Elaine says on her phone. “No problem, why all of a sudden?” her officemate asked. “I don’t want to talk about it” she replied. “I see, it’s him again. Anyway where are you heading to?” Tina asked. “Someplace warm and relaxing” she replied. “Wait, how many days will it be?” Tina asked her. “Oh just a week perhaps, I just want to clear my mind that’s all. Anyway I will call you when I get there. Thanks again Tina I owe you one” Elaine ends and shuts off her phone.

Elaine sits back and stares at the scenery as the bus passes through the farmlands, she looks at her watch and its one in the afternoon. She blocks away all thoughts about Ronald and imagines herself parading her new bikini on the beach. She already can feel the warm sun touching her skin and the sound of the gentle waves serenading her as she sunbathes. She closes her eyes and falls asleep.

“Miss wake up. We are already here” Elaine hears a voice telling her. As she opened her eyes she saw the bus driver looking at her. She looks at her watch and it is already 7 in the evening. She felt cold but managed to stand up and followed the driver down the bus. “Here is you bag madam” the driver hands the bag to her. She does not recognize the bus station so she asks “Where is this place?” and the driver looks at her confused. “This is Baguio City madam, the summer capital of the Philippines” he answered.

Elaine was so shocked to hear that, she got on the wrong bus. Baguio city was situated at the northern part of the Philippines. It was cold here; people do come and spend their summer vacation to get away from the heat of the sun. She felt cold and confused and was terribly hungry, so she went to the street vendor to buy a snack.

“I’m sorry madam but I don’t have change for your 1000 peso bill” the old woman told Elaine as she was about to pay for the snacks she bought. Elaine was feeling worse already, it seemed that all bad luck was going her way. “Oh, Sir Nathan! I have your favorite goodies, they just arrived!” shouted the old vendor. A man approached and stood beside Elaine. “Hello Martha, give me two packs, last week I didn’t taste not even one so make it a double today” and he gives his payment.

Nathan was a 30 year old bachelor, he was well built and often wore a smile on his face. He was just a simple person who did not mind what he was wearing, he often wears clothes that do not stand out or catch attention.

“No sir, I cannot accept that money, we still owe you. Let’s just deduct that amount to our debt” that old lady stated. “No Martha, take it, forget about the debt for now, I know you need the money, come on take it” Nathan insisted. The old lady was embarrassed but she took the money and prepared his change.

“Excuse me, do you have enough change now?” asked Elaine. “Sorry madam, I still lack half of the amount” replied Martha as she hands over the change to Nathan. “How much is it?” he suddenly asked. Elaine looked at Nathan as well as Martha. “Eighty pesos sir” replied the woman. Nathan brought out four twenty peso bills and handed it to Martha. “Here, consider it my treat” he said then smiled at Elaine and starts to walk away.

Elaine was surprised and Martha smiled at her. “Isn’t he great madam, that’s Sir Nathan a kind man” Martha stated. “I overheard you having a debt with him, does he own this station?” Elaine asked. “No, he just comes here three times a week to pick up packages. I met him a year ago, that time my daughter got sick and I did not have money to pay the bills. He noticed that I had a problem so I told him about it. He went to the hospital and he paid for everything” Martha recalled as tears started to gather in her eyes. “How much do you owe him?” Elaine inquired further.

“I don’t really know” Martha said. “You don’t know how much you owe him? Didn’t you check the hospital bill?” Elaine stated. “I did but all they said that it was settled already and I don’t have to worry about a thing. I tried to ask him but he would not say, every time I ask he just smiles at me and tells me to just pay when I can. So I saved around ten thousand pesos 3 months ago, I know that’s not the whole amount but at least I can partially pay off the debt. He took the money but came back the next day, he opened a bank account for me with that money” Martha revealed as tears were flowing down her cheeks.

“I see, a kind man indeed. Anyway do you know a good hotel where I can stay in?” Elaine asked Martha. “So sorry madam I don’t know any, you can ask Sir Nathan, he probably knows some” Martha answered.

“Maybe I will just ask the front desk for directions” Elaine said. “No need to be shy now, wait I will ask him for you” Martha said as she stood up and walked towards Nathan who was chatting with a driver. A few moments later they both were walking towards Elaine. “You see this young lady needs a hotel, could you at least bring her to one” Martha told Nathan. Nathan smiled at Elaine and said “Sure, can you just wait a few minutes, my package has not arrived. Just a few minutes if you can” he said and Elaine smiled and said yes.

“By the way my name is Elaine, please don’t call me madam anymore” she told the old lady. “I am Martha, nice to meet you, so are you here for a vacation?” she asked. Elaine thought hard about it, she had planned to just spend the night and go to where she intended to. “Yes I think I will be staying here a bit” she said. “Great! Maybe Sir Nathan can show you around while you are here” Martha added.

“Oh no, it’s already too embarrassing and his wife might get mad if she knew he was touring me around” Elaine stated. Martha started to laugh, “Madam, he is single and available, and I should say you two would look great as a couple” and Elaine began to blush. “Oh that is if you are single”

Elaine looked at Nathan who was carrying his package and walking towards them. “A kind heart….looks good too” Elaine softly comments. “He is a rare find don’t you think” Martha whispers and they both start giggling.

“You two seem to be happy, that’s nice. Well sorry to make you wait, here let me take your bag” and Nathan reached for Elaine’s bag. “No its okay I can manage” she said but Nathan grabs it, “No let me I insist, and you look tired and hungry already so we should be going. Thanks for the goodies Martha! Please follow me this way my car is parked over there” he said. Elaine smiled at Martha and the old woman winked at her and they both giggle again. Nathan looked back and the two ladies acted innocent.

Nathan and Elaine had gone through all the hotels and Inn’s around the small city but all had no vacancy. They both sit in the car thinking then suddenly Nathan looks at Elaine and says “Shhh can you hear that?” Elaine looks around and tries to listen closely, she looks at Nathan and asks “What is it?” and with a serious face Nathan said “That sound…your stomach is grumbling…you are hungry already” and he starts laughing. Elaine pouted and faced front and her stomach started to make sounds again. She blushed and started laughing with Nathan. “Let’s go eat, I have not eaten dinner too” he says and starts his car.

The two of them enter a fancy restaurant, and once they got a table Elaine started to get shy again. “Hey what’s the matter? Come on pick what food you want to eat” Nathan said. “It’s just too embarrassing already, I mean first the snack then helping me find a hotel, now treating me to dinner” she said. Nathan looked at her surprised and said “Treat you to dinner? I didn’t say that. I don’t treat people I don’t know to dinner on the first meeting.” Elaine became more embarrassed and tried to hide her face on the menu. Nathan started laughing again and Elaine looked at him. He stopped laughing then reached out his hand towards her. “Hi I am Nathan, and you are?”

Elaine looked confused and remembers they have not been formally introduced by Martha. She takes out her hand and says “I am Elaine” and they shook hands. “Okay now that I know you I can treat you to dinner, so order whatever you want” Nathan said smiling. Elaine laughed for a moment but started to look at the menu again and started choosing.

After dinner they went back to the car and Nathan stopped to think. “Hey, I know we just met but its late already so would you like to spend the night at my place?” he tells her. Elaine looked at him feeling nervous then looks away. “Please don’t get the wrong idea here, I mean you no harm, I’m just offering you a place to stay. Then tomorrow we can go find you a room at a hotel” he adds upon seeing her reaction. Elaine bowed her head and softly said “Okay, I guess” and Nathan starts the car and drives to his place.

Nathan stops the car in front of a small gloomy looking house. Elaine looked at the house and then looked at Nathan. “Okay here we are home sweet home” he says and opens his door. Elaine looks at the house once more and her jaw drops then she hears Nathan laughing once again. He shuts his door and starts the engine once again and keeps laughing. “You should have seen the look on your face, of course that’s not my house, no one lives there you know” he said and Elaine said “You really scared me there; I really thought that was your place because you were so serious.”

Nathan keeps laughing and tells her “hey I’m just fooling around with you; I noticed you were so tense. Would it help if I tell you I am gay?” Elaine was startled and looks at him once again. “You are gay?” she asks. “Well if it helps you to be at ease with me then I am gay” he said laughing. Elaine pouted and was about to smile when Nathan added “or would it help you more if I said I was not attracted to you?” and he looked at her.

Elaine understood what he was trying to do; he was just trying to make her feel comfortable with him. “Being gay would be fine” she answered and laughed. Nathan stopped laughing and said “Oh so you don’t believe me when I say I am not attracted to you?” Elaine looked at him and raised her eyebrow, “well they say I’m pretty, I think I’m pretty, and you are a man so I think in some way you are attracted to me.” Nathan puts on a serious face and says “well I am not” and Elaine felt angry hearing that since she was used to seeing men fall for her instantly. “I see its okay” she says. “Because I am gay remember, so gay people don’t find beautiful ladies like you attractive” and they both start laughing.

Elaine paused and thinks about what he said, he just called her beautiful. She felt happy and so she said “You just called me beautiful” and Nathan looked at her. “Did I?” Nathan asked. Elaine smiled and giggled and said “So you do find me attractive then” and Nathan looks at her. He looks at the road and smiled. “Here we are” Nathan says and parks the car in front of a huge house. Elaine looked at the house and was mesmerized, it was such a beautiful house but she looked at Nathan at once. Nathan went out of the car and opened the trunk to get her bag and his package. Elaine didn’t go out of the car even though Nathan had opened the door for her.

“Come on out, this is my place” he says. “You are kidding me again right?” she tells him. Nathan looks at her then starts to walk towards the house but looks back at her. “If you want to sleep there it would be fine, I will just bring you a blanket and pillow. And do you know that there are lots of ghosts out here”. Elaine rushed out of the car and ran towards Nathan and held on to his arm. Nathan laughed loud and told her to go back and close the door. Elaine didn’t move an inch so Nathan said “Okay hang on, wait by the door I will lock the car door” and he starts to walk back towards the car. Elaine tagged along holding to his arm and Nathan laughed and laughed until they got to the house door.

Nathan opens the door and Elaine enters the house. He brings in the bag and package then closes the door and locks it. Elaine was standing still and looking around, and then she looked at Nathan, “You live alone?” she asked. He laid down the package on a small table then carried the bag towards the stairs, “Follow me I will show to your room” he said. She followed him as he went up the stairs, he opened a door and said “Here you go, it has its own toilet and bath, a terrace. If you need anything else just yell” he said. Elaine entered the room and walks slowly towards the bed; she looks around a bit then sits on the bed. “Okay then I will leave you now, have a good sleep. “ Nathan said and pushed the door lock then closed the door.

She lay on the bed and briefly closed her eyes. Her plan was to just stay for the night and in the morning she would catch a bus towards her sunny destination but now she was thinking of staying. She rises and walks towards the terrace door; she steps out and looks up at the starry sky then she smiles.