CHAPTER 29: SMALL WORLD
THE GIRL WHO CAN’T DATE
By Eleventh
CHAPTER 29: SMALL WORLD
“What the heck? He was my brother’s friend?” – Ira P.
2017 JOURNAL
“Are you sure you’re not staying for the night?” Mageneo asked the young man, his hands hidden behind his back.
The rain stopped pouring at 11 in the evening, yet the homes and streets at the Courtyards village were still dark. The power has not returned yet.
Skye bit his lip, thinking of what to answer to Mr. Pardilla. After giving so much thought, he replied. “Thank you for the offer, Mr. Pardilla, but I must go home. And thank you for the warm welcome. Your hot chocolate was great.”
Mageneo smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”
Skye mounted on his motorbike and turned on the engine. He was ready to go when Ira suddenly placed her hand on the handgrip and stared at him with a suspicious look.
“Wait a minute…”
“What?” Skye quickly leaned backward when Ira stood so close to him that her face was only inches away from his. “Did I forget something?”
“I was just wondering. How did you know where I live?”
For a minute, he stared at Ira’s face, studying her features, and realized how small her face was. It reminded him of something that he could not help from sniggering.
"What are you laughing at?"
“Well, I just realized that you look like a dog. Like a Chihuahua. Small but feisty.”
Ira squinted her eyes and grimaced. “Oh really, Twerp?"
"Yes!" he replied with a teasing smile.
“Argh! Can you not change the topic? I was asking you. How did you know where I live?”
“I don’t, okay? I just know where your village is but I don’t know the exact block. I just happened to have found you when I turned the curb.” Skye explained, holding on to his helmet.
“Good thing you found her.”
“Well... I always find her.” Skye grinned at Mageneo. “I gotta go. Thank you again, sir!”
Skye wore his helmet and bid farewell to the Pardillas. When Skye was gone, Mageneo looked at his daughter with a teasing smile. Ira wasn’t pleased.
“Stop smiling like that, Pops!”
“I like him.”
“Well, I don’t. That guy is obnoxious.”
“Well, he was a little bit stiff, but he looks nice to me. And I think he is nice to you too.” Mageneo kept teasing.
“Argh! Shut up, Pops! That guy is never nice to me.” Ira replied, rolling her eyes making Mageneo laugh.
Suddenly, the lights inside their house all lit up and so are the street lights in their block.
“Finally! The power is back.” Ira muttered and went back inside, her father following behind.
When the two were finally inside, a loud knock can be heard from the front door.
“Must be one of your brothers. Can you get the door, Ira, please? I think your brother is crying from the other room." Mageneo rushed upstairs to check on Usher who was so scared waking up alone in the room.
“Alright, Pops!” Ira replied, shouting.
She went to the door and unlocked it. The moment she opened it, she was stunned to see an unexpected face that she immediately slammed the door close.
[What the heck! What is that guy doing outside our front door?]
Ira leaned on the wall, biting her fingernails and wondering if she was seeing things. She never imagined that she would see that guy again, not at least in front of their door.
[Was that really him? Or maybe he just looks like him? Am I seeing things? But why on earth would I see him? Am I out of my mind?]
The door opened and her brother, Orion, came in and looked at her furiously.
“What is wrong with you? Why did you shut the door? You know I’m outside!”
Ira didn’t respond. She was just looking at her ranting brother.
[Ohmygod! I am out of my mind. Was that my brother at the door? Why did I see someone else’s face? Am I hungry?]
“Hello! Are you just gonna stare at me like an idiot? Seriously! You’re so rude! Argh!” Orion chose to ignore Ira who was in deep confusion and went out the door once more and called someone. “Hey, Adrielle! Come in!”
Orion’s guest stepped in and a very charming face greeted Ira with a smile. Ira’s jaw dropped and covered her mouth in surprise.
[OHMYGOD! I AM NOT SEEING THINGS! IT IS HIM!]
“WH-WHO IS THIS GUY?” Ira panicked.
“A friend, duh! Am I not allowed to bring friends at home?”
Orion let his guest be seated on their couch ignoring his sister who couldn’t get her act together. When Mageneo joined them in the living room, Orion was eager to report what Ira did.
“I see you’re home, Rion! Where were you during the rainfall?” Mageneo was deeply concerned.
“I was stuck at the mall, Pops. By the way, this is my friend, Adrielle. He’s staying for the night because he lives an hour away from the city and it’s too late to drive. I hope you don’t mind. You don’t, right?”
“Feel at home, kid!” Mageneo smiled and greeted the guest. Then he turned to Ira who was sneaking away through the stairs. “And I heard you shouting, Ira. Are you two fighting again?”
“You won’t believe what Ira did, Pops! She slammed the door in front of my guest. She was so rude!”
Ira bent her eyebrows outwardly and smiled awkwardly. “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean it. Now if you excuse me, may I go to my room, now?”
“You should at least apologize to my friend,” Orion demanded.
“Sorry…” Ira muttered and quickly ran to her room.
She slammed the door behind and sat on the floor, processing everything.
[OHMYGOD! That guy is friends with my brother? Of all people, WHY HIM??]
Ira was completely anxious. Whatever she did at the Foundry should be a secret, but here comes the secret visiting her home and risking being revealed without her consent.
“Relax, Ira! Compose yourself. You just have to tell that guy to shut his mouth. Yes, that’s it!”
Knock! Knock!
Ira jumped when somebody suddenly knocked on her door. Looking at the wooden ingress, she was hesitant. But the person behind it kept knocking so she slightly opened it and peeked only to see another surprise.
“MAGGIE???” she greeted as she opened the door widely.
Maggie hugged her tightly. She was shaking and she was sobbing. Following her was her dog Sabrina who was barking loudly. Eros was there too, leaning on the wall with arms crossed.
“Hey! What happened? Are you okay?”
Maggie released Ira from embracing and wiped her tears. She looked shocked that it seemed like she couldn’t speak, so Ira turned to her brother.
“Her stalker followed her to her house and things happened.”
Ira noticed the bandage on Ero’s arm.
“Did you hurt yourself?” Ira asked her brother worriedly. Then she checked her friend for injuries.
“I’m okay, Ira!” Maggie assured her. “But I’m really, really scared!”
"Awwwe! Maggie! I'm sorry I wasn't there for you." Ira embraced her tightly and patted her head.
“Eros saved my life. If not for him, I must have been d…”
“Ssssh! You’re safe now!”
Pulling her friend inside her room, she let Maggie take her bed and tucked her in so she could rest. Maggie was quick to fall asleep with Sabrina lying beside her. It must have been a long night for her. Then, Ira went out to speak to Eros who was calmly standing outside the room.
“Thank you, Eros! Was that the reason you were in a rush to send me away earlier?”
“I hugged you because I thought that man was following you. When you told me about Maggie, I had already had the hunch and I know I have to do something. When I got there, her place was in a mess. The stalker was hunting her like prey while she was somewhere in the house, hiding.”
Ira held her brother’s arm and checked the wound.
“And did you get this while fighting him?”
“He was armed with a knife.”
Ira closed her eyes and felt so worried.
"You should have brought me with you. I could have helped."
Eros shook his head. "That's why I never told you because I know you're gonna come along. The situation was dangerous. If you were there, I won't be able to protect Maggie because I'll be keeping an eye on you as well. I can't protect both of you."
“Oh my god, Eros! I couldn’t imagine if the worst happened to you and what a nightmare Maggie went through. How about the stalker?”
Eros hissed. “He got away.”
“Argh! That scumbag!” Ira clenched her fist.
“Let’s talk about this tomorrow. Go to sleep!” Eros patted Ira’s head and went to his room.
Watching her brother walk to his room, she thought of how he was always there to protect and save. He was always calm but when it comes to her, he couldn't just stay still. And now she realizes that what matters to her, matters to him too.
[What a great brother you are. Thank you, Eros! I hope someday I could return the favor.]