CHAPTER 38: THE HOUSE VISIT
THE GIRL WHO CAN’T DATE
By Eleventh
CHAPTER 38: THE HOUSE VISIT
“I’m not sure if I do have a poor judgment on people’s character but I always do give people the benefit of the doubt.”- Ira P.
AT THE PINEDA RESIDENCE
“You found Carlos?” the middle-aged man who identified himself as Mr. Doroja exclaimed with a delighted face as he spoke to Skye and Ira who were sitting on a couch across from him “That… that is great news! I’ve been looking for him for a week! How is he?”
“He’s fine, sir. He’s staying with me for the meantime.”
“Oh, is he?” Mr. Doroja became so concerned. “I am so sorry for troubling you, ma’am. Just let me know where you live and… I-- I’ll pick him up.”
Ira bit her lip. “Unfortunately, sir… Carlos seemed like he doesn’t want to go home. This is the purpose of my visitation… I’ve been meaning to ask you, sir, if you and Carlos are okay.”
Mr. Doroja placed his arms on top of his legs and clasped his hands.
“Last week, we fought. I noticed that he has been spending lavishly on his friends and his girlfriend… so I told him that I am going to cut off his allowance… I-- I did that so he would learn how to save because it was his mother’s hard-earned money. And then… and then he got so angry that he snapped at me saying that I have no right to withhold his money because it’s not mine and… and then he left slamming the door. And he never came back.”
Ira’s eyebrows creased. “Did you look for him? Or called him to go home.”
“I… I did but… I just don’t know where to find him. And… and I could not call him either because I think he blocked my number.” Mr. Doroja shifted his face from being concerned to a very depressed one. He lowered his head and sighed. And as he spoke once more, his voice cracked. “Carlos and I… we never meet eye to eye. He… he doesn’t like it when I… when I discipline him because…well, I-- I am not his real father and… I guess he will never see me as one. But ma’am, sir… to me, Carlos is like my own son and… and I just want him to grow as a disciplined man. When he left home, I could not stop thinking of him, worrying where he might be… or if he has been eating well….”
While Ira was discreetly cross-examining the master of the house, Skye was more interested in the Pineda’s humble abode. It was messy and dirty. The floor tiles were stained yellow with what seemed to be spilled beer. Empty liquor bottles were carelessly junked behind the door as if the man of the house attempted to hide them rashly in the corner because visitors were coming. He could also see dust piled up on top of the drawers and cabinets. Even the couch and its cushions stink with sweat, saliva, and beer combined. It looked like a poor man’s quarters placed in a rich man’s village.
But looking at Mr. Doroja, it is peculiar to Skye how his appearance does not match the filth of his house. He doesn’t seem like he was a man who drinks. He looks decent and clean in his green Lacoste polo shirt and faded gray jeans. He even had his mustache shaved and a clean cut on his head. He appeared to be formal and respectable in front of the two educators.
“Thank you for having us, sir!” Ira shook hands with Mr. Doroja as soon as they stepped out to bid farewell. “I’ll send Carlos home as soon as tomorrow.”
“Oh, I'll pick him up instead! Just let me know your address, ma'am.”
“Okay, then!”
As soon as the man closes his door behind them, Skye spoke for the first time.
“I don’t trust him.”
“Really? But… he looked sweet and sincere.”
Skye rolled his eyeballs. “You really are a poor judge of people’s character, aren’t you?”
“Excuse me? That is incorrect. I believe I have a sharp mind. I could easily tell if someone is lying.” Ira confidently bragged but the man she was talking to was unconvinced.
“Whatever, Ira! Look, Tristan is calling at you at his window.”
Ira checked the window of the house next door and when she found Tristan with a wide grin waving at her with both hands, she cheerfully walked to the yellow house. Tristan left the windowsill and met his coach outside their porch.
“So, how was it?” he whispered.
“He seems nice. He was kind, soft-spoken, and…”
Tristan crinkled his eyebrows. “Wait! Are we talking about the same person here?”
“Yeah. Mr. Doroja, right?”
“Kind? Soft-spoken? How come? There was never a day that man was sober and do not shout. Well, except lately that Carlos isn’t around.”
She could not believe what she was hearing. That man she just spoke with was as sober as a judge.
“I might be sending Carlos home tomorrow. Could you check on him every once in a while?”
“Sure, Coach! Can I have your number? So I can call you in case of emergency.”
“Thanks, Tristan!” ‘
‘
The two exchanged numbers, and while they were on their phones, Tristan caught a glimpse of his other teacher waiting from afar.
“Coach P! Is that Sir Skye?”
“Yeah. Why?” she replied glancing at her colleague who was patiently waiting for her. When she faced Tristan again, he was already wearing a teasing face.
“What’s with that look, kid?”
“I noticed…” his eyes peered and his smile was malicious.
“Noticed what?”
“Why are you always together? Are you two in a relationship?”
“W-what? In a relationship? You’re out of your mind, kid!”
“What’s wrong with, Sir Skye? He’s smart, kind, and good-looking too.”
“Good-looking? Huh? Which part?”
Ira stared at Skye’s face to search for something ugly but when the sun rays hit his face, it sparkled with sweat that made him look dashing. When he turned sideways, his chiseled jaw was accentuated. Then he fanned his hand to his neck, wiped his sweat, and pulled his shirt to catch some wind, getting Ira’s attention to how broad his chest is.
Tristan noticed that she was struck by his splendor and chuckled.
“He’s hot, isn’t he?”
Ira closed her eyes and shook her so harshly.
“Shut up, Tristan! Do you know you sound weird? I’m gonna go now! Bye!!!”
Ira walked out leaving her chuckling student. He bid farewell so cheerfully to the two that it weirded Skye out.
“He looks happy. What’s up with him?”
Ira stared at his face for a long time instead of answering him.
“What?”
“You look like an idiot and I hate you. Please remember that!”
Confused, he creased his eyebrows and twitched his mouth.
“WH-- Are you fighting with me? What did I do to you?”
“Nothing! Let’s just go!”
Skye started the engine of his motorbike still confused about Ira’s behavior.
“Should I take you home?” he yelled.
“No. Just take me to Terrazo Restaurant. I have a dinner date tonight and HEEEY! SLOW DOWN, TWERP!”
Skye turned the clutch so hard that its motorbike sped away, making Ira wrap her arms around his body. She was holding so tight that she could feel his chiseled abs. Suddenly, her heart beat so crazy for that tempting body.