Chapter 1: Balay Victorina

=======

Disclaimer:

All the characters, places, organizations, personalities, groups, ethnics, and incident portrayed in this story are fictitious and only product of the author's imagination.

Author's note:

Please DO NOT, COPY, PASTE, or REWRITE this story in any platforms.

Please BE RESPECTFUL and BE RESPONSIBLE for your COMMENTS and ACTIONS.

Please SHOW RESPECT to the writer BY NOT STEALING any CONTENT from this story.

Please REMEMBER that PLAGIARISM IS A CRIME and I WON'T HESITATE TO TAKE A LEGAL ACTION.

==============

Thank you for understanding! Enjoy reading!

==============

NERIZA.

This is my third month of living in Balay Victorina— an exclusive place for women, and most of them are over sixty years old. It's a good place for people who love nature, but the everyday living is a struggle; there's no internet connection, water, electricity, and a private rest rooms.

Villagers of Balay Victorina —except for me— waits in the line everyday to use a toilet, use candles and lamps as a light, gets water manually from the well, and do farming to produce food. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are a trend for the villagers—and, I'm the type of person who doesn't like to join trends!

All the men in our family is in military, as well as the women; however, that thing didn't stop me to choose a different path. I've become successful on the path I've taken, my parents are proud of me, and a lot of people admire me for the things I've done.

The sunshine is bright outside. And in my 15 square meters single-story house in the upper part of Balay Victorina, I can see the whole neighborhood— the houses made of stones, nipa roofs, colorful lanterns on the posts, and the rocky alley of the villagers.

"Haaao!" I yawned, looking at the overflowing dirty dishes on the corner sink. "Another day, another 24 hours time to kill!" I aloud, simultaneously stretching my arms.

I have my own restroom, L-corner sink, mini coffee shop, and terrace where I placed my— olive green hammock, navy blue cuddle chair, and three leg oak stool. And everyday, I spent all my hours sitting there and enjoying the cool breeze.

"Should I clean myself first and brush my teeth? Eat breakfast? Or, should I go back to bed and sleep?" I'm asking myself like a crazy woman.

I can't decide on what to do. Yesterday I jump out bed at dawn, brush my teeth, drink coffee, clean myself, and grabbed a snack from the fridge; I can't do the same thing—or, I must say: I DON'T want to do the same thing!

"Hello?" I heard a man's voice, and in my speculations— it's a young man's. BUT! How can a young man enter Balay Victorina? Is it really a young man's voice? Or, I'm starting to have hallucinations??

"Hellooo??" For the second time, again, longer—with echoes!

I took a deep breath and bravely walk toward the window to peep. "Where?" In my mind, holding a curtain in my left hand. "Am I really just imagining things??" I thought to myself, ready to freakout in any minute; due to this strange thing I've never been experience before.

"Hello?? Anybody inside??" Followed by a continuous knock on the door.

"I'm not imagining!" I cheerfully said in mind, seconds after I verified that I'm not having hallucinations; "BUT WAIT! Who is he?" I'm asking myself.

"Who are you?" Said I, with my loud voice, trying to sound valiant and stern.

"I'm LEE!" He aloud, as if he's in a hundred meter away from my door. "Lee Nathaniel!"

I hold the doorknob, hesitating, if I should open the door to a stranger—or, shoo him. "I'm here because the old ladies down there told me to!" Explained he, no plans of lowering his voice; "I'm injured! I have few cuts! I think I sprained my ankle… The old ladies said you have the best place and stuffs. I hope you can—no. Please help me! I'll pay you!"

I sighed and took a deep breath before I said; "I'll open the door, but first! I want you to sit down on the stool and hold up?" I gave a condition.

He took half-a-minute to respond. "I'm sitting!" Said he, and I opened the door.

After I opened the door and saw the guy—who introduced himself as Lee Nathaniel, I regretted not opening it immediately. He's sitting on my three-leg stool, his hands' up on the level of his ears, wearing a gray jacket and gray sweat pants.

"Hi?" He said to me, smiling and keeping his hands in the air. I don't know how to respond.

From the two and-a-half meter distance of the door, where I'm standing—to the stool where he's sitting; I couldn't help but notice his good-looking appearance and long legs. He have thick eyebrows and beautiful eyes. I could tell his six feet tall, by just looking at the length of his legs and shoes.

"You can… put your hands down… now…" I said unto him, holding the butterfly feels on my stomach, and he obediently putted his hands down.

"I'm not a bad person," he preceded, "I just really need help," referring to his situation. And I saw the stains of blood on the sleeves of his jacket.

I took another deep breath and said; "I'm not saying your a bad person. I'm sorry…" I cleared the situation, "it's just really surprising to see a guy in an exclusive village for women."

"Yes." He agreed to what I've said.

"Would you mind if I ask for your identification card?" I asked, cautiously, to avoid offending him.

"Ahh… I lost my bag in the river," said he, shyly putting his hand in the level of his ears to show me he's empty handed.

"Okay…" I said, acting convinced. "If you say so," I whispered.

"You can help me, right?" Said he, begging me with his eyes.

I took a deep breath before speaking, "I honestly don't know how to help you," said I, "but if you tell me how… I'll do my best to help you."

"Thank you!" Said he, with a note of relief.

I don't know what should I do. I want to help him, and at the same time I can't help myself not to doubt him. Let's say: miracles doesn't exist, BUT there's a lot of unexpected things in this world! And one of those are— a man in an exclusive village for women