CHAPTER 5

“Thanks,” I muttered. And he didn’t reply. When we reached the first floor, he got out first. I only saw his black converse shoes because I was looking down so I could not trip.

“Let me help you, Ma’am!” I was quite embarrassed when the guard came running to me but at the same time, I was thankful.

“Oh! Thank you!” I said as he got all the boxes on me. I also saw Lily outside the office and she was talking to a tall man who I couldn’t see because he was turning his back on me. Why do I feel like he was familiar? But then, I followed the guard and helped him.

“You should have folded these, Ma’am so you could carry it easily.” The guard said to me as he folded the boxes and put them beside the recycle bin.

“We will not put it inside?’’ I asked curiously.

“The waste collector will get it. These are too big to put inside.” The guard said. I nodded. I think I just learned something today. After that, thanked the guard and went back inside the building. I saw some people staying in the lobby and most of them were looking at me. I shrugged, maybe they were just curious who I was since I am new here in their building so I gave them a small nod before I went inside the elevator.

When I reached my floor, I got a text from Kieffer that he will visit me later after. I replied to him first before I opened the door. When I was about to enter, I turned to the elevator when it opened. I wanted to greet the person who will come out because I think it is appropriate since we are neighbors.

When I saw who it was, my eyes widened as I recognized him. “Oh! You!” I pointed my finger at him causing him to stop and looked at me. His face was not sleepy now, maybe he already had a good sleep also, he was just wearing black shorts and a maroon t-shirt instead of a hoodie.

“You were the guy in the supermarket! The one who took my ramen!” I said. He tilted his head like he was still remembering when he saw me then he slightly nodded.

“Ah, you’re that shorty in the supermarket,” he said lazily, uninterested before he continued walking. My lips parted as I processed what he said. I felt like my blood suddenly boiled because of what he called me!

“What?! Shorty? Me? Hey!!” I shouted but he continued walking towards his room. I remained glaring at him as if a look can kill, he should be lying on the floor now.

“Ah, another thing.” he looked at me after he stopped in front of his room. “You also look like Anger now. The one in the Inside Out movie.”

****

I remained glaring in irritation for a minute in his direction even though he was already inside his place. I was still in disbelief. Then, I scoffed after I realized that I looked like a damn crazy person standing in an empty hallway while staring, like any minute I would explode, in that door. I angrily went inside my place and slammed the door behind me.

“I am not short! He… He is just tall! Damn!” I hate that guy. I marched into my room and just decided to take a shower so my nerves about that guy could chill. Why is he like that? First in the supermarket and then now, in this condominium building? He should be thankful that I softened when I saw his pitiful face that lacked sleep when he stole my ramen! How could he call me shorty!? After I surrendered my ramen to him, he called me that! Was that the only thing he remembered about me?! He’s such a jerk!

After I finished taking a shower, I went out in the bathroom only wearing a towel that wrapped around my body. I don’t mind walking around like this because I was the only person there. I am free to do what I want to do and no one will scold me. I got a pair of underwear, wore it, and put my bathrobe on. Then, I wrapped my hair in a towel as I walked into the kitchen to look for some food because I was so hungry after I drained all my energy into making my place pretty and nice! When Kieffer arrives later, I am sure that he will praise me!

Since Kieffer hasn’t arrived yet, I decided to go outside to buy a dustpan and broom. I only white denim shorts, a yellow oversized t-shirt and a pair of doll shoes. I couldn't help but sigh and shook my head when my eyes went to the room at the end of the hallway.

When I arrived at the first floor, the number of people who were staying there became less than earlier. Maybe some of them go to their work since I saw some of them wearing formal attire. The guard smiled at me so I also smiled back at him.

I walked around the area to see what the stores nearby were since this is my first time going out like this and I am alone, there was no Nikki around. There was a boutique, fast food chain, shoe store, grocery store and there was also pharmacy. When I entered the grocery store, I was quite shocked to see many people that were passing by around me. I guess I need to get used to Nikki’s absence and also, learn to get along with other people. Luckily, I quickly found the things that I was looking for. I also got some apples and oranges when I passed by the fruit section.

I started preparing the ingredients and also the pasta when I arrived at my place. I planned to cook spaghetti for dinner. “I should also make a toast,” I muttered after I put the pasta in the boiling water. I cooked the sauce first before I got the bread and spread some butter on the top and put it in the oven.