Stranger Friend

Jarvee Marcelius Real

I CAN'T help myself but stare at her. She's like an angel who came down to earth to charm every man she meets.

"Kuya, are you okay?" She asked while waving her hand in front of my face. When I was about to reply, she immediately snapped her fingers in front of me. "Wait ... you look familiar. Where did I see you?" My brows creased with what she asked.

Wait, do I look familiar to her?

I just came out of my den, huh?

"Miss, you're weird. I think there's just some misunderstanding. How can I look familiar to you?"

"Pier! I saw you on the pier. You're the one my sister hit!" She exclaimed.

Confusion painted on my face.

"Pier? I've never been to a pier," I answered.

"Hey, mister-whoever-you-are. Don't fool me. You're the one who hit my sister."

"Wait, I just said. I've never been to the pier. And my name is Jarvee."

She sighed, "J-Jarvee?"

"Jarvee Marcelius Real. Oh, by the way, this is my very first time talking to a stranger," I answered shyly and scratched the back of my right ear.

"Seriously?" Her eyes widened at what I said and I averted my gaze. "You mean you haven't come out of your place yet?" She looked surprised.

"Y-Yeah."

"You've run away now, aren't you?" I nodded and scratched the back of my right ear. "Really?"

"A-And I know, I'm a stranger to you and ... I badly need your ... h-help?" I almost whispered the last word to contain my embarrassment.

"Like this. We'll walk. Come with me to the market. I'll help you." When she said market, I looked at the empty bag she was holding. I nodded again to her. I bet she'll buy the whole grocery store.

We started walking without minding the stares we encountered. All eyes were on me since I was still wearing a suit.

After the awkward silence between us, she broke it with a question.

"So, why are you just out now?" There's a hint of sadness in her voice.

I admit it, talking to a stranger is more enjoyable than talking to someone you know.

"I have been homeschooled since I was a kid ... and I can't even step outside the gate. 'Cause I know my mom will get angry ..."

"Seriously? Your mom is very OA. You even beat the woman because your parents were overprotective."

"Yeah, they're overprotective of their heirs."

"H-Heiress? You mean, you're the king's son?"

"Silly," I chuckled at her answer. "No, I am the son of a businessman... named Hades Real"

When I looked at her, her eyes widened at what she had heard.

Damn! I really found her cute when she did that expression.

"You're the son of Mr. R-Real?! 'Yung Hades Real ?! Ikaw ang anak ng isang sikat na ---" She was about to shout, but I stopped her before she announced it to the public.

Lower down your voice, lady," I said.

"Oh my gosh. I really can't believe it. You're Sir Hades' son!" She screamed.

After our long chit-chat, we headed to a place with public market signage above. I guess this is the place where she'll be able to buy her necessities.

The moment I stepped into the market, a foul smell was everywhere. The smell of fish, meat and rotten vegetables. I cover my nose when the smell worsens as we enter the market.

Vendors glared at me with deadly glares as I approached. I knew they were mad at me for my disgust. But who cares? I can't take the stinky smell. Manang used to bring fish to the market when she had a shopping list.

This is more disgusting than garbage!

We stopped at a fish stall. Large fish, crabs, lobsters, and different kinds of clams were on display.

"Grabe ka naman, hijo. Hindi naman gano'n kabaho rito," the old man told me. Because my hand was still covering my nose.

"Ay, sorry po, ale. Bago lang kasi siya rito," the girl said while faking her smile.

"Naku, ang yaman naman ng boyfriend mo, hija. Halatang hindi sanay sa hirap. Napaka-pogi pa. Sige na nga, pili ka na at may libre ka sa akin.

"Excuse me; I'm not her boy---"

"Boy---he's my boyfriend, ale!" I was cut off when she covered my mouth. What's most horrifying is that she would cover my mouth with the hand she also used to handle the fish. I almost puked at what she did.

"Ano ka ba? Minsan masarap din malibre. Just go with the flow," she whispered. I can't help but feel disgusted. If the fish sticks to my nose, it's like glue.

Fuck that fish!

We continued our shopping in this market. And every vendor keeps calling me jowa, and my so-called girlfriend keeps getting freebies because of my presence.

Like, seriously?

All these vendors thought that I was a foreigner here. I had just stayed at home since I was a kid.

After an hour, I left the place disgusted and suffocated. I couldn't manage to breathe well because of the stinky smell. In spite of what I experienced in this market, I can say that people will venture into a business even if they can smell the stench of the surroundings. This is to make money. Those vendors endured the fishy smell to sell.

And that's wonderful!

After buying all her needs, she took me to a café, which was the first place I wanted to visit. The restaurant has a pleasing ambiance, and everything around us is eye-catching. The walls, floor, and rest of the room are pink. Even the staff were wearing pink uniforms. I find it astonishing that boys wear pink.

When we sat down, the necks of those staring at me were almost broken. I find it strange when people stare at me; it's like they're judging me even when I'm not doing anything.

My eyes wandered around the restaurant while my stranger friend ordered. I enjoyed the whole area even though it is simple. It's just crazy that I am out of my cage now.

"Hey, why do those people keep looking at me?" I whispered when I noticed them.

She replied, "If you're too formal and walk to a cafe, who would not stare at you?"..

I looked at the tuxedo I was wearing. Out of impatience, I also removed the necktie.

"Can I ask?"

"You're asking," she interrupted me.

"Umm, is there a boutique where I can exchange these clothes for money?" I know it's possible to have a store like the one I'm mentioning. I find it uncomfortable wearing these clothes.

"That's later. Let's eat first," I looked at the waiter who had just arrived as the tray was almost full of orders.

"Hey, you're gonna eat all of these?" I pointed to the various desserts in front of us. There's a bowl of strawberry and chocolate ice cream with lots of waffles. There are also two large glasses of smoothie, a bowl of french fries, two large burgers and two extra drinks.

Like, hell yeah. Will she eat it all?

"Yes, I'm planning to eat it all. It would be much better if you ate too. You stepped out for the first time, didn't you? Libre ko. I have a gig later, so I have a salary!" She said cheerfully as she tasted the french fries. Only the burgers I haven't tasted yet.

Whenever Manang Rosalie comes out, she gives me foods that I only see on the internet. Manang is brilliant, even though she gives me taboos. Just like fast food restaurant meals, she cooks or buys the ones I like for me.

So I feel closer to her than my birth mother.

I tasted the foods being served to us, and I can say that all of them were tasty. My favorite part of a burger is the patties, which are juicy and delicious.

Ugh! We ate dinner at a restaurant, she paid the bill, and we took a walk in the streets. When I was with my colleague, I looked at her without even worrying. I thought that all strangers were as evil as I had imagined.

But it was the opposite ... because this stranger friend is helpful even if she doesn't know the person with her.

After a short walk, we stopped by a small store with lots of clothes hanging and a bunch of them on a table.

We walked to the counter, and my stranger friend negotiated with the cashier. After their conversation, she walked in my direction and gave me a weak smile.

"Jarvee, you need to take off what you're wearing so they can check and give you a price."

In complete shock, I asked, "What will I wear?" My eyes widened at her.

She took something from her bag and lent me a pink bathrobe. "Here ... use this. I haven't tried that yet. I use that when I'm in a hurry, sometimes when I fill the bathroom where I work."

I released a heavy sigh and walked to the bathroom. I quickly unbuckled my belt and took off my clothes. I used the bathrobe she gave me. I find it small since it's above my knees and too tight at the shoulders.

When I came out of the bathroom, she just frowned when she saw me. Moments later, she burst into laughter as I came in her direction.

"You look like suman ..." She laughed again as if there was no tomorrow.

"Haha, so funny. Here," I handed the tuxedo to the guy.

This boutique is weird, but it's pretty cool. They have many clothes, but some are very expensive. When someone caught my attention, I stopped rolling my eyes.

A gray crew neck sweater and black jeans. It's just simple clothing, but I love to wear it since it's one of my favorites... a sweatshirt. I feel comfortable in those clothes ... At the very least, I hope I can get upper clothing.

When I turned my gaze back to the man, he placed my clothes in front of me.

"I'm sorry..."

"Why?" I asked.

"Kailangan pa namin ibenta 'tong buong boutique para lang mapantayan ang presyo niyan," he said sadly while having a sigh of disappointment.

"Wait, why?" the stranger friend said. "Eh, it's just simple clothes.".

"Ineng, kung titingnan mo 'yan ay parang simpleng tuxedo lang. Pero pagsinuri mo talaga 'yan. Walang laban 'tong boutique namin para masuklian ang damit na gawa ng isang tanyag na designer," he answered. I suddenly thought of what he had said.

He's right. My mom took a fashion designer to create an elegant tuxedo for me. He's the most talented designer in the fashion industry.

And also, it's mom's friend so it's easy to contact that designer.

"Really?"

"Really talaga. Gawa lang naman 'yan ni Mr. Luigi Traño. If I'm not mistaken, it cost almost a million dollars. Sa tela pa lang wala na akong laban. Kaya sa iba---"

"What if I trade it for your sweatshirts, black jeans and shorts?" They both looked at me when I spoke.

"Naku, hijo, hindi man lang namin mababayaran kahit one-fourth lang ng presyo---"

"It's alright. Just give me your sweatshirts, black jeans and shorts. Furthermore, I would also like to include some shoes and money for this girl. It's yours." During bargaining, I know I'm not able to do it ... but the most important thing is not to be miserable.

His face was painted with confusion, and he presented a poker face. The latter, however, he nodded and smiled at me.

"Sige. Payag ako," he agreed. After we get what I want.

We headed to her dormitory. Currently, I am wearing a gray crew neck sweatshirt, black jeans, and black sneakers. And this is what I call a comfortable feeling.

We just walked for ten minutes since it's just a short distance from the boutique. And I felt my soles swollen because I walked and stood the whole night. We took the elevator since we were carrying a lot.

Once we reached the building's fourth floor, we stopped in the room with the number 020.

As soon as he was about to turn the doorknob, we looked away when a figure appeared.

A man in all black wearing a creepy mask ... and on his right hand is a ....

...gun?