Around three months have passed and I was able to adjust with my workplace and job per se.

Added the fact that Christmas Season has officially started.

It still feels surreal that I am finally a young adult.

And, to top it off, I am living alone.

With that thought, I was eager to put some festive decorations in my unit.

I forgot that my stocks are almost empty so I decided to go out and do some grocery.

It did not occur to me that I will have quite a handful of paper bags with me so I asked for a box to place them instead.

Unfortunately when I reached the condominium, there was no available maintenance personnel and the guard was busy assisting someone at the concierge.

I struggled to carry my box of goods and thankfully found an empty cart beside the elevator.

I quickly placed the box gently inside and pushed it into the elevator.

I entered the said elevator and pressed on my floor.

It did not took me long enough to arrive to my unit and saw the couple appearing to be moving out.

A pregnant woman asked if they could borrow the cart and the box to put their things.

I did not hesitate to give it to them because my unit is only a couple of steps away from the elevator.

I lifted my paper bags and panted as I make my way to my door.

Today must be my lucky day when a woman around my age with eyeglasses offered to help me.

It turned out she was living in a unit beside mine.

In return and since I was feeling so generous today, I invited her over for dinner.

I was able to cook something good for sharing tonight.

I was startled when I opened the door and saw her shy and calming aura.

I greeted her with a wide smile and she returned the same thing.

"Hi. I brought desserts. " She said and I eagerly let her in.

"Thank you! Pasok ka, uhm.." I said and locked the door behind her.

"Clarinet." She said, supplying her name.

She sat on my couch and roamed her eyes as if to observe my unit.

"So nice meeting you, Clar! Oops. I hope you don't mind me giving you nicknames. " I giggled and sliced up some ham and gave her menudo on a plate.

"Thanks..." She said.

"Sheila." I said and sat beside her with my own fill of foods. "Uy, girl, kuha ka lang sa table. May ham pa ako dyan, menudo and some wine. Unti lang hinanda ko kasi New Year talaga ako nagcecelebrate. Nakagawian na din sa pamilya ko. "

She nodded and bit on her food.
"Shet! Ang sarap besh!"

I blushed and then gestured her to the dining table and encouraged her to eat more with rice now.

"Gaano katagal ka na dito sa Manila?" I asked while she enjoyed my food.

"Actually, kadarating ko lang dito noong isang araw. " Clar said and I nodded for her to go ahead with her  story. "Naghahanap ng trabaho sa ngayon pero hindi pa din pinapalad." She adjusted the rim of her eyeglasses and I can't help but frown.

"If you don't mind, may I know how long have you been wearing eyeglasses?" I dared to ask and combed my hair with my hand as I  sipped on my wine.

"Pero okay lang if ayaw mo sabihin." I said abruptly and managed a tight smile.

She shook my head. " Truth is, I got into an accident. " She started telling me her story and I patiently listened and got sympathetic.

"Ikaw, besh? Napansin ko may eyeglasses ka din kahapon. Is it a reading glass?" She asked in curiosity.

I nodded and it was my turn to tell how I got them.

I found out that her story is a lot similar to mine. No wonder, we got along well.

"Uy, teka, let's taste your brownies! " I exclaimed in delight trying to wave off the sad atmosphere.

I started opening the box of six and chewed on the goodies Clar brought.

"You know what, Why don't you open a pastry store? Or a bakeshop?"  I suggested and got another brownie from the box. "Ang sarap kaya! These are so tasty and moist!"

She smiled as she watched me savor her baked brownies.

"Wala pa akong ipon eh. I need to work to open my own store. Nako, baka abutin pa ako ng sampung taon bago makapagtayo ng bakeshop." Clar chuckled lightly.

"Napaghahalataang patay gutom ako, kuha ka ng isa. Tapos gawan mo  ako uli. " I boldly said and laughed.

She laughed along with me. She took one and agreed with what I said.

We exchanged numbers and social media accounts before we bid goodnights with each other.

It was nice meeting a new person.

I have a good feeling about her.

I just know we will click off.

I smiled and started clearing and washing the dishes before I head on to bed.

Maybe, living alone has its perks.