Chapter 6: Can I Stay Here?
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Zina’s POV
“Did they leave?” I asked with my eyes fluttering open carefully as I adjusted to the lights, wait… lights? “Yeah, two hours ago at least”, Jacob muttered. I observe how I’m laid down; my head is on Jacob’s lap and a blanket is covering me up until my shoulders, my sight lands on the television, it’s playing an animated series that I’m not familiar with. Looks like I slept longer than I anticipated “What time is it?”, I yawned and rubbed my eyes “It’s about 4:30pm”, he answered as he looked at his wrist watch. “Was the movie good?”, I heard a “mhm”, saying it was. “How about your headache?”, I carefully sat up and side-hugged Jacob “I’m feeling a bit better”, he returned my hug “Good, I’m starving. Want me to heat up some pasta?”, I quickly looked at him, “You brought pasta?”, I felt like my eyes sparkle out of excitement. “Yeah, I hid it from your brother of course, come on!”. He stood up and pulled me up as well.
While he’s preparing everything to heat up the pasta, I took my phone out. Ever since my dad’s accident I’ve been looking for extra income like work at home tech support and transcripts. I see my online wallet, four digits… looks like I need to keep on working. I still have to ask dad how much do we still owe. I heard a ‘ting’ and it looks like Jacob is done, he served me a plate with pasta and white sauce… yes! Carbonara, my favorite. “Bon appétit madame”, Jacob mimicked a French accent, “Merci” I replied as thanks and ate my food. I saw him do the same and we ate there in silence.
“Are you sleeping well these days? “Jacob asked as he was in his last few bites, “I’ve been having dreams but… it’s so odd and weird”, I mumbled as I finish up my plate and placed it in the sink. “Well, if there’s anything wrong, I can always come here”, Jacob was now behind me and gave me a hug… this hug feels different. “Jacob. “, he hurried his face on my nape, which made me uncomfortable “Enough please… “I hissed at him “I’m so worried… why can’t you just let me stay here with you guys?” he asked softly and yet I felt his intentions suddenly shift. I faced him, putting on my brave face “tell me, Jacob, is everything good in your home? “he shook his head “I want to stay here with you guys, more so with you… I know we have nothing going on like more than friends… I.. – “he stopped, as if he knew he said more than he should’ve. “I’ll ask uncle to sleep here next week, if you let me stay? “.
Jacob’s POV
Sh**. I almost blurted something out, I’ve been sorting out my feelings for her and it’s still not clear. I know I have something more for her, a different kind of love for her…? But right now, it’s not my priority, my feelings for her…isn’t priority. All I know is I just want her safe. I waited for her to answer as I slowly loosen my hold on her and backed away, then leaned on the kitchen counter. “Ask dad for that, if a conflict rose just because you decided to stay with us for a week, then you leave alright? “, the conflict being my mother who is a loudmouth and a so called “marites”, she assumes things and share her gossips to every woman in our area that is as same as her. Gossips can lead to bad imagery for people, even if we’re blood-related, she knows no bounds. I smiled at her and said my thanks.
She began walking back to the living room and I followed suit. “Hey remember that karaoke bar gig thing?”, she looked at me, her figure totally focused in my direction “I thought that was a joke, well… what about it?”. I grabbed my phone from the coffee table and I opened a Facebook post and showed it to her “They’re hiring a waitress, and-“, she has this look, a skeptical kind of look, “You sure this is good?”. I made a “mhm”, “Location is only an hour away from here and I can always pick you up, since my work as a janitor is nearby”. She smiled at me, I’m glad I can see her beautiful smile… I awed inside…
“Thanks so much Jacob” she whispered as she stares at me with gratitude.
Zina is always a thoughtful person although she’s an introvert. It isn’t so bad though, she prioritizes her family so much and that’s commendable, to have a good family as her is what I lacked in my life. A reason why I was compelled to be her friend in the first place.
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Filipino Terms:
Marites – A slang term for women who likes to gossip.