A/N: thanks for the support, for dropping by, and for having the patience to wait for this lazy dont-know-if-frustrated-or-what writer finish her story.and thank you for the reviews you've sent for the first chapter. thank you very much!
all right...enough of these sentiments, on with the story. hope you'll like it.
UNDER ONE CEILING
fictionalfact
Task #2: To Welcome a Stranger
One shaky step.
Another one.
And a third.
And finally, she was beside the unconscious man lying on the cold asphalt of the street. A nearby post was emitting the only source of light for her to clearly distinguish those familiar features that had once appeared before her. A face that could almost resemble to whatever beautiful god you could name of helping a dumb looking mascot out of a little predicament with children.
She froze.
An intake of breath was caught between her esophagus and lungs as a sudden movement was made by the lying figure. But then again, it went passive and back to its unconscious state, his chest heaving there and then.
Cagalli stooped down and scrutinized the disheveled man.
All right, he still looked pretty darn good-looking and undoubtedly smelled of alcohol. But aside from that, there were bruises on his face and dried blood on his arms and neck. A part of his obviously evident expensive suit was torn, ruined and stained by dirt and blood. From the looks of it, he had been drinking, then was beaten, robbed and out cold. She turned to look about her, down the street and then back again to the lying figure.
No breathing human, other than them, was in sight.
"What should I do? Why's there no one when you need them the most?" she mumbled and frowned at the man. She doesn't have those mini high-tech phones to call the hospital, police or just anyone to help her from this dilemma. She bit her lower lip and pondered hard.
And at length, a decision was made.
"Well, since you helped me then, I guess it's my turn now." With that, she took hold of his arms and dragged him towards the dimly lit driveway and to the front doors of the old building. She hurriedly went inside a vacant elevator, pushed the number three button and dragged him to her floor. At long last, the door to her place appeared into view when a sudden movement down the hall sent warning bells in her head.
"Who's in there?"
Hearing the familiar voice of the landlady, she quickly thrust the man inside the door, closed it and stood still just as the landlady came into view. She prepared a smile. The landlady, as what the other borders of the building told her, sure has a big mouth and since things were unstable at the moment, it will be best if no one knows about the current situation—yet.
"I thought there's someone else in here," the owner said and glanced at her door. "You're with someone else?"
She forced the smile to grow even bigger and shook her head "Nope. Just by myself."
"Hmm." The lady frowned. "Must be imagining things. Getting old sure has its draw backs," and sighed. Then her face lit up again. "Anyway, I'll be downstairs. Call me if something unusual happens because you never know…"
Cagalli felt her face paled for a split second and smiled weakly. "Oh. Yeah. Sure thing. No problem." The lady turned to leave.
Bang.
A crash.
Then a cough.
And another one.
"Uh-oh."
Cagalli could feel her entire body being thrown into a freezer as the coughing sound coming from the closed door filled the air. She grasped her neck as the landlady turned to look at her. "You see I have a cold this morning then suddenly develop into a cough," and she made her own coughing feat. "I really hope I won't get a high fever after this."
"Now, now. You've been working day and night Cagalli. I think its time for you to get some rest," the landlady replied and retreated her steps. "If you want I could get some medicine for you downstairs."
Cagalli cringed. The last thing she wanted was to have her come back up again. She flung a hand, signaling the landlady to stop. "No, no. I'll be perfectly fine. I think I have some medicines inside," she said. "By tomorrow, I'll be ok."
Her eyebrows quirked undoubtedly but finally she nodded. "All right. Just call me ok? Now get some rest."
Cagalli nodded in return. "Good night."
And as the sound of her footsteps disappeared, Cagalli leaned on the wall and made a deep sigh. THAT almost got her. When she finally bolted her doors open, the young man was now shivering so violently, sending her thoughts into frenzy. She raced around the small space of her home and looked for something useful: more blankets, a glass of water, medicine, a thermometer, clean towels, and a pail of water. Then she gathered her strength, carried and laid him on her bed.
"WHAT—39 degrees…this is bad," she placed the thermometer aside and stared worriedly at the man. "What have you gotten yourself into?" she asked. But of course, the young man could only offer an eerie silence.
The forgotten foul smell reached her nose. Cagalli wrinkled her nose then winced as she came up with the only decision of what to do next. "Ok. This is it. You just stay unconscious young man or else—" and a faint blush tinted her cheeks.
She began unbuttoning his shirt then took off his pants. She dipped one of the towels into the water and started cleaning him.
"Stay focus," she told herself and, as much as her strength willed her to, avoided looking at those finely sculptured chest. "You sure have everything you know—the looks, the money," she thought out loud. "I wonder what had happened to you back there. Your family must've been looking for you by now…"
Cagalli stopped.
The young man stirred and let out a dry cough. Instantly, she grabbed the glass of water and carefully laid it to his lips. He started mumbling something but "Hungry…" was the only word she clearly understood. She then took the bowl of soup she had prepared, thank goodness it smelled edible, and gave him a spoonful.
"Nice." The man murmured. "Thank you." After that, his eyelids drooped and fell to sleep once again.
Cagalli placed the glass and bowl aside; a thousand emotions were swirling within her. "You're welcome," was all she could say as she continued staring at him drifting off to sleep on her bed.
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"Where the heck am I?"
That was the first thought that registered into Athrun's brain as the beige ceiling appeared before him. Then his senses snapped as realization settled and he scrambled to a sitting position which only gave him painful sensations all over his body. He fell back to the pillows and sighed.
"Where the heck am I? What happened?" he muttered once again but this time, a hint of frustration was clearly evident. And, as if to answer his question, a stir sent his attention to the side of the bed. There, sitting on the floor with the rest of her upper body leaning on the side of the bed, was the girl he saw the other day. She was sleeping deeply, still undisturbed even from his sudden outbursts. A soft smile slowly spread itself on his lips.
"Now what…" his eyes surveyed the small bedroom and saw a digital clock on top of a cabinet. It says 4:23 a.m. "Still early."
He lay back on the bed and pondered hard on what to do next. Suddenly, he felt rather uncanny. Something was wrong. He looked at himself and saw bandages covering some parts of his body. But that was not it. He was wearing some kind of pajamas—a pink one with smiling hearts all over the cotton print. It certainly was not his! This could only be…
And his glance fell to the sleeping girl.
"No way." He felt his cheeks were burning red-hot as another realization surfaced. "No way," he repeated. Then, as if to further mark its point, he caught glimpsed of his dark trousers and jacket folded on top of a chair.
He chuckled. "You sure one brave lady—and a very bold one."
Then, more at ease now, he decided to stay for a while and wait until she wakes up. After that, he could thank his way; pay for whatever he damaged or for her time and kindness. Then he could leave with no strings attached. He would go to his car and—he slapped his forehead as the thought processed itself. "Damnit. I forgot. I don't have a car now."
Well, he'll just call home and—and now, he winced. "Oh yeah. How can I forget? I was exiled."
Athrun pondered hard for a little while, until all thoughts jumbled and ordered him to give in. He decided, for the first time, to set things aside and let whatever-come-what-may be done. Casting another glance at the blonde haired girl, he let himself be willed to sleep.
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8:42 a.m.
Cagalli bolted as soon as her eyes grazed upon the numbers on her old digital clock. She scrambled to her feet and winced as taut muscles and cut off circulation assaulted her body. "Nice. Just plain nice."
She stretched and her amber eyes glazed as it surveyed the slumbering man on her bed. She smiled. After taking a quick shower, she dressed herself with comfy jeans and sweater, searched for a piece of paper in her jungle desk drawer and wrote him a note.
Counting the money left in her pocket, she calculated a few equations and tossed the fair amount beside the note. "That will do."
With one final glance, she left her place.
Her eyes glimmered with determination. "And now, prepare for the battlefield Cagalli Yula Attha."
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A breath was expelled and the light ended where the street bends. It was night yet again, a night of wishful thinking that somehow life could be a little fair. Her footsteps slowed as the brick building to the right came to view. A few lights were still on from different floors but all in all, the place was bathe in darkness.
Cagalli sighed.
She was exhausted, too exhausted to even feel a little frustrated on how the day turned out. She FAILED to find a decent job. Who would even hire a girl with no high school or college diplomas? That's the fact uneducated people faced here in this world. They were flung to do dirty jobs and were paid less. They were impelled to poverty with no other choice. Why? Because of selfish money eating individuals who can't get their hands satisfied. Because of greediness, selfishness and the unending mediocrity in this world. That's why!
And another sigh.
Contentment. That was all she ever wished. To live peacefully, to eat three times a day and to enjoy life as it is. Luxury? Money? Pleasures? She doesn't need that. To live a contented life was all she ever wanted, all she ever needed. But—
As the key fused with the hinges of the lock, a soft click was heard and the door opened. The room was dark and silent as she closed the door behind her.
But…who says life is fair anyway? It never was.
She let herself fall to the floor and for the first time, accept defeat. "My savings is starting to drip out. And it's too embarrassing to ask for help or even stay at the orphanage again. I am really on my own." Cagalli bit her lower lip. "I just wish I knew where home is."
Her head fell to her curled knees and tears were about to roll down when a rustling broke her sentiments. She brushed those tears aside and looked up.
"I've been waiting for you." It was the rich guy. His emerald eyes pierced through the darkness and into hers. She could feel her whole body tingle as those eyes swam her face. He smiled. "Welcome home."
Cagalli smiled. "Yeah. Home. I am…" and her smile faded. She scrambled to her feet. "Wait a second! Just wait a second here! What the heck are you still doing here in MY house? I've written a note for you! And I even left a few bills so that you can leave and just..." she gestured towards the door, "just go away and you know, live. And here you are? Welcome home? A heck of a nerve you've got there. So? Anything to explain?"
His smile widened. "Just calm down, all right? Take a deep breath."
Cagalli glared. "I should notify the police or something…" but anyway, she obliged.
When her steaming look disappeared, he went to the kitchen, well to the little kitchen that is if you desired to describe it politely, and busied himself with something. "Sit there and wait, ok?"
Cagalli took a seat, her eyes narrowing in curiosity and hesitation. "If you plan to do something, you'll regret ever setting foot here. In case you want to know, I'm a real expert in knife handling and so-so in wrestling and gun shooting."
He chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."
Then he walked beside her with a plate filled with steaming teriyaki and rice ball. "Here you go. My specialty."
Her heart softened. "No poison here or anything huh?"
With a mocking face, "Oh, that hurts!" He took the chair opposite from hers and stared as she greedily gobbled the food. He grinned. "Glad you like it. I'm sorry if I scared you back there. I just wanted to thank you personally you see and decided to cook you something in return."
"Delicious! But you don't seem to be the type who can cook great food though."
"Well, thanks for the compliment." Then his face turned serious. "I don't know what will happen to me if you didn't come. I owe you my life."
Cagalli looked up and genuinely smiled for the first time ever since the day had begun. "I know you will also do the same if I were in that situation. We're just even now."
We're just even now? Wait. That voice… Those eyes… His own eyes narrowed and she almost cringed. Then his face suddenly got these weird transformations: 1) eyes widening, eyeballs nearly bulging out of its socket, 2) mouth opening and closing, as in continually and 3) face shaking while lifting an accusing finger at her. "You mean to say…" his voice trailed as those emeralds neared, scrutinizing her every move, her very face. His back straightened and smiled.
"Ooooh. I remember. Of course, the Chicken-Penguin Mascot, huh?"
She flushed and hastily went back to her food. Those emerald eyes were making her uneasy. "Whatever. Just as I said, you helped me, I helped you. So what's your plan? Are you going back to your home now?"
Suddenly, there was a change in those emerald eyes. "I don't know."
"Well, if you ask me, you should go home now. Your family must've been looking for you."
And those eyes darkened. "I doubt that."
Cagalli noticed all of these. "So…"
"So?"
She shrugged. "Where are you going now?"
And silence enveloped the room.
Cagalli snickered. "Don't tell me you're planning to stay here."
And silence...
Those amber eyes narrowed once again and then widened. "Whoa. No way mister. No way! I simply can't let you stay here. See, I have a small space and I can't afford to have another person here with me. I AM IN DEBT! I have no money, no work and maybe, one of these days, no place! You'll just be a burden. Go! Find someone else."
She finished her meal.
He rose from his seat and went to get his things. "Well, it's such a shame. I was just about to tell you I have this bank account and I could help you or lend you a hand in things… But…" he shrugged. "Thanks for letting me stay."
A thousand decisions were having a circusdance inside her head. She shook her head, shut her eyes tight and heaved a deep sigh. "Ok. Ok. Ok. I'll let you stay."
He grinned.
"BUT—on one condition. I want you to do what I say, clean my place, and work."
His brow creased. "What's that? Be your slave or something?"
She rolled her eyes. "Of course mister hotshot. Whatever synonym you want to name it. I am the boss here and I own this place. It's rightful for me to claim my rights. Have any problem with that? You can go if you want."
Sighing inwardly, he shrugged. "No."
Cagalli smiled triumphantly. "Well, it's settled then. Welcome home!"
hope you liked it! just tell me what you think.that's all for now. take care everyone.
fictionalfact signing off.