Chapter Five

Sister

I started moving into my new apartment, which is just near Elie's school where she teaches. I asked Elie to come with me to buy essentials for the place, including furniture and kitchenware.

We went to the mall and bought groceries for my apartment as well.

"By the way, Akhlas, do you cook?" Elie asked while we were looking for utensils in a home store.

I shook my head and scratched my head slightly. We grew up with staff at home. But I could learn now, right? It's not too late. "I don't cook, but I want to learn. Will you help me in my kitchen?" I smiled at her.

She smiled back. "Okay, no problem. And you should learn, Akhlas. Cooking isn't just for women. Men can cook too, and it's a basic skill, don't you think?"

I nodded. She was right—I should learn more things. I'd spent almost my entire life in Germany, only leaving if I had business somewhere else. But now that I'm with Elie, I'm eager to learn more with her. I've already learned so much from her.

When we returned to my apartment, while waiting for the furniture delivery, we went straight to the kitchen. We arranged the things we'd bought, and then Elie began teaching and helping me cook dinner.

"You told your mom we'd be dining here at my apartment tonight?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes, I did. Don't worry. But, of course, she'd still like you to have dinner at our house sometimes." She smiled.

I smiled back and nodded. "Of course. I will. And thank you."

She just smiled.

"Thank you for being with me through all of this, Elie—finding the apartment and spending your whole day with me, even on your day off."

She shook her head. "No problem, Akhlas. I offered to come with you, didn't I?" She gave me a beautiful smile.

I was almost dazed, staring at her lovely face. Since meeting Elie, it felt like a weight had lifted, and I'd become more relaxed around her, more calm. It was as if every day we spent together was light, as though there was no darkness in me, and I was slowly changing, seeking light.

I wanted to start doing good things with her by my side, so Elie wouldn't ever worry because of me.

I knew I hadn't been a good person. I'd done things far from good. Sometimes I felt that Elie was too good for me.

But I didn't want to think we weren't right for each other or that I should push her away to protect her from my dark side. She's my light, and instead of letting the darkness touch her, I would come into the light with her.

Because I wanted to stay with her longer.

"Thank you," I told her.

We smiled at each other.

The next day, Elie came to my apartment again. I'd picked her up from her house that morning. Since it was a long weekend, Elie had helped me move into my new apartment and buy essentials, and today, she continued teaching me to cook. We were now making lunch.

"What do you think? Easier than you thought, right?"

I nodded, smiling. I was amazed, realizing that cooking wasn't easy, but it was doable. "But I can never beat you or your mom with cooking, Elie." I smiled at her.

She smiled back. "But at least you know how to cook now."

"Yeah, sorry. We always had house staff, or my mom would cook for us back in Germany. But you're right—this is essential."

She nodded. "It is."

Besides cooking, Elie taught me how to do my laundry (since I'd bought a washing machine), and how to sweep and keep my apartment clean. I remembered that even though Elie and her mom's house was humble, it was always organized and spotless.

I'm really learning a lot from Elie and her mom. I'm grateful to have met them.

"I think you're good at interior design, Elie?" I asked after we'd arranged everything in my apartment. She was the one telling me where to place the furniture, and I liked how it turned out.

She just smiled. "I was only searching the internet, Akhlas. I'm not an expert or an interior designer."

"But I think we did a good job here?"

She nodded, and I raised my hand. We even high-fived after successfully cleaning and arranging everything.

Napansin ko na nakatingin sa akin si Elie, and when I looked back at her, she quickly looked away. Then, I remembered I was actually half-naked. Kaming dalawa lang ang nandito sa loob ng apartment ko, at kanina ay nagpaalam naman ako sa kanya na maghuhubad ng damit pang-itaas dahil abala kaming maglinis at mag-ayos ng apartment ko, at sobrang init pa sa bansa na 'to. Kaya naman, I took off my shirt to be more comfortable. Pinayagan naman ako ni Elie, but I think she's still feeling a bit uncomfortable with me half-naked here. Kaya nang matapos na kami sa pag-aayos, inabot ko at sinuot na muli ang T-shirt ko.

I could've hired an interior designer, but Elie said it would just be a waste of money. That evening, we invited Elie's mom to my apartment to celebrate my move.

That evening, we enjoyed a meal with both dishes made by Elie's mom and food we bought to celebrate my new place.

"Are you sure you're doing all right there, Akhlas Mccrea?" my mom called me once.

I'd already informed my parents in Germany that I'd be staying longer in the Philippines. They allowed me to, though my mom often worries since I'm the youngest. She seems to feel I'm still a child, even though I'm almost thirty.

"Yes, Mom. I'm fine here. Don't worry." I answered her on the phone.

"Your sister said you got an apartment already?"

"Yes, Mom. I got tired of living in hotels." I smiled while talking to her.

I heard her sigh a little. "All right, son. Just take care always, okay? Say hi to your siblings there too. I miss you three. It's you three now in the Philippines."

"Don't worry, Mom, I'll still come back to Germany." I tried to reassure her. I didn't want to make her sad. But sometimes, children grow up and inevitably go somewhere farther from their parents.

I ended the call with my mom, reassuring her everything would be okay.

Today, I picked up Elie from her school. As we drove to her house—where her mom invited me for dinner—I asked her about meeting my sister.

"Elie, would you come with me to visit my sister?" I asked.

She looked at me. "Your sister?"

"Yes. She doesn't live too far from here. I just thought since I already asked you to meet my brother..."

She nodded.

I smiled. "I'd like you to meet my sister first, too, since she's closer. What do you think? Is that okay?"

"Oh, yes, that makes sense. We should meet your sister before we visit your brother."

I nodded, smiling at her as I glanced over while driving. "Yes, I realized my sister might be upset if I visited Kuya Adam first, even though he lives farther away."

"You're right."

Then we arrived at her house. Her mom welcomed us warmly again, and I enjoyed another delicious dinner with them.