The echoes of noise from downstairs pulled me out of my slumber. A sharp, shrill voice rang in my ears, making me wince as my brows furrowed. I groaned, reaching for my glasses and blindly fumbling until my fingers found the frame. I picked them up and slid them on, blinking as my vision cleared.
"Calm down, Bob! Don't pull on the leash, or we'll fall!" the girl shouted at her dog.
"Bobbbbbb!"
Wow. There she goes again.
I clicked my tongue sharply. "Tsk. People just have to be loud in the morning. I just want to get some sleep."
With a sigh, I pushed myself up from the couch, bowing my head as I leaned forward, elbows resting on my knees. I pinched the bridge of my nose, bracing myself for the inevitable headache after a long night at the bar.
Tequila walked over and sat in front of me, her eyes filled with longing, clearly expressing her desire to be picked up. I let out a weak smile, bent down, and scooped her into my arms. Lifting her toward my face, I pressed my cheek against her soft fur, somehow a sense of peace enveloped me.
Still holding her close, I stood up. "Alright, Tequila, let's go for a walk."
I changed into something comfortable — a shirt, shorts, socks, and Crocs— then grabbed Tequila's leash and headed out.
As I descended the stairs, I spotted the girl still struggling to calm her dog, who was bouncing with excitement at the prospect of a walk. I moved past them quietly, but then I noticed something that made me pause.
She was wearing heels.
Who in their right mind walks their dog in heels?
I brushed the thought aside and went downstairs. Just as I was about to reach the door, I came to a full stop, suddenly remembering that my rent was due today. Turning around, I made my way to the building's management office and knocked on the door.
A woman sitting at her desk looked up at me and managed a smile. But there was something about it — it felt forced, a façade meant to conceal whatever she was truly feeling. Life had a way of making us separate our personal struggles from the faces we wore at work.
"Hi, Mr. Tyler. What can I do for you?" she asked, motioning toward the chair in front of her. I took a seat.
"Uhh... I'm here to pay this month's rent. That would be P8,000.00, right? Let me just wire it via GCash—"
She tilted her head slightly, as if recalling something.
"Oh, right. Hasn't Ms. Kyla informed you? We have waived 15 days of your rent as compensation for the inconvenience she caused by using your bathroom for a few days which was our fault. We spoke with her recently, and she reminded us that you should receive proper reimbursement. It was decided that your rent would be cut in half. So, the amount you need to pay is only P4,000.00." She smiled as she prepared the receipt.
I was dumbfounded. I remained speechless for a moment before handing over the payment in exchange for the receipt.
"Is there anything else, Mr. Tyler?" she asked, flashing another one of her artificial smiles.
"Uhh... yeah. Sorry. That would be all."
I carefully closed the door behind me, still processing what had just been said.
Kyla was Kz. Of course, she didn't want to be a bother. And here I was, acting like this over something she tried to make right. How low, Tyler.
The realization crashed over me, dragging me back to what happened. My mood darkened, a familiar heaviness settling over my chest.
Sensing the change in my expression, Tequila gently booped her nose against my face.
I smiled at her. "I must have been doing it again, huh, Tequila? Don't worry, I just remembered something. Let's go to the park."
I need to apologize to Kz when she gets back.
At the park, I let Tequila run wild. She needed the stretch — after all, she was always alone in the apartment, waiting for me to come home from work. I kept my eye on her as she checked out the other dogs hanging around. They were all larger than her, but she acted like she could take them on.
I let out a small laugh. "How feisty, Tequila," I muttered under my breath.
I was seated on a bench when, at a distance, I spotted a figure that looked like Kz. My breath hitched, and a strange heat crawled up my neck. My chest tightened as my mind raced in a panic, my heartbeat suddenly thudding in my ears. I froze, caught between hesitation and urgency.
I blinked, my vision tunneling in on her as the world around me faded.
It had to be her. I just need to go to her, right? But would she even talk to me to after how I pulled away the last time?
My body felt stiff, my feet glued to the ground. I could only watch as she drifted further away.
To hell with it. Just do it. For once, do something!
I dashed forward and cradled Tequila, my heart still pounding in my chest, my mind cluttered with doubt — was I doing the right thing?
"K..." I called out, my voice catching in my throat. But when she turned around, it wasn't her.
"Z..." The last letter barely left my lips, fading into silence.
As the stranger's unfamiliar face met my gaze, a sharp pang settled in my chest. The excitement that had surged through me just moments ago drained away, replaced by a slow, sinking disappointment. My heart, once racing, now thudded in a steady, hollow rhythm, as if the moment had collapsed in on itself.
I exhaled quietly, forcing a small, awkward nod before shifting my gaze away, the weight of mistaken hope pressing heavily on my shoulders.
I let out a slow breath, shoving my hands into my pockets as I turned away. The weight in my chest sat heavy, dragging my thoughts down with it.
Stupid. Why did I think..
Wham!
Something slammed into my side, nearly sending me sprawling. Tequila yelped in surprise as I barely managed to steady myself.
"Bob! Oh my god, stop tackling people!"
A familiar shrill voice made me wince.
I looked down to see a Doberman bouncing around Tequila, his tail wagging furiously. Tequila, stood her ground, puffing up like she was ready to fight. Bob, completely unaware of her tiny fury, just kept hopping around in excitement.
I sighed and glanced up. The girl was already running toward us, heels clicking against the pavement.
Of course, it had to be her.
She skidded to a stop, slightly out of breath. "Wow. You look like you've just seen a ghost."
I scoffed, bending down to rub Tequila's back in an attempt to calm her.
I rolled my eyes. "You're way too nosy for someone who can't even control her own dog."
She gasped dramatically. "Excuse you. Bob is just enthusiastic."
Bob, as if to prove her point, nearly trampled Tequila, sending my little dog scurrying behind my leg. I shot Pam a deadpan look.
"Right. Enthusiastic."
I let out a sharp breath, flicking off the dust clinging to my shirt with quick, stiff motions. Tequila peeked out from behind my leg, still ruffled from the encounter.
She opened her mouth to say something, but I didn't give her the chance.
"Whatever," I muttered, turning away. "I need sleep."
I walked off without another word, my steps heavy, my mind heavier. Last night's exhaustion wasn't the real reason I left. It was the knot tightening in my chest.
Stupid. Why did I think it would be her?
Why did I hope?
As I reached the apartment, I barely noticed the noise around me. The world around me blurred into noise. The only thing that stayed was the disappointment.