INCREDIBLE
Incredible. That's what I always thought whenever someone asks me if how is my life going. And knowing me, I would always tell them how thankful I am because I was given a chance to live and see how beautiful the world is. The world might be cruel most of the time, but always remember that "There's always a good thing in every bad day". That is what I always taught to myself whenever i'm at worst, or some things aren't really going well in my life. I'd always tell myself "It's okay, it's just a problem, you can go through it." I've always loved that mindset of mine. It always keep me going, even if there's a lot of hindrances waiting for me out there. I know life is really hard but all we need to do is believe in ourselves and trust God that we can overcome anything in this world. And if you do, I bet things will be better with your life.
I ain't forcing you to read my story, but I'm definitely sure that if you do, you'll learn something from it that can help you overcome the same instances that I've been experienced in the past. Without further do, come and join me in the tremendous journey of my life.
Neil felt like his lungs are burning as he ran towards the hallway of his school. His hair is already messed up, he was also sweating as he continously ran like there's a herd of demons chasing him. But that's the least of his worries at the moment. He is already 30 minutes late to his first class and he don't want his terror professor scold him again like he have done something unethical and unacceptable thing. That's a usual thing for him, yet he's still not used to it.He doesn't want to be embarrassed in front of his classmates. Well, he has reasons why he always attend his class late. As he was looking at the end of the hallway, his mind is actively weaving a hundred plausible excuses per second. His uneasiness kept growing. Breathing through his mouth, Neil picked up his speed, ignoring the curious glances of other students as he passed them like a lunatic. Upon reaching the laboratory building, Neil abruptly stopped and tried to catch his breath while looking up, slightly tapping his chest with his hand.He fixed his self first because he looks like he just bumped into a trouble before entering the building. A few steps away from his lab room, there he is, his professor. Standing in front of the door, his professor looked at him with his eyebrows knitted together. He already knows he fucked up, like the usual thing he does. But his professor did not say anything and hand him a test paper, letting him to take an exam even though he was late for about 45 mins. Feeling strange, he sat quietly on his chair. "Thank God! I am saved." he uttered while smirking before finally answering his test.
Neil finished his exam first before he went out of the room. That's the rule of his general biology professor, if you finished your exam, you can go out anytime you want. It was easy for him. Everything is easy for him. Well, it's because he was born intelligent—no, more likely a genius. That's why his professor can't drop him out because of the fact that he is one of the top students at their school. That is one of the perks of being a genius student. You can't be kick out unless you're as good as those top students . Everything is perfect about him—except for his family. His parents weren't really in good terms ever since,so they later on get annulled.He grew up with his grandmother but sadly, she passed away 2 years ago. He's an only child, so he has to live alone by himself. Everything was just catastrophic for him. He don't even know where to start because he had no one to hold one. But then again, he believed that he can get through it, so he did. Things did not go easy at first. He had to stop going to school because he can't afford paying for his school's expenses, even though he was a scholar, it is still hard for him to pay for other miscellaneous fee. Same goes with his daily needs. It's like he had tasted the catastrophe of life. But he did not stop striving, because he believed that it was just a test for him to be stronger and independent. He has to work to pay for his rental apartment and he needs to save up for his next semester. He didn't want to stop going to school anyway, however, he needs to. He did everything that he can and luckily, he managed to have part-time jobs and study at the same time. That's the hardest part for him. He has to rely on his academics, as much as his job, to be able to pay for all necessary books and classes that they are required to take.
After he went to school, he immediately go back to his work. He's a crew service in a fast food chain near in his house. It is an advantage for him because he won't be late for his work.Aside from that, he was also an uber driver. Well, what can you expect these days? He needs to cope up with the society in order for hin to earn money. The car he was using was his, it is just a second hand yet still looks new. He bought that car when he already saved up enough money to buy it. He finished his duty first before going home. Since his house is just near where he works, he just took a walk. But while passing through the streets, he saw three mans—more like a goon mans, beating up an old man merciless. He immediately helped the old man out. Good thing he can still use his skills in judo and taekwando.
"Are you okay sir?" he asked the old man after the goons ran away.
"I'm okay. Thanks for helping me out kiddo." the old man replied smiling, as if nothing happened.
"I'll bring you to the hospital, sir." He insisted but the old man told him that he's okay and there's nothing for him to worry about. But he's not convinced so he bring the old man to his house. Afterall, the old man can't even walk properly because he just got beaten up by those coward goons. Neil prepared for their foods and they had a conversation while eating. Surprisingly, the old man is rich. He owns a farm, yacht and he also run different businesses. He suddenly became interested to the old man, it is because eversince he wanted to run a farm and yacht. That is his dream though, to live peacefully far away from the usual city.
"We keep on talking but I still don't know your name, sir." He said laughing. He was too comfortable talking to him that he even forgot to ask about his name. It's been a while since he had that kind of warm conversation. Oddly, with a completely stranger. He didn't mind it though, since the old man looks harmless enough.
"Call me Mr. Stan, young boy. How about you? What's your name?" The old man said.
"I'm Neil, sir." He replied. After that, they continue their conversation. They talk as if they have known each other for years. It just felt good because he can share things with the old man without getting uncomfortable. Mr. Stan is a good listener though.
"Where do you live, Mr. Stan?" He asked. He was curious and ge wanted to visit the old man soon. He find out that Mr. Stan is living with his granddaughter. He did not said where the place specifically, but he said it is far away from the city. While they're talking, a car beeped three times outside his house. He got curious so he went out with Mr.Stan, only finding out that it is Mr.Stan's body guard. So he is really rich, Neil thought. The little doubt hr has fades away.
"I gotta go, young man. Thank you for helping me out earlier. I appreciate it a lot. See you soon, I'll wait for your visit." he said while he gave Neil a calling card, indicating there where he lives before he waved at him and went to the car. I looked at the calling card he gave me, DeVillizo Ranch. Sounds old school but classy. He might visit him when his finals is already done.
Finals is done, and I finally got to take the day off I have been longing from work. I might just visit Mr.Stan, since I promised him that I'll visit his ranch. On the afternoon, I went to the market to buy the things that I will be needed while taking a break from everything. When I say everything, I literally meant everything. From school, work and from the city. I need to unwind though. Afterall, I deserved this from working too much. When I got home, I fixed and prepared the things I'll bring, not too many because I'll just visit Mr.Stan's Ranch for about 2 to 3 days I think?
Hours later......
"Damn!My gas is running out and I'm not still getting there!" I thought to myself, Mr.Stan did not tell me when he said he lives far away from the city, it is really this far.I thought he was just kidding. I'm driving for almost 5 hours and I feel so exhausted already. I roamed my eyes around the highway, I'm not even sure where I am. All I see is a vast of space of green land, bumps of hills, and wild grass. No establishments on sights. I don't even see passing cars. I'm all alone in the highway and I don't think anyone would care if I suddenly changed lanes. Three miles more and I still see the same view. I can see s display of mountain silhouettes from a far, and a long dark road ahead of me. Am I still on the right track? Nevertheless, I continued driving. I felt happy when I saw an old placard saying "Welcome to Devillizo Ranch!". Finally, I should've eaten lunch before coming here. I'm starving. I entered the road where the placard was placed. Minutes passed, I follow all the directions from my navigation system. But it still didn't work. I felt like I'm on the verge of giving up. It kept telling me measurements, miles and speed when all I need is a simple right or left. Now I don't know where I am. All I see are trees, all sort of diffeent trees.
"Where the heck am I?" I groaned. I feel really frustated at that moment. I had been driving around in this God forsaken place for hours and I am still in the middle of nowhere. I don't even see a single house, not even a damn cow. I saw a right turn placard near where my car was parked. I contemplated for a while. Should I go straight or turn right? What if I miss this turn and not know this is where I'd find Mr.Stan's Ranch?
Crossroads are the damnedest thing. I thought to myself before getting back to my car. I turned my car around and rove all the way till the end. Minutes later, I found myself driving into an old rusting open gate on either side of the road. The stand of gate was fully wrecked and messed up. Wild leaves coiled everywhere arount it and it looked like they're strangling the iron with their stems. I slowed down my card and I could hear the cracking sound of the dry leaves beneath my tires. The plants lining the sides of the road were so overgrown that they block the whole light of sky. It was so eerie.
Few kilometers away from where I was. There it was, the house—or a mansion rather. I stopped a few kilometers away from the fountain that was placed in the middle before I decided to go down. The wind blew and the leaves were suddenly scattered down around the floor. They're so thick that they covered the whole ground. It's chilly out here and I thought about coming back to my car for my jacket, but didn't mind it anyway because I'm too tired to go back. I looked up to the mansion. I felt shiver run down in my spine. It looked like a castle in nineteenth century. Old and spooky. It looked so gothic and huge. The paint was fading, there werr wild flowers beside the giant door didn't soften the grimness of the whole place. I breathed heavily before I entered the mansion. And suddenly.......
And suddenly...I was stunned for a moment.This whole place screamed neglect and abandonment. So what do we have here? Mr.Stan living inside a scary grandiose castle. He seemed to be the millennial Vladimir Dracula. Do really vampire exists this days? Nevermind. I tried to knocked many times as the rain falls down.
"Oh oh!" I looked at the dark clouds. It completely obscured the sky. The rain falls were heavy. I was slowly getting soaked in wet because of the rain. I decided to knocked and bang down the door, but no one is answering. My hands are useless like this. I hold the doorknob and tried to open it. Well, it worked. Why is it not locked?
"Is any body here?!" I shouted as I entered the mansion. Eerie darkness greeted me. I stomped my wet shoes on the rug and called again. "Is anybody here?!" My voice was echoing all over the hallow wall of the house but no one is coming. I roamed around. My shoes were clicking on the hallow tiles as I explored the rooms.The house was big, huge and wide. The house was full of different antiques. Old furnitures, couches that have seen better days, priceless paintings adorning the wall, exquisite chandeliers hanging high above the ceiling, ceramic vases filled with withered flowers, andd every window I looked at was cloaked with heavy dark curtains that prevented light from coming inside.
"This whole place is so weird." I thought. While I was roaming around, I stopped outside on a certain room. I'm not sure what it was. I slightly opened the door and saw an old piano leaning behind the wall. I entered the room and looked out in the window if the rain already stopped but unfortunately, it is stilll raining. I seemed not to hear anything from the outside. Maybe it is soundproofed?
I walked over the piano and lifted the lid. Is it still working? I asked myself and pressed a white key. Seems fine. I'm not really a musical type, but I know how to play guitar.I pressed another white key and that's when I heard a harsh gnarl behing me.My heart thud bard against my rib. I breathe out exasperatedly before turning around. I snatched a breathe at that sight of that big dog.I was about to shout when I saw someone behind the dog.
"Oh man!! You scared me!" I breathe heavily as I tap my chest lightly. As I cleared my vision out, it is not s boy. Crap. She's a girl? Who's she? Is she the granddaughter of Mr. Stan? I didn't know that Mr.Stan's granddaughter was stunningly pretty—or should I say gorgeous? Damn girl. I know for a fact that behind the hair that is hiding her half face, she has a mesmerizing beauty that can attract any man in this world.
In relief, I didn't notice I was sagging against the piano.
"How did you get here?"The girl asked me, but I couldn't answer. I was too stunned and mesmerized by her beauty that I can't even utter a word. One growl from her beastly dog drew my attention back to her eyes. "Uh, the door's open. So I let myself in. My name's—"
"You're trespassing." She said. I laughed nervously and I don't even know why I suddenly feel nervous. "That's a very unique name, but I prefer to be called by my name. I'm Neil—"
"I don't care. You.Are.Trespassing." She said with her cold voice, enough to give me shivers. I suddenly got pissed, but I opted for civility and graciousness.Even in the face of hostility. I smiled at her and explained. "I wouldn't call it exactly like that. I am here as Mr.Stan's guest. It is raining outside and I'm soaking wet. I saw your gate was open so I let myself in."
Her cute eyes suddenly get fierced. "I have no time to entertain any guests. You know where the door is. I'm sure you don't need any help showing yourself out." And then she left with her dog trudging behind him. It was seconds before I could react. I was left speechless and dumbfounded!
"Wait!" I ran after her but she was too fast and by the time I was about to reach her, she was already holding the door close. "Bye." She said in a stern voice and the door slammed shut on my face. Damn cruel.
Crap. Did she just slammed the door on my face? What a rude granddaughter Mr.Stan has. I wanted to pound my fist heavily onto her grim dark door but i'm not an idiot. I know when I am not wanted. And her door is practically screaming 'leave me alone!' at me.
Damn! What do I do now? Should I leave? Or wait until she decides to grace me with her undivided attention? With one last stern look at the door, I turned around away from it and walked back downstairs. The whole house was so dark, gloomy and obsolete that gives me creeps. Its like any moment someone will appear in front of me. Or maybe worse than human. I felt a sudden shiver. Goodness. To live in this house for ten years or even a couple of years is really beyond me. I looked at the window to see if it's still raining. Unluckily, I could see the lightening flashing above the clouds and even against the thick wall of this creepy castle, I could even hear the muffled roll thunder outside.
I grudgingly stepped away from the window and dropped the curtain when I realized the storm won't stop even if I watched it for hours. I roamed my eyes around to find the telephone so that I can call Mr.Stan. My phone was stuck inside my car snd I still have to charge it to call him.
There it is! The telephone.I quickly go near into it and dialed Mr.Stan's telephone number when I found a wireless phone in one of the roomd and I groaned when s dead tone greeted me. The phone was cut! Seriously! Can this day be even more worse? How can I possibly leave this place if my gas won't even carry me half a mile away from here? And there's a storm outside.
I decided to sit down near the living area to wait, silently hoping that Mr. Stan's granddaughter would go downstairs. If she think I'd throw myself in that storm, she's sorely mistaken.I'm not suicidal like what she wanted me to do. Its been fifteen minutes but I still haven't hear anything upstairs. Did she fall asleep? I bet she looks gorgeous and breathtaking to look at while asleep.Damn. Stop that fantasizing over her. Stop admiring her.
Well, I guess she doesn't have any plans to go outside her room. If she's too insistent to ignore me, fine. But me, I can't take my hunger anymore. I'm famished. I entered her kitchen only to find out a huge fridge! Woah! I didn't expect her kitchen to be look like this—classy and high tech kitchen appliances that I don't even know how to use. I was honestly expecting a lesser luxurious that that. Out of curiosity and this strong sense of hunger. I pulled open the left side of the fridge. It was all veggies, beef, chicken meat, and a branded bread. Does she eat anything besides of these foods? My stomach growled louder. I know it's bad to just runmage through someone's fridge and attack someone's food, but I am so hungry and my host is very unhospitable at the moment so....that's a pretty acceptable reason.
I was enjoying my third sandwich when I heard the familiar growl behind me. I looked overmy shoulder and saw that beastly magnificent black dog standing at the door watching and gnarling his teeth at me. My back straightened and looked if her master was with him or her.
"Didn't I told you to leave?" I'm doomed.
Her glove hand reached her hair and brushed the strands away from her face. Damn, gorgeous.
"Didn't you understand what I've said earlier?" she said softly yet intimidating. And I blinked, my eyes were staring unbelievingly at the girl near me.
"Which part?" I just said because this girl owned a sculpture perfect face! Those chiseled jaw that was filled with dark whiskers, thick dark eyebrows...the sight of it emphasizes her pointed nose. Oh! I can't have my heart beating like this right now. I scowled to hide from my blushes.
"You mean when you slammed the door on me?" I crossed my legs under the table and looked at him squarely, my chin titled up high.
"I told you, I'm your grandpa's visitor. He knows me. I drove along way from here, miss. A little courtesy would've been nice." I said.
"And I told you too that I don't entertain visitors. I don't even know if grandpa really knows you. You were even trespassing our property and went through my fridge without any permission. I can sue you for that." her dog barked and trotted away from the kitchen as she said those words.
I've just decided to went out of her house and just wait for Mr.Stan outside. Wind gusted over me, blowing hard rain drops of rain on me but I ignored them. I was soaking wet when I went inside my car. Rain pounded on my windshield that my wipers couldn't compete. I looked at my phone and tried to dial Mr.Stan's number, but I see no signal. I muttered a curse. I can see the trees saying from the strong wind, trying to hold on to their roots. The sky was getting darker and heavier as I stayed inside my carz My teeth started to chatter from the cold. Curling my body to a fetal position. I gripped my jacked tighter against my body and tried to breath with my mouth. A few hours, I almost jerked out of my seat when someone knocked on my window loudly. I didn't notice I fell asleep. The knock came again but it took me seconds to open the window because my hands and fingers were too stiff. I saw someone was wiping the fog and rain off the glsdd and as I open the window, I saw a man. He's familiar I think? Have I seen him before? Oh right! He's Mr.Stan's bodyguard.
"Sir, Mr. Stan's asking you to go with me inside." He said. Damn finally! After so many hours of waiting. I wonder where went and it took hours for him to go back. Travis led me back the way to the hous. Mr.Stan's bodyguard names travis and I think he's in mid 20s. As we were walking back to the house, I saw Mr. Stan standing in front of the door, I could even see him smiling at me from a far.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting, young boy. I just had an emergency meeting earlier. Let's go inside, shall we?" he said warmly to me, as if be was really expecting me to visit him. He asked travis to bring me some clothes to wear because my clothes were still soaked in wet.
"And oh by the way, have you seen my granddaughter nathalia already.Sorry for her behalf, she's just always like that. I hope you wouldn't mind it at all. I'll assure you, she is really kind and a loving person." I coughed on what he said, really? I just smiled at him.
"Of course, I won't Mr. Stan." We just talked again ahnd he said that I should call him tito because he said Mr.Stan is too formal whenever I call him that.
A few minutes passes, he suddenly smiled when he looked at the stairs. " There you go my gorgeous granddaughter. How's your sleep?" he said as he go near Nathalia. I held my breathe as I looked over her, why is she so gorgeous even if she's only wearing pajama pants and a plain white t-shirt? Damn, I'm really crazy.
"Nathalia, this is neil. The one I told you who helped me in the city." Tito stan said while looking at me. Nathalia looks like she doesn't believe on his grandpa at all. I wonder what were she thinking that time.
"Uhm, Hi nathalia?" i greeted her and i extended my hand to her, hoping that she would do the same thing. But I bet no, knowing that she's annoyed by mu presence. But surprisingly, she did the same thing and smiled.
"Sorry for what I've said to you earlier, I shouldn't done that.It's just that I don't usually trust people so easily." She said, still smiling with a little bit of awkwardness. She looks way much better when she's smiling. Those pinkish lips that always formed so perfectly whenever she smile looks so damn attractive to me.
"It's okay. I understand." Well, her explanation is quite reasonable so I don't have to blame her at all.
We just had a midniht snack and since it's getting late, tito stan asked nathalia to accomodate me to there guests room where I would be sleeping tonight. After that, Nathalia led me to a room upstairs. We stopped in a certain room and then she told me that it was the room I would be using to sleep for tonight.I just thanked her and said good night before I went inside the room . I was really sleepy since I've been driving for about 6 hours earlier. I really need some rest. I let out an aggravated breath and stood, running my eyes around the room. It's not that big but it had enough space for a single four bed, antique cabinet, a single couch,a small table and a mantel. There's no tv, or anything that is multimedia gadgets. Not even a radio. I looked at the window, silently hoping that the weather tomorrow will be sunny. I want to roamed around tito stan's ranch. The bed looked almost inviting so I layed down. I feel like mt body is full of bruises. This must be fatigue from the cold. I sighed. This day is a long day, indeed. I'm gonna sleep.
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