Chapter 2

I first met Elsa two years ago, while I was at the Art Cafe having coffee and waiting for Kaelyn to finish “visiting” with her boyfriend, Dean (now her ex).

Dean lived with his mother and two brothers at Plaza Damas’s service apartments. Very posh, very comfortable. The moment I saw the place, I told Kaelyn that my dream would be to stay at a place just like that – where there are quaint cafes and shops just downstairs from my unit, like in France, or Italy; where you wake up to the smell of newly-baked bread and fresh coffee, and everyone will greet you by your name, and when you walk into the cafes all you have to say is “the usual, please!”. And Kaelyn, being the silly girl that she is, told me that Dean has an older brother, and maybe if I got together with him, I could, eventually, be enjoying just the sort of life I was dreaming about. Yeah right, why do I need to depend on a man to achieve my own dreams? Like I said, Kaelyn can be quite silly at times.

"Kaelyn, are you done yet? I'll be gaining weight if you take any longer! Gosh, the
baguette looks yum!"

Anyway, I was just sitting there, sipping my coffee and reading some messages on the café’s notice board, when someone spoke from behind me.

“Do you stay around the area?”

I turned around to find a woman in her late 30s, dressed like most of the tai-tais around the area, in stylish Capri pants, a designer top and Tiffany’s earrings. I remember thinking that she had a very good figure too.

“Oh, erm, no, I’m just, erm, waiting for a friend. She’s visiting a friend of hers who’s staying around here.” I was babbling like an idiot, I wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was being around these posh people, it felt like I needed a different set of social skills just to be in the same room with them.

“Oh, is that right? Well, I just thought maybe you were from the area too, cos I recall seeing you here a few times, reading magazines and having coffee with your friends.”

I’d only been there twice, but I didn’t realize I made such a notable and memorable impression! Oh wow! Maybe it was my new mascara; it really pumped up and lengthened my lashes, making my eyes look huge! Hmmm, or maybe the woman had mistaken me for someone else? Yeah, that seemed more likely, and I politely told her so. But she smiled and shook her head.

“Oh no, my dear, I never forget a face! I always remember a face even when I don’t remember the name. That’s why my customers always come back. People like to be remembered, they like to feel special.” Then she offered me her hand. “I’m Elsa, by the way. I own this place.”

From then on, I was more than happy to accompany Kaelyn on her “visits” to Dean’s place (please don’t ask me what she and Dean did during their visiting, because I don’t know, and you shouldn’t be such a busy body either!). I hung out at the Art Cafe, drinking coffee, flipping through fashion magazines other tai-tais left behind, and chatted with Elsa.

I found out that Elsa had an apartment on the block above her shop, and her nephew stayed with her as he was studying at a college nearby. She found out how much I envied the residences at the plaza, and wouldn’t stop laughing when I told her about waking up to the smell of coffee and fresh bread.

“You can’t smell the coffee when you’re up on the 10th floor, silly!”

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I stopped visiting Plaza Damas and the Art Cafe when Kaelyn and Dean broke up. At the same time, I joined Shearn Delamore & Co. as a Junior Lawyer, and my social life became as exciting as chewing on granola muesli bars – dry and tasteless. I had breakfast with law journals, lunch with my faithful laptop, and my weekends – what weekends? Yup, I know, my life is so sad.

Then one morning, as I dragged my poor exhausted body out of bed after a miserable 5 hours of sleep, I received an sms from Elsa.

Hey stranger wat u been up 2? Miss u.
Btw how would u like to wake up to the
smell of coffee and fresh bread @ the price
of $500 a month?

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I moved in to Elsa’s by Christmas that year. Apparently Elsa’s nephew had left for London to finish his studies, and the place felt a little too quiet, and Elsa thought of me (and my silly ‘wake-up-to-the-smell-of-coffee-and-fresh-bread’)! How cool was that? She even asked what color walls I would like, since she was repainting the room to cover up her nephew’s creative graffiti expression. I forgot what her nephew was studying, but it was definitely not art.

Now, I looked around the room, not exactly sure what to feel. Since Bambi moved in, this place hasn’t felt as comfortable as compared to when I had the whole room to myself. But that was to be expected. I also know that I can’t be staying here forever, however much I like the place, but I never expected to have to leave just yet.

I have just a bit over four weeks! Four weeks to find a new place, pack everything up and move in, unpack and settle down and make new friends with new neighbors… It’s a wonder I’m not having a panic attack yet!

Sigh… I could blame Bambi, but I know I need to take some responsibility for what happened too. Elsa’s privacy was compromised, and that shouldn’t have been the case. Worse of all, it wasn’t the first time Elsa had caught Bambi bringing a man home, and I didn’t even know about that!

I really don’t know exactly what made me take in Bambi without asking too much questions. Ok, maybe I do know why, just a bit, but I don’t have to tell you about it, do I? I mean, it’s no biggy, really, just that this guy at work –

Oh hang on, this just came in.

(You have received a new email message from Kaelyn Yang.)

To: Tutu
From: Kaelyn
Subject: Aquarius this week

Hey Tu! I know I know, you’re probably going to send me another screaming email about flooding your inbox with horoscope predictions and stuffs, but I found this one which sounded really really relevant to your current situation! It looks like you’ll probably find a new place to move in to as soon as Wednesday!

Aquarius (January 21 ~ February 19)
Money, money, money may be coming your way, if you can set a few plans in motion. The New Moon in Pisces is your chance of a fresh new beginning. You have two weeks to get sorted out and do your stuff. But there is a word of warning. You have until Wednesday to sign any new contracts, but after that it is best to wait until Mercury turns direct once again in a few weeks, otherwise there will be a number of changes to any agreements that have been made, and more obstacles than usual.

I’ve also mentioned to my family and a few people at work, and they agreed to help keep a look out for any rooms to rent. I’m sure something will come up soon! Call me if you need to chat, ya?

Luv, Lyn

Chapter 1

Two things are bothering me today.

One, Kaelyn, my bestest friend since we were 10 years old, has been flooding my Inbox as well as my hand phone with horoscope predictions. Yes! The crazy woman has finally ditched her Tarots obsession, only to pick up Astrology!

Here’s what the psychics are saying about me today:

(My email prediction)
Aquarius (January 21 ~ February 19)
April 2, 2006
This is the start of something very important for you, Tutu.
You’re in the thick of it as the Sun and Mercury join Neptune in your sign, making with Mars in Taurus, Jupiter in Scorpio and Saturn in Leo, a cross in the fixed signs. You will be challenged on all fronts — at home, at work and in your relationships — and you’re probably more determined than ever to win through, so this is a time when you can actually make considerable headway in your life, despite the obstacles.
Tutu, you’ll be the stronger for it!

(And, from my sms prediction)
Aquarius (21/01 ~ 19/02)
April 2, 2006
With so much favorable celestial energy right now, you are able to see something you couldn't see before. You have the power of insight and this is especially true in relationships with friends. In some ways, you may be greatly disappointed, but not to worry, for it is in fact for the better. In time, you will see.

The way I see it, though there was no obvious contradiction between the two predictions, they do not relate or coincide, or have much in common either. And further more, as I have explained to Kaelyn many many times in the past week, I am not interested in horoscopes! Having said that, I will, however, support her enthusiastic interest in it – seeing that she is my bestest friend since when we were 10 and all – but I do not need to know what the Sun and Mercury, Mars, Saturn and all the other stars in the solar system are up to, really. But does the woman listens? Of course not! So I’ll have to endure the emails and sms for a while more, until when she decides to move on to something else. I hope it’s not Voodoo – oh please, no.

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The second thing, or person, that is bothering me, is my roommie, Bambi. Actually, I should call her my room mate, not roommie, as roommie refers to someone whom I am close and friendly with. Unfortunately, Bambi and I are not very close, and only marginally friendly.

But hey, before you start having thoughts about me being the hostile and bossy room mate, let me tell you that I did attempt to be friendly, but she wasn’t interested. So don’t say I didn’t try, ok!? ‘Cos I did, and I tried pretty hard too! Most people who know me will tell you that I’m a very warm and friendly person; unless when there’s a cat within 10 meters of my radius, then that’s a different story – but we’ll talk about that later.

Back to Bambi. We became room mates about three months ago. Actually, I do not have the habit of sharing rooms with people, especially people whom I don’t know very well. But she was desperate, and like I said, I’m a nice person. Bambi is the cousin of a friend of the wife of my colleague – I know, it’s complicated! Anyway, like I said, she was desperate, and since my landlady, Elsa, was agreeable as long as there was a contract as per standard, plus I get to save on rent, so Bambi moved in.

Till today, I have no idea why Bambi was desperate, nor do I know anything really significant about her, like where she was from originally, where she works, or what she works as (though there are speculations). I’m beginning to question my own sanity and judgment. She could be a drug smuggler, or a terrorist, or a serial killer.

But then again, I don’t think a terrorist or a serial killer would be stupid enough to borrow my lip gloss and hair brush, wear my clothes, and steal from my coin jar. Her DNAs are everywhere! Ok, you can probably tell I’ve been watching too much CSI.

Anyway, it’s bad enough that my favorite MNG dress has stains down the front and a broken zipper, my Stila lip gloss is permanently MIA, and my coin jar is half empty. At least they are material goods and are replaceable.

Yesterday, I took half a day off work due to a monster headache, and was really looking forward to a quiet afternoon in bed with two aspirins and a nice hot cup of lavender tea. But when I got home, I heard noises coming from the kitchen. Elsa was at work, and I recalled Bambi mentioning something about a full day appointment and will be back late.

Could someone have broken in? I didn’t have any weapon on hand, and even if I did, I wasn’t sure I knew what to do with it. What if he had a gun? What if there was a group of them? I was about to turn around and walk back out, go somewhere safe where I could call the police, when I spotted a red bra lying in the hallway next to a pair of hastily kicked-off Vinccis.

Then someone giggled.

Giggles!? Had the thieves found something hilarious in the kitchen?

And then came a rather loud groan, “Oh Bambi, yes baby... oh yessss!”

I know what you’re thinking at this point, and you will be absolutely right!

As soon as I realized what was going on, I headed for the front door. I have no intention of hearing what comes after “oh yessss”. But just as I reached it, the door was flung open with such force that I lost my balance and fell backwards onto the floor. Needless to say, there was quite a bit of noise. I yelped when my butt hit the ground, and my bag went flying across the hall, missing an Egyptian vase by millimeters. My landlady, Elsa, stood at the entrance and stared down at me in shock.

“Tutu, what –“

“Shhh!” I told her, but it was too late.

There was a moment of silence, followed by the sounds of scrambling, and more giggling, from the kitchen.

“Who’s in there? “

I guess Elsa didn’t feel the need to be quiet in her own house. Without waiting for my reply, she headed for the kitchen. I didn’t know how to warn her, so I just kept quiet and remained on the floor, looking down at my NineWest pumps.

“What – you again?” I heard Elsa saying, and she sounded quite pissed. “I think I made it quite clear the last time, if I catch you bringing men back to the house again, I will call the police and have you both arrested!”

Men? Again? The police?

My curiosity got the better of me. Praying that Bambi and her partner in crime (or lust) were decently dressed, I finally got up and made my way towards the scene of the crime.

They were both sitting on the dining table. Bambi had on a short skirt – my skirt! And I had only worn it twice! And her top was front to back and inside out. The man, looking to be in his early thirties, was zipping up his pants. Other items of clothing were strewn around the kitchen. There was a wad of something on the stove, and it did not look like a dishtowel.

But neither Bambi nor the man appeared to be embarrassed at being caught. They also did not apologize nor pleaded to Elsa about reporting them to the police. Instead, after calmly collecting the remaining clothing, Bambi led the man out of the kitchen, and headed not for the front door, but into the room – my room!

Elsa and I were dumbfounded for an entire minute. I’m sure my mouth was hanging to my knees. And during the silence, I swear I heard more giggling, more fumbling, and, oh help me, more lustful moaning!

“You’ve, erm, caught her doing – this - before?” I asked Elsa haltingly.

She was silent for a long moment. I thought maybe she was still trying to collect herself, the poor lady. But then, her answer left me speechless. “I trusted your judgment about that girl, Tutu, but I’m really disappointed.”

“I’m – I never knew – I’m sorry –“

“I’m sorry too, but I think its better if both of you moved out.”

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I think the horoscope prediction about me facing challenges at home was an understatement – not that I believe in that nonsense.

By the way, did I say there were two things bothering me? Actually, there are three, and the third being: I’m homeless!