“You guys remind me of my beloved. We teased each other just like that before.” Now her words create an awkward temperature between us. “Err. Gram, what do you mean when you said this is how you married Grap?” I broke the silence. “That is for you to know.” Okay, I guess coming here is no use at all. “Ah, did you know what happened to the oldest ghost in the garden?” She smiles at him. “He was the heart of the garden. He could’ve spent eternity there, but he chose to live a happy life.” We look at each other. “So where is he now?” GG asks. “He’s somewhere nice. Even I can’t visit him.” I was more puzzled. “That’s all I am to say. Time will tell you everything.”

We come home still with so many questions: what happened to the oldest ghost, and how is this related to Grap?
When I came home, my parents are already there. I hug my father real tight as I miss him so much. “Your mom told me that you’re ready for a boarding school. So, there’s no problem now?” Gosh, I now can’t take back my words. “Yeah, but I want to be alone in a room. I don’t like having a roommate.” I should make sure I am alone or else, everybody will call me insane when they see me talking to no one. “That’s no biggie honey.” My dad is the greatest. “I will be taking Architecture dad, just like Grap.” I look at my mother who did the enrollment, and she’s not even bothered. He touches my head. “It’s decided then.”

Two weeks passed, and I am now in the airport. In few hours, I’ll be in the city. Gosh I’m so nervous. This is my first time traveling alone. I’ve been in the city for few times, but that’s when I had my vacations with my parents. Now it’s only me. I landed my sight at GG. Oh! It was supposed to be me alone, but I realize he’s coming with me. “Be more careful okay? You are going to study there, not to find a boyfriend or do something else not related to study” reminds mom. I hug her, dad, Ma Jen and Kenneth. He comes to see me off. “It’s not bad to find a boyfriend, girl. Believe me, but don’t forget to find one for me.” I roll my eyes. He really has something when it comes to guys.
“I really thought he was straight when I first saw him in the picture” GG voices. I just laugh shaking head as we walk to the entrance. For once I twist my body to see my family and wave at them. It’s a good thing that I am not that close to them or else I would be crying while taking my steps away from them. Sure – we are family and friends, but we don’t have a deep relationship. It’s not that we don’t talk. Just we don’t share much of feelings, secrets or experiences. There may be some, but not much enough to form a deeper relationship.

When we are on board, I sit near the window. Luckily, there is not much of a passenger or else there is no seat left. No one’s taking the seat next to me, so GG takes it. After a while, we had our flight. When it landed, we take a taxi to our school. It’s only few minutes away from the airport. I only had a luggage so it’s not a hassle moving in. As for the other things needed, like school supplies, curtains, bed sheet and pillows, I will buy them here in the city. I will just go for a shopping may be tomorrow.
We arrive at the dorm at 17:00. I ask the dorm keeper for the dorm reservation under my name. My mother reserved me a room online. It was an all girls’ dorm. Boys’ are somewhere else. The dorm keeper gives me the key, and she also walks me to the room.
The dorm is a three-story building. My room is on the second floor. On our way, I see a girl carrying a basket of laundry up to the rooftop. That’s probably where we will hang our clothes to dry. “If you need anything you just can ask me to give you advices.” She smiles at me and I smile back. “I will, thanks.” She then left, and I enter the room with GG.
The room is painted with aristocrat peach. The color is cheerful and bright. Luckily, my room is at the first in a row. I got four windows in total. Much airy feels. Good thing is that it’s air-conditioned. I turned to look at the room.
From the entrance, the mini kitchen is found at the left side, the bathroom is on the opposite. The bed is in the middle of two glass windows facing the door. The bedside table is on the left, and it has a small lamp. Half meter away from it is the white five-layer mini shelf. The right side of the wall is a full length mirror and beside it – are two dressers with the same colors as the room, and a wooden study table in between. Under it was a pale pink chair. There’s white table with a mirror at the edge of the wall, and also a white chair. Opposite to it is a white small dining table with two chairs. This looks more like a condo.
I put my luggage at the foot of the bed. “I’ll unpack tomorrow. Let’s find something to eat.” He nods and we went outside the campus. I had a few research about the dorm policy, and I learnt that we have our curfew at 10. The dorm gate closes after 10. I ride a taxi and tell the driver to take me to the nearest mall. After few minutes, we arrive and I hand him my fare. We enter the mall and go to one of the eateries.
He was just watching me eat. He told me that he can only taste the food but doesn’t feel full nor hungry at all. I think it’s a good thing about him. I don’t feel sorry when I enjoy the food alone anymore. After eating, I went to shop for pillows, comforters, and bedsheet. I’ll just come back tomorrow for the other things. After that, we go back to the dorm.
He helps me in putting my white bedsheet. My comforter is also white with black small geometric shapes; so are my pillows. The other comforter is gray and I let him use it, and I lent the other pillow. “You don’t need to lend me this. I neither feel warm nor cold anyway.” I roll my eyes. “It feels weird seeing someone sleeping on the floor.” He then gets the comforter and pillows, and put them on the floor. I open my luggage, and get my towel and pajamas. I shower, and change my clothes. Then I dry my hair and before going to sleep, I call my mother to tell her I have arrived and is going to take a rest. She didn’t ask me much just made sure I am doing fine.
I put my speaker and phone on the study table. I played Presley’s and we greet each other good night, as I turn off the lights.

Morning comes and I was awakened by the direct hit of sunlight from my glass window. I really have to buy curtains or every morning will be like this. I get up and see GG using his laptop. Well, dad gave me a new laptop for my college. He said it’s good especially for AutoCAD. He asked me to give my old laptop to Kenneth, but I refused. I just told him that it’s too old and it’s not good to give him. Truth is I wanted GG to use it. I made him a Facebook account, and even Instagram.
He doesn’t post pictures on his Facebook account and he only has one friend – me. He sent a friend request to Kenneth, but he hasn’t accepted it. On his IG, he posts a lot of pictures of nature, animals and me. He is good at taking pictures. He’s got few hundreds of followers. A hundred more than mine. I think they like how he captures photo of nature and animals. As to my pictures that he posted, those got more likes than the pictures I posted in my account. I only had 174 followers and it increases into a hundred more after he tagged me in his posts. There were some who are asking how the owner looks like and why doesn’t he posted his own picture. If they only knew – camera won’t capture his image.
Talking about camera, I have a digital camera my dad gave me on my 18th birthday. He is using that, but only when there’s only me and him. Just like when we visited the garden once again. He took a picture of me with those wild flowers, and that was the first photo that he took for me. I used it as a profile picture in my Facebook account and I got a lot of likes and hearts, and wows. People were commenting – asking about the place. I just didn’t answer them.

I take a shower and change my clothes. I am unpacking. He offers for a help, but I refused. I can’t let a guy help me with this. I’m unpacking my clothes – he can’t see my undies. After I put everything in place. I ask him to go for a breakfast, and so we could shop for the other things needed.
I had my breakfast at the university’s canteen. It’s good that it’s open even during vacation. It’s dissimilar to my old school.
After eating, we go to the mall where I went last night. I shop for more pillows – three in count. I had them with the same as what I bought last night. I also buy eating utensils. I pick pink curtains for my glass windows. “Such a sissy.” I glared at him. “Got a problem? It’s my room anyway.” I am wearing a Bluetooth earphone just to let other people think I am calling someone. “You are living with me, just to remind you.” I rolled my eyes. “What do you want then?” He touches the white one. It’s not a bad choice so I end up picking those with the same kind. I also buy in door slippers – blue and pink. I get some sanitary napkins, and beauty products like serum, creams, balms and tints. I also buy a printer and vintage rug. I couldn’t carry everything out the mall so I borrowed the shopping cart. Once I call a taxi and get everything inside, I returned the cart.
The dorm keeper offers help in carrying my shopping items into my room. She also told me that if I need mini refrigerator, gas stove, and other kitchen utensils – I could rent them. They’re in the stock room. I told her I’ll get them after lunch.

After having my lunch at the canteen, I go to the dorm keeper and ask her about that kitchen equipment. I come to the stock room with her and I choose the things. She had it delivered to my room by some men – probably co-workers of her. She handles the payment for the rent, and I paid via card.
After putting the fridge and gas stove in place, I put the kitchen and eating utensils in place. GG helps me with the curtains. I guess I only need groceries, and school supplies. I will get my uniforms maybe a week or two before the school starts.

A week passed. I am now buying groceries ‘coz GG nags about my constant eating in the canteen. He even teased me that it maybe is because I don’t know how to cook. Truth is I can cook, just too lazy to do so. After buying groceries, I decided to get my uniforms, before going back to the dorm. I placed the groceries in the mini fridge.
It was only three when we arrived at the dorm. “You must buy your school supplies tomorrow, so we can have a tour to the campus.” He’s right, I need to familiarize the buildings before the class starts. That – it won’t be difficult to find the classrooms. “It’s also good to at least do study before the school. Here I printed some reading materials.” He showed me printed papers. He sure is more than mom.
I go to the dining table where he is. I put the plastic chair beside him and look at those materials. “These are just some information about your course. Most of these are just terms you need to understand so that you won’t be surprise when your instructors use them.” Is it just me or he is more enthusiastic than I am?

The next day, I was pushing my shopping cart for school supplies. I get some fine liners, coloring materials, pencils, and erasers. I also get some sketchpads and notebooks for lectures and of course pens and paper. I get the 30 by 60 and 45 degree triangles. I was about to put them in cart. “You don’t need those.” I glared at him. These are the ‘must haves’ of an Architecture student. “It’s better to use adjustable triangle. You can no longer limit the degree, you can just adjust the triangle to any angle you desire. You can also save your table space with it. There.” He points my left side. I look at the direction. “It’s there. You buy that one instead.” I was impressed by his recommendation, so I do what he told me. “Get that furniture template.” I look at him wondering what he is talking about. He walks and touches a ruler-like thing. “This is a furniture template – for drawing furniture.” I just smile. How can an old guy who lost his life 30 years ago know these things? He seems more knowledgeable than me.
The shopping went well, I guess. Just wondering – “Are these really necessary? I mean I think freshmen just have more lectures than drawing.” He just shrugs. I put the items in the drawer under my bed.

The next day, I was awakened by the smell of foods. I open my eyes and see GG cooking. “Go take a shower so you can have your breakfast.” He is making fried rice. I do as he say and after that, I take my breakfast. He is making fried rice, chicken with basil and a fried egg. “So, you’re my personal maid now?” He rolls his eyes. “You wish.” I started eating. “How was it?” I nod, “not bad.”
We go for a campus tour. I familiarized the faculty of Architecture first before we went to other faculties. This university is really big. A million times bigger than where my mother works. Of course it’s hyperbole.
We are walking in a pathway of immaculately prude trees. “No one’s around. Give me your phone, I’ll take a picture of you.” I smile and enthusiastically hands him my phone. I stand in the pathway, and he is telling me what to do like a professional photographer.

A week before class starts, I am now in the university’s basketball court where we hold the orientation. GG and I mill around until the head of school arrives for his welcome speech. The head is graceful and carries himself looking more distinguished rather than elderly. His gaze glides across us. “I am pleased to see new faces.” Apparently, speeches are of the same context. I wasn’t giving more attention to it. “I am giving you all a warm welcome.” A smattering of polite applause, and I look at GG who is also clapping his hands. After the welcome speech, one of the professors lectured us about the rules and policies of the university, including the dorms’.

Week passed and I am now walking to my first class. I have the Architectural Design 1 on my first period. The instructor just talks about line weights. We already began the discussions at the very first day. It’s very dissimilar to my old schools where we use the first meeting to introduce ourselves. We introduced ourselves at the orientation of freshmen – through grouping ourselves with students who have the same courses, so we jump into the lessons as soon as the class starts.
I am in my faculty’s canteen to have my lunch. “Is that seat taken?” Someone gave me a nudge. I jerk my head back, and see a lanky guy whose hair – longer for a guy is combed and sprayed backward. “Ah, not yet.” He salutes me with his food tray. “I’ll take that then.” I throw a glance at GG whose sight is following the guy. “I’m Folly.” My brows raise, and I look at him when he introduced himself. “What an unfortunate name!” I register what GG wants to say, and I try not to laugh. “Okay” remarked I dryly. I continue eating.
“So what’s your name?” My instinct is telling me he is a kind who changes girls like clothes. He might think of me as a new target. Not a chance! “You don’t need to know.” I take a sip on my soda. “Oh? How about a night at L Co Hill for your name?” I have heard that it’s the famous and one of the best wine bar in the city. GG’s eyeballs are bouncing from Folly to me – probably waiting for my answer. “I’m not interested.” That being said, I stand up to return my tray. GG is trailing at my back showing his front teeth like he witnessed something funny. “I think you just humiliated him.” I smile and shrug.

I returned to class and had my Visual Techniques 1 class. The instructor tackles about our rendering skills. He teaches us how to use water color, pens, and pencils. The last subject I have for this day is Graphics 1 where we are taught again about line weights. “Line weights again” – I blurted. “The more redundant a thing becomes, the easier it registers to your brain.” GG answers.
The rooms are huge. We have our own a meter by half table and an individual chair. I am sitting at the last column in the first row, and GG is literally sitting on my table – leaning his back at the glass window. He is attentively listening to the professor’s lecture. I shake my head from thinking that he might be very good student when he was alive.

We walk back to the dorm after class. After changing my clothes, I sit on the bed: thinking of a way on how to constantly change GG’s clothes without wasting the garden’s blood. After few minutes I come up with the idea of drawing a huge luggage. I draw clothes: Shirts, short and long pants. I also draw him boxers, even the school uniform and foot wears. I put arrows pointing the huge luggage. I take three hours of drawing. I put every detail in my drawing.
GG didn’t disturb me in my drawing. He was on his laptop earlier and is now cooking me my dinner. He is always preparing my food. He acts like Ma Jen. He’s doing me a real huge favor.
After drawing, I twist to look at him. He is placing the foods in the dining table. “Have them, you must be hungry.” I was excited to try the method I think might work so I run to him and grab his hands. I drag him to the foot of the bed. I place my drawing on the vintage rug. “What is this?” I don’t respond. I used a bigger size sketch paper for all the drawings. I spray the whole paper few times until all is covered with the garden’s blood. “There you go. Let’s try it. Come and step on it.” His brows pinch together – dubious about my idea. “Hurry!” I demand. He scratches his head and ends up doing what I told him to.
Nothing has happened. He looks at me and shows his palms as if he’s telling me that he received nothing. I feel a little sheepish. Disappointed, I walk to the dining table. Before I could take my seat. “Hera, look!” I turn to see. My eyes wide open. He is holding the huge luggage. I run back at him. “Open it!”
I am covered with mixed emotions – excited and nervous at the same time. I’m scared for another disappointment, but is expecting a success. He puts the luggage on the floor. We both look at each other’s eyes sharing the same mixed emotion. We take our breaths and he opens.
I jump in delight when I see things I drew inside the luggage. GG is smiling ear to ear. “Try changing you clothes!” I am excited to know whether it will work. He takes off his shirt, and I was stunned seeing his bare upper body. I jerk away. It’s not that it’s my first time seeing a guy half naked. It’s normal to guys anyway. I am just not comfortable. Good thing is that – he seems not to notice or even care. “It works! Look the old one is still here!” He said triumphantly. I am proud of myself for the idea. “Thank you.” I look at him smiling. I am so happy for our success.

I tell him to put his things on the empty dresser – the right side of the study table. He does so, and he was smiling while unpacking his things. “Eh? I also have uniform?” His eyes sparkle holding the uniform I drew. Looks like the three hours of drawing pays off well.
After having dinner, I showered and change into my pajamas. I dry my hair. I also see him wearing pajamas. He’s more like a person now. “Have a review on what you have tackled earlier so you won’t forget them.” I rolled my eyes. He’s back to being mom. Anyway he’s right so I do. Few minutes and my phone rings. “GG hand me my phone.” He grabs my phone at the bedside table and hands it to me. It’s dad.

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