AN:
In case you come across Vitality or Vitality pool, know that they have been changed to Force Energy and Force Pool.
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One of the reasons I hate going out is because of the eyes I get once I am in public.
Due to my old, disproportionate face coupled with my insanely small height, I get this misunderstood gaze from people, looking at me like some homeless orphan.
Orphan? That I am. But homeless? Come on. Do you have to brand every orphan as homeless?!
I might have an ugly face according to the beauty standards, but that does not make me homeless or any worse off than a normal person.
Especially those street guys, they have this habit of coming at me, throwing shady slang like; "Bossman, bro, anything for the blood!".
I mean come on. How does us both being an orphan make us blood brothers? Alright maybe not blood, in what way does it even make us related?
Like bro, I am meeting you for the very first time so back off a little and don't refer to me as your blood because I am not.
Though this is what I think, I still do my due by giving them money whenever they ask for it.
Come on. Giving them money does not make me a pushover. Others might not know, but I know what value they hold.
They have their uses, mostly in street matters where their value can be seen.
I am not saying I have any intentions to have myself involved in shady activities tied to the streets. But who knows? Tomorrow is not exactly something we can predict.
It was a long ride that took me four hours and a plus several minutes. Traffic is added to the four hours plus minutes, but I made it.
*Knock! Knock! Knock!*.
I banged on the door, softly. After, I waited for a response from whoever was in.
'Again!'.
I couldn't see what was beyond the door. Not anything, but somehow I could hear the sounds of footsteps coming toward the door.
Every movement behind the door did not escape my ears. The vibration of how they carried their hand up and placed it on the door handle, how they pushed down the handle and how the door slowly creaked open.
I could feel and hear everything in very slow motion and heightened audio.
"Raul!". She said with a surprised face.
I was greeted by her who had pale fair skin, black hair with visible brown strands of hair, an oval face that I am starting to think is unique in my family, a grey singlet and a skirt reaching to her toes.
She has this slender figure that many crave, and a tempting curved waist. Her beauty is one that many would do well to come to terms with.
"Aunt Lin". I retorted, flaunting the black rectangle-shaped nylon in my hand.
It is customary for me to not come to my aunt's house empty-handed.
She moved back and offered; "Come on in".
Though still surprised, she did not forget the due gesture of not keeping me waiting out long.
I took her up on her offer and went in.
Aunt Linda short for Aunt Lin, is my aunt from my father's side. She is the same woman I was supposed to live with after the death of my parents, but couldn't because of her asshole of a husband.
It's a secret is said that okay!
Every once a year, I make the trip from my cottage to her one-bedroom apartment to do the necessary on the anniversary of both my parent's death.
As earlier said, she lives in a one-bedroom complex. A living room that is roughly about the size of my bedroom, a bathroom and a room. That is all.
When I think about it now, I believe I am living better off than she is. But that is to be expected.
Where I reside is a building passed down from generation to generation. It has been a precious moment for my family. Or so I have been told by my father.
Now, I can understand why that house is the only momentum passed down from generation, and why it is still standing and yet to be taken over by a rich corporation or loaded individual.
Not even my aunt's husband can lay claim to the building.
"Raul". She called out once more with a surprised tone. "Is there something wrong".
She questioned, allowing me to take my seat before asking.
The living room is lacking in pieces of furniture, but not so lacking that they do not have the necessary ones mandated in the living room.
Two seater leather chair is placed on the left and right, and a three seater standing between those two chair.
At the front of the three-seater chair is where the table is, surrounded by the two two-seater chairs left and right. And past the table is where the TV is, about a thirty-two-inch TV plastered to the wall.
Behind the three-seater chair, with just a slight walk forward and a turn to the left is a door. On the left side of the door is another door, and ahead of the first door is yet another door.
I sat on the right two-seater chair that was close to the entrance door, while my aunt went ahead to sit on the three-seater so she could be close to me.
"There is nothing to worry about Aunt Lin". I answered her earlier question, placing the black nylon on the table that was in front of me.
"Can't I just wake up and decide to pay my favourite aunt and cousin a surprise visit". I flattered with a cheerful smile sent her way.
I understand why she is both worried and surprised to see me at her doorstep.
Except for the once-in-a-year event, I do not exactly make it my calling to needlessly come to her door.
She had always prompted me to come anytime I wanted, telling me how I was always welcome at her home. And surely, I understand her intentions clearly.
It's not a lie or a facade. My aunt loves me.
She couldn't take me in because of her asshole of a husband, but that is not to say that she abandoned me for fear of what her husband would do.
No!
About three?... Two years ago when I was just starting the life of an orphan, she would always come to check up on me once in a while to make sure I was okay.
This is another secret from me, but it was she who gave me the idea of going to the cottage to live there.
No matter what, I will always be grateful to her. She did the best she could even when she had no reason to.
For that, I am thankful and appreciative.