Hira the Borrower

C H A P T E R 1

FIDEL’S gaze lifted in astonishment as the vehicle pulled up to an aged house, nestled in the care of his Aunt Petunia, a widow who recently lost her husband to bone cancer.

Despite its antiquity, the house exudes timeless beauty with its resilient wooden structure and lush surroundings adorned by sprawling trees. Vines elegantly cascade on the second floor, adding a touch of natural allure. In this tranquil setting, the air is crisp and refreshing, inviting a sense of calmness and serenity.

Fidel imagines a peaceful life away from the noisy streets of San Delara. No more honking horns, no more smoke-filled air, no more barking dogs, and no more rowdy neighbors. Here, he will enjoy uninterrupted peace, lost in books to the soothing whispers of leaves and birdsong melodies.

Fidel’s pleasant thoughts were interrupted as his Aunt Petunia suddenly spoke from the driver’s seat. He glanced at the car’s side mirror then adjusted his hair and his collar.

“Here we are, Fidel. Let’s go, my stomach is growling,” Petunia chuckled before opening the driver’s seat door. Fidel just nodded and opened the passenger seat as well.

Before Fidel could fully close the passenger seat door, a woman in her mid-40s emerged from the main door. She had short hair and a moderately fair complexion. Her body had a rounded shape, and she was wearing a yellow apron.

She hurriedly approached Petunia who was already nearing the gate. The woman quickly opened the gate for Petunia and bowed, “Good morning, ma’am,” she politely greeted.

Petunia nodded before turning her gaze towards Fidel. The woman also glanced in his direction, then bowed again and greeted, “G-good morning, young master.”

“By the way, this is Fidel, the nephew I told you about,” Petunia introduced, “And Fidel, this is Nadel, my personal household assistant.”

“Good morning, Nadel. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Fidel greeted directly and nodding respectfully. Nadel reciprocated with a nod and a gentle smile then she escorted the two inside the house.

During meal times, Petunia typically led the conversation, occasionally responding to and acknowledging by Fidel. Nadel, seated beside Petunia, listened attentively while Fidel seated across, he listened intently to their discussion.

Upon completing his meal, Fidel courteously excused himself to his Aunt Petunia, expressing his intention to step outside momentarily for some fresh air. He settled on an aged bench, gazing upward at the serene sky. At that moment, the sky was partly cloudy with hues of blue, and the breeze was pleasantly mild, occasionally tousling Fidel’s hair and brushing against his eyes.

As birds gracefully soared overhead, leaves gently descended, carried by the gentle breeze. Everything appeared almost perfect in Fidel’s eyes. It was, perhaps, one of the most exquisite moments he had experienced, reveling in the genuine beauty of the world.

While he observe the surroundings, Fidel noticed a cat that seemed restless while standing amidst of a lush bushes, adorned with a few flowers, corolla and vines. The cat remained standing as if waiting for something.

Although Fidel was close to the cats, his parents never allowed him to keep any as pets. Fortunately, his friend Dany had a cat who was now in Hong Kong.

Fidel stood up and walked slowly towards the cat. He called out to it, but it didn’t approach him or even look back. When he finally got close to the cat, he sat down beside it.

“Meow!”

Fidel glanced at the bushes and chuckled, “What are you looking for there? Are you waiting for the hidden mouse to come out?”

“Meow!” then it turned around and walked away. Fidel also stood up. He’s about to turn around when his eyes caught sight of a small creature descending from the bushes.

Fidel’s eyes widened in shock at what he saw, freezing him like a statue in his place. When he regained his composure, he rubbed his eyes. He still couldn’t believe what he had seen.

ON THAT AFTERNOON, Fidel did nothing but read a book. The large window beside him was open, letting in gentle gusts of wind. It was in this peaceful setting that Fidel found his peace of mind.

A few moments passed, he suddenly heard three knocks on his door. He glanced up as it opened, revealing Petunia, “It’s siesta time, why aren’t you sleeping yet?” she asked then sat down on the side table.

“I’m not sleepy yet, Aunt Petunia,” Fidel replied before turning to a different page of the book he was reading.

Petunia didn’t respond immediately. She looked at the book he was holding, the book he was holding was always read by her deceased husband, “What are you reading, Fidel?” Petunia asked, even though she already knew what the young man was reading.

“N-nothing, Aunt Petunia. It’s just a collection of random stories,” he replied then closed the book and placed it beside him. Then he looked out the window while his hands rested on his lap.

“My grandfather used to tell stories about little people,” Petunia began, interrupting Fidel’s gaze at the beautiful scenery outside, “They say they live beneath the floorboards in a house. They are like humans, they using light, fire, and water. They borrow things and used recycled materials,” Petunia continued. At that moment, Fidel turned his attention to her. Petunia smiled, she finally got the young man’s interest.

“W-what happened to them now, Aunt Petunia? Are they still alive today?" Fidel asked in rapid succession.

Petunia nodded, “For generations, our family has passed down stories about their existence. However, they are now just a handful, as some of them have distanced themselves from humans because we pose a threat to them. They have no powers. Like us, they hunger and die,” Petunia stated before standing up.

Fidel blinked twice. So, he hadn’t been imagining what he saw earlier. Their existence was indeed real. And the stories his mother used to tell him when he was young weren’t just ordinary tales, because now his Aunt Petunia was confirming their truth. Fidel was about to speak when his Aunt Petunia spoke first.

“I have an appointment later, Fidel. If you need anything, just tell Nadel. She’s in the living room resting,” were Petunia’s final words before she closed the door.

Fidel was left dumbfounded in his room. The story told by his Aunt Petunia earlier still lingered in his mind. And the sight of a small creature descending beneath the bush. He couldn’t believe he saw those things himself.

He also didn’t know what to do, as fear, joy, and apprehension now mingled in his system. Would this be a warning for them or luck in life?

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#HiratheBorrower

I apologize for any grammatical errors that may have slipped into my writing. I strive to maintain accuracy and clarity in my communication, but mistakes can occur despite my best efforts. Your understanding and patience are greatly appreciated as I continuously work to improve and deliver high-quality content. Thank you for your understanding.

Yours truly