In The Wilderness

Chapter 7: Hot Chocolate

Savannah

As I planned in my head, I avoided him all morning. Either locking myself inside his room or not even giving him a single glance. I also flatly told him to get away from me, and he did. The snow is still mildly pouring, but he stepped outside to start shoveling snow and to also respect my wishes.

Habang ako ay narito sa living room at nakatunganga dahil legit na wala akong magawa. It is very evident that Silas has been living in solitude in this forest for many years, dahil wala siyang mga gamit na para sa mga babae or para sa ibang tao, for that matter. No clothes other than his, no magazines about pop culture, no fancy hairbrush or products in his bathroom, except for a stainless steel razor, natural soap and shampoo, a stock of bamboo toothbrush, and many more standard products.

Mukhang lumalabas lamang siya mula dito sa kagubatan every several months para lang bumili at mag-restock ng mga bagay na hindi niya kayang gawin from scratch, like deodorant, toothpaste, and shaving cream.

Honestly, I find it impressive that Silas makes his resources from scratch if he could.

And right now, I wish I know how to make stuff from scratch too, para naman may mapaglibangan ako at hindi ko maisip ang mga bagay kay tungkol kay Silas na hindi ko dapat iniisip to begin with.

But unfortunately, I have nothing to do, and my will to not look outside broke. So, now, I find myself looking out the window. Halos isang oras na siyang nasa labas, the man is very strong since natanggal na niya ang mataas na bundok ng snow na nakatabing sa bintana, kaya naman nakikita ko siyang nagpapala sa hindi kalayuan. He's shoveling the snow away from the house, which is why he's a few feet away from the front porch. Sinigurado ko na medyo tago ako para hindi niya ako makita.

From here, I can see that he's just wearing a longsleeve in the cold, like he's used to the weather. He makes snow shoveling look easy, because he does it fast and efficiently. As he digs the shovel through the white pile of ice, the muscles through his shirt flexes. When he breathes out, fog comes out of his mouth.

Napalunok ako at mabilis na idinapo ang aking paningin kay Dog. Kasalukuyan siyang naglalaro sa niyebe, 'di kalayuan kay Silas. He's not minding the cold, because like a Husky, he can withstand the cold. Itinarak naman ni Silas ang pala sa niyebe at dumampot ng snow. I curiously watched him as he formed a ball of snow, and then playfully threw it at the dog. The dog barked and circled around him like he wanted more.

He chuckled and formed another one. Dog opened his mouth anticipatingly and caught the ball with his mouth. He jumped and barked excitedly like he's waiting for another one.

They continue to play, at hindi ko namalayang napangiti na pala ako habang pinapanood ko sila.

Gosh.

Bago pa ako makapag-layo ng tingin ay nahuli na ako ni Silas. Ngumisi lang siya sa akin at kinindatan ako. I rolled my eyes at him, but why is my heart thudding like I just drank three cups of coffee?

Mabilis akong umalis sa tapat ng bintana.

Half an hour later, pumasok siya kasama si Dog. May mga patche ng snow si Dog subalit wala siyang pakialam, bagkus ay naglakad lamang siya kasama ang kanyang amo palapit sa akin. May mga traces din ng niyebe sa damit ni Silas, habang bahagyang mapula ang tip ng kanyang ilong dahil sa lamig.

"Nakialam na ako sa kusina mo." Sabi ko, I didn't make eye contact.

Matapos kong umalis sa tapat ng bintana ay napag-desisyonan ko na lang na tingnan ang kanyang maliit na kusina. As I explored, napansin ko na gumagamit ng reserved solar-power ang lahat ng appliances ni Silas. From his refrigerator, lights, and his stove.