A Fateful Arrival in San Isidro
The bus rolled into San Isidro just as the afternoon sun painted the city skyline in golden hues. Jessica pressed her forehead against the window, taking in the bustling streets, towering buildings, and vibrant energy of the city—so different from her quiet hometown.
She quickly texted Annette:
"Made it to San Isidro. City's huge. Will find a place to stay soon."
As she wandered through the streets, her suitcase wheels clacking against the pavement, a flyer taped to the grocery store window caught her eye:
"ROOM FOR RENT – Affordable. Near City Square. Inquire inside."
Perfect.
Inside the Grocery Store
The bell above the door jingled as Jessica entered. A store attendant looked up from stacking canned goods.
Jessica: "Excuse me, is this room still available?" She pointed at the flyer.
Attendant: "Yep! Here's the contact number."
Jessica dialed the number, pacing nervously as it rang.
Jessica: "Hello? Is the room still available?"
A familiar voice answered, warm and surprised.
Mrs. Rachel: "Jessica?!"
Jessica nearly dropped her phone. "Mrs. Rachel?!"
Mrs. Rachel (laughing): "My child, wait—you're in San Isidro?!"
Jessica (flustered): "Y-yes! I just arrived."
Mrs. Rachel: "Let's meet at the apartment. We'll talk there."
At the Apartment Gate
The building was modest but well-kept, with a small garden out front. Mrs. Rachel greeted her with a hug, then rang the doorbell.
Once. Twice. Three times.
No answer.
Mrs. Rachel (deadpan): "Dear, cover your ears."
Jessica (confused): "Huh?"
Mrs. Rachel took a deep breath—
Mrs. Rachel (yelling): "PERC! FOR GOD'S SAKE, OPEN THE GATES! SOMEONE PREGNANT CLAIMS YOU'RE THE FATHER!"
Jessica's jaw dropped.
A moment later, the gate swung open, revealing Percy—barefoot, in wrinkled shorts, his hair sticking up in every direction. He squinted against the sunlight, clearly just woken up.
Percy (groggy): "Ayy, Ma! I was up all night working—" He froze mid-sentence, finally noticing Jessica. His eyes widened. "Oh."
Mrs. Rachel (smirking): "Boy, you really went downhill fast."
Percy (rubbing his face): "I'm going back to sleep." He turned on his heel and vanished inside.
Jessica (whispering): "Did he… not recognize me?"
Mrs. Rachel (shrugging): "Let's check out the room."
The Tour
The apartment was cozy, with wooden floors and large windows. Mrs. Rachel led her down the hall.
Mrs. Rachel: "This is your room. By chance, it's next to Percy's. He owns the whole place."
Jessica's stomach did a flip.
Mrs. Rachel (continuing): "The ground floor is storage for my grocery stores, so workers come and go. There are two bathrooms and a shared kitchen—so you'll probably run into Percy often." She paused, then added, "Oh, and don't be surprised if you see him running around in his underwear at midnight. He's been like that since college. Just a heads-up."
Jessica's face burned.
Mrs. Rachel (changing the subject): "Your mother mentioned you found work?"
Jessica (grateful for the distraction): "Yes! At a radio station—I'll be a DJ."
Mrs. Rachel (delighted): "Wonderful! I'll hear your voice every day!"
Jessica laughed, but her mind was already racing.
Shared kitchen. Midnight encounters. Percy's sleepy face.
This was going to be interesting.
Awkward Reunions and New Beginnings
Percy rubbed his eyes as he pulled on a wrinkled t-shirt, finally feeling somewhat human after his rude awakening. The murmur of voices from the kitchen caught his attention—his mother's familiar tone and another, softer voice he couldn't quite place.
Curious, he shuffled down the hallway, his flip-flops slapping against the wooden floor.
Percy (leaning against the doorframe): "Oh, Ma, you're still here? Who's the—"
His words died in his throat as he saw her—Jessica, sitting at the kitchen table, her fingers wrapped around a steaming cup of tea.
Mrs. Rachel (smirking): "It's Jessica, you fool."
Percy (blinking): "What? How is she—?"
Jessica (raising an eyebrow): "Hey, idiot. I got a job at the radio station. And before you ask—no, I didn't follow you here."
Percy stiffened at the sharpness in her voice. This wasn't the hesitant, heartbroken Jessica from the wedding. This version had edges.
Percy (grinning despite himself): "The runaway bride talks? Grunt's well. At least I'll have some extra income while you're here. So pay your rent on time." He added an exaggerated evil laugh for effect.
Mrs. Rachel (slamming her palm on the table): "Who said anything about rent? She lives here for free."
Percy (choking): "WHAT?!"
Mrs. Rachel (ignoring him): "Jessica, dear, if this idiot tries anything stupid, you tell me immediately."
Percy grabbed the nearest coffee mug, poured himself a cup with more force than necessary, and stormed out, muttering under his breath.
Left Alone
Jessica (watching him leave): "Will he be okay?"
Mrs. Rachel (sipping her tea): "He'll survive. Just don't tiptoe around him—be yourself. He respects that more."
Jessica (frowning): "I thought I might've been too harsh."
Mrs. Rachel (waving her off): "Don't worry. That boy's been through worse. Besides, he understands." She reached across the table, patting Jessica's hand. "I'm not forcing anything between you two. Your heart needs time to heal. But here, in San Isidro, you can start fresh."
She hesitated, then added, "About payments—while you're free to stay, you can help Percy with groceries now and then."
Jessica (nodding): "That's fair."
Mrs. Rachel (grinning): "And maybe buy him some light beer occasionally. Don't worry—he's not a drunk. Just needs something to take the edge off after long nights of writing."
Jessica (smiling): "No worries."
Outside, the city hummed with life—car horns, distant chatter, the occasional bark of a dog. Somewhere down the hall, Percy's door clicked shut.
Jessica exhaled.
An Unexpected Harmony
With Mrs. Rachel's departure, the apartment settled into a quiet hum—the kind of silence that wasn't uncomfortable, but alive with unspoken things. Jessica stood in her new room, unpacking the last of her clothes, when a soft knock interrupted her.
Percy lingered at the doorway, hands shoved into his pockets. "Need help?" he asked, nodding toward the half-empty suitcase.
Jessica hesitated. A week ago, she'd been running from a wedding; now, she was sharing a kitchen with the man she'd once turned down. But his offer was genuine, no trace of resentment in his tired eyes.
"Sure," she finally said.
They worked in tandem—Percy hanging her heavier clothes in the closet, Jessica arranging books on the shelf. At one point, their hands brushed reaching for the same box. Percy yanked his back as if burned.
"Careful," Jessica teased, "people might think we're newlyweds."
Percy snorted. "God forbid. I snore, and you've already seen me in my underwear."
"A tragic love story," Jessica deadpanned, and they both laughed, the tension dissolving like sugar in tea.
Nightfall & Music
Later, as Jessica chopped vegetables for dinner, a melody drifted down the hall—Percy's guitar, its notes warm and honeyed. She paused, knife hovering over the onion. His voice followed, low and rough around the edges, singing a folk song about lost highways and second chances.
Of course he'd have a voice like that.
She crept closer, lingering in the hallway. Percy sat cross-legged on his bed, bathed in lamplight, fingers dancing over the strings. His eyes were closed, his brow furrowed in concentration. For a moment, Jessica forgot to breathe.
Then the song ended, and Percy's eyes flew open—catching her staring.
"Dinner's ready," she blurted, cheeks flaming.
Shared Spaces
They ate at the small kitchen table, the radio playing softly in the background. Percy devoured his food with the enthusiasm of a man who'd forgotten meals existed outside instant noodles.
"You cook like your mom," he said around a mouthful of garlic rice.
"High praise," Jessica smiled. "I'll clean up."
Percy didn't argue. He wandered outside to the tiny balcony, guitar in hand. Through the window, Jessica watched him tilt his face to the stars, humming fragments of melodies. The city lights painted his profile in blues and golds.
She washed dishes to the sound of his quiet strumming, the rhythm syncing with the clink of plates. It was strange, this domesticity—how easily they'd slipped into it, despite everything.
When she joined him outside, Percy didn't stop playing. Jessica leaned against the railing, the night air cool on her skin.
"You're really good," she said.
Percy's fingers stilled. "Thanks." A pause. "You're really here."
Not a question. An acknowledgment.
Jessica hugged her arms. "Yeah. I am."
Above them, a satellite blinked across the sky—a tiny, wandering light. Neither moved to go back inside