I woke up before the alarm clock. The room was still wrapped in shadows, the power remained out, and the silence felt heavier than usual. For a few seconds, I wondered if it had all been just a dream: the short circuit in the shower, the banging door, his face so close to mine.
But no. It wasn't a dream. The image of him pushing the door open, firm, pulling me out of the bathroom, was etched in me.The landlord's son. The boy from the rumors. The same.
I dressed slowly, trying to cling to routine. Washed my face with cold tap water, tied my hair into a messy bun, and went down to the street. His father still hadn't returned from his trip, and the feeling that we were alone in the building left me uneasy.
At the university, the day went by as if nothing had changed. But for me, everything had.The voices in the hallway seemed louder when someone whispered his name. The laughter of classmates, laced with invented stories, sounded different now that I knew. I kept wondering how many of those people actually knew him.
Evelyn noticed my silence during the break.
"You're strange today," she remarked, chewing slowly."Just tired," I lied, stirring the coffee without drinking it.
She didn't believe me, but didn't insist. Sometimes, silence is the best defense.
After class, in the courtyard, I saw the scene that was starting to repeat itself in my life: the tabby cat crossing the grass in a hurry, as if recognizing a call. He was there, crouched, waiting. The animal rubbed its head against his hand with trust, as if they were the only two in that space.
This time, I didn't hide. I didn't stay behind classmates or corners. I stood there, visible, watching. When he lifted his eyes, I gathered courage and raised my hand in a timid wave.
For a moment, I thought something would happen. Maybe a gesture back, a look that confirmed he recognized me too. But no. He looked away, stood up, and left without caring. The cat remained, purring in the empty courtyard.
My hand stayed suspended for a few seconds, as if still waiting for an answer. Then I let it fall, feeling the strange mix of frustration and curiosity he always seemed to provoke.
Back at the apartment, I tried to focus on studying. But every sound coming from the ground floor distracted me. The creak of a door, the scrape of a chair, even the silence felt heavy.
Then the metallic sound of the gate made me lift my eyes from the book. I thought it was Rafael, but it was the landlord, carrying a travel bag in his hands. He looked tired, but his smile was the same.
"You're back already?" I asked, opening the window.
He raised a hand in greeting."Just for a little while. I need to grab some more clothes. The trip lasted longer than I thought."
I went down to greet him and he received me kindly. We chatted for a few minutes about the university, about how I was settling into the studio apartment. Then he commented, with a tone of concern:
"I heard about the shower problem." He looked at me seriously. "I hope you didn't get hurt."
"No… just the scare. The shower was replaced this morning," I replied, a bit embarrassed. "It's fine now."
He nodded, relieved."Good thing Rafael was nearby."
At that moment Rafael appeared, stepping out of the hallway with firm strides. His father called him naturally, like calling someone from inside the house.
"Rafael."
He stopped, raising his face. The landlord motioned for him to come closer.
"While I'm away, I want you to keep an eye on things." He gestured toward me, simple but full of meaning. "Anything she needs, you help her."
I turned red instantly. Rafael just nodded, curtly, without a word.
"I mean it, son. She's alone here. I don't want her to feel unprotected."
"I know," he answered, voice low but firm.
I felt the weight of those words more than I wanted. It wasn't just a request; it was almost an order.
I went back to my studio with a knot in my stomach. The landlord's request still echoed in me, like a promise I hadn't made but somehow included me. Rafael would be "keeping an eye on me." The idea should've made me feel safe, but instead, it only left my heart racing. I didn't know if I was more afraid of the rumors… or of the possibility that, little by little, I might find out who he really was.