There isn't much to say about the streets of Purasab, which are parched during the day and too cold at night. Road conditions were as dusty and as busy as any other day. Tall buildings replace the dashing appearance of shady trees that should protect pedestrians from the hot sun. On the asphalt, a giant shadow cast a dark puddle as if clutching my shoulder in an uncharacteristic coolness. However, there is nothing I can be more grateful for than that.
I'm just a student. A part-timer prostitute. The low number of residents compared to the richest family in Purasab. There are Bhuana, Dice, Gourse... People with last names are worth acres of land. My last name sounds better. But my name is not usually associated with currency exchange rates, like the names above.
I arrived in front of my house. Simple house on the outskirts. No stories, no shadow of a skyscraper. My house is on the corner of the city map. The tall building became a sight like the hills in front of us.
"I am home." As I took off my shoes, I made a sound. My feet stepped slowly as the college days passed gently. Like a cool, comforting July breeze. End of semester exams just finished. I breathed a sigh of relief, it was time to relax at home (I think).
You need to know, it's been two weeks since I met and exchanged numbers with Maya. Already 6 times (if I'm not mistaken) a man named Yovanes hired me.
Since Yovanes hired me regularly, I've been dropping clients one by one. I need to rearrange my schedule and make sure college remains a priority. Because no matter how tempting the money I get from renting myself, or if only Yovanes makes me his wife (someday if possible), I still want to stand on my own feet without depending on other people's money. How long do I want to sell myself like this? Even though humans keep their age a secret from the world around them, wrinkled skin is still an enemy in a blanket.
Meanwhile, Maya, like any other friend, immediately forgot her existence. Not the friends a 20-year-old girl like me needs right now.
My time is quite busy with class schedules and assignments. Yovanes wants to sleep with me 3 times a week, sort of like a regular exercise schedule. Not to mention if there is a sudden event. So do I need friends? I'll look for it if I need it. I'm not really interested in making friends. I have many secrets. I'd rather shut up.
My house is empty. At first, there were four of us. There are my parents, my older brother, and me. Now we are alone. My parents are busy working and living in another city. Only me and Bram are old enough to take care of ourselves.
"Bram..." I called again. The lazy creature usually sticks to the sofa at this hour. Drinking coffee while reading comics.
My brother works in a bar owned by one of the rich kids in the city of Purasab. Usually, he works nights. Come home early. Naturally, he was still at home when I came home from campus.
"Food on the table." I put the food on the kitchen table and then walked into the room to change clothes.
His bedroom door was open as I passed. Idly turned around, the view from Bram's room stunned me.
Seeing what was in there made my feet reluctant to move. I squinted, maybe that way I could separate the darkness and other things that were in there.
Bram jumped in surprise when he realized that I was frozen at the end of the door. My brother stood up pulling his pants to chase after me.
No kidding. Bunches of chaotic judgment sentences ruffled my heart.
"Ale..." He chased after me.
I stopped. Our house is too cramped for the chase. I have known this fact since I was a child. I turned around, passed him, and into his room. I chased our guest with a trembling voice. Then, I faced Bram again.
"You're gay," I accused.
"I'm bisexual," he replied without embarrassment. "He's gay." Bram pointed at the foreign man. His eyes flickered. Although the sentence is funny, I try not to laugh. I imagined how my parents face me.
"Why?" Is that the right question now? After 25 years old?
"Because... because I was born this way?" He wasn't sure either.
I waited for our guest to leave while suppressing disgust. "Tch..."
"Tch? You think you're holier than me? Is it wrong if I make peace with myself and follow my feelings?" Bram was offended.
"Which feeling is Bram? You know what you did was wrong." I judge.
"So what you do every night is right, Ale? At least I use protection. I'm loyal to only one person. I don't sell myself as you do!" he snapped.
I'm afraid the sound will reach the neighbors' ears. Our house is attached to other people's houses. If I can hear their television, it means they can hear our fight too. "Bram, lower your voice!"
"Don't be a coward." Bram approached me. "I like him, Ale. I love Joy!"
"But, what you did was wrong." I'm still adamant.
"It took me a long time to understand why loving others is wrong. You're a girl with high education. You should be more open-minded!"
"Because you're a boy. He's a boy."
"So peddling yourself and sleeping with a different stranger every day is more correct because you're a girl and they're a boy?" Bram challenged, shrinking my ego.
"How long have you been like this, Bram?"
Bram shook his head. On his lips, I reap a smile. A smile that I interpreted more as an insult to me. He's underestimating me.
"Do you prefer me to change partners and become a gigolo with women? Do you think what you are doing is more dignified than me? Wow..." He clapped his hands. I'm getting cranky.
"How long has it been, Bram?" I repeated.
"Would that make your judgment and your narrow-mindedness change?" asked Bram calmly. "We've been dating for five years."
I shook my head. "No. Forget it, Bram. Take care of your life. I'll take care of my life. From now on, pay for electricity with your own money. Or ask our parents who are always lacking money."
"Alec, wait!" Bram followed me from behind. "There's nothing wrong with loving others. Didn't our parents teach us that since childhood? Alesia!"
"Sure, nothing wrong," I replied with a sigh. "Also, nothing is right between you and me. Before we kill each other, it's best to get away from me."
Bram didn't speak anymore. He grunted and left.
I close my bedroom door.
"Thanks for the food."
I buried my face in the pillow for a few seconds before deciding to grab my phone from my bag.
"Yovanes," I say after a faint click from the other end. I paused to consider my spontaneous and perhaps impolite gesture.
"No. I..." I clucked. "Can I come to your house now? This time, it's free..."