My name is Mary. An ordinary girl of working class background. I have just recently moved in this apartment building in London so I can be near the hospital where I worked. When I first came to England, I lived in the hospital's dormitory where I endured boarding with noisy and sometimes untidy roommates. Usually, it's a race when using the shower and toilet. After several months, I got a promotion and managed to move into an apartment of my own. In my new apartment, the rent was, of course, much pricier than the dorm in exchange for the privacy and quietness that I value very much. At last, I have my own private world. And then, I met him.
We met when we boarded the same elevator as I was coming home from work one night.
"3rd floor please," I said
"Good, I'm on the same floor too," he said as he pressed button 3. I can tell that he's Scottish by his accent. He had dark crew cut hair, blue green eyes that have a penetrating look, semi-clean shaven chin and he stood very tall, maybe 6 feet. He was wearing boots, khaki pants, brown turtle neck shirt and a black leather jacket. Despite of his heavy clothing, I can tell that he had a large built and all in all he was ruggedly handsome.
There was brief silence.
"I'm Gerry," he turned to me.
"Mary," I replied politely with a prim smile.
I was about to start a conversation when the elevator door opened and we've already reached the 3rd floor. As I walk in front of my apartment door, I looked around and found him standing in front of the apartment opposite mine. I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment when he looked back and saw me staring at him.
"Good night, neighbor" he cheerfully spoke.
"Yes," was all I managed to say as I turned my door key and went inside.
That was the start. Every time I come home at 7pm, we always ride the same elevator on the way to the third floor. Although I am intrigued by my Scottish neighbor, I never seemed to have the courage to start a conversation with him. Besides, I know that I shouldn't be nosy because in this country, people usually keep their noses out of each other's business even to their next door neighbors. Aside from that, I already have a steady boyfriend who I've been dating for almost ten months. And yet, there was something magnetic about this neighbor of mine.
My boyfriend Jack is also working in the same hospital as I am. He was the junior supervisor of the accounting department while I work at the Sonography department a few meters away. He was about five feet eight. His body is quite of a lanky built and he had red hair and dark brown eyes which according to him, was inherited from his Irish ancestors. Our relationship started during the hospital Christmas Party and he seems to be the man for me because our friends and even my family are approve of our relationship. Actually, we were being pressured to get married as soon as possible.
"Do us a favor, Mary," says Meg, my co-worker, during our lunch time "tie the knot. We want to see a real fairy tale love story here."
"Yeah," agrees Bess, "you're both on a marrying age so why the delay?"
"I know girls that you want Jack and I to get married soon," I laughed, "but why the rush? We're still young enough and I don't need to hurry everything."
"Well, you're both not getting any younger," Meg contradicted "Besides, has nothing happened yet between you and Jack?"
I was tongue tied. Meg's question has caught me off guard that I suddenly didn't know what to say. For ten months that we've been together, Jack has tried to coax me to do it and live with him but being a conservative sort who believes that marriage comes first before consummation, I always refuse and so far, we've only resorted to kissing and petting.
"Well, it's between me and Jack" what I managed to say after recovering from shock, "and by the time he and I get married, I'll send you a copy of what we did on our honeymoon."
"Everything?" Meg and Bess naughtily giggled.
"Yes, my precious!" I replied with a gloat while imitating Gollum followed by our roar of laughter. In the Radiology department, we were all like family and we are all used to naughty jokes. As the saying of the seasoned medical staff goes: you're not a legitimate medical staff if you're not into naughty jokes.
7 pm. I was alternately running and walking fast on the entrance steps of the apartment building but I knew that I was not in the rush to get home. At the back of my head, I know that I was in the rush for the elevator ride. With him.
The elevator door was closing but in a nick of time, I managed to press the button and the door opened. To my surprise, I saw him standing there. Beside him, no! entwined to him, is a slender brunette with a skimpy dress almost showing her derrière and her enormous breasts were nearly yawning out.
Silicon bitch! I cursed in my head as I looked at them with contempt.
"Going up neighbor?" he smiled at me with a hint of wickedness.
Where else? This is the ground floor, you fool! Was what I wanted to say to him.
"Yes," was my prim reply as I got inside.
The elevator door closed.
"Well, talk me about going down, darling," I heard the brunette teased him.
"Why the talk? We'll do it baby" he said.
I was trying not to listen to their obscene conversation. But my mind was raging with thoughts.
What sort of country is this to allow public displays of affection—no! Public display of vulgarity!
The thing about this foreign country that I still find uncomfortable is seeing people kissing in public places as if they were the only people present.
Wait! What am I thinking? What do I care about this idiot? I should be minding my own business.
For some unknown reason, I took out my face powder and as I try to powder myself, I saw on the mirror that they were kissing passionately. Mouths open as tongues flick and slid with one another. His left arm was entwined on her waist while his right one is lifting her left thigh. The brunette was purring and moaning while her right hand is cupping the back of his head and her left arm is wrapped around his neck. I silently clamped down my face powder and to my relief, the elevator door opened just in time. Without looking anywhere, I darted straight to my apartment door and fumbled for the key. I know that the impassioned pair were behind me because I can clearly hear their moans and whispers. I finally found my door key and after unlocking the door I went inside. Once I got in, I leaned against the door. To my surprise, I was panting and hyperventilating. It's from running, I keep telling myself, just from running.
After eating dinner, I decided to take a bath. Tomorrow is Sunday and I decided to give myself a hot dip in the tub. In this busy city, a hot bath is as revitalizing as a weekend holiday. Jack is in the office working late. As usual. We seldom go out on a date for several months now. I don't know if it's because I understand that he had a workaholic streak or it's just that I've grown used to going home alone. While waiting for the tub to be filled with hot water, I undressed myself until I was only wearing my underthings. I was on my way to removing my bra when I saw the wardrobe mirror and stood in front of it. At first I was embarrassed to look at my nearly naked body but soon, I managed to get over it and gathered my courage. Standing in front of me is an ordinary looking girl with shoulder length dark hair. Instead of abs muscles, baby fat is gathered around my belly because I was too busy to take up exercise classes and my salary is only enough to keep me from being thrown out of my apartment and enough to financially support my ailing mother. But I'm proud of my legs because they remained shapely because I always walk my way to work. I proceed to slowly unhook my bra as I stare at myself. This is funny. I smiled to myself. Never mind. It's just for fun.
