“WHAT? Bad spirit is tailing Mark?” Tamara asked Thaddeus in disbelief. Her eyes were wide in shock and disappointments. “But how’s that happen? He’s not unlucky. He even has achievements and always won the raffles at our Christmas party every year.”
Thaddeus pressed her lips together and thought of an explanation that could convince Tamara that Mark is one of the people she has to avoid because he has a bad spirit following him. “Well… maybe the bad spirit that is following him now is just a newcomer. Maybe the good spirit that’s with him last year has finally crossed the border of life and death.”
Tamara slopped her shoulders. She looked at Mark, who was enjoying his ramen in the living room. Thaddeus doubted that he can hear everything that they say because he set the TV on full volume.
“I can’t believe it…” she said sadly. “Then, you can help him too? To get rid of the bad spirit?”
Thaddeus’s brows raised. He didn’t expect that question from her. “Ah, I will only him if he’s aware that there’s a bad spirit following him. And, based on my readings to him, it seems that he’s cynical when it comes to shamanism.”
Tamara shot her a look. “Me too,” she said, then gazed at him from head to toe. “When I first saw you, I really never thought that you’re a shaman. With your modern and classy fashion style, I actually thought that you’re a celebrity or wealthy man having his nightly routine walk.”
Thaddeus swallowed hard as he became uncomfortable with what she saying. “This is the new trend of Shaman. In China, it’s called contemporary shamanism. Our clothing evolved to keep up with modern people.”
The woman nodded but didn’t look away from him. “So shamans in your country are all look like you? I mean, they’re all wearing an expensive cardigan, high-end trousers, belts, and leather shoes?”
Now, Thaddeus doesn’t know what to say. “Am I wearing those kinds of clothes?”
“Yes, when we bumped at each other, that’s what you’re wearing,” Tamara said. With her tone of voice and quick answer, no doubt that she took note of every inch of him that night, they first saw each other.
“I didn’t notice that you checked on me on that night,” he said, grinning. “I thought you’re mad at me because I ruined your phone.”
Tamara’s expression suddenly changed. “My latest model of phone…” she said on slopped shoulders. “Why did you mention it to me?”
“I’m sorry…” Thaddeus said and thought of something that could brighten her mood again. “Why don’t you try luck you’re lucky tomorrow and join a raffle? I have a feeling that you’ll get the cell phone prize. And, besides, you’re wearing the lucky necklace.”
Tamara touched her pendant. A few seconds later, the bright smile was back on her face. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“Tamara, why don’t you join me here? Let’s eat ramen together,” Mark shouted from the living room and waved at her. “Leave the cupboard to Thaddeus. Those groceries belong to him anyway.”
Thaddeus’s brows furrowed, and looked at Tamara’s friend. If this man continued on dropping here for Tamara, he might find out about their secret agenda. Thus, he will tell Tamara to get rid of him because he’s a wacko. If that happens, he’ll be back in the streets again, and Tamara will also receive bad luck.
“I’ll join Mark while you arranged the stocks, okay?” Tamara told him and walked towards the living room, but he stopped her hand. She looked at her questioningly. “Why?”
Thaddeus doesn’t know what to say. And, he doesn’t know why he stopped her hand. “Ahm… are you sure that you wanted to go to him even if the bad spirit is circling him?”
Tamara nodded without a second thought. “You said that bad spirits are attached to their human, then the spirit that is with Mark will stay to him and won’t affect me.”
Thaddeus knotted his forehead. “Did I say that?”
“Yes, you said that it’s by the book of the spirits,” Tamara said, then started walking again, but he pulled her. “What?”
Thaddeus stared at her. “Do you like him?”
Tamara’s mouth parted in surprise. “What?”
“Why are you holding her hand?” Mark stood behind Tamara and scowled at him. “What is that for?”
Tamara pulled her hand free from him, but he held tighter. “Thaddeus, stop this…”
“Tamara, are you having a problem with your girly roommate?” Mark asked Tamara and held her arm that he was holding. “Let go, Thaddeus.”
“Didn’t you see? We’re still talking,” Thaddeus said as he exchanged a measuring gaze with Tamara’s best friend.
He doesn’t have a problem with Mark, but if he’ll keep on being nosy in his business, he doesn’t choose but to make ways to get rid of him.
“As far as I know, your conversation is already done,” Mark countered and pulled Tamara’s hand from him.
But Thaddeus won’t let go. Instead, he pulled Tamara closer to him. “How do you know that we’re done? Do you have a sixth sense?” he asked sarcastically. “We’re still talking, dude.”
“Dude?” Mark asked. “Did you just call me in ‘dude’?”
“No, he didn’t call you ‘dude’,” Tamara butt in. She was widening her eyes at him as if telling him to shut his mouth. “I didn’t hear anything, Mark. Do you have a third ear?”
“The third eye, you mean?” Mark asked Tamara, then laughed. “Tamara, tell me, are you still talking to him?”
Tamara looked up at Mark. “Yes, we’re talking about what to eat for dinner,” she lied, then looked at Thaddeus. “Right, Thaddeus?”
“Yes,” he nodded, then let go of her hand. “Tell him to go back in his seat and wait for his turn to have your time.”
“What? Tamara, can you hear what this guy is saying? He’s straight, he’s just faking his—”
Tamara put her hand on Mark’s mouth. “Mark, please? Can you let us talk for now?”
After Mark left them in the kitchen, Tamara confronted him. “Thaddeus, I thought we’ve agreed on this?”
“You didn’t tell me that you’ll introduce to me as gay,” he said with a knotted forehead. “I don’t know how I will act like a woman. You didn’t give enough time to practice.”
“Okay, but for now, just don’t speak, please?”
“I never said yes about it,” he said, crossing his arms on his chest. “I never agreed on this setup, Tamara.”
Tamara took his hands and massaged them. “Please, Thaddeus?”
“On one condition,” he said, then smiled. “I will pretend as gay in front of him, but you will bring me to an amusement park tomorrow.”
“Amusement park?” she asked in a knotted forehead. “Why do you wanna go to an amusement park?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “To collect positive energy,” he said, then started on unpacking their groceries. “And, to have quality with you.”
***