My mother has two houses. The one where we live in and another which she rents out. The “rented out” house holds so much history for my family. When it was made, it was made as my parents’ “love nest”. It was also there where, given some time, that love slowly drifted away. I spent my first days in this world in that house, though I have no memory of it. I’d say about two years… I can’t really remember. Bottom line, the house stands as a graph illustrating how my parents’ relationship as husband and wife went from what it was to what it is now. From the ideal to… let’s say… typical. No. Not typical, typical. I mean typical as in Telenovela-dealing-with-martial-problems-coupled-with-ego-issues typical.
We moved out of that house when my mom bought another house, the one we live in now. My mom decided to rent out the other house.
Today, I had an encounter with the new tenant. To make a long story short, the guy’s an ass. When God put teeth into his mouth, He ruined a perfect asshole.
In the span of 6 months, he’s made an issue about regarding whatever he can involving the house. First was the water. I don’t know about this, but when one gets rashes and stuff and concludes it’s got something to do with the water usage (taking a bath, washing hands), doesn’t one think about what’s wrong with the water? Well, not this S-O-B… he calls up and complains about the pipes (not the water, the pipes), somewhat implying to have the pipes changed! Not at his expense mind you. In all the years that house had been rented out, not a single tenant had an issue regarding the water, let alone the plumbing. We’ve had a Peace Corps volunteer stay there, the son of a congressman… an enterprising businessman… not a single peep regarding the water. Only he’s had the nerve to complain about something no one else ever since has.
Oh, before I go on, my mom has a thing about renting out the house to young couples starting out in life. I think she likes the idea of helping out people like these. Probably something to do with the “foundations” that house was made on, as some ideals weren’t fulfilled by my parents’ marriage.
Anyways, again, to make the long story short, the guy’s an ass.
But that’s not exactly what this entry’s about. Read on lang po. It’s kinda hard to explain without stating certain details.
Today, I attended to a problem with the house. A real problem this time. A leak. As “landlord” it’s my mom’s responsibility to attend to the problem. She asked me to handle it, I did. We arranged to schedule the repair, we agreed. Friday, the carpenter arrived, materials and all, I arrived. Bang! We couldn’t work coz they had guests.
Couldn’t they have simply called us up, informing us of the change in plans? I mean, they’re so prompt when it comes to complaints, but when it comes to something like this…
Okay, so Monday then. Today. The guests had already left. The carpenter’s ready. I arrive. Materials were lacking, so I go out to get them. While waiting, Leto (the carpenter), starts painting the boards to be used to change the old ones. When I get back, the ass is already complaining about the smell of the paint. So… painting stops. He makes a call to his daddy, or tito, or friend or whoever. The guy had to gall to ask whoever he was talking to about whether they knew about a “non sub-standard” house he could move into, while I could overhear him. Intentional or not, this is no way to behave in front (if not, at hearing distance) of someone representing your landlord. It’s not like my mom had neglected their concerns or anything. Way I see it, if he had meant to do that, I guess he thought I’d be scarred about him moving out. It’d be much better if he did, if you ask me. Kadaghang gapanigita ug decente nga balay diri sa Cagayan, siya na lang among balak-an nga mubalhin?
We’ve been nothing but respectful about their “needs”, inane as they are (well, not this leak though, inane that is). After his call he then mentions some BS about if this had to be done, he’d have to let his wife and newborn child stay in a hotel or their house in
Manila
for a week or something… way I see it, trying-hard-to-appear-rich crap. I mean if he were that rich, why not just solve all the house’s problems with his money? Hell, why not buy a house here in Cagayan de Oro. They sell “cheap” lots at Xavier Estates at 5 million pesos. Why settle for renting a house where you pay less than 20k?
Anyways, what could have been accomplished in one day is now delayed and taking two. Hopefully not three. Couldn’t he have said something about the paint before the renovation? Couldn’t he have said something about his guests before we got there?
I see the guy as sensitive. Sensitive to his own pain, but clueless about the pain he causes to others. Reminds me of another ass I know too well (read the previous post if you want to know more… he he he)…
Which is the point of this entry. When the carpenter and I had done what we could do, upon leaving, his wife talked to us.
It was a scene all too familiar to me. Hard to deal with husband. Practical and sensible, but muted wife. Encounter with the husband, not so good. Encounter with the wife, somewhat sorry for her husband’s behavior.
The house. Made by a starting out couple. “Abandoned” after that relationship goes strained. Rented out to other starting out couples. The apparent possibility of another relationship about to go strained.
I feel that the path of this particular tenant’s is going in the same direction as the young couple who made that house. I don’t know for sure. All I know is I’ve seen what I saw with them, and I know where it would lead to. Most of it is not pretty.
Today, I saw a snippet from a past I thought I’d never see again.
Truly, all sorts of people exist in this world. How I wish there’d be only one of the bad kind (if not, none at all)… but, I only exist here. I didn’t make the place.
My consolation prize for this “encounter” is this:
SCENE: As me and Leto were cleaning up.
ASS:.. it’s okay, I don’t think I’ll be staying long here…
ME: …well, it seems like you’ve already made up your mind. Contact my mother lang, about your plans. If you want to meet with her, just make sure it isn’t on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. As the usual courtesy, I think there’ll be a two month period for you to find another place, before you’re obliged to leave the house for other tenants or potential tenants to observe.
ASS: …………..
From the look on his face, it wasn’t the answer he was expecting. Oh, and the silence that followed after my line… that was pure bliss.
Nothing makes happier than seeing selfish idiots make monumental fools of themselves… well, there’s that and Flamenco Dancing…
