Healed Story by Jay Bartholome

Chapter 22: Your Crush Is Your Roomie?

ETHAN

  There are 3 boxes and 2 luggages. I was confused. Why did he offer something like that? Minutes later, Jake arrived in his car. He helped me carry the boxes. As soon as we got in his car, I asked him right away.

  "Why are you doing this?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.

  "Kakagat na ang gabi, wala kang matutuluyan. Besides dalawa naman kama ko doon sa apartment ko. I was about to get rid of it next week pero may unexpected roomie ako. Don't worry about the expenses, all payed na yon for four years," Eksplenasyon nito. Why though? Ang tagal na naming hindi nagkikita, is it weird?

  "Roomie? Suddenly? Did you even ask me?!"

  "Oh, I'm sorry... Do you want to go to a hotel and apply for an apartment tomorrow? Sorry for the trouble," Biglang tumahimik ang loob ng sasakyan.

  "Luh, sino ba nagsabing tumatanggi ako? I'm more grateful Jake. Thank you, Is it okay lang ba na maging roommate kita?" I said when I was looking at him. He also looked at me and smiled.

 "Sure! We're best friends naman diba? Anything for you," Sabi sakin ni Jake.

  "Talaga? About what happened-" Sabi ko naman at pinutol niya ito.

  "The past is in the past Ethan. Ayaw mo ba akong maging kaibigan?" Sabi ni to habang naka ngisi.

  "Luh," 

  "Be comfortable, if you have questions about me. Go ahead! Para di naman tahimik yung atmosphere,"

  "Okay, umm... Oh! Ikaw ba yung na bangga ko sa Robinsons?"

  "Yes,"

  "I knew it! Ano nga pala ginagawa mo doon at bakit ka nagmamadali?"

  "Kumain kami ni Marc bago siya umalis papuntang military training. He's in an academy, sa probinsya pa siya, bumisita lang sa akin. As for the hurry, ako naka assign na magtu-tour sa iyo. If I didn't go back sa campus earlier, pedeng ibang senior ang kumuha ng responsibility,"

  "Eh bakit sabi mo black hair mo? Kutusan kaya kita!?"

  "Suprise! Hehe, bagay ba?"

  "Mukha kang Donkey Kong,"

  He giggled. We continued to talk while he was driving. It was not that far from the campus. When we arrived, it was luxury. It looked like a hotel, it even got those parking lots below the building. Isa-isa naming binuhat yung mga gamit ko papuntang elevator. Hindi naging madali dahil mabibigat ito. Kumagat ang dilim bago kami makarating sa harap ng apartment ni Jake.

 "It's small, I hope you'll be comfortable," Sabi niya. Binuksan niya ang pinto at hindi ito maliit. There are two beds on the right side of the room with a television and gaming set up in front of the beds. On the left side, there is two small room and the bathroom, nandoon din ang kitchen. The small room was closets according to Jake.

  "Do you plan to unpack now? Wala pa namang pasok tommorow. I'm free tomorrow, I'll help you. You can take the closet near the bathroom," Sabi niya. I should unpack now but I'm tired.

  "Tomorrow nalang yung nasa boxes. I have some of my clothes in my luggages. Yun nalang siguro aasikasuhin ko ngayon,"

  "Okay make yourself home,"

  "Thank you,"

JAKE

  Nagaayos si Ethan ng gamit niya. While he's at it, ako naman gumagawa ng dinner namin. I don't want a roommate back then, but I know Ethan already so I'm comfortable being with him. I was done making broth stew and adobo. I called him.

  "Wait a minute, matatapos na!" Sigaw niya.

  I sat down and waited for him. Pinagmamasdan ko siya, he grew up alot. I waited for a minute, he went dashing to me excited. He has his hands behind his back. He sat down.

  "Ahh! Ang sarap naman ng luto mo!"

  "Hindi mo pa nga natitikman,"

  "Basta! Anyways, Here!"

  He gave me our old friendship necklace. He still had it. I was dumbfounded and I looked at the necklace. I looked at him and he smiled.

  "Let's eat! Thank you for the meal God," Sabi niya. Nakatulala lang ako habang nakatingin sa kaniya, he's wearing his.

  "Aren't you going to eat? Sarap ng luto mo, I feel at home talaga! Mmmm! Why are you nakatulala?" Pagtanong nito sa akin.

  "May kanin ka sa labi mo, pfttt" Sabi ko naman dito. Agad niyang pinunasan ang kaniyang mukha at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. Bago ako kumain, sinuot ko muna yung necklace ko. I once looked at him again, I saw him looking at me and he was smiling.

  "Why are you smiling like that? Muka kang Roblox," Panunukso ko dito. Kinunot niya ang noo niya. Ilang segundo ay nagtawanan kami. Buang talaga~

  Pagkatapos kumain, nagprisinta si Ethan na magligpit. Sabi ko na ako na, tapusin niya nalang yung paga-unpack niya ng luggage niya. And so he did.

  It was 8 p.m. when he finished unpacking. I was already clean and ready to go to bed. I was reading a book when he called me.

  "Hey Jake, is this your sleeping schedule? Sorry to bother you,"

  "It's okay,"

  "Tomorrow is the weekend, right? Can we watch a movie tonight??"

  "Ayun yung remote,"

  "Okay thank you, Jake. Shower lang ako!"

  He went to the bathroom. Since it's my first time having a roommate, I don't know anything about movie nights. Should I prepare for snacks? I rarely buy junk food. What do I do?

  "Hey Ethan, what snack do you prefer? May bibilhin lang ako sa convenient store, baka may ipasabay ka?"

  "Anything will do! Ingat ka!"

  Lumabas ako ng apartment wearing a white t-shirt and shorts. Pumunta ako convenient store at kumuha ng cheese puffs. Pag kabalik ko ng apartment, naghihintay na siya sa kaniyang kama at naka pause yung Minions na movie. I gave him a bowl and the snack.

  "I'll pay you, send me your Gcash!"

  "No worries, ako na,"

"  Tsk, lagi kang ganan, give me..."

  "Fine."

  I gave him my number and transferred me money. I sat back and continued reading. He grabbed his snack and started watching. I closed my book and started watching too. A few minutes later I saw Ethan knocked out. He must be exhausted.