My Roommate is a Hoodlum

04 - The Blooming's

Saira's POV

"HAHAHA! Tangina! Edi sumakit puson mo nyan?"

"HAHAHA!"

The noise jolted me awake, loud laughter echoing from outside my door. I groaned, blinking as I tried to gather myself. Seriously, what's happening out there?

I grabbed my phone to check the time—3 p.m.? I hadn't meant to sleep half the day away, but I guess the exhaustion from traveling yesterday knocked me out. Not to mention the surprise encounter with... ugh, never mind.

I stretched and went to the bathroom, splashing water on my face to fully wake up. Then, back in my room, I picked up my phone again and finally noticed 10 missed calls from Ate Ariel. Scrolling through the messages, my eyebrows shot up.

Ariel: Saira! OMG! I hope you're alive, baby girl! Call me when you read this!
Ariel: GIRL, YOU'RE MAKING ME WORRY!
Ariel: I CALLED YOU 10X ALREADY!
Ariel: SAIRA CATACUTAN!

Grabe maka react! ano ako na-kidnap?, I thought, rolling my eyes.

Saira: Buhay ako kalma! and seriously, what's with the dramatics? Anyway, I just woke up.
Saira: Explain mo muna kung sino 'tong kasama ko sa bahay niyo!

I groaned again, putting my phone down. After all those missed calls, I was hoping for some kind of explanation, but instead, Ariel was acting like I was kidnapped or something. 

Meanwhile, the laughter outside got even louder. I sighed, bracing myself to see who or what exactly I'd be dealing with today.

The moment I opened my door, I was hit with the smell of perfume mixed with alcohol and something that reminded me of Grey's earlier "attitude." Peeking out, I caught sight of two unfamiliar faces scattered across the living room, lounging like they owned the place.

One girl was sprawled on the couch, laughing with a drink in her hand, while another leaned back against the armrest, her legs propped up. Grey, in her element, was leaning casually against the wall, smirking as her friends chattered on.

I took a deep breath and stepped out. Grey noticed me first, her smirk turning to something close to amusement, almost daring me to say something.

"Oh, look who's up!" she called out, raising her glass slightly. Her friends turned to stare, and I immediately felt self-conscious under their gaze.

One of them gave me a quick once-over, snickering. "Grey, you didn't mention you had a new roommate."

Grey shrugged, her eyes never leaving me. "Yeah, she's still settling in."

Ignoring the judgmental stares, I crossed my arms, trying to keep my voice steady. "Didn't know may inuman session pala nagaganap," I said, throwing a pointed look at Grey.

One of her friends, a girl with short hair and an amused expression, tilted her head. "Ang aga naman mag sungit mam, don't you think?" she said with a mocking grin. "Bro, your roommate needs to loosen up."

I rolled my eyes, choosing not to engage. "Just...ignore me, okay?"

Grey raised her glass in a mock salute. "We'll gladly do, miss mam." Her friends laughed, clearly entertained by her taunting, and I felt my cheeks flush.

May pa bro bro! kala mo naman may mga bayag amp... I murmured

"What was that?" Grey looked at me and I thought maybe she heard what I said