The Roommate Situation

Chapter 3

Alex

Pagkarating ko sa pintuan ng apartment, nakaramdam ako ng kakaibang kaba. My hand hovered over the doorknob, my head raging with ridiculous thoughts.

It's just a roommate situation, Alex. Marami ka nang mas malalang napagdaanan. Like that one time na naligaw ka sa yoga class instead of Muay Thai class and got stuck in a downward dog position for a solid minute and the coach had to pull you up. Ito? Sus. Wala pa 'yan sa kalingkingan no'n. It's just Gracie, man.

But Gracie wasn't just anyone. She's intimidating in the kind of way you'd never admit, because in reality, there was no reason for it. She was just... Gracie. The girl who owns a small cafe and would do everything to keep her business running. The woman who somehow made every encounter feel like I was auditioning for a reality show she produced in her head.

Huminga ako ng malalim at binuksan na ang pinto.

"Hello?" tawag ko habang papasok, may nakasukbit na duffel nag sa balikad ko. The warm scent of garlic and herbs greeted me as I walked to the direction of where the aroma is coming from. "Wow, parang may nagpapakitang-gilas na, ah."

There she was.

Si Gracie, nasa kusina, nakatalikod sa'kin habang may hinahalo sa isang pot. Nakatali ang buhok niya sa isang messy bun, 'yun bang parang tinali lang nang bara-bara pero alam mong pinag-isipan. She turned around, and for a moment, I forgot how to human.

Words, Alex. Use words.

"'Dyan ka na pala," sabi niya nang wala man lang kagana-gana. "Akala ko nag-backout ka na at natakot sa'kin, eh."

"Ba't naman ako matatakot sa'yo?" I shot back, dropping my bag to the couch.

She narrowed her eyes at me, cleary unimpressed. "Hindi kusang maga-unpack 'yang bag mo, you know."

"And you're not the boss of me," I retorted, crossing my arms.

Tumaas ang isang kilay niya. "Actually, I am. Landlord-tenant dynamics and all." Dinuro niya ako gamit ang spatula na hawak niya.

"Uhh, that's not how it works," I said, smirking as I leaned against the counter. "Pero nice try, Gordon Ramsay. Ano ba 'yang niluluto mo? Amoy... pwede na."

Tinapunan niya ako ng masamang tingin. "Chicken Alfredo," sagot niya. "And before you ask, no, you're not getting any. Hindi ka man lang nga nagdala ng housewarming gift eh."

Huh, kailangan ba 'yun?

"Anong wala? Meron kaya," I said, lying. I pretended to dig through my bag. I pulled out a pack of skyflakes that's been there for quite some time now. Durog na nga, eh. I placed it dramatically on the counter. "Ta-da! Perfect 'yan ka-partner ng chicken alfredo mo."

She blinked at the sad excuse for a gift, then burst out laughing. "Seryoso ka ba?"

"Hey, it's the thought that counts."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine, you can have some pasta. Pero only if you promise na hindi mo pasasabugin 'tong apartment ko."

"Uhm, can't make promises," I said, pretending to weigh down her conditions. Kumuha ako ng mansanas na nasa fruit bowl niya na para may ambag ako sa groceries niya.

She glanced over her shoulders. "By the way, nalinis ko na 'yang kwarto mo. Pero 'di na ko magtataka kung magiging dugyot nanaman."

"Excuse me, nagbabayad ako ng renta dito para tumira, hindi para insultuhin." I said with mock indignation.