The Roommate Situation

Chapter 4

Gracie

Para akong nauupos na sigarilyo nang makauwi ako ng apartment. Tinanggal ko ang sneakers ko at tinadyakan papunta sa hallway. Tumilapon 'yung isa sa gitna ng hallway, pero wala na akong pake. Future Gracie could deal with it.

"Wow," aniya, habang nakasandal sa pintuan niya at tinitignan ako nang nakakaloko. "Bagong art installation ba 'yan?" turo niya sa naiwang sapatos ko na nakatiwang-wang sa gitna ng hallway. "Ano tawag mo d'yan, Ode to Chaos?"

Bumaling ako sa kanya, and there he was, wearing his scrubs, his hair still damp from the shower. Dito ko napatunayan na may favorites talaga si Lord. He isn't even trying to look good but gosh, those broad shoulders, stupid jawline, and that lazy smirk-it was like the universe had rolled its eyes and gone: Fine, here's a walking thirst trap to make your life unnecessarily complicated.

"Interior design," sabi ko, sabay tulak sa sapatos ko palayo para inisin siya lalo.

"Ang sipag-sipag talaga. Parang you're not the same person who ranted on r/AkoBaYungGago tungkol sa ex-roommate niya na burara." His voice was mocking and sarcastic. "Sayang naman, Di Ka Gago pa naman ang verdict ko sa'yo do'n."

I rolled my eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't get stuck. "I'll clean it up later. Speaking of cleaning, though-iniwan mo nanaman 'yung tira mong kape sa counter. Ano 'to, breeding ground ng germs o hobby mo talaga mag-alaga ng amag?"

"I'm saving it for later," he said, grabbing his keys from the counter.

"Kadiri ka. Hindi mo man lang ba ilalagay sa ref?"

"Ref?!" Nagulat siya na parang sinabi kong mag-prito kami ng ice cream. Sobrang OA! "Hindi! Ruins the taste."

"So iniiwan mo lang sa counter? Hindi ba kayo tinuruan tungkol sa bacteria sa nursing school?"

"Wow, thanks, Dr. Gracie," sagot niya nang may pilit na ngiti, both of his dimples framing his smile. "Mag-guest lecturer ka kaya sa hospital namin? Magre-resign na 'ko."

"Good. You clearly need the help," I said, grabbing a water bottle from the counter. "Just like when you almost set the kitchen on fire nung ni-microwave mo 'yung lasagna na nasa foil tray pa rin."

"Okay, first of all," he said, holding up a finger, "tatlong oras lang ang tulog ko no'n-"

"And?" I interrupted with a mocking grin.

"And you could've labeled it better!"

I laughed out loud. "Labeled it better? It literally said 'DO NOT TOUCH' in giant capital letters!"

"Exactly. Ang vague. Dapat nilagyan mo ng 'Remove Foil Before Microwaving.'"

"'Do not touch' is unclear? Are you serious?" I shook my head. "How are you allowed to be in charge of human lives?"

"Well, ako na 'to, eh. Aangal pa ba sila?" he said, smirking as he opened the fridge. "By the way, kinain ko na 'yung tiring lasagna kanina."

I froze, mid-sip of water. "You did not." I was saving it for myself.

"Relax," he said, laughing. "Joke lang. Pero you should've seen your face."

Without thinking, I grabbed the nearest object-a banana-and hurled it at him. He ducked, still grinning like a total idiot. "Wow. Palaban. Mag-sick leave na ba ako?"

"Sa susunod, itong sofa na ang ihahagis ko sa'yo."

"Katakot," he said, his grin widening as he slung his bag over his shoulder.