Twisted Story of My Life

Chapter Nineteen

My heart jumped. I was staring straight to a pair of beautiful brown eyes. I looked down waiting for my roommate to appear behind the guy wearing only a towel to cover the lower part of his body. Some drops of water still on his well-toned chest and abs. Argh! Why am I even noticing that?

After a few seconds, as if things began sinking in, the guy started talking, "What are you doing here? Are you my roommate's girlfriend?"

"What?!" I asked looking up. My jaw dropped as I realized that I am talking to Mr. Brusque. "This is my room!" I added.

He shook his head. "Stop fooling around. This is my room!" He snapped.

He quickly snatched his clothes and went back to the bathroom. I was silently thinking how dare him he was so abrupt to keep me from seeing that beautiful view.

But in reality I was left aghast. I was fumbling for the travel tour leaflets in my bag. I will call that agency. What were they thinking putting me up with a guy as a roommate? Is this my Mom's antic to push me to move on? This is the first night of my travel and yet it seems like too much is happening already. I was shaking my head as I was dialing the agency's number using my phone. Then I realized that I did not register for roaming service. It was my Mom's advice to disconnect from them and my world there so that I would totally enjoy the trip and forget whatever bitterness I had. Enjoy! Big word. I threw my phone on the bed. But maybe there is no harm in enjoying seeing Mr. Brusque each day. My dream guy... I mean the guy in my dream. I don't know. But this is not even the right time to think about that.

"Easy. I am Sixto Calderon, by the way," He said extending his hand.

I was trying to suppress it but I could not help but laugh. "I'm so sorry. It's just that... you are too handsome for your name." And oh I am actually laughing.

He retrieved his hand, which I was not able to shake. "Is that how you make an impression on a first meeting?" He pouted.

Mr. Brusque is too cute. Maybe I'll stick with that instead of his real name. What to say now? I might have humiliated him. Tsk... me and my big mouth.

He laughed and shook his head. "At least you think I am handsome. Do you have a name?" He said when he realized that I could not find the words to make up for my previous reaction.

I smiled. "Alex Sabariaga." I stood up and extended my hand.

He briefly shook it.

He started laughing and said, "A beautiful lady with a man's name." He teased back.

Our eyes met. We both realized that the agency might have assumed that I was a guy too because of my name. He called the front desk to check if there is anything they can do about the fiasco. However, even if we opt to pay extra, the hotel said that they are now fully booked.

"I guess we are stuck with each other. What do you think we should do, Ms. Alex?" Sixto asked smiling.

"Uhm... as if I have a choice, Mr. Sixto. I guess it's okay since there are two beds anyway. Just no peeping!" I answered smiling.

"Well, you can call me Calix."

"Weird. It's like calling myself with a C."

"Well, we might as well enjoy. After all, that is what this trip is all about," Calix said sitting on his bed.

"I guess you're right, Calix," I said smiling.

"Let's have dinner together?"

I nodded. Forget the hotel room service as planned originally. I have someone nice looking to help me pass the time tonight.

We went out of the hotel after I changed my clothes and found a Korean restaurant. Of course, because that is where we are; Korea. Tsk...

We were seated facing each other. We ordered Kim bop (Korean Sushi), Jap Chae (Korean Glass Noodles), Kalbi (Marinated Beef Short Ribs), Tak Toritang (Korean Spicy Chicken and Potato) and Korean Egg Roll Triangles. I think it's a bit too much but maybe he is as hungry as I am. I haven't had a decent meal for days.

"So why are you here?" Calix asked while eating a Kim bop.

"Well, it's quite a long story..." I said as I chewed on my Kalbi.

"I have all night to listen."

"Tsk... at least, if I tell you everything chances are we won't see each other again and you can't use the information I divulge against me later on."

"But this is not our first meeting... maybe the fourth?"

OMG! He remembers me. My heart is pounding. Is this wrong? Hey, Zeke is no longer my boyfriend so this is not at all cheating. I frowned as if trying to recall. Though deep inside I remember every detail of every meeting.

His eyes twinkled as he narrated the instances when we met. "Do you not remember? First was when we were in the bookstore and we bumped into each other. I was in a hurry then so I did not have time to get to know you. Second, at the restaurant though I guess you might have not noticed me. Seemed like you have a double date then. Third, at the mall near the cinemas."

I smiled. Not to mention our constant meetings in my dreams. "Great memory," I uttered not knowing what else to say. I am impressed he remembered all of that. So maybe he notices me. I was not just a stranger he bumped to. Okay, not to keep my hopes up. No... I don't want a rebound.

"We keep on bumping into each other. Or were you stalking me?" He asked bashfully.

"Whatever!" I said rolling my eyes.

He laughed. "I was of course kidding. So, the answer to my question?"

I smirked. "Well, I broke up with my boyfriend a few weeks back. I was supposed to surprise him on V Day but I ended up being surprised seeing his childhood best girl pal sleeping with him in his room. I am so brokenhearted. Unknowingly my broken heart got broken a second time when I learned that the stupid girl got pregnant. I quit my job. I became alcoholic. I moved out from my friend's place. My parents got worried and they booked me this trip to get away from everything." I took a deep breath after telling my long story.

I could see the concern on his face. He shook his head. "Stupid ass!" He commented.

"Just that after my long litany?"

He smiled. "You deserve someone a lot better you know."

Well, now that you are talking, someone like you perhaps. I said in my mind.

Then I told him how Zeke and I started in college... blah... blah... blah. He was listening carefully to my stories. He would nod or smile when my statement calls for a reaction. And this conversation is actually making me feel good. Maybe because I am talking to a stranger who does not really know me. He has no biases. He won't judge. Or even if he would judge me, I won't actually know.

Calix also told me a little about him. He is working in an ad agency. I wonder if Alyssa does not know him. They are in the same industry. He lives in Makati since birth. He likes reading and appreciates good food with good company.

It was actually a fun night. We did not realize that we have been in the restaurant eating and chatting for three hours already. And yes, we finished everything. My well-deserved meal after all the fiasco in my life. We called it a night and walked back to our hotel. We need to have a good rest for our whole day tour tomorrow.

I instantly got a partner in a pack of strangers in this tour. That is of course he will choose to be with me the whole time. He might get fed-up with my sorry stories. But maybe I should start thinking positive again. No harm in trying, right?