HOUSEMATE. (Aria and Justin's Story)

Chapter 1

Kaharap ni Aria ang laptop niya. Nag message ang mommy niya na gustong mag video chat sa kanya ito .Agad naman itong binuksan ang video chat icon. Nasa states kasi ang parent nito.

"Hi Mom!" bati ni Aria " Where's Dad? tanong nito na pilit sinisilip sa screen kung makikita niya ang Daddy niya.

" He went to store. May binili sandali but while I got you online. I want to tell you something important," sabi ng Mommy niya.

Siguro May bagong gossip na naman itong nasagap.Ano naman kayang important thing na to, " What is it Mom?"

" Do you remember your Tita Zeny? The one I introduce to you on your last visit here. She gave you a Cartier ring," remind ng Mommy niya.

" Oh yeah, of course. I love the ring.In fact, I'm wearing it. What about Tita Zeny?" tanong ni Aria. She was surprised about that ring coz she knows that it is so expensive.

" Her son Justin is planning to go there in Manila. He wants to invest and buy some properties or put up some business. I told your Tita Zeny and Justin that he can stay with you while he is there," sabi nito ng walang kakurap kurap.

Muntik ng mahulog si Aria sa upuan niya. " What? You told them that it is okay for him to stay with me? Mom, I have a condo" sabi ni Aria na biglang nataranta.

" I know that! But it has 2 bedrooms and it is so accessible to everything. Justin can stay in the other room. Unless of course may ka live in ka and don't want the intrusion?" she asked suspiciously.

" Mom, I don't have a boyfriend right now. Live in pa kaya. Plus he is a guy. Parang live in na rin yon," sagot ni Aria sa nanay niya.

" House mate lang, hindi live in. Para na rin may kasama kang lalaki diyan for safety," sabi ng Mommy niya" Plus, I already told them that it is okay. It's too embarrassing to tell them no now."

Oh my God! Ano naman kaya ang pumasok sa ulo ng Mommy niya. " Mom, I don't even know what he looks like. And FYI mom, I have lived here for a long time by myself. It is safe here" sabi ni Aria.

" I'll send you a picture. He is very mabait," sabi nito.

Itsura ang sinabi ko tapos ang sabi eh, mabait. Di ibig sabihin nito pangit. " Okay Mom. Send me the picture. Kelan ba ang dating nito?" tanong ni Aria.

" In 3 days," sagot ng Mommy niya.

" What?!"

...................

Nagkita kita ang magbarkada ngayon. Si Melissa. Leila, Aria, Krista and Mia. Nakagawian na nila ang mag get together at least every month. Nasa condo sila ngayon ni Leila. Isinama na rin ni Mia si Brix na boyfriend niya, si Stu na boyfriend ni Melissa and Troy na kay ni Leila. Habang nag uusap ngayon ang mga babae ay nanonood ng basketball ang tatlong lalaki and umiinom ng beer sa living room.

" Tell me again what Tita Amanda did?" usisa uli ni Mia. Nakaupo sila sa dining room

"Tomorrow I have to pick this guy from the airport. Anak ng isang close friend ni Mommy sa States. He is staying with me for I don't know how long,"sabi ni Aria na makasimangot.

" Do you know what he looks like? Baka iba ang ma pick up mo doon ha,"sabi ni Melissa.

Aria took her phone and showed it to them. Tiningnan ng mga kaibigan.

" Not bad looking, nerdy but not bad looking,"sabi ni Krista.

Tumawa ang mga ito." That's not the point. Naiinis lang ako kay Mommy. She didn't even consult me before doing this," sabi ni Aria pouting.

"Would it matter kung super duper gwapo? If he is a hunk?"tukso ni Mia.

"Mia, that's besides the point. A guy is a guy regardless kung ano ang itsura"sagot naman ni Aria.

"Well, at least kung gwapo with a nice body, masulit naman ang pag stay sa'yo dito.House mate with benefits,"tukso ni Krista.

"Ikaw, puro kalaswaan ang nasa isip mo,"saway ni Aria. Nagtawanan ang mga ito.

Narinig nilang nagsigawan ang mga lalaki. The game must be exciting. Maya maya lang ay nag-join ang mga ito sa kanila.

" I had to prepare the other room for the guest," reklamo ni Aria.

" You can always kick him out if you don't like him,"sabi ni Leila.

" Right, and if there is a problem. We will have these 3 guys here take care of him,° sabi ni Krista.

Aria sighed and was just shaking her head.

NAIA-

Kanina pa naghihintay si Aria. Maaga siyang pumunta sa airport. Dala dala niya ang picture ng sususunduin niya. Dumating na ang flight nito at tinitingnan na lang niya ang mga lumalabas. Pinagdadasal ni Aria na sana makilala niya. Sumasakit na ang batok niya ng panay na yuko para tingnan ang picture at e-compare ito sa mga lumalabas.

Nakayuko si Aria ng may nagsalita.

"Hi! Are you Aria Gonzales?" tanong nito.

Aria looked up. Hindi niya kilala ang lalaking ito.

"Hi! I'm Justin Banks," sabi ng handsome hunk sa harap niya.

" You're Justin?"tanong ni Aria looking at the picture from her phone and then sa lalaki na nasa harap niya. This guys is soooo good looking!!! He looks like a model.

Na curious siguro ito sa pagtingin ni Aria sa picture na nasa phone  niya kung kaya tiningnan din ito ni  Justin and started laughing.

" That 's me in the picture. But that is a very old picture taken a long time ago," paliwanag nito." No wonder you had a hard time."

" Why did my mom sent this then?"sabi ni Aria na naguguluhan.

" I think my Mom just took whatever picture she can find. Good thing your mom, Tita Amanda, gave me a recent picture of you," sabi ni Justin.

" Let me see what picture she sent," tanong ni Aria na na-curious.

Justin took his phone from his pocket and showed it to her.

Aria's face flushed. Of all the picture that her mom could have given him, it was a picture of her in a skimpy bathing suit.

" Oh my God!" was all she said shaking her head, her face flushed.

" What?" concern na tanong nito.

" Of all the pictures she has, this is what she gave you? " she said incredulously.

He laughed and said. " What's wrong with the photo? It looks good. Very sexy," he said and wink," and pretty accurate picture of you ."

Aria was just shaking her head. " She could at least given you a decent picture. Anyway, Do you know how to speak Tagalog?" tanong ni Aria.

"Yes, my mom taught me. We speak Tagalog and English in our house,"sagot ni Justin.

" Okay good. Baka maubos ang English ko sa'yo, eh" sabi ni Aria.

" Hindi ka lang maganda, you're also funny pa," he said laughing.

She smiled." Bolero. Come on, let's go," yaya ni Aria.