"Lorelei."
Nakangiti akong sinalubong ng aking tita nang sandaling makita n'ya ako. She rushed to me and hugged me tight. Matagal na rin mula nang masilayan ko ang mukha nito at masasabi kong hindi pa rin s'ya nagbabago.
Matapos ay tinanaw ko ang kalakihan ng apartment na tutuluyan ko sa loob ng ilang buwan dito sa Pampanga na s'yang pagmamay-ari ni tita Martha. It was a three storey apartment building that's was coated with white color.
"Halika't ipakikilala na kita sa magiging room mate mo." She helped me with my things and walked first inside. Medyo kinakabahan ako sa magiging room mate ko. Tita Martha told me some things about him and the fact that he's a guy makes me a little doubt.
Ipinaliwanag naman ni Tita na harmless daw ito at naiiba raw ito sa mga lalaki. Pero hindi pa rin ako nakakampante. Guys are just the same. Kapag nakita nila ang kahinaan mo'y aabusuhin ka nila.
After some kamustahan, we've finally reached room 302. Tita Martha knocked first before opening the door with her spare key. Pagbukas pa lamang ng pinto, ay pinakatinitigan ko na ang buong kwarto na parang bang pinapamilyar ang mga mata ko rito.
Huminto lamang ito sa lalaking nakaupo sa sahig at nakatalikod sa amin. He was doing something that's weird and he didn't even feel that someone was already standing behind him, that tita Martha had to forced a cough to get his attention.
Tila nahihirapan itong humarap sa amin. He didn't stand. He didn't smile. He's just there, staring at me blankly.
"Hi, I'm Lorelei," I introduced myself into the most friendly tone that I could give. Since he's gonna be my roommate for months, I think I have to be a little nice for being new here. "Pleased to meet you,"
He didn't reply to me. After he scanned me, he turned his back on us. Nagkatinginan kami ni tita Martha.
"Meow."
Just when I was already picturing what kind of person would I be with, a felt something soft on my left foot.
"Wow, a cat!" I muttered. I bent down to caress her body.
"Freya, here!" that Loki guy commanded. Mabilis namang sumunod ang pusa sa kanya. Tita Martha shrugged as she lead the way towards my new room.
She reminded me some things before going out. After I put my clothes inside the cabinet, I took my laptop and went outside.
Nang lumabas ako'y naroon pa rin si Loki na nakaupo sa sahig at tila nahihirapang gumalaw. I asked him what's wrong but I received no response.
Doon ko lamang napansin ang wheelchair sa tabi n'ya na pilit n'yang inaabot. Inilapag ko ang laptop ko sa center table at tinulungan s'yang maabot ang kanyang wheelchair.
Tita Martha forgot to tell me about this. She didn't inform me that Loki is a disabled person. Tinulungan ko s'yang tumayo ngunit tinapik n'ya ang aking kamay.
"I don't need your help," he muttered. Muli nitong sinubukang akyatin amg kanyang wheel chair ngunit nabigo ito. I heaved a deep sigh.
"Gusto mo bang makaakyat o hindi?" I asked. Napatigil naman ito at sandaling hindi nakasagot. "Let me help you."
Sumuko na siguro ito kaya sa huli ay pumayag na rin. Tinulungan ko itong makaupo sa kanyang wheel chair. Dahil ayaw n'yang magpahawak ay hinila ko na lang ang damit n'ya. He was having a hard time but he managed to sit on the wheelchair. Mabilis n'yang pinagulong ito at hindi man lang ako nilingon.
He entered his room without saying words. Napabuga na lamang ako ng hangin. Great! Napakalamig ng pakikitungo n'ya sa akin.
***
BINABASA MO ANG
Project Loki: A Mendez X Rios Fanfiction
FanfictionA Fanfiction of our beloved Q.E.D. club.