Don't Call Me Love

Chapter 30

"Uh.." Umiwas ako ng tingin at kinuha yung vinegar, kumuha ako ng akin bago ko inabot sa kanya yung isa. What is he doing here? I'm...I'm not ready to see him.

"Ma-Mauna na ako." Nagmadali na ako bumili at bumalik na ng condo. Napahinto ako ng makita ko ang isang lalaki na nakaupo sa sofa ng condo.

"Hi, Alannis..." I don't know how long I stared before I responded.

"Hello." Umiwas agad ako ng tingin at humalukipkip. I can't face him. Hindi pa ako handa. Akala ko ay okay na ang pagkikita namin kanina, nagkamali ako.

"So...you're my roommate. How unfortunate." Hininaan ko yung huli kong sinabi. Ayoko naman sabihin niya na bitter ako.

"H-How have you been?" I gave him a small smile.

"I'm doing better. Ikaw? Kamusta ka na?" Matipid kong sagot.

"I'm now an Engineer at my father's company." Palihim akong napangiti. He finally achieved his dreams. I'm so proud of him. He was always unsure if he'll ever be an engineer but look at him know. He's now a licensed engineer at his father's company.

"Good for you." The atmosphere is awkward.

"Y-You changed your look." Tinitigan ko lang siya. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. Nagpagupit at nagpakulay ako ng buhok last year. My hair is now dark brown and it's shoulder length.

"Yeah. Got bored. Even you."

He grew taller, he wears specs now and his hair is longer now. We have the same hair length now. "Yeah." Inayos niya ang buhok niya. Parang ilang taon siyang hindi nagpagupit.

"You're famous now, huh?" He pointed out, matipid lang akong ngumiti. I guess, I am.

"I won't say that I'm that famous. I just got lucky to get featured on some shows." Lumapit siya sa may lamesa at nakita ang kinakain ko.

"It suits you. You should do more."

"T-Thank you." I was not expecting him to give me a compliment.

"Mind if I have a slice?" He pointed at the slice of pizza. Umiling naman ako.

"Go ahead. Take as much as you want." Umupo na ulit ako at inubos ang pagkain ko. Niligpit ko na din at nagpaalam na pupunta ako sa kwarto. I leaned on the door at dahan-dahan napaupo. I wrapped my arms around my legs and placed my head on my knees.

Why is he here? Why does he have to be my roommate? I didn't even realized I fell asleep on that position. Nangawit tuloy ako. I cried on my sleep again? Tumayo na ako at humiga muna sa kama. I stared on the ceiling. I placed my hand o mn my chest.

Why does it sting? Why does it still hurt? Matutulog na nalang ulit ako. I closed my eyes again. I got a lot of flashed backs of bittersweet memories of me and him. Nagising ako na pinagpapawisan.

"F*ck...." Napahilamos ako sa mukha ko.

Tumayo na ako at dumeritso sa c.r para maghilamos ng mukha. Should I go visit the gym? Lumabas na ako ng kwarto. Naabutan ko si Davian doon na nagluluto.

"Good Morning." Sinulyapan ko kang siya saglit bago ako sumagot.

"Morning." bati ko

"Do you want some breakfast?" He asked. He was cooking bacons and eggs. Umiling naman ako.

"I'll just go to the gym." Hindi ko siya hinintay matapos at umalis na.

May gym ang condo nila Davian kaya maganda at hindi mo na kailangan lumabas ng condo niyo. Nag-warmup routine muna ako bago ko ginawa ang workout routine ko. Mag-isa lang ako sa loob ng gym at ramdam ko ang tagaktak ng pawis sa buong katawan ko. Huminto muna ako saglit para uminom ng tubig.