Home Smells Like You

Chapter 17

It's been almost a month since Red moved out of my condo and went back to his. I have no idea where he lives, but he mentioned that he's still living around Avida.

Tinatanong ko sa kaniya kung anong building at unit pero ayaw niyang sabihin. Hindi ko na rin pinilit dahil kung ayaw niyang sabihin, edi huwag. Hindi naman ako mapilit na tao.

Kaya ang ginawa ko sinubukan kong usisain si Ate Lynne kung saan ang condo ni Red kaso confidential daw. Ano 'to confidential funds?

Wala naman akong balak na puntahan siya.

Kung meron man... siguro magtatanong lang ako ng ingredients para sa lulutuin ko. Ang hirap lang kasi kapag wala kang cooking skills, hindi pagkain ang sumasarap. 'Yong mismong nagluluto.

Sa unang linggo na wala si Red—na wala akong roommate, I'd be lying to myself if I didn't miss his presence. I was struggling not just doing all the household chores by myself but also dealing with the silence. I never thought that silence could be this loud. Without him.

I've been living alone for almost 3 years in my condo, and those years for me were therapeutic because I don't have to deal with anyone. I might be alone, but I'm not lonely. Walang magagalit kung iiwanan ko ang pinagkainan sa lababo o kapag hindi ako nakapag-vacuum.

I was so much more comfortable with silence before that I never knew I'd enjoy having someone who sits with me during my quiet days.

When Red told me he'll court me, he was really... really fucking serious about it.

Kulang na lang ata isabit ko siya sa bag ko at gawing keychain dahil hindi na talaga siya humihiwalay sa akin.

'Yong umalis lang siya ng condo ko pero palagi pa ring nasa tabi ko.

I woke up on the couch when I heard knocks on my door. Sa living room na pala ako nakatulog dahil napuyat ako mag-aral kagabi. Kailangan kong maibawi ang midterms ko dahil no'ng prelims lagi na lang 'bawi' ang sinasabi ko sa sarili ko. Ayokong gapangin ang finals kaya dapat ngayon pa lang ay wala na sa laylayan ang grades ko.

Pagbukas ko ng pintuan, tumambad sa akin ang mukha ni Red. Kailan ba ako magsasawa sa mukha ng singkit na 'to?

He was wearing a plain white shirt, black cargo pants, and a black cap. Both of his hands were holding stuff. In his right hand, he's holding a plastic bag, which I know for sure contains those ingredients he'll be using later, while in his left hand, he's holding a bouquet of red tulips.

"Good morning, Greene." Red's face lit up the moment he saw me standing in front of him.

"Aga mo naman mangapit-bahay." I said, still groggy from just waking up.

"Nangungulila lang." Tss. Baduy.

"Araw-araw ka na lang sa condo ko. Kulang na lang ibalik mo ulit ang gamit mo rito. Dito ka na lang kaya tumira ulit?" I said sarcastically.

"I told you... that's boyfriend privilege." He wiggled his brows at me.

I just wrinkled my nose and let him come inside.

Binigay ni Red sa akin iyong bulaklak na dala niya. Konti na lang talaga magtatayo na ako ng mini flower shop dito sa Avida.

"Next time kahit huwag ka na magbigay ng bulaklak. Nalalanta lang. Hindi praktikal."

Hindi ko rin naman matapon kapag nalanta kasi... ewan nasasayangan ako. Kaya nagcheck out na lang ako online kung paano mapreserve iyong mga nalalantang bulaklak.

"Okay. I'll buy fake flowers next time. Ewan ko na lang kung malanta pa iyan."

Kingina talaga. Sometimes I just want to hug him. In the neck. Very tightly. Ganoon ba talaga kapag madalas kayong magkasama ng isang tao? Nagiging magkaugali?