HGD42: LIVE IN
"Do not lower your standards to reach theirs. Self-love is a must."-gelyenbalm
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SOBRANG kaba ang aking nararamdaman. Dere-deretso ako hanggang sa makapasok na ako sa loob ng kanyang bahay.
"Uh, where's my room?" Hinarap ko sya at saka ako ngumiti.
Kumurap ito ng dalawang beses na para bang pilit nitong ina-absorb ang nangyayari. He maybe a speechless.
Hindi ito sumagot sa halip ay tinaas nito ang kamay at saka itinuro ang kwarto sa itaas.
Ngumiti ako "thanks." Sabi ko at kaagad na umakyat sa second floor ng bahay.
"Oh gosh." I murmured once I open the room's door. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nagawa ko iyon.
Naupo ako sa kama na naroon. Kaunti lamang ang gamit sa kwartong ito. Isang normal size ng kama, isang cabinet, a whole body length size of mirror, a table and a chair. Tapos ay mayroon itong kulay asul na kurtina. Walang sariling banyo pero ang ganda ng disenyo ng kwarto. Napaka classic tignan.
Tinignan ko ang oras gamit ang aking cellphone. Alas onse na ng gabi! Nakakapagtaka lang at hindi pa tulog si Ram kanina nang dumating ako.
Napatalon ako sa gulat ng may kumatok. "Go downstairs. Let's talk." Ram voice filled the silence of the room.
Kahit kabado ay binuksan ko ang pintuan at sinunod ang sinabi nito. Bumaba ako gaya ng sabi nya at sinundan sya. Naupo ito sa dining chair nakita kong may nakalagay na pagkain sa mesa.
"Sit and eat." He said in authority.
Seriously? Bakit ba palagi nya aking gustong kumain? Pa-fall din to e!
"Why?" I ask and sat on the chair in front of him.
"Do I need to explain? Just eat and let's talk." He said in a firm voice.
"Luh? Pa-fall." I commented.
Kumunot ang noo nito ng tignan nya ako. "Huh?" He asks
"N-nothing." Wala sa sariling kinuha ko ang utensils pero wala naman talaga akong balak kumain.
"Anong pag-uusapan natin?" Tanong ko rito. Ibinaba ko din kaagad ang kutsara at tinidor na hawak ko. Busog ako at wala akong balak kumain. Masisira lang ang diet ko.
"Eat first." He said
"I'm full." Sagot ko.
Tinaasan ako nito ng kilay. Hindi ko magawang taasan din sya ng kilay dahil unang-una, nasa bahay nya ako at wala akong mapupuntahang iba kaya kailangan kong magpaka-bait. Labag man sa loob ko.
"Masisira ang diet ko e." Sabi ko.
"Diet? Nagda-diet ka pa sa lagay na yan? Ang payat mo na nga"
Gusto ko syang singhalan pero itinikom ko ang aking bibig. Oh gosh, I need patience!
"Wala kang pakielam. Uh, I mean is 11 o' clock na at hindi na healthy ang pagkain ng ganitong oras." Sagot ko,pinipigilang hindi maging maldita.
"Eat or I'll--" he sighed and divert his gaze
Shocks I am waiting for him to complete his sentence e! Parang alam ko kasi ang sasabihin nya
Eat or I'll eat you. Kaagad din akong umiling sa sinabi ko. Nakakakilig man ang iniisip ko pero malabo na iyon dahil alam kong pareho na kaming walang nararamdman sa isa't-isa.
"Fine! Pero kaunti lang ang kakainin ko ha." Sagot ko. Tumango naman ito at nagsimula na ding kumain.
"Ano na iyong pag-uusapan natin?" I asks
"Eat." He said
Naiinis na ako, tuwing tinatanong ko sya kung ano ang pag-uusaoan ay palaging 'eat' iyong sagot nya. Gusto ba nyang pag-usapan ang eat? O baka naman gusto nya lang akong kainin. Oh gosh, what am I thinking?!
Natapos kaming kumain ay hindi namin napag-usapan ang dapat naming pag-usapan.
"Antayin mo ako sa sofa doon tayo mag-usap. Huhugasan ko lang ang mga ito." Anito at tinuro ang pinagkainang plato.
Tumango ako at naupo nga sa sofa. Tahimik lamang ako roon at naka-upo.
I wonder what Ellie's reaction when she found out that I am living here na. I laughed on my own thoughts.
Ilang sandali pa ay nakita ko na papalapit si Ram sa pwesto ko. Naupi ito sa katapat kong sofa at saka pinagkrus ang dalawang binti ganoon rin ang dalawang braso. Tuminggin ito saakin at kaagad akong nailang.
"Uh?.." I don't know how to start a conversation. Should I ask him if it's fine for me to live here? I shouldn't ask that e, baka mamaya hindi pala okay at bigla nya akong palayasin, saan naman ako pupulutin kung ganon? Saka isa pa ayoko ng bumalik kay Clive at masyado na akong nad-drain sa pinag-gagagawa ng mag jowa na iyon. At saka dalawang buwan lang naman akong titira dito e.
"Mayroon akong rules sa bahay na ito. And you need to do my rules since dito ka titira." He stated. Dumiretso ako ng upo.
"Okay." I answered.
"I still need a money. Iyong ten thousand na inabot sakin ni Clive, I'll take that as your payment on my service as a lawyer. I need your down payment for this month, and then we're going to share the payment for the electricity, water bill and then, you can buy your own food." He stated.
I am speechless. Shit?! Bakit naman ganon? Wala naman akong pera e.
"Magkano?" I asks eventhough I can't pay for it.
"For a down payment, I need ten thousand pesos, tapos para sa mga bills for this month is another ten thousand pero pwede mo namang bayaran yung another ten thousand in the end of this month." He said.
"Mahal naman." I pouted.
"Bakit mahal?" He asks in a serious tone.
"Mahal naman kasi e!"
"Bakit nga mahal?" He asks and smirk.
I stop when I realize something? Why he's smirking? Oh gosh, our little conversation sents him another meaning?
"Ibig kong sabihin mahal iyong bayad hindi ko sinabing mahal ang tawag ko sayo." I said feels so defensive.
He chuckled. " I didn't say anything." He said.
Yeah right. Hindi naman nga nya sinabi? Bakit ba ako nage-explain? Nakakahiya naman baka kung anong isipin nya.
"Wala naman akong pera pambayad, Ram e. I just need a home to stay for about two months. Pagka-nabayaran na iyong mansyon namin ay aalis na ako."
"Two months huh? And then, after two months aalis ka na?" He asks
I can't read his emotion. Gosh, he's being good in hiding emotions huh? Ganoon ba ang epekto ng pagiging abugado?
"Y-yeah." I answered.
"So, you're living here for free? What am I? A charity? An orphanage?" He asks and he even raised his thick eyebrow.
He's right. Wala namang libre sa panahon ngayon.
"Uh, maglilinis ako ng bahay palagi. I can be your uh, caretaker?" I said and even blink twice, I am hoping that he was attracted on my charm. I even tried act to be cute.
"Is that it?" He asks sounds so bored.
Oh gosh? Ano pa ba dapat?
"Just please let me live here for about two months, wala akong pupuntahang iba e. Kung gusto mo naman ay after two months na kita babayaran." I said
"What do you mean by wala kang pupuntahang iba? Kung ganoon ako lang ang pwede mong puntahan?" He asks and I can sense something in his words.
"Uh, yeah. Well, Clive was busy on her partner and then, I can't sleep well there during night because of the night exercise that she and her boyfriend doing." I answered and kinda regretting saying that to him. I guess it's Clive's privacy bakit ko ba sinabi iyon?!
"At ako naman ngayon ang hindi makakatulog ng maayos pag gabi." He said . I blink, what does he mean?
"Huh? Hindi naman ako naghihilik saka hindi ba sound proof ang kwarto mo? I mean you're now rich and successful dapat sound proof na iyong kwarto mo para kapag may ka-sex ka diba? Walang makakarinig."
I stop on my own words. What the hell did I say that? I look at him and he was looking at me with a serious voice.
"Is that all that you've learned in America huh?" He asks and sounds sarcastic.
"Oh, I guess were talking so far unrelated on our topic. Going back to our topic, so can I stay here? Please?"
Oh gosh, I didn't planned this would happened? Me? Begging to him for me to stay in his home?
"Alright. You should do what you say. Clean my house everyday. Note, everyday." He emphasized the word everyday.
"Oo na!" I answered sounds annoyed.
"Okay then, I'm gonna send my schedule to you on your e-mail. Anong e-mail mo? Iyong dati padin ba?" He asks
"Yes. At bakit mo naman i-sesend sakin yung schedule mo? Do I need to be informed on your doings? I am not even your girlfriend" I wanna shut up my mouth for saying words that was so unnecessary. Masyado na kong nahihiya sa mga sinasabi ko.
"I'm not sending it para iinform ka kung nasaan ako pagka wala ako sa bahay. Isesend ko sayo yung schedule ko para alam mo ang oras kung anong oras ka dapat maglinis. " he said in a sarcastic way.
Shit! Napahiya nanaman ako! Bakit ba napapadalas ang pagkapahiya ko?
"Oh? Why?"
"Ayokong may naglilins kapag nandito ako, it's distracting me. And also, hindi ka pwedeng umalis ng bahay kapag wala ako. " he added
"And why is that?" I asks. Bakit naman?
"Hindi dapat maiwan ang bahay ng walang tao. I am afraid of robbery." He said sounds casual.
"Okay. Ano ba schedule mo? Are you here every night?" I asks
Oh gosh? Why I am having a bad thoughts?
"Why do you asks?" He asks
"Uh, I am not interested kung iyan ang iniisip mo. Gusto ko lang malaman kung nandito ka ba kapag gabi para naman maka hang-out ako pag gabi." Defensive kong sagot and it turns out that I am really interested.
"Going out in party at night huh?" He asks.
"Oo. Iwas bored." I simply answered.
"Okay you can party at night whenever you want pero hindi ka na makaka-uwi dito. I'm gonna lock the door once I go home, at kapag wala ka, hindi kita aantayin. Pagsasaran kita ng pinto." Anito
"Ang harsh naman. Okay sige, makikipag one night stand nalang ako para umaga na uwi ko." I even laughed on my own joked but it seems like it wasn't funny at all because he didn't even bother to laugh nor smile. What a cold man!
"Kapag wala ka sa bahay around nine pm. Humanap ka na ng bago mong titirhan!" He hissed.
May curfew? Wow ha? What is he? My father? As far as I thought he's just my ex!
"And don't call me whenever you're in jail just because you harass a minor. I'm not going to help you anymore. " he said
Ang sama ng ugali nitong abugadong ito ah! Paano sya naging successful sa ganitong ugali?
"I didn't harass a minor!" I hissed
"Really? Kaya ba naroon ka sa presinto last day?" He sounds so sarcastic.
"It's done okay. Wag mo ng ibalik. Tapos na yon."
"Are you agreed on that rule? " he asks referring on the 9pm curfew.
Labag man sa loob ko ay tumango ako. Pasayaw palang ako sa dance floor non e!
"Ano pa ang rules mo master?" I asks in sarcastic. He chuckled. "I like that endearment, you can call me master." He laughed.
"What?! I'm just kidding when I say that." I yelled.
"Don't yelled at me!" He yelled back.
What a bossy attitude!
"Okay fine." I surrender. Wala naman akong laban e.
"And also, buy your won food. Libre na nga ang pagtulog mo dito kaya hindi ka na libre sa pagkain." Anito
What?! Akala ko pa naman galante sya pagdating sa pagkain? Apura pakain nya saakin ng pagkain e. Sana pala tinodo ko na kain kanina oara good for two days na iyon
"What?! I told you I am running out of money. Hahanap ako ng part-time job pag ganon. Hassle! Ayoko magtrabaho. I need a vacation tho." I murmured.
"Ipagluluto kita kapalit ng pagkain ko everyday. Deal?" I wanna bet on it this time.
Pero kaagad nawala ang confidence ko ng humagalpak ito ng tawa.
"Why are you laughing? Walan nakakatawa sa sinabi ko! Kapag nagjojoke ako ayaw mo tumawa,pag seryoso saka ka tatawa?" Naiinis kong ani.
"Sorry. I can't help it. What did you said again? Ipagluluto mo ako? You don't even know how to cook hotdogs" he chuckled.
Kaagad uminit ang ulo ko sa sinabi nya.
"Hindi lang ako magaling kumain ng hotdog ah. Marunong na rin ako magluto!"
I answered in anger. I stop when I saw him blush for some reason. What the hell? Did he gave another meaning on what I've said. Oh gosh!
"Really huh?" He asks trying to calm himself.
"Yeah. Madami nang nagbago sa almost two years. I already know how to cook." Mayabang kong sabi.
"Oh? That's good." He commented
"Yeah. Ate Lana teach me. Also, I am preparing to be a good wife e." I said
"Huh? You're planning to get married?" He asks so serious
"Oo naman. Baka nga next year na."
"Agad? You said, you don't have a boyfriend?" He asks
"Wala nga. Madali lang humanap ng mayaman na gwapo sa club noh. Baka nga pag nag club ako this weekend may mahanap na akong asawa e." I laughed and take that as a joke but he didn't laugh. Asan ba ang sense of humor ng lalaking to.
"No club, no house. You choose." He asks
"Tsk. Whatever. Next rule?" I ask
"You can't bring a visitor in this house." He said
"Oh? So bawal ka din magdala ng bisita?" I asks
"What? This is my house so I can accept visitors." He answered.
Right. Ellie must be his visitor.
"Okay. Next?"
"Pagka-uwi ko, prepare my food and then, can you also do the laundy? Tapos plantsahin mo iyong mga damit ko. " he asks
"What? What am I? Your wife? Tsk. I'm only your room mate dude, I'm not your wife para asikasuhin ka." I said
"Alright. So shall we close the deal then?" He asks
Oh gosh.
"Okay sige na! Ipaglalaba na kita master!" Naiinis kong sabi.
Tumayo na ito. Siguro tapos na ang pag-uusap namin.
"And lastly, don't tell the others that we're live in okay?" He said
"What? Bakit ko naman sasabihin 'yon? "
"Alright. So it's now settled then. " he said and I nod.
"Prepare a breakfast, miss." He said and left me there.
What an asshole!
As If I wanted to tell the others that I am living with my ex.
🕭