Moving Next Door

Chapter 4

#MovingNextDoor

Chapter 4
Boyfriend

Nababaliw na ata ako. Hindi ko alam kung anong espiritu ang sumapi sa akin. Parang hindi ako nagdalawang-isip sa pagpayag sa offer niya. But then, I tried justifying my decisions, at mukhang tama naman ang desisyon ko.

I was desperate and couldn't think of a better option. I indulged in his kindness and accepted his offer to spend the night in his unit. Ayos lang naman sa akin matulog sa unit ko nang walang kuryente, but he was right. It would be very uncomfortable.

"Ito na ba lahat ng kailangan mo?" tanong niya habang iniilawan ako.

He volunteered to accompany me inside my dark unit. I grabbed a few essential things I needed to get ready for bed and clean myself tomorrow morning.

"Yup. Ayan na lahat," sagot ko.

"Okay." Kaleb naturally got the shopper bag from the table and lit the way out of my unit with the flashlight. "Mauna ka na. I'll be right behind you."

I bit my lower lip and nodded. Bakit parang masyado siyang green flag? I'm not used to receiving this kind of treatment from a man, especially from someone whom I used to loathe. Parang mas lalo tuloy akong na-guilty sa inasal ko sa kanya nitong mga nakaraang araw.

Nang makarating sa harap ng kanyang unit, huminto muna ako upang hayaan siyang buksan ang pintuan at mauna na sa pagpasok. Namangha ako nang makita kung gaano iyon kalinis. I didn't expect a busy guy to be this neat. Kahit siguro gaano siya ka-busy sa pag-aaral, hindi niya nakakalimutan na maglinis ng unit niya.

"Sorry if it's slightly messy. I was doing some work and studying here..." Itinabi niya ang mga nakalapag na libro sa center table.

"Ayos lang. Malinis naman," sabi ko. "Wala ngang kalat, e. Masyado ka namang humble," biro ko pa.

His unit was almost three times bigger than mine. Ang sabi niya kanina ay mayroon siyang extra bedroom. Kung ganoon ay two-bedroom ang unit niya.

"Hmm may kasama ka ba rito?"

"No. I'm living here alone," he said, continuing to walk toward the spare room.

"Bakit ang laki ng kinuha mong unit? Even a one-bedroom unit would do," kuryoso kong tanong.

"My mom said it'd be better to have two bedrooms. I didn't argue since I just really needed a place to stay near the campus while I'm busy with my internship. Kahit ano ayos na sa akin."

My mouth formed an 'o' when I heard his reason. Mukhang rich kid si neighbor.

"Here's the guest room. You can stay here for tonight," he said, placing my tote bag on top of the bed.

Malaki-laki ang guest room niya. May isang double bed at study table sa gilid. Naka-inverter din ang aircon na split type.

"I only have one bathroom, though. 'Yung unang pintong dinaanan natin pagkapasok. Make sure you lock the door when you're using it," bilin niya. "If you are hungry or thirsty, feel free to get something from the fridge. May snacks din sa pantry."

I nodded and pursed my lips while I watched him prepare and explain everything to me. Hindi ko maiwasang maihalintulad siya kay Ike sa pagiging responsable. I felt like he would make a great leader someday.

Para sa akin manggaling 'yon at masabing magkaugali sila ng number one baby ko, it was a huge compliment. He should be grateful. Hindi niya nga lang alam na pinupuri ko siya ngayon.

"Uhm, maghahanda lang ako pagtulog," sabi ko.

"Go ahead. I'll just eat my dinner."

Napakunot ang noo ko. "Ngayon ka pa lang magdi-dinner?"