Dormmate
1194 Words
Saturday. I woke up early to prepare myself and the things I'm going to bring. Today is the day. I'm going to meet Atty. Dela Merced in my parents house in the city. I don't know what to feel. I don't know what to say. Because for the first time, I'm going to meet my dad's second wife. I was about to go to the bathroom to take a bath when I heard a sudden knock on the door.
"It's just 6:30. Who the hell is that?" I lazily went towards the door and slightly opened it. And I instantly in shocked when I saw who it was.
"Hi!" Lance cheerfully greeted me. He's got some bags with him.
"Ummm hi. What are you doing here?" I ask him. I was about to have a friendly handshake with him but to my surprise, he hugged me.
"Long time no see! I didn't know you're the one staying behind this door." he breaks the hug and tap me on my shoulder.
"I'm supposed to occupy that room" he pointed the room next to Martin's. "Haven't I told you the other day we met that I'm about to transfer to your school? And my parents told me to stay in the school's dorm since they will be out of the country and I will be alone at home."
"Owww, and that explains it. But why don't you now go to your room?"
"It's too early. The staff where I will get the key is not yet here. And I have nowhere to stay. I even knocked on that room but didn't answer." he pointed at Martin's room. I looked at him. He's wearing jacket and shorts, a typical outfit of a young guy of today's gen. Wait, how old is he again?
"Why don't you stay here in my room for the meantime?" I offered him. His eyes instantly brightened as I told him that. I'm about to close the door when he hugged me again.
"Yes! Thank you! You're really kind." I help him carry his luggage and offer him something to drink. For a while, I was busy talking to him and I completely forgot what time it is.
"You seem shocked. Is there any problem?" He asked me. I ran over the closet and snatch a towel there and was about to go to the bathroom when I notice my phone on the table beeps.
"Good morning Mr. Dela Cruz. This is Atty. Bien Santos. I had a bad news. Atty Dela Merced had involved in a car accident a few hours ago. He's in the hospital right now and in not good condition. With this, he can't go to your supposed to be meeting. I'll message you when we have an update. Thank you." That's what in the text message that was sent to me. It instantly give me chills that it was very timing that he will be in an accident the moment that he will read my dad's last will. But I just shrugged it off for thinking that it's really a coincidence. I just replied that I'm going to visit him if he's already okay. He's our family lawyer afterall.
And that means our meeting today is cancelled, good thing for I don't eant to see my stepmom. So instead of going inside the bathroom, I went back to talk to Lance. He's still looking at me.
"What happened? You looked worried for something." He stands up and went towards me. I don't like this thing about him. He is really acting like we're that close like we already know each other for a long time.
"Just a minor thing. Nothing for you to worry about." I just told him, good thing is that he didn't ask about it anymore. "By the way, have you eaten breakfast? Wanna eat something?"
"Actually I haven't eat anything. Do you have something to eat there? I'm starving." he answered while touching his stomach. He really looks hungry.
"There's some food on the ref that I bought a while ago. Wait and I'll heat it on the microwave." While waiting for the food, he shares some things about himself, that I didn't ask him to do.
"You know what, I didn't know what will happen to me in the succeeding days. Look, I'm just.." he stops from talking and he stares at me. I instantly got confused the way he looks at me.
"What?" I ask him. It took him a couple of seconds before he respond.
"Can I.. can I trust you?" he asked me. I got confused. Why would he asked he that question?
"Umm yes? Is there any problem? Well, if you are not comfortable talking or sharing about it, its okay with me."
"I lied to you, a while ago. Its not true when I told you that my parents want me to stay here in the dorm. The truth is... I don't know who my parents are. I grew up with someone I am not related to, and now I'm only living by myself." I suddenly stopped as he said that. I felt sad for him. But in the middle of that, why did he lie about his parents?
"Don't take this question negatively, okay? If you we're only living by yourself now, how did you pay the tuition here? Well this school is somewhat expensive to study on." He stopped for a while. Probably thinking of what will his answer be.
"Actually, I'm a-" the sound from the microwave interrupted what he was about to say so he stopped from saying what he was about to share. I stood up to get the food and serve it to him. I just watch him while he was eating.
"Sorry, I'm really hungry." he said while he shows a bright smile. My heart somewhat melted on the way he did that. Wait, what?
"No, it's okay. Just continue eating those." I smiled back at him. I just remembered that I still haven't eaten yet, but I'm not that hungry so I just let him finish the food.
He had just brush his teeth and we are now on on the mini living room-like area here in my unit.
"Thank you very much for that food. You're so kind. How I can pay you for that? Tell me." He then smiled again.
"You don't have to. Just take that as a treat or welcome gift."
"But I want to return the favor. So tell me, how much or in what way can I repay you?" He's about to take out his wallet from his pocket when I stop him. I don't really expect a return from him. I did that for I really want to help.
"Listen, it's really okay. You don't have to do this. I don't need money, just keep it." I hold his arm to stop him from getting his wallet.
"In that case.." Lance said. He grabbed my hand and I was completely in shocked for what he did.
He kissed me. He kissed me on the lips.
"I like you, Rafael."
- Writer
