This Can't Be Love

Three Is A Crowd

Chapter 8: Three Is A Crowd

"Hey who are you?" Tanong ni Dom and the girl got up from her yoga mat and looked at Dom.

"You must be Dominique, Im Amy your new roommate." Amy said and pansin na pansin ni Dom at Sam yung accent ni Amy.

"New what?" Dom cant believe she'll have a roommate in a middle of a semester.

"Roommate..." Amy said looking confused.

"How?"

"Im foreign exchange? I just got here last night." Sabi ni Amy and Dom was about to say something but she heard Sam's voice.

"You can't... Im her roommate." Sabi ni Sam at di niya alam yung sinasabi niya, nagulat naman si Dom sa sinabi ni Sam. But all of Sam can think of right now was the thing Granny Dom told her.

Sam was snapped out of her trip on memory lane when she felt Dom drag her out of the door.

"Sam what are you talking about?" Dom asked her.

"I... I-I dont know okay? I just felt I need to do that." Sabi ni Sam and her heart beating so fast and Dom dont know even a single thing that's happening. Then Sam looked at the foreign exchange student again. "Im her... uhm... roommate"

"Sam!" Saway ni Dom pero si naglakad si Sam papunta kay Amy.

"Oh? So what do I have to do then?" Amy asked.

"Transfer rooms?" Sam felt Dom's hands on her arm and she swatted Dom's hand. "I can show you my ro-I mean your room." Litong lito si Dom sa ginagawa ni Sam, but Dom grab Amy's suitcase at sinundan kung saan pupunta si Sam.

Nang makita ni Dom na sa dorm room sila ni Sam at Ella pupunta , Dom grab Aubrey's hand and jog towards Sam as Amy came tailing behind them.

"Sam... Wha-"

"Dom shut up..." sabi ni Sam bago pa man din matapos yung sasabihin niya. They reached the door and Sam opened the door and saw her bestfriend inside

"Hi Besh and fami-Oh hi?" Ella greeted them, including Amy. "What's happening?" Ella asked and hindi sumagot si Sam, then Ella looked at Dom for answer but Dom just shrug dahil hindi niya din alam kung ano yung nangyayari.

Sam looked at Amy and guide her to her bed.

"This is your bed.." Sam said "That's the fridge, study table and everything... Okay?"

"Yeahhh... I think?" Amy sits down and Dom shakes her head out of confusion, Ella drags Sam outside shut the door and left Dom, Amy and Aubrey inside.

"Besh... Care to explain?" Tanong ni Ella and Sam looked around and then said.

"Besh... Nagusap kami sa future ni Dom, yung matandang Dom, she told me na magkakagirlfriend siya bago maging kami. And guess what?"

"What?"

"That girl is 'the girlfriend'..." sabi ni Sam and Ella's mouth shaped an 'O' "See? I won’t let that happen..."

"Uhm Besh? Dont you think it’s a bit too controlling? I mean... May boyfriend ka."

"But that’s supposed to happen... May boyfriend talaga ako"

"And so Dom being with Amy..." sabi ni Ella and Sam looked at her incredulously.

"Besh really?! Now Im questioning your loyalty." Sam said with finality air quoting loyalty.

"Paranoid much?" Sabi ni Ella and Sam took a very deep exhale. "But seriously? Tingin ko gusto mo lang makasama si Dom and bago ka magsalita, okay lang sa akin yun. Alam ko namang secret crush mo si Dom eh."

"Secret crush?"

"Oh please... Sa akin ka pa magsisinungaling? Of all people. You think she's hot."

"Whatever..." sabi ni Sam as she rolled her eyes. "Besh... Sorry talaga."

"Its okay. I understand." Sabi ni Ella and they hugged. At pag pasok nila straight face nanaman si Sam and she grab Aubrey at tumingin kay Dom.

"Let's go?" Sam ordered "Babalikan ko na lang yung gamit ko."

Dom waved goodbye to Amy that gain a dagger look from Sam. Nagpaalam na din si Dom kay Ella.

Pagdating nila sa dorm room inayos ni Dom yung gamit nila ni Aubrey at di pa din nagsasalita si Sam kaya hinayaan na lang siya ni Dom.

"Mama?" Aubrey called Dom and Dom looked at her.

"Gutom ka na no?" Dom asks the kid and Aubrey nods. Then Dom closed her closet and looked at Sam. "Sam? Gutom ka na ba?"

"Not really..."

"Do you want to go on a lunch with us?"

"Okay lang..."

"Sam when you're answering me with less than ten words.." Dom started and Sam looks at her."It scares me..."

"Im sorry, okay nagugutom na ko. Let's talk this over lunch? Shall we?" Sabi ni Sam and Dom smiled, naglunch sila.

Habang kumakain sila, Dom and Aubrey ordered their big meals and Sam ate her usual salad. But before they got to finished Sam's phone rings and sinabi niya kay Toni yung nangyari kaya Sam was told na makipagkita kay Toni.

"Sorry Dom..." sabi ni Sam and Dom nods.

"Ahm kung makakasabay ka sa amin ni Aubrey magdinner sabihan mo lang ako.." sabi ni Dom. "Can I get your number? Para macontact kita?" As Dom asked the question, Sam's face turns red

"Wow Dominique Valdez is hitting on me..." sabi ni Sam at naupo muna siya as Aubrey watch her young parents having a moment. Binigay ni Sam yung phone number niya as she continues to blush. Napansin naman yun ni Dom so she asked Sam again.

"So Dinner later?"

"Uhm... Okay sure."

"Well uhm you show up at Jerry's tonight around 7 and if I don't find hotter girls to go on a dinner with Bree and me, I might show up." Sabi ni Dom ending it with a wink. Aubrey smiled shyly as she nods looking at her mom.

"Mahangin ka talaga no?" Tanong ni Sam at tumayo na siya as she grab her bag and kissed Aubrey. "See you baby..." sabi ni Sam and she waved good bye at Dom and walked out. Paglabas naman ni Sam, Aubrey gave Dom a high five.

"So... Anong gusto mong gawin?" Tanong ni Dom kay Bree.

"Can we go to Auntie Ella's room?"

"Ah? Oh sige." Sabi ni Dom at inayos niya yung mga laman ng bag ni Aubrey, in other words nirefill niya yung candy pouch ni Aubrey. They walk on the silent hallway dahil masa vacation pa din yung iba. They knocked on the door at pinagbuksan sila ni Ella.

"Bree-bree hellooo!!!" Ella greeted them and hugged Bree tight at pumasok naman si Dom.

"Nice to see you too Ells..." sabi ni Dom and Ella gave her a smirk.

"Hehe sorry cute cute kasi nitong batang to" sabi ni Ella and she carried Aubrey to her bed as Amy watch them intently. Dom gave her a shy smile and she smile back.

"Auntie Ella? Can I have mommy's juice?" Tanong ni Aubrey and Ella nods. Pag upo ni Dom sa tabi ni Ella pinpanuod lang nila yung bata.

"So... Miss Popular, kamusta kayo ng bestfriend ko?" Tanong ni Ella as she wriggle her brow.

"Well... She's not that terrible..." sabi ni Dom in between her giggles as Ella nods in agreement. "No, but seriously she's been wonderful so far."

"Uh-huh... Wonderful?"

"We're just friends..."

"But 'Just Friends' dont look at each other like that..." sabi ni Ella and Dom gave her a heavy stare... then let out a deep sigh.

"Ewan... you know, all I want out of life is a bit of happiness and peace, that's all."

"Easy... Ehdi wag ka nang mean sa ibang tao."

"Ella... that was sooo four years ago." Sabi ni Dom and she checked Aubrey who's been talking to Amy then bumalik na siya sa pakikipagusap kay Ella. "Easy for you to say, alam mo namang Im pretty much the master of handling things competely wrong... Kaya di na ko magtataka kung one time pag gising ko I already f****d everything up..."

"Well one thing's for sure... you f*****g everything up includes my uptight bestfriend, soooo good for you." Sabi ni Ella and Dom laugh that caught Amy and Aubrey's attention.

"Oh sorry..." sabi ni Dom and Aubrey run to her lap at nagpakalong. "So..." Dom started looking at Amy. "Why came here in the middle of the sem?"

"Just want to see the campus months before summer sem starts..." sabi ni Amy. "Its pretty big."

"It is... So what are you taking?"

"Fine arts?"

"Really? You draw and stuff?" Dom asked and Amy nod. "Cool!" Dom opened her bag and grab some flyers. "Check out our org, Art Strong. Ella and I belong to that really cool org." Sabi ni Dom and Amy took the piece of paper.

"Thanks I'll totally check this out..." sabi ni Amy and Dom nods.

They spent the whole afternoon watching new released movies at naenjoy naman ni Aubrey around 4pm bumalik na si Aubrey at Dom sa room nila at dinala na yung ibang gamit ni Sam. They took a nap and woke up when Sam entered the room.

"Oh god.." Dom muttered and look at her clock. Its already 8:30. "Shit.. Sam?"

"You two been sleeping here habang naghihintay ako dun?" Sam asked and Dom slowly got out of bed to not wake Aubrey.

"Sam oh my gosh Im so sorry..."

"I thought you really did found hotter girls to date."

"Wait what?" Dom asked in confusion. "Hindi ka galit?"

"Dahil natulog kayo? Nope. Pero pinagutuman mo si Bree..." sabi ni Sam and Dom pouts. "But its okay, Im gonna prepare Dinner, any special request?" Sam asked while smiling.

"None in particular.. Surprise me" Dom said and wink at Sam. Samantha giggled and blushed.

"I’m gonna cook a crocodile for you... Is that okay?" Sam teased and Dom looked at her with a smirk.

"Are we flirting?" Dom asked and Sam blushed.

"No!" Sam said defensively. "Gisingin mo na mamaya si Bree ah? Bababa lang ako titingnan ko kung may stock pa ako sa pantry..."

"Okay... Mag ingat ka." Sabi ni Dom and Sam nods while biting her lower lip to keep her from smiling. After 30minutes nakabalik na si Sam at nakita niyang pabalik na din si Dom at Aubrey galing sa girl's bathroom.

"Hey bree-bree...." Sam called at tumalikod si Aubrey para tingnan siya at tumakbo papunta sakanya. Binigay ni Sam kay Dom yung ginawa niya. "Mainit yan Dom..."

"Muka nga..." sabi ni Dom at sinundan niya na si Sam at Aubrey na papunta sa room nila. Sam opened the door for her and Dom muttered a silent 'thanks' they grab plates at kumain ng Mac N' Cheese na ginawa ni Sam. Tumayo si Dom para kumuha ng tubig sa ref and Sam smiled.

"Look at us being adult-y..." sabi ni Sam and Dom looked at her.

"Yes, I am very adult-y... Look?" Sabi ni Dom as she opened the bottled water for Sam and jab the straw to Aubrey's milk. Sam and Aubrey giggled.

"Ang pagbubukas mo ng tubig?"

"Yes!"

"Okay okay...Thank you..." sabi ni Sam at uminom na din siya, then napansin niya ang saya saya ni Aubrey. "So... Anong ginawa ng little princess ko?" Sam asked Aubrey.

"Natulog lang naman ako..." pabirong sagot ni Dom and Aubrey shot her a glare.

"Mama Im the princess!" Sabi ni Aubrey at tumayo siya sa kama at nilagay niya yung bowl ng mac n cheese sa ibabaw ng kama ni Sam. She stood up and looked at Sam. "Mommy diba Im the princess?"

"Yes baby..." sabi ni Sam as she pulled the kid down to sit but she didn't, instead she looked at Dom.

"Akala ko kasi you're my little ninja..." sabi ni Dom and the two of them saw Aubrey's face scrunch a bit and pouts, she nods and smile.

"Oo nga no..." Aubrey muttered and smile. "Well I am both..."

"No, you can't..." sabi ni Dom.

"Yes, I can!!!" Aubrey shouted louder.

"You can't!"

"I can!" Sabi ni Aubrey and she looked at her mommy for help pero nakita niyang nakangiti lang si Sam.

"Can't!" Dom said habang tumatawa dahil namumula na yung muka ni Aubrey

"CAN!!!!" Aubrey shouted and Dom was about to come back at Aubrey pero sinaway na siya ni Sam.

"Dom tama na, pati bata pinapaptulan.." sabi ni Sam.

"Okay okay you won..." Dom said in defeat kay Aubrey and Bree stick her tongue out towards her mama and she kissed her mommy's cheek leaving a trace of cheese sa pisngi ni Sam.

"Wow... ang cheesey..." sabi ni Dom as Sam let Aubrey kiss her. "If you know what I mean..."

"Hay naku wala ka talagang masabing maganda no?" Sam told Dom. "So what did you do huh?" Sam said looking at Bree.

"Nanuod po kami ng movie ni Auntie Ella..." sabi ni Aubrey.

"Nagsine kayo?" Sam asked Dom.

"Huh? Hindi. Pumunta kami sa dorm room niyo. Gusto kasi ni-"

"Pumunta kayo? Sa dorm room namin ni Besh?!"

"Uhhh yes?"

"Bakit?"

"Bree wants to go-"

"Kinausap mo siya?"

"Sino?"

"Yung bagong roommate ni Besh?"

"Oo naman..." sabi ni Dom. "Bakit naman hindi? Actually mabait siya-"

"Remember when I asked you for your opinion? Yeah, me neither." Sabi ni Sam and Dom raised an eye brow.

"Sam you're asking me, sinasagot lang kita. You're really acting strange simula nung bumalik tayo... What's up with you?" Dom asked Sam as she collect their bowls para hugasan.

"Nothing..." sabi ni Sam and she helped Aubrey brush her teeth on the sink.

Then silence filled the room pag labas ni Aubrey at Sam para magpalit ng evening clothes nila. Dom got out of the room after maghugas ng kinainan nila at nakasalubong niya yung dalawa na pabalik na.

She stopped when she saw Sam wearing a nigjt dress.

"Wow Lazaro... you look stunning." Sabi ni Dom and hindi niya alam kung bakit nasabi niya yun, but to hell with that, Sam blushed.

Very subtle Sam... wow. My body us betraying me!

"Thanks..." sabi Sam and still not in a mood to talk at Dom para hindi na maungkat pa yung issue niya kay Amy.

"Sam are you sure you're okay?"

"Im fine..."

"Oh my god the world is coming to an end Miss Jabber mouth doesnt wanna talk..." sabi ni Dom and Aubrey walk to her mom and hugged her by the hips.

"Mommy are you okay?" Aubrey asked, take note that these Family drama was happening in the middle of the hallway.

"Im okay..." sabi ni Sam and she carried Aubrey and the girl wrapped her arms around her mommy's neck for a tight hug. Aubrey looked at Dom winked at her mama. Dom walk towards them and joined the group hug. Sam let out a deep sigh and smile.

"Oh? Okay ka na?"

"Yes..." sabi ni Sam and she smiled. "Sige na magpalit ka na, nang sabay sabay na tayong matulog."

Dom hurried on the CR to change at pagbalik niya Sam was on her phone talking to you-know-who habang si Aubrey naman nakahiga na sa kama ni Sam pero gising na gising pa.

"Who's that?" Dom asked, just to make sure.

Si Toni. Sam mouthed the words then Dom heard an 'I love you too' before Sam dropped the call.

Dom walk silently papunta sa kama niya habang inaayos niya yung kumot niya.

"Mommy..." the two heard the little girl. "Is it that guy again?"

"Yes honey. Why? Hindi mo ba siya gusto?" Sam asked Aubrey.

"Uhm..." Aubrey hummed then look to her mama then to her mommy. "Hindi ko po maintindihan yung muka niya." Dom snorted a laugh and shut her eyes and Sam's face filled woth shock.

"Dom ano bang tinuturo mo sa batang to?" Sam's immediatel question to the taller girl.

"Wala akong tinuturo diyan..." sabi ni Dom and Sam looked at Aubrey. Then Aubrey gave her a nod.

"Yes mommy, hindi po yun sinabi ni mama sa akin." Sabi ni Aubrey. "I just thought he has a weird face."

"What?!" Sam asked her kid, hindi niya naman magawang magalit.

"Does he really have big eyes? Bakit ganon? Para siyang laging may hinahanap. Dilat na dilat po mata niya." Sabi ni Aubrey and Sam pouts.

"Bree-bree that's bad, hindi dapat ikaw nagjajudge ng tao base on his or her appearance..." sabi ni Sam and she looked Dom.

"So.. Bakit siya tumawag?" Tanong ni Dom.

"He wanted to spend New years eve with me..." sabi ni Sam and Dom just nod and lie down on her bed. "Oh? Bakit ang tahimik mo?"

"Dont judge me, no one plans a murder out loud..." sabi ni Dom and she closed her eyes. Sam smiled when she heard a bit of jealousy in Dom's voice. Sam lie down hugged Aubrey and drifted to sleep.