Lo amo Series 1

I.

"Are you sure you don't want the condo?" Mom asked me while I'm busy packing my things.

"Yes Ma. Masyadong malayo yung condo sa school ko. Hassle lang yun. I'll be fine with the dorm near the school." I assured her. Tumango naman siya bago lumabas sa kwarto ko.

Ambilis ng panahon, 'di pa talaga nag sisink-in sa 'kin na mag cocollege na 'ko sa lunes. Malayo ang school sa bahay kaya napagdesisyunan kong mag dorm nalang since iyon ang pinaka-convenient na choice.

Actually, I did intentionally picked a school that is somewhere far because for once I want to be independent. I didn't pick that school just to get rid of my parents, it's just I want to prove something to them. I want to show them that I can stand on my own, well not literally 'on my own' because I still need my parents financial support after all. Gusto ko lang patunayan na kaya ko ng alagaan ang sarili ko. Yun lang.

I know mom is against my decision but she still didn't stop me from doing it, so I took it as a yes from her. That goes to show how she loves me.

Pagkatapos kong mag impake ay agad akong natulog para maaga akong magising. Kinabukasan madaling araw palang ay gising na 'ko. I prepared anything that I need to bring. This is it! I'm starting to live with my own choices and decisions now.

Bago paman ako lumabas ng kwarto ay umupo muna ako sa gilid ng kama para pagmasdan ang kabuo-an ng kwarto ko.

"I will surely miss this room" I murmured. For a moment I sounded so lonely, I shook my head because of that. It's not like I'm gonna be away forever. Uuwi naman siguro ako paminsan-minsan.

"Damon? Let's go. You're going na." I heard my mom's voice outside.

I instantly stepped outside my room just to saw mom waiting for me. She plastered a small smile on her lips after seeing me.

"You're growing too fast..." She fixed the collar of my shirt. "You'll be okay there? Right?" She worriedly asked.

"Ofcourse mom. I'll be okay."

Mom had always been a hands on mom. She's very overprotective towards me pero not to the point na nasasakal na 'ko. She's letting me do things that I wanted to do before but it always come with restrictions and I'm very okay with that, as long as it's for my own good.

I know she's worried but I'm happy that she's letting me explore things all alone now. Hindi narin naman ako bata kaya hinayahaan na nila akong magdesisyun para sa sarili ko, it's part of growing up anyway.

Pinahiran ko ang namumuong luha sa mga mata niya bago nagsalita. "Ma, mag kokolehiyo lang po ako. 'Di pa po ako mamatay" Pagbibiro ko.

She slapped my left arm. "Tarantado ka talaga!" As expected, mom overreacted at my joke. I can't help but laugh at her reaction.

I'll miss mom more than anything and anyone here.

Bumaba naman kami agad nang tinawag na kami ni dad. Some maid help me carry my luggage. Dalawang maleta lang din naman ang dala ko para hindi ako mahirapan pagdating dun.

"Take care of yourself, Damon" I looked at my dad who is now tapping my back.

I cleared my throat before talking. "Yes dad. I will." I smiled at him.

My dad is more authoritative but he's less strict compared to my mom. He's not that affectionate but I know for a fact that he loves me. I will also miss him.

"Mom, Dad. Aalis na po ako." I told them.

Nandito na kami sa tapat ng bahay. Naka ready na ang sasakyan at mga gamit ko. I just need to bid goodbye to my parents before I left.

Niyakap ako ni mom at yumuko ako nang konti dahil bigla niyang hinawakan ang mukha ko gamit ang dalawa niyang kamay. "Mag-iingat ka dun..." She kissed my cheeks. "I'll miss you"

Lumapit si dad sa 'kin at niyakap niya din ako. "Go make us proud, Son" He meaningfully said while tapping my back.

Pagkatapos kong magpaalam naglakad na 'ko papunta sa kotse. Kumaway at ngumiti muna ako sa kanila bago ako sumakay sa loob ng sasakyan.

"Tara na Manong" I told our driver.

It took us 6 hours to reach the dorm near the school. It was a two storey dorm and it was painted in white. Hindi siya masyadong malaki pero hindi din naman siya maliit. Makikita mo rin ang school sa di kalayuan.

Tinulungan ako ni manong na ibaba ang dalawang maleta ko na nasa compartment ng kotse.

"Salamat manong..." I thanked him. "Pwede na po kayong umalis. Ako nalang ang papasok sa loob."

"Samahan ko na kayo sir." I expected that answer. Mom probably told him to follow me until I'm settled in a room.

Napailing nalang ako. "Wag na kuya. Salamat" I held his back. Pilit ko siyang pinatalikod at itinulak palapit sa pinto ng kotse. "Sige na kuya. Alis na po kayo."

Pumasok naman siya sa loob. "Sure kayo sir?" He asked, still hesitant.

Tumango-tango ako sakanya. "Opo kuya. Sure po"

Napangisi naman ako nang nagsimula ng magmaneho si manong papalayo. I guess I'm finally alone. Just like I've always wanted.

Pumasok ako agad para hanapin ang land lady. Naglakad ako sa hallway at may nakita akong matandang babae, siya na ata yung land lady. May kausap siyang lalake na halos kasing edad ko lang siguro.

"Anong sadya na'tin hijo?" Tanong ng matandang babae nang makita niya akong papalapit dahilan para mapalingon ang lalakeng kausap niya kanina.

"I'm looking for the land lady" I answered.

"Ako ang land lady dito hijo. Naghahanap ka ng dorm?" She asked so I nodded. "Naku! Wala ng vacant eh. Occupied na lahat."

Napakunot ang noo ko. "Po? Kahit isa lang?" I desperately asked.

Fuck it! I should've come here atleast a week earlier. I sent our driver home so if wala na talagang room dito kailangan ko pang mag commute sa ibang dorm or boarding house. Sana nga lang may ibang malapit na dorm dito.

"Wala na talaga. Naghahanap nga din siya." She pointed the guy.

"Wala nabang ibang dorm malapit dito?" I asked.

"Mayroon naman pero balita ko puno na rin 'yung iba" Aniya.

I guess I'm gonna stay in our condo. I don't have a choice. It's far but it's better than living in the streets. Gigising nalang ako ng maaga para di ako ma-late.

I was about to call my mom when the land lady suddenly talked. "May pina-uupahan akong bahay. Pwede kayo dun total parehas naman kayong lalake." Napalingon kaming dalawa sakanya.

"Malapit lang?" The guy asked.

"Oo, nasa subdivision sa kabilang kanto"

"Can we see it?" I asked. Obviously my hope was high.

"Oo. Tara samahan ko kayo." I immidiately followed her together with the guy.

Sinundan namin ang land lady. Nahirapan pa ako sa paghila ng dalawang maleta na dala ko.

"Do you need help?" The guy asked while he's behind me.

Nilingon ko siya. "No bro. Okay lang. Thanks" I refused his offer.

He nodded like he was not buying what I said. "Okay."

Nakarating kami sa isang puting bahay. It was a white modern house. Actually, I was expecting an old house but I was wrong. This house actually looks good, the interior probably looks good also.

"Tara pasok tayo sa loob" The land lady offered.

My lips parted as I saw the interior of the house. Damn! It's good, it was beyond my expectation.

There's a sala with a 42 inch flat screen tv, a table, and a set of couches. May dining area din at mayroon ding dalawang kwarto. The size of this house is enough for two people.

"Okay lang ba na kayong dalawa dito?" The land lady asked us.

"Yeah" I answered.

Tumango naman ang lalakeng kasama namin. "As if I have a choice" I heard him whisper. Hindi ko na lang ito pinansin.

We started talking about the rent, the bills, and some agreements. Medyo mahal ang renta at kami rin ang magbabayad ng bills pero hindi na importante yun basta may matirhan lang ako.

"Kumpleto na ang mga gamit dito, lahat pwede niyong gamitin basta wag lang masira" Manang bojie, the land lady informed us. "Eto yung susi. Dalawa yan" Isa isa niyang inabot sa'min ang susi.

She talked about some stuffs about the house before she bid goodbye and left.

"Anong kwarto sa'yo" I asked him while dragging my luggage.

"Kahit ano" Walang pake niyang sabi.

"I'll have that one" I pointed the room on the right side. Tumango naman siya.

Aalis na sana ako pero naalala kong di ko pa pala alam ang pangalan niya. "I'm Damon" I offered my hand.

He accepted my hand. "Zico nga pala"

Just when I thought I'm going to live alone.

My first week in college was hell tiring. Mabuti nalang talaga at malapit lang ang inu-upahan ko kaya di na ako napapagod sa pagco-commute. Matahimik rin sa bahay dahil di naman masyadong nagsasalita yung kasama ko. Atleast he's not disturbing me or anything.

"Class dismissed." Our professor announced.

Thank god! Our last class for this week is done.

I stretched my arms while groaning before standing up. I want to fucking sleep. I'm still adjusting that's why I'm so drained and worked up. Mahirap talagang mag-isa pero kakayanin ko, ginusto ko rin naman 'to.

Agad akong naglakad papuntang bahay nang makalabas na ako sa school gate.

I was walking peacefully not until I heard something. "Pota!" I held my chest when I heard a loud horn from a motorcycle.

Nilingon ko ang motor na nakahinto na sa gilid ko. What the hell is wrong with this guy?!

The guy slowly removed his helmet. My brow rose up when I saw his face. It's Zico, yung kasama ko sa bahay.

"Nagulat ba kita?" He looked guilty.

I slightly laughed at his reaction. "Sort of. Mabuti nalang kilala kita but if you're someone I don't know I would literally punch your face for scaring the hell out of me." I said using a playful tone.

He laughed. "That's harsh..." tumikhim siya bago nagsalita ulit. "Uuwi kana?"

"Yeah" I said while nodding my head slightly.

"Sabay ka na sa'kin" He offered and ofcourse I accepted it.

Sumakay agad ako sa motor niya. Umurong naman siya nang kaunti paharap para bigyan ako ng espasyo.

"Okay na?" He asked.

"Oo, okay na" I answered. After that he drove the motorcycle smoothly.

He was a good driver, I could say. I wish I know how to drive a motorcycle. I wasn't able to learn how to drive since my mom doesn't allow me, she was overthinking na baka ma-aksidente daw ako sa daan. Ganun nalang ba ako ka-tanga sa mga mata niya?

"Salamat sa sakay" pasasalamat ko kay Zico nang makarating na kami sa bahay.

Tumango lang siya sa'kin habang pinaparada ang motor niya sa gilid ng bahay.

I instantly walked to my room to take a bath and after that I changed my clothes. Masakit ang ulo ko kaya humiga ako sa kama para magpahinga.

I can't count the times I hissed as I felt my head aching so bad. "Fuck!" Napamasahe nalang ako sa sentido ko.

Umay! Di tuloy ako makatulog dahil sa sakit. Ilang oras din akong nakatitig sa puting kisame ng kwarto ko bago may kumatok sa pinto.

Tumayo ako para buksan ang pinto. "Why?" Tanong ko kay Zico na nasa harap ko na.

"Nagluto ako" He answered.

Why is he telling me?

Share mo lang?

I wanted to say that but I choose not to.

Napakunot naman ang noo ko. "So?" I probably sound rude but I can't blame myself, masakit lang talaga ang ulo ko kaya medyo masama ang timpla ko ngayon.

His lips pursed after hearing what I said. "Tanga..." He laughed a bit. "syempre iniimbitahan kitang kumain. I cooked enough for the both of us. Don't worry."

"Di ko naman sinabing magluto ka nang marami." Reklamo ko sakanya.

"Just fucking go to the table and eat" sabi niya saka tumalikod. "Reklamador ampota" He added.

Mukhang nagalit ata. Sumunod nalang ako sakanya at umupo din sa harap ng mesa. Ayaw ko ng makipagtalo pa at baka lumala lang ang sakit ng ulo ko.

He looked mad but I wasn't worried or nervous, actually I enjoyed watching his annoyed face. Pikunin pala to, eh.

"Hey..." I called him. He immidiately looked at me. "I'm sorry for being rude. Masakit lang talaga ang ulo ko." I told him.

The expression of his face suddenly changed. "Are you okay?" Natigilan ako sa tanong niya.

All of a sudden I remembered my mom. I'm sure kung nandito si mom mag pa-panic na yun sa simpleng sakit ng ulo ko.

"I'm okay. It's just a headache, nothing serious" I assured him.

"Are you sure?"

He seemed really worried. Nakakapanibago lang since no one genuinely cared for me except my parents.

He's worried, huh? Why is that? I mean we're not even friends and we just literally met 6 days ago.

'Di ko namalayang napangiti na pala ako dahil sa mga iniisip ko. "I'm okay, anyway let's eat?" Aya ko sakanya.

"Wait, I'll just get the food" He said.

Tumayo siya saglit para kunin ang ulam. Pagbalik niya may dala na siyang mangkok na may sinigang.

"Wow! Sinigang" I exclaimed as he placed the bowl in the table. I tasted the sinigang and unbelievably it taste good. "Ikaw nagluto nito?" I asked him.

I saw him nod afterwards. "Masarap ba?"

"Oo. Masarap" I commended his sinigang. "Paborito ko 'to." I cheerfully said while putting rice on my plate.

My mom cooks the best sinigang in the world but Zico's sinigang actually taste good also, it's taste was close enough to my mom's recipe.

This is actually my first time eating something unprocessed this week. Puro lang kasi ako take outs at fastfood this week since 'yun lang ang madaling bilhin and besides hindi rin ako marunong magluto. No wonder why I felt so tired and fucked up. I guess I really need to learn how to cook some dishes, atleast the basic ones.

"Please slow down..." Zico said while we're eating. "you're eating too fast."

I just give him a thumbs up, after that I ate slowly.

Weird but he's acting like my mom. Mabait siguro tong si Zico, I mean obvious naman. Kahit nung unang kita ko pa lang sakanya I could really tell that he's a good man and I'm thankful for that. 'Di ko naman trip tumira kasama ang isang attitude, no.

"You should stop eating fast food... It's not good for you" Sabi niya habang nakahalumbaba sa mesa, pinapanood akong kumain.

He's quite observant, huh? Wala naman kasi akong choice, e. And why does it concern him? Hindi naman siya ang magkakasakit if ever.

Tumingin ako sakanya at medyo nagulat pa 'ko ng kaunti dahil seryoso siyang nakatingin sa'kin.

"I don't know how to cook..." I honestly told him. "okay na rin 'yun kaysa naman hindi ako kumain"

"It's not okay for me, though"

I arched my brow. "Pake mo?"

"Tayo lang dalawa dito sa bahay..." He stared at me with his dark eyes. "Sino sa tingin mo ang mag-aalaga sayo kung sakaling mag kasakit ka?" He asked, trying to make me realize something.

"Ako! Kaya ko naman ang sarili ko" I hope so. I will eventually learn how to take care of myself, for sure.

"I doubt that. You can't even cook for yourself" He teased me, obviously holding himself from laughing.

Anong nakakatawa? I was about to lash out but he suddenly walked towards his room. He came back and handed me a medicine.

"Inumin mo 'yan" Sabi niya pagkatapos ay naglakad siya sa sala para manood ng TV.

Dami ko ng utang na loob sa kumag na yun, ah.

I volunteered to wash the dishes since siya naman ang nagluto. Pagkatapos kong maghugas napagdesisyunan kong manood muna ng tv since wala namang pasok bukas.

"Ibang movie panuorin natin. I already watched that" Reklamo ko. He was watching Birdbox on Netflix.

"Hindi ko pa 'yan napapanood"

What? He haven't seen birdbox yet? Napaka outdated naman neto. Sobrang sikat ng movie na 'yan dati, eh.

"Wala akong pake" Kukunin ko na sana ang remote sa mesa pero naunahan niya ako. "Putang ina! ibigay mo sa'kin 'yan" Inis akong tumayo para kunin sakanya ang remote pero tumayo din siya at naglakad sa may pinto ng common cr.

"I got it first" He was pissing me off.

I walked closer to him but he raised his hands, not allowing me to get the remote. Sinubukan kong abutin 'yun pero mas matangkad siya sa'kin. I tiptoed but he suddenly walked backwards causing me to lose my balance. Natumba kaming dalawa dahilan para bumagsak ako sa ibabaw niya.

"Putang i-" I wasn't able to continue what I was going to say beacuse I felt his lips pressed on mine. Napatayo ako agad sabay hawak sa labi ko.

What the fuck! We kissed! My first kiss is a fucking guy!