Maraming dumaan, panahon ay lumipas.

Sa pagpinta ng liwanag sa kalangitan, may bagong bukas ang naghihintay.

Ito ang simula ng pagtuklas sa inihain ng tadhana.

Alliana

It was an ordinary morning.

I was busy checking the cupboards when I heard a notification from my phone— it was Axl. 

Hindi ko kasi siya sinabihan na babalik na ako sa Manila. Malapit na mag start ang classes for the new semester and I was getting too bored at home, so I decided it was best to come back earlier to prepare for the semester.

He was busy with engagements that I don’t wanna be involved in and I was all cooped up in my room anyway so I did what I always do— leave.

Pakiramdam ko isa pang araw na magtagal ako sa bahay na ‘yon, I’m gonna be crazy.

I smirked at Axl’s dramatic text messages. 

He complains about us not bonding when he tries to annoy me every single time he can when we are home. I don’t understand his antics right now, eh pwede naman niya akong puntahan anytime sa unit. Mahilig lang talaga siyang magdrama like it’s his personality.

I wonder how he got all of it because I swear hindi ako katulad niya kahit kambal kami.

X: Paano na ang bonding natin? 🙁

A: We stayed under one roof for weeks. We bonded enough.

A: Plus, I had plans with someone too

X: We shared a womb for 9 months, A. Tapos ngayon ang cold mo na...

X: Teka— Sino ‘yang someone na ‘yan?

I knew that tone and as soon as I closed my phone, nagsunod sunod na ang notifications ko mula sa kanya. Nangungulit lang. 

Bahala siya. I’ll deal with him next time. 

I was double checking our unit’s grocery stocks to see what else we need to buy. Ang hirap kasi pag walang stock ng food kahit for 2 weeks worth kasi minsan biglang dumadagsa yung mga bagyo.

Ang bilis pa naman bahain dito sa area.

My phone lit up, making me glance at the screen. Nakita ko ang preview ng latest message ni Axl.

X: Jowa mo ba ‘yan?

Where did that even come from??? I’m not even interested in anyone, or in romance. Ang dami kong ginagawa at iniisip, idadagdag ko pa ba ‘yun?

I grabbed my phone and sent a quick text.

A: You’re delusional. I’m busy. Bye.

At times like this, DND is my friend.

I went back to organizing stuff in our unit.

“Ah right– the instant noodles.” I jotted down on my list.

Hindi ako mahilig sa instant noodles because it’s full of preservatives. But Allister said she needs it for her all-nighters so it’s on the list.

I don’t know if she should do that combo, plus the cups of coffee she makes… That’s unhealthy.

I hear the faint groan and stretching grunt from the bedroom. Speaking of the devil.

I continued writing down on my little paper as I heard Allister sleepily walking out from the bedroom, dragging her fluffy slippers as she walked.

It’s not that I’m observing her every move. Masyado lang talagang tahimik for me to hear anything else.

Allister’s steps headed to the bathroom to do her morning routine. Lumipat ako sa may ref and crouched down to check the other things we lack. Dapat ata pinalitan ko na ng mas malaking ref yung nandito sa unit.

I didn’t really bring anything back from home except some new clothes. Marami kasing malapit na grocery and convenience stores para magdala pa ako ng maraming gamit sa unit. Plus, I had to check with Allister as well since she does bring some stuff na padala ng parents niya. Baka wala na kaming paglagyan.

Fridge stuff to buy:

I silently tapped my pencil against the paper, thinking what else I forgot. Should I buy meat? Ako siguro ang magluluto (well, that’s a given) para hindi kami puro processed food.

“...morning.” I heard Allister’s soft voice. Tumingingala ako from where I was sitting and saw her just standing at the side, looking at me with a fresh face, sleepy eyes and a derpy smile.

“Good morning. Water?” I assumed kasi nakatayo pa rin siya sa may ref. Kinuha ko ang isang water bottle at inabot sa kanya, which she thanked me for.

She went on to make a cup of coffee for herself and drink the rest of the water. Ganito lang kami madalas sa umaga— tahimik and just minding our own stuff, which I liked.

I get up early for my morning workouts and snack while she usually sleeps in na para bang puyat siya kahit wala pa naman talagang pasok. Siguro she’s savoring those moments na nakakatulog pa siya (which I should, too), kasi for sure, ilang gabi na naman siyang magpupuyat, habang madidistract ako sa mga lipsync (or failed attempt at hushed singing) concerts niya at the late hours of the night.

Thinking about it… it’s not that bad. Masasanay na siguro ako kasi I experienced a whole semester of it.

I guess that’s how she spikes up her creativity for her works.

Tumayo na ako at sinara ang fridge. Mukhang okay naman na ang mga nilista ko. I just have to confirm the others with my roommate.

“Hey, Arki.”

“Hmm?” She’s silently enjoying her coffee at the table.

“How many packs of instant noodles should we buy?”

“Okay na siguro ‘yung dalawa.”

2? That’s new. She usually says she needs more than that.

“You sure that’s enough?”

Tumango siya. “Bawasan ko raw sabi ni mama… Masama raw masanay sa ganon.”

She looked kinda sad about it but I do agree.

“With your lifestyle, medyo hindi nga siya healthy.”

“Matuto na raw dapat ako magluto… Pwede naman siguro akong mabuhay sa itlog.”

Allister…cooking? Unsupervised cooking? I’m a bit skeptical.

“Okay… How about meat?”

Allister awkwardly smiled.

“Ikaw na bahala. Hindi naman ako marunong magluto hehe…Pwede ko pagpraktisan pero sana handa ka kumain ng luto ng beginner.”

“Hmm.. we’ll see about that. Pero sige, I’ll include them for options.”

Not gonna lie, I’m worried about the practice of cooking but she probably needs to learn on her own. I’ll just watch from the sidelines (with the fire extinguisher, maybe).

A notification popped from my phone— it’s Bree.

B Lopez: Nasa bahay lang ako. Bakit?

I texted her earlier if she had any plans for