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“M-me?”
His philosophy professor nodded.
Luis now finds himself in a predicament: Robert has been entrusted to him for the duration of the man’s stay in Ateneo. That’s alright, some of his batchmates and friends have also accompanied newbies in the university. He has also helped Pablo adjust to the university, being his senior. Except, it’s two years, as the foreign exchange student plans to stay until graduation. A really long stay for a foreign exchange program— Luis internally joked to call him a transferee at this point— but he stifles the thought.
“I thought he already had a dorm. He's been here for a while, surely he had one,” Luis wondered, trying to get more information.
The professor hummed, confirming his suspicions. He replied, “He did, but he told me he would like to move out of his current dorm for reasons. Besides, you're staying at the International Residence Hall, I figured it would be a good fit for him.”
Luis’ eyebrows furrowed. That’s not very helpful, but okay.
He remembers meeting the American recently, about a month ago at a Theo 12 class. Their professor briefly introduced him to the class. An attempt of warming him up to the new environment, it seems. A new student to the Mathematics department, a foreign student from Villanova University— other details are lost in the mix of academics and worries, but he does remember taking note of his reserved smile as he approaches the seats. Out of all the empty seats in the room, he took the one beside him.
“Hello,” Luis greeted him, his smile naturally emerging. “I’m Luis, from Pre-Divinity.”
He reciprocated his welcome, “Robert, from Mathematics. It’s nice to meet you, Luis.”
Before he knew it, those pleasantries and small discussions became intertwined in his daily life. Robert’s silent presence during his classes is a welcome one, despite minimal interactions, hushed to prevent interrupting the lesson. Luis would mentally compare their notes, with Robert's notes being extensive, written in small yet legible print handwriting. Meanwhile his own notes, at times he does take any, are condensed, focusing more on key words and phrases. His penmanship is barely readable due to multiple flatlines and compressed letters in his cursive.
Still, this is a big leap for the young man. A last ditch effort, Luis asked:
“Wala na bang iba?”
“Wala na.”
And that sealed his fate.
Luis thought that he left a good first impression, but he didn’t expect to have this much of an impact. Being roommates with someone is to be willing to show your vulnerable sides to the other person, whether you intend to do so or not. It takes a certain amount of trust you’re risking right at the start— the main reason why Luis opted to live solo, despite his dorm being made for two.
Luis relented, surrendering himself. Well, at least I have someone to share the bills with. He replied, “Alright, I’ll look after him.”
His professor smiled, satisfied with the conversation’s outcome. What he didn’t tell the young man is that Robert himself requested for Luis. A secret he would take to his grave.
The two later met up at the IRH entrance. Luis practically jumped out of his seat when he saw Robert passing through the glass door with luggage on his left hand and a duffle bag on his right. Luis walked towards the man, adjusting his glasses that got misplaced due to the sudden movement.
Luis greeted him with a smile before extending his hands. “Let me carry that for you,” he offered. Robert was bashful but he willingly gave him the handheld bag. Shortly after, they went to Luis’ dorm, with Luis leading the way and Robert following close behind. The quick walk was quiet, though not uncomfortable by any means. Robert couldn’t help but steal glances at the Filipino when he’s not looking, which was the majority of their walk.
They stopped in front of a wooden door. Luis dug into his pockets, trying to feel for his keys until his fingers could make out the metal item. He took it out and slotted the key into the doorknob. Hearing the lock click, he turns the knob.
Smiling to Robert, he started, “And here is my abode!— Oh.”
Right at their doorstep were remnants of the design-making Luis had to do for his organization. Few hesitant steps and they saw how the left side of the room was cluttered. The desk is a mess, papers and stationery items scattered across the wooden tabletop. His bed unmade with its bedsheet wrinkled and the blanket carelessly draped onto the pillows. If one didn’t know any better, one would think that a tornado passed by. Fortunately, the right side of the room is tidy, obvious how it was left untouched since the start of the semester. Robert let out a sigh before claiming his spot and placed his luggage beside the nightstand. Luis followed suit, placing the duffel bag just beside it.
Luis let out an awkward laugh, his cheeks slightly reddening in embarrassment. “Sorry— I forgot it was like... this,” Luis explained, pertaining to the state of the dormitory. Luis continued, “You can take a short walk around the vicinity while I clean this up.”
Robert interjected, “Oh, no, it’s alright. I understand, your schedule must be hectic.”
“I see. Thank you,” Luis sighed in relief.
Robert continued, “I will help you clean up.”
“Ah–”
Luis was startled at the sudden offer before frantically rambling, “No, no— It’s alright! It’s my mess in the first place and I want to welcome you in a neat dorm, you know?”
Robert lightly chuckled at his bashfulness, “I know, and I appreciate your hospitality, Chito, but this will be my dorm, too.”
Luis stopped with his rambles, rendered speechless by Robert for two different reasons: One, for his initiative to share the load, an unexpected kind gesture. Two, for the way he said his nickname. The name was one he heard his entire life, though the way he vocalized it felt like a breath of fresh air.
Noticing Luis zoning out, Robert continued. “I’m sorry, it slipped. I heard other people refer to you by that name, so is it alright if I call you Chito?”
A heartbeat. Luis soon snapped back into reality.
“Of course,” Luis replied, now adorned by his sunshine smile. “I’ll have to start calling you Bob, though,” he continued, joining it with a giggle.
Robert returned his warm smile, giving him a pleased grin, “That is fine by me.”
A moment passed before they started tidying up Luis’ side. Robert did most of the work, though Luis assisted him in every way he could. The older man finds the chore calming, the act bringing him personal satisfaction as the chaos gets sorted out one by one. The current predicament did bring him a wave of nostalgia, as it reminds him of his older brothers during the times they would clean the house. His lips tighten, suppressing the homesickness as much as he could.
With the last of the cardboard cutout placed inside a trash bag, Luis tied the plastic to seal it. Carrying two large trash bags, one for each, they left the dorm to take it downstairs.
“How do you live like this?” Robert asked, a playful jab at Luis’ lifestyle.
A chuckle before Luis answered, “I don’t. I survive.”
“Dear God…” Robert muttered under his breath before breaking into laughter. Luis joined him shortly after.
The sounds of their laughter echo across the hallway. A sound the building will hear in the next couple of years.