Part 16
985 Words
“ Don’t get ahead of yourself there “
When her groceries are all packed up, Mirza helps her back into the Escalade.
“ Just so you know, I’ll make sure Dito pays for that night “
“ Mirza.. Can we just ignore Dito? “
“ No. Not after what he did “
“ I just want to forget about the night, Mirza “
“ I’m sorry that happened to you, Kirania. More than I can say “
He reaches over with a trembling hand and laces his fingers into hers. “ Thank you, Mirza. I appreciate it “
“ Don’t mention it, Kirania “ he smiles at her. She smiles back. He struggling to say something, opening and closing his mouth several times.
“ Yes? “
“ I need to tell you something important “
***
Mirza has just told her that he needs to tell her something important. Kirania waits for him to speak, thrown by his nervous expression.
“ I..I, uh, really care about you. More than anyone I’ve ever cared about in my life “
Kirania freeze in shock, her mind feeling. She has at a complete loss for words. “ Kirania? Earth to Kirania “ she just stares at him, still dumbfounded.
“ Are you going to say anything? “
“ Um… Really “
“ Yeah. What about you? “
“... same “
For the first time, Mirza’s cheeks flush crimson. Flustered, he quickly looks away.
Maybe I should change the subject.
“ Let me at least pay you back for the groceries “
“ What? No. I would never accept your money. Ever “
“ Why not? “
“ It’s no good to me “
“ Is that because … you think I’m beneath you? “
“ Ha! One day, I’d like you to be “
“ Be serious, Mirza “
“ Kirania. Just drop it, okay? The two of them fall into an uneasy silence. It stretches on. She watches as the Escalade takes a winding exit off a highway ramp, her mind a million miles away.
This is unbearable. I need to break the silence. “ So, uh. Where are we going, again? “
“ The mall “
“ Which mall? “
“ The only mall that we can go to “ just as he says that, the Escalade pulls up in front of a massive duplex.
She both head into the mall. When she passes the sliding doors, Mirza grabs at her hands. She pulls her hand out of his grip and swats him away. Mirza’s face falls.
“ My hands are sweaty “
“ Right. Sure. Let’s just go “ as she walks past the food court, she notices Mirza’s security detail following her. Mirza notices her staring at his guards.
“ Taken a fancy to them? “
“ Mirza… we don’t need security to shop “
“ I need security to do everything, my naive little farm girl. And when you’re with me, you do, too “ he’s smiling, but his tone is firm. Seconds later, she notices the row of shops Mirza is leading her to.
Prada, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior. I can’t afford these!
“ Do they have a secondhand store here or something “
“ A secondhand store? Secondhand? You’re asking about a freaking used clothing store?
“ Okay. You can stop repeating it now “
“ Just out of curiosity, where would you want to go? “
“ Um.. a department store. Something like Target. It was the only store my grandma ever liked “
“ Sorry, Kirania. But even if your grandma came back to life in Target, I wouldn’t take you there “
Still chuckling to himself, Mirza guides her toward the Prada store. She catches a glimpse of an exquisite, silk-embroidered white gown in the window.
“ Um… this is too fancy “
“ I’ll take fancy over secondhand any day “
“ I guess… “
“ Don’t fuss, Kirania just sit back and enjoy the ride “ she follows Mirza into the Prada store, gazing at the offerings on display.
“ Don’t tell me. Did you prefer the grocery store? “
“ This is amazing “
“ You are amazing “
“ Where should we start? “
“ Let’s get you some clothes “ Mirza leads her to the rack section, but her eyes are instinctively drawn to the silk dress on display. Mirza notices what she has stared at and grins.
“ You’d look like a supermodel wearing that dress. Do you want it? “
Oh God, yes.
“ Oh God, no “
“ Are you sure? “
“ Let’s keep looking “
Mirza surreptitiously nods at the salesperson, who quickly walks away. A moment later, she returns with the silk gown, another dress on display, and an off-the-rack outfit.
“ Mirza! “
“ I know you better than that, Kirania. You’re picking one of these “
Mirza guides her into the dressing room, closing the door behind her both.
“ It’s $500 “
“ Let’s than the silk one “
“ And still too expensive! “
“ It’s Prada, Kiranial what did you expect? “
“ Not going bankrupt “
“ No one is going bankrupt. I told you, I’m paying for it “
“ I can’t repay you for this, Mirza “
“ Seeing you wearing the dress is repayment enough “
“ Oh? And when, exactly, am I supposed to wear the dress? “
“ I’m sure we’ll think of an opportunity “
- Writer
