The Perfect Side of You (TAGALOG)

Chapter 8

Card

I really woke up early in the morning and prepared for today. I'm so excited and somehow nervous of what will happen the moment we reach the mall AND when I borrow some of their money to buy my bags. I will not talkshit to them. I will really pay what I'll borrow on them when my account's not freeze anymore which who-knows-when. But yeah, we're friends anyway so I'm not feeling a bit embarass of borrowing a little of their money.

"Hey!" Lexie greeted and kissed my cheek. I smiled and greeted them either. Reine kissed me on the cheeks too, waving her hand at me.

"Where will we go now? Let's grab some breakfast first!" aya ni Lexie. Tumango ako dahil mamaya pa naman ako bibili. If ever.

"What do you want to order from the menu, Genieva?" tanong sa akin ni Lexie na nagtitingin din sa menu.

"I'll just order cesar salad since I'm still full. And include Ice Tea na rin," tugon ko at tumango lamang siya, nagpatuloy sa pagpili ng umagahan niya at maging si Reine na nasa tabi ko lamang, may hawak ding menu.

I closed mine and just took out my nude lipstick to put some more on my lips. I then tied my hair up in a high ponytail.

Nang maka-order na at dumating na ang mga pagkain ilang minuto ang nakalipas, ay nag-simula na rin kaming kumain ng tahimik. I slid my phone inside my designer sling bag to focus my self on eating. I am not in a diet, okay? I already said that I'm already full. Besides, I don't need to do diet anymore since my body's already slim and fit enough for me.

"So.. did the two of you turned the other way around?" biglang bigkas ni Lexie. I raised my gaze at her and she was looking at me. She was now wiping the sides of her mouth as a teasing smirk flashed on her face.

"What? Who?" taka kong tanong at uminom sa Ice tea na in-order.

"Sino pa ba? Edi si Marco. Alangan naman si Greige diba," sagot niya na para bang I'm too dumb not to know about that.

I rolled my eyes and frowned. "I already said na hindi naman ako gusto no'n. Maybe he was just bored and he's now playing around me. Tsaka ayaw ko na sa kanya, Lexie. Please, stop that now."

Natatawang sumimsim siya sa tubig niya at tinango-tango ang ulo. "Okay. Pero hindi ba halata naman na gusto ka niya? Sino namang tanga ang susunod sa isang taong hindi naman nakuha ang interes niya?" pamimilit niya.

"Edi siya. Tanga siya," I replied and shrugged my shoulders. Her lips parted until a laugh escaped from her lips.

"My god, Genieva. Loka-loka ka talaga. You're unbelievable and so mean."

Umirap ako. "Eh totoo naman kasi. Ikaw na ang nagsabi na sino ang tanga na gagawa noon. Edi si Marco nga. Alangan namang si Greige diba?"

Sasagot na sana si Lexie ulit ng makisingit sa usapan si Reine. Malakas itong bumuntong-hininga . "Girls, eat muna tayo. Gusto ko na mag-gala," aniya at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Lexie bago tumango na lamang at ngumiti. Gusto na rin naman kasi naming mamasyal na. Balak ko kasing mamayang ten o' clock na lang this morning pumunta sa shop ng mga designer bags. I am really excited!

We just stroll around the mall, bought things for us like make-ups, dresses, shirts, stilletos, watches, necklaces. But I suddenly remembered my remaining money right now. I bit my lip and shut my eyes as my friends was just buying some ice cream on a stall in front of me. I just calculated inside my mind the total I shopped this day and I almost shiver when it  almost reached thirty-thousand! Napatakip ako sa bibig ko. Oh my god! Why didn't I think about it when I'm shopping a while ago? Oh my god!

The insides of me is crying right now. What should I do? I think.. a thousand or two na lang yata ang natira sa akin and yet, I still need to budget it for a week?! I didn't know how to do that! I usually spend a thousand daily hindi lang obvious!

"Genieva!" nagulat ako ng sigawan ako ni Lexie na nasa harapan ko na pala kasama si Reine na hawak-hawak na ang ice cream na binili nila. I blinked twice and cleared my throat.

"W—What?"

"Lutang ka ba? Sabi ko saan na tayo pupunta," my lips parted and the bags quickly invaded my mind.

"Let's go.." I mumbled before I lead the way to the store I dreamed about since last night.

"Oh my god!" I fakely exclaimed, starting to act right now since nasa tapat na kami ng pagbibilhan ko ng limited edition bags.

Napatingin sa akin sina Lexie and Reine. "Why?" takang tanong ni Lexie sa akin.

"I forgot my card at home! Damn it," I cursed silently and ruffled my hair a bit to complete my act.

"Oh? You can just call your Mom or Dad. Or maybe driver to give you your card here," suhestiyon ni Reine. Agad akong umisip ng palusot dahil wala naman talaga akong maasahang card dahil na-freeze nga ni Daddy and probably, na-cut din ang cards ko.

"My parents busy kasi today. And  Daddy assigned all our drivers on something important. You have your cards, right? Can I borrow some money muna? I'll pay it right away naman after this or tommorow.." I told them.

A wide smile flashed on my face when they both nodded and took out their cards.

"I'll give you this na lang when we're on the counter na," Lexie informed me.

"Kanino bang card? Mine or Lexie's?" si Reine at itinaas ang card niya.

I pointed at Lexie's. "Sa kanya na lang. But still, thank you."

Reine nodded and shrugged her shoulders. "Limited edition ngayon ang bags nila diba? Parang gusto ko ring bumili. Let's go na!" aya niya at hinila na kami papasok.

We were now inside of the luxury  shop here in the mall. There are designer bags here and there, belts, shoes, expensive key chains, and many more with the shops iconic logo which is 'yung dalawang letter C na magkatalikod. Hope you understand how I described it.

All of the things here were really very expensive. I immediately walked on the counter to look at the bags inside the glass display cabinets where bags were stored. My lips parted and there was a black bag with the designer's name carved on it in a calligraphy style! Oh my god! It's so beautiful!

"You're here, Kuya?" napalingon kami bahagya kay Reine na ngayon ay may kausap na pala sa phone niya. She excused herself on us and we just nodded.

"What did you chose?" she asked me and walked on side of me. I raised the bag I picked which the girl on the counter took out of the glass display cabinet.

I also picked the color gray simple bag. Since dalawa lang 'yung bibilhin kong bags, tapos na ako. I turned to Lexie who's now furrowing her brows in front of her phone's screen, typing something.

"What's the problem?" I asked her because she seems problematic right now.

"Oh my god! There's an emergency at home! Can you just buy it tommorow? I really need to go na kasi. I'm sorry, Genieva!" then she ran out of the store.

"Lexie!" I called her but she already faded from my gaze. My lips parted and embarassment slowly gushed down on me.

"What the hell.." I mumbled and looked back at the girl on the counter. There are also people shopping inside the shop which are now glancing at me. What the freaking hell?! What will I do?

"Ma'am, will you pay this in cash po or card?" tanong sa akin ng babae sabay ngiti sa akin ng malapad. I blinked twice and took out my wallet from my bag. I opened it a bit and saw only two thousands inside! My money didn't even fit for just a bag! F-ck! Nakakahiya kung aalis na lang ako dito!

"U—Uh, can you wait? I'll.. just call my Dad," sabi ko, medyo naiiyak na sa sitwasiyon ko ngayon. This is really embarassing! This just happened on me for the freaking first time! I think I'll have a phobia in this!

"Here's my card. Swipe it," napalingon kaagad ako sa nagsalita at halos mahimatay ako na parang gusto ng maglaho sa kinatatayuan ng makita si Marco sa harap ko! WHAT THEEEEEE! Of all the people I can see here in this SPECIFIC SHOP, siya pa ang makikita ko?! OH MY GOD!

"Marco.. why are you here?" tanging nasabi ko at kumurap-kurap. A smile flashed on his face.

"I'm with my sister. Nakita lang kita dito so I entered. Swipe it now," utos niya sa babae at tumango naman ito.

"Sure, Sir," sabi ng babae at kinuha na ang card mula kay Marco. I immediately stopped them.

"No! I can pay it myself!" I insisted and dialed Dad's number.

But Marco stopped me and finally handed his card on the girl. I shut my eyes and gripped tightly on my phone when she already swiped it.

"Ugh! I'll pay you right after this!" I told him and crossed my arms as I looked away. His laugh made my cheeks blushed. Ugh! This is REALLY a shame.

"Here," ibinigay niya sa akin ang bags at kinuha ko kaagad iyon. Nilingon ko ang babae bago lumabas ng shop. I waited for him outside and noong tumabi na siya sa akin. I calmed myself.

"Huwag kang mag-alala. Babayaran kita. Hindi kita inutangan. Hiram lang 'yon," agad na sabi ko at hinigpitan ang hawak sa mga paper bags.

He smiled at me looking a bit amused at me. Eww.

"It's okay. Just consider that as my gift for you—" I raised my hand in front of him, making him stop talking.

"I don't accept gifts. I'll pay you. Later or tommorow. Thanks for this. I'm going. I'll just message you or something. Bye," I said and was about to walk away when he grabbed my wrist that made me stop.

I looked at him confusely. "If sa tingin mo I'll talkshit about the payment, no I won't. We're rich. I just forgot my card! The hell," I lashed out but instead of being scared, he just let out a laugh.

"No.. it's okay. I just want to.. you know. Going out? I bough you your bags naman, Genieva.." he slowly said that made me taken aback.

My brow shot up. "Edi sana hindi mo na binayaran kung may kapalit pala 'to. Ibalik mo na lang kaya 'tong mga bags?" naiinis kong tanong at abot sa kanya ng paper bags. I walked to the side a bit because we're in front of the shop.

"Hindi na, Genieva. It's really fine. I just want us to go out. Don't you want that? Maybe.. Maybe we'll work out this time?" aniya na sadyang nagpakunot ng noo ko.

"What?! What do you mean 'work out'? As in a relationship? No way!" I exclaimed and tried to pull out my wrist from his hold but his grip just tightened there and it was a bit hurting me now.

"Marco! You're gripping too tightly!" I ranted and wiggled my wrist but still can't get out of his hold. I want to shout out loud at him but I don't want to make a scene here.

"Marco, bitawan mo 'ko," diin kong bulong sa kanya, patuloy pa rin ang paghila sa palapulsuhan ko pero ayaw niya talaga.

"Please, Genieva.."

"Sinabi na ngang ayaw diba? Bitawan mo na," napatingin kami sa kadadaan lang na si Greige sa harap namin. My eyes widened like I just saw an angel that saved me in a current situation like this!

He was wearing a white button-down shirt, four buttons of it were not close, revealing his chest a bit and his silver necklace with a holy cross pendant on his neck and a slacks.

His hair was a bit messy but still suit his look for this day. Greige looked like a model for me.

"Ikaw na naman? Hanggang dito talaga sa mall?" natatawang tanong ni Marco pero may halo iyong inis. Tumigil sa paglalakad si Greige. He looked at him over his shoulder before a smirk slowly crept on his lips.

"Malakas ata ang radar ko sa mga papansin. Bakit kaya nakita na naman kita?" Greige asked him mockingly. Is saw how Marco's jaw clenched. And his grip on my wrist tightened more. I winced.

"Marco! Masakit na!" I told him and wiggled my wrist.

Bumuntong-hininga si Greige bago lumapit sa amin at ako'y hinila na nagpabitaw sa akin kay Marco.

"You're too stubborn, man. Get off," ani Greige.

"Eh g-go ka pala eh! Sino ka ba?" napapikit ako at lalapit sana kay Marco para pakalmahin siya pero hinuli naman ni Greige ang kamay ko at pinabalik ako sa tabi niya.

"Marco.. calm down. Nakakahiya," saway ko. He looked at me. His eyes were burning with anger.

"Bakit, Genieva? Hindi ba siya ang dapat mahiya kasi ano ba kayo? Ano ka ba niya? Ni mag-kaibigan nga hindi diba? Bakit siya nangingielam?!" sagot ni Marco. His chest were now moving up and down.

"Let's go.." sabi ni Greige sa akin pero bigla akong hinila ni Marco sa isang kamay.

Napatili ako ng bigla na lamang humarap si Greige at sinuntok si Marco!

"Oh my god! Why did you do that, Greige!" I exclaimed, getting nervous. Napapatingin na ang mga tao sa amin. May paparating na rin na guards papunta sa amin.

Nakahiga na ngayon si Marco sa lakas ng suntok ni Greige. Kinabahan ako ng makalapit na ang mga guards sa amin.

"Sir, anong problema dito?" tanong ng guard at tinulungang itayo si Marco. Lalapit sana ako sa guard pero hinila na naman ako pabalik ni Greige! I glared at him.

"Ano ba?!" I whispered at him but he just hushed me at imbis na ako ang lumapit sa guard, ay siya na lang.

Hindi ko alam kung anong pinag-uusapan nila dahil lumayo silang bahagya sa akin at bumubulong lamang.

Oh my god! Maaga akong makukulong ng dahil sa kanila! They're both stressing the hell out of me!

Ilang minuto pa ay bumalik sa akin si Greige dala-dala ang paper bags na kanina ay na kay Marco lamang. Nakita kong lumakad na paalis si Marco. Hindi man lang nagpaalam sa akin.

"Ano daw ang mangyayari?" medyo natatakot kong tanong but he just shook his head, seems not getting scared at all.

"I already fixed it. Let's go."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya. "Where are we going?" taka kong tanong.

"Wala na tayong pupuntahan. Ihahatid na kita pauwi."

My eyes widened. "No! Thank you! I can manage. I'll just call our driver."

Ilalabas ko na sana ang phone ko pero hinila niya na lang ako basta-basta at muntikan pa akong madapa.

"Damn it! Be careful naman!" I shouted at him.