The Delinquent and The Silent

Chapter 11

"Watch it!"

I stepped aside quickly. Dahil pasilip silip ako sa windows ng bawat stores dito sa mall, hindi ko na napansing may kasalubong akong bebot.

I gave her an apologetic smile but I didn't apologize. Manigas siya.

She looked irritated at wa-poise na siyang tingnan. I left her without another glance. Buti ng umiwas sa mga red bull na katulad niya.

I'm looking for something... bag, specifically, while waiting for Century. I don't know where'd she go pero hindi ko na masyadong iniisip dahil kailangan kong bumili ng regalo for her. And ayokong kasama siya para nga daw 'surprise'. Christmas day is fast approaching.

We kinda did some bunutan and I happened to pick the mute's name. I decided for a bag dahil mukhang wala na ngang makakapigil sa pagpasok niya sa school-- MY school pa! And I know she doesn't have things so bag is it.

I really hope maayos na ni papa ang kaso ng pipi na yun sa mga guardian niyang mala-Hitler dahil mukhang mauuwi sa tuluyang pag-ampon ang sitwasyon na 'to. If that happens, I'm good with it but I don't think I'll be comfortable. And I need to get used to it. I hate that.

Nabili ko na 'yong bag, a sling bag that can also be a backpack, eh wala pa akong nakikita ni anino man lang ng pipi na 'yon. I'm starting to lose my cool pero buti na lang maraming chicks sa paligid. Pasimple akong tumitingin nang biglang may huminto sa harap ko.

"Wow. Hello Century. Buti at may balak ka pang siputin ako ano? Hiyang hiya naman ako" I gave her a fake smile then a glare.

She raised a shopping bag she's holding. Medyo malaki din yun at tatlong shopping bags pa.

I frowned. "Where'd you get those?"

She shrugged. She signaled me to follow her and I did. Parking lot ang ending namin. She placed her bags at the backseat. She then grabbed her tablet and scribbled something.

"Bumili ako ng gift para sa nabunot ko. Sorry, natagalan ako"

My brows met. "I have your card, remember?"

Actually, advance na pasweldo ni mama 'yun sa kanya para nga daw makabili siya ng gift. Malay ko bang bibili na pala siya ng gift, edi sana nabigay ko sa kanya 'yong card niya.

She chewed the insides of her cheeks. "I have money, okay lang. Kukunin ko na lang 'yong card kapag pay day ko na talaga." She gave me a crooked smile then turned around.

"Wait!"

She slowly looked at me.

"Where'd you get your money?"

She frowned and scratched her head. "Savings"

That's it then pumasok na siya sa loob ng sasakyan. I angled my head. Savings? From where? She never left the house at wala akong alam na trabaho ang isang to, except of course sa bagong trabaho na binigay sa kanya ni mama. So san siya kukuha ng pera, aber?

I placed my shopping bag beside Century's. Nakatingin pa din ako kay Century habang umuupo ako sa driver's seat.

She gave me a look then did some 'what are you looking at' move.

Unless, may ipon nga naman siya before siya mapunta sa amin then baka 'yun na nga. I shrugged then started the car.

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CENTURY'S POV