Salem's Eyes (COMPLETED)

13 Salem

"Why are you here?" I asked Herra when she went to me behind the counter. Twenty minutes and my shift would be done for today. Day off ni Amara at sa pagkakaalam ko, may lakad s'ya. She said she was meeting someone. She had been very occupied these past few days. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinagkakaabalahan n'ya. It was obvious that she was hiding something from me.

"Bitch, we're going to your boyfriend's birthday party."

Ever since she knew Caius, she gave that title to him. Kahit ilang beses kong itinanggi 'yon, hindi pa rin s'ya tumitigil.

Caius told me that he'd celebrate his birthday with his friends at Getto tonight. Ang sabi n'ya doon ako dumiretso. Kanina kasing lunch ang kainan sa bahay nila. Since I have work, I couldn't come. Isa pa, hindi talaga ako pupunta dahil ayokong makilala ako ng pamilya n'ya.

He rented the second floor of Getto. It was a resto bar few blocks away from school. Ang invited lang naman daw 'yung mga kaklase at mga kaibigan n'ya. Hindi ko nga alam kung pinaalam n'ya 'to sa magulang n'ya.

"I'm still not sure." sagot ko naman.

I scanned her outfit. She was wearing a red high waist shorts and black halter top. Naka-ankle boots pa s'ya. She even curled her hair.

"We're going! He's waiting for you."

Matagal na akong pinipilit ni Caius dito. I was considering it for real but I was chickening out. He'd be eighteen.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit naduduwag ako. I could stop him from what he was planning to do. Gagawin ko naman talaga 'yon dahil ayoko. Pero ang problema, hindi ko alam kung magpapapigil s'ya.

Ayoko talaga ng mga parties. Bukod sa maingay at napakaraming tao, ayoko ng kinakausap ako ng mga taong hindi ko naman kilala. Wala pa naman si Amara para saluhin ako. Pero ngayon na party ni Caius ang balak kong puntahan, mas mabuti na 'yung wala talaga s'ya.

"Don't tell Amara about this." Noong sabihin ko 'yun, may nakakalokong ngiti na lumabas sa labi n'ya.

She waited for me on one of the tables. Noong makapagpaalam na ako ay agad kaming dumiretso sa bahay.

Alas sais na. Kailangan ko pang maligo at dumaan sa mall para bilhan s'ya ng kahit ano man lang. Nakakahiyang pumunta ng walang bitbit.

Herra went to Amara's house to play with the kids. Habang ako naman ay naligo na para makapag-ayos agad.

I settled on mustard yellow crop top and black ripped high waist shorts. I wore my white sneakers. I applied some make up because I looked pale. Hinayaan ko lang na nakabagsak ang buhok ko.

I threw my lipstick, cash and phone inside a small sling bag. Hindi naman siguro ako underdressed. Isa pa, wala naman akong balak magtagal doon. I would just show up and greet him a happy birthday.

My phone rang inside my sling bag. Hindi ko na sinagot ang tawag ni Caius dahil papunta na rin naman kami. Dadaan lang ako ng mall para bumili ng regalo.

I didn't have time to buy him the gift that I was planning to give yet. Balak ko naman talaga s'yang bigyan kahit na hindi ako siguradong pupunta ako. I've had some ideas on what to give him. Talagang pagod lang ako araw araw para dumaan pa ng mall.

I sent a text to my mom. I told her the truth about attending a party. Hindi ko lang sinabi kung kaninong party. She immediately agreed because she knew I was in need of socializing. Hindi naman n'ya ako pinagbabawal sa mga ganito. Sadyang hindi ko lang talaga hilig.

"Ano bang pwedeng ibigay sa kanya?" tanong sa akin ni Herra. She was also problematic. Hindi n'ya alam kung ano ang dapat bilhin.

"He likes marvel and online games. You could also give gym clothes if you want." I suggested.