Monarch High: War of the Brats

CHAPTER 48

"What do you think? What color suits me the most?"

I regained myself back from reverie when I heard Pip's voice. I looked at him and he's holding two T-shirts on his both hands. Tiningnan ko iyong mabuti bago nagdesisyon.

"I think you look great in pastel. But... buy that one, also. You look better in black. I like seeing you wearing dark colors," sagot ko saka ibinaling ang tingin sa ibang bagay.

"Do you want to buy some clothes, too?"

I shook my head. "Nah... Marami akong damit sa condo. Hindi ko nga nasusuot iyon lahat."

Tumango sya. Nagbayad sya sa counter ng mga pinamili nyang damit. Nang matapos iyon ay nagpasya kaming maglakad na lang pauwi dahil malapit lang naman iyong condo.

"Do you mind me asking?" biglang pambasag nya sa katahimikan.

"Not at all."

Hindi sya nakapagsalita kaagad. Parang iniisip pa ang pwedeng itanong. I waited patiently as I thought about what could possibly be his question.

"Why are you staying on a condo?"

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad. He was, too, but when I returned walking, saka naman ito sumunod.

"I left the house," I answered curtly, not adding some details because I might slip, again. Words are powerful.

"Brave move."

Napatawa ako sa komento nya. Medyo naiirita rin dahil alam kong hindi naman sya nang-aasar pero pakiramdam ko, nainsulto ako sa sinabi nya. I just shrugged it off and smiled a little.

"It's cowardice," I corrected as I glanced at him.

"For you, it is. For everyone else who has seen what you went through... maybe it's bravery."

I almost scoffed, but I fixed my lips together to stop doing something. My lips twitched, and I just wanted this conversation off in an instant.

" 'Di mo naman alam..."

His lips lifted into a smirk. "Oh... I'm sure I'll know..."

Wanting the dismissal of the talk, I responded with a quick smile before walking faster. Nakasunod naman sya sa 'kin, tumatakbo na rin para maglebel kami. Hindi nya na naman pinuna 'yun kaya tahimik kami hanggang sa makarating sa loob ng unit.

"Hindi ka pa ba uuwi?"

His brow quirked up. "Pinapaalis mo na ako?"

I pursed my lips. "H-Hindi naman. Baka kasi hinahanap ka na ng parents mo?"

Malay ko ba kasi dito. Bigla na lang susulpot dito at baka hindi nakapagpaalam. His parents might be looking for him now. It's almost lunch, and he's still not at home. Baka ano pang isipin ng mga magulang nya. Parents can be hysterical if it's about their children.

"Oh, they probably are. Pero nakapagpaalam ako sa isang kasambahay namin."

Tumango ako at pumunta ng kusina para uminom ng tubig. Pagbalik ko ay nakita kong hawak na ni Pip ang isang canvas. Gusto ko sanang kunin iyon sa kanya pero baka magtanong pa kung bakit. Hahaba pa ang usapan.

He looked up to me from staring at my paintings with such admiration.

"You're painting?"

Tumango ako saka tumabi sa kanya na nakaupo sa sofa. "Uh... 'Pag may naisip lang na ipinta."

"Oh... Nasaan 'yung ibang gawa mo?"

"Nasa kwarto. Ipapakita ko sayo mamaya. For now, maligo ka na muna," I scrunched my nose.