Silver Lining in the Clouds (Erudite Series #2)

Kapitulo 9

A few days from now, lalabas na ang grades, I was excited. My exam scores were fairly excellent, according to my professors. I hope seeing the numbers on my grades would change my parents' perspective of me slowly. It was the first time I defied their ideals. I was hoping that when I prove to them that I could be great without being a BS program student, they would see my potential, and they would believe in me.

When tomorrow came, I chose an outfit after I ate breakfast. I would probably shop during the afternoon and roam around the mall during the evening.

I left the house after kissing my parents' cheeks. Daddy was a man who was naturally unapproachable, but he really did become worse after I started college. He was still holding his grudge against me until today.

"Model po kayo, ma'am?" a store clerk suddenly asked me as I roamed around Lacoste. "No po,"

"Ahh, ang ganda n'yo po, e, akala ko po model kayo." I just smiled before looking at the white bag on a rack along with two other bags.

The bag had a thin strap, it was like the usual style of Lacoste, but it was a longer bag. I think my laptop or iPad would fit in it, plus my umbrella and other things. My bag now had a few scratches on them already, I think I should change it na.

I bought the bag and went to another store. This time, I looked at tops and dresses. Habang naglalakad, may napansin akong dalawang babae na nagbubulungan sa isang gilid. I saw a dress near them that I liked, so I heard whatever they were talking about.

"River really has a girlfriend na?"

"Dati pa! The one in his IG stories? I think it's the same girl,"

"Okay, then, what about Jules from the same team? He's super pogi too, does he have a girlfriend too?"

"I don't know, I'm just curious about River's girl. Sino kaya 'yon? I feel like taga-La Salle rin,"

"Pwede, 'di ba 'yung ex niya taga-FEU?"

Lumayo na ako at sinubukan ang dress sa dressing room.

Those girls... were probably fans, curious fans of River. Napapansin na nila ako. Tuwing nagde-date kasi kami ni River, he'd ask for a photo. I took photos of our food.

Umalis ako sa store at okupado na ang isipan hanggang sa may mabunggo ako. I dropped my paper bag unintentionally and looked up. I saw... River. Siya 'yung iniisip ko, tapos...

"Hey," he took my paper bag and gave it to me. "You're alone?" tumango ako sa tanong niya at nilagay ang buhok sa likod ng balikat ko.

"Ikaw?" tumango rin siya. "I was with my family,"

"Oh, okay. Um... family day?"

"Sort of,"

"Then, have fun!"

I smiled at him and waited for him to turn his back on me, but he never did. My brows lifted for a brief moment before he tilted his head.

"Are you... busy?"

"No... Why?"

"Can we have a date right now?"

"But you're with your family,"

"Was, they went home na."

"Then, why are you here alone?"

"I was..." he sighed, "trying to find a Christmas gift for you."

I didn't know why his honest words hurt me.

A while ago, I was thinking about finally receiving my parents' love and recognition. Yet, here was the guy I was only starting to like finding a gift for a girl he knew for only a few months. My parents knew me my whole life, but it was hard trying to fit into their standards. For River, I passed as someone worthy of giving a gift to.