Snow White is a Gangster (Published under Cloak Pop Fiction)

Chapter 27: Her Companion

Chapter 27: Her Companion

Soundtrack: Use Somebody – Paramore version

We slept wearing the bathrobes we found in the cabinet. Apparently, the family room was good for four to six family members so we had three more spare bathrobes left. It was already nine in the morning when I woke up. My two companions were still sleeping, Summer on the bed beside mine and Ethan on the couch.

Tumayo ako at humakbang tungo sa kinaroroonan ng natutulog na si Summer. Marahan ko syang hinawakan sa balikat upang gisingin.

"If it's not a death and life situation, please don't wake me up," she murmured in sleepy voice. Halata ang pagod sa kanyang mukha at sa nangingitim na bahagi ng ilalim ng kanyang mga mata. Kung isa lang itong ordinaryong araw, hahayaan ko siya sa kanyang pagtulog. Subalit ito ang unang araw namin sa Eremitia at wala kaming kahit na anong gamit na maaari naming kailanganin.

"Kailangan natin ng mga damit na pamalit at pagkain. You have to go with me outside," wika ko. Naramdaman ko na rin ang paggising ni Ethan sa couch. Tila naalimpungatan rin siya sa palitan namin ng salita ni Summer.

"I can go with you," wika ni Ethan habang humihikab.

Umiling ako at muling ginising si Summer. Kung may taong kailangang maiwan sa Vinea, si Ethan iyon. He was not yet free from the Novous and Freniere Mafia. As far as I know, he was the main target now. Summer could also be Novou's target but the best way I could protect her was when she stays with me.

"You have to stay, Ethan. You're still my captive. Besides, you have no idea about the pink dresses I will buy for Summer," sagot ko na agad na ikinabangon ng babae sa harap ko. Sumimangot siya sa akin at padabog na tinanggal ang kumot na bumabalot sa kanyang katawan.

"You are the worst shopping buddy I'll ever have!" Napapailing niyang sabi. Agad namang bumalik sa pagkakahiga si Ethan.

"That's why I'm bringing you. You are going to be my first shopping companion," wika ko at saka pumasok sa banyo upang muling isuot ang natuyong tank top at pants mula kahapon. My jacket was hopeless. It was still stinking with Summer's vomit. Maybe I would just ask some of the hostel's attendants to bring it to a laundry shop.

Nang pareho na kaming nakapagpalit ng damit ay lumabas na kami ng Vinea. It was actually sunny and hotter than what I was expecting it to be. Eremitia was a place near the sea where it harbored beaches. That must be the reason of the numerous hostels and clubs around. Marami na ring mga tao at mas lalong naging buhay pa ang paligid sa araw.

Nakakita kami ng isang boutique sa di kalayuan sa Vinea. Agad kaming pumasok doon upang bumili ng damit na pangpalit. Masigla naman kaming binati ng babaeng taga-pagbantay at sinabing tawagin na lang siya kung may napili o kailangan pa kami. Pareho naman kaming hindi agad nakakibo ni Summer. Nanatili kaming inililibot lang ang tingin sa paligid. Maaaring magkaiba ang aming gusto at panlasa pagdating sa mga damit subalit mukhang pareho naming hindi nais ang makukulay na summer and beach dresses sa paligid.

"Uhm, excuse me. Do you have something na hindi pang-bakasyon sa beach? Like pants, shirts, or even knitted clothes?" Nakangiwing tawag at tanong ni Summer sa sales lady.