Mahal Kita. Mahal Mo Ko. Ano Ba To?

Chapter 19: Last Christmas

FLASHBACK

ALLEN

As I expected, ang daming tao ngayon sa mall. Everyone seems to be having a lot of fun this season and I can't help but get excited.

Today, Shean and I will go out. It's not a date tho. More like niyaya niya lang ako dahil may gusto siyang bilhin. 'Yun lang ang hindi ko alam.

Napalingon ako nang may kumalabit sa akin. Pagkakita ko kung sino ay nadismaya ako.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?", tanong ko sa nakangiting France. She seems happy today.

"Wala lang. Ikaw? Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

Unaware, napangiti ako with the thought of Shean. Her and I strolling down the chilly night of December. Why does my face feel warm?

"Magkikita kami ni Shean ngayon."

Nang tumungin ulit ako kay France out of that daydream, she has this weird look on her face na hindi ko ma-explain.

"Ah, ganun ba. Hm... So nasan na s'ya?"

"On the way, I guess."

"Oh... Sige pala. Ingat kayo ha? Merry Christmas, Allen."

"Merry Chr---"

Before I could even finish my sentence, France silenced me with a tight embrace. She suddenly felt gloomy.

"France?"

Binitawan niya ako ng mabilis at tumalikod without another word. She waved her hands but did not bother looking back at me.

"Ano 'yun."

"ALLEN!!!"

Halos tumalon ang puso ko palabas ng ribs ko ng marinig ko ang pagtawag sakin ng isang babae. You probably know who.

"Kanina ka pa dito? Kanina pa kita hinahanap eah. Ang daming tao."

"Ayos lang. Wait, sa'n nga ba tayo pupunta? I only remember you asking me to go all the way here."

"AYUN! HALIKA, BILIS!", sabay hatak niya sa akin sa kung saan man.

"W-Wait lang!"

* * *

"You dragged me all the way here for a..."

Nasa loob na kami ngayon ng Expressions sa tapat ng isang stall filled with colorful stationary notebooks with discounts.

"Yes! 50% off na lahat ng stationary notebooks dito so we need to buy.", she said, exploring her eyes in every notebook in the stand, choosing the one that suits her taste.

"What are you even going to do with it?", tanong ko sa kaniya.

"Hm... Secret!"

"Let me guess... A diary?"

"...", she flinched.

"Knew it."

"HINDI KO GAGAWING DIARY! Kung ano man isusulat ko dito, it's none of your business anymore."

I raised my arms in surrender.

"Okay. Fine, fine."

"Tulungan mo ko pumili. Ang dami eah."

"Hm... How about...", I pointed at a plain white stationary notebook with an arrow heart in the middle. Her eyes sparkled.

"PERFECT!", and then kinuha niya 'yung tinuro ko.

Hindi ko lang pinapakita pero medyo na-flutter ako na nagustuhan niya 'yung in-suggest ko sa kaniya.

"Renz?"