Red Strings

07

c.seven

"Hindi mo 'ko maloloko, Alex." Sabay dila sa kanya. "When you gift a girl a necklace, kahit birthday pa yan. It means different."

Ignoring what I said, nagpatuloy siya tumingin sa mga nakadisplay na kwintas. Then he asked if he can see that one necklace that caught his attention.

"What do you think?" Tanong niya habang pinakita ang kwintas na hinahawakan niyang mabuti. It is an elegant rhinestone necklace. The pendant is pear-shaped and it's shining. It looks like a bridal jewelry actually. Saka na niya yan iregalo pag ikakasal na sila.

"It's too elegant, saan niya masusuot yan? Baka pagka labas niya pa lang nakaw na agad yan." I chuckled. Nasa Manila pa naman sila. "Look for more of an everyday necklace that can be wore in formals or even casuals." I suggested.

He nodded. Naagaw naman ang atensyon niya doon sa isang kwintas na nakita. It was also an elegant jewelry but it matched more for everyday. It is a silver Byzantine Chainmaille station necklace. He also picked up a Diamond pendant solitaire necklace.

"Here, which one?"

I pick the solitaire necklace. I haven't met Astrid yet but I feel like she will like this one because it's simpler but still elegant though. He paid for the necklace after that. Ang galante talaga and he really trust me in these things, huh.

Nang makalabas kami ng store, there's 3 people that recognized him. I thought he's already some kind of a celebrity at magpapapicture sa kanya.

"Alex?" Tawag nung isang lalaki.

There was 2 guys at may kasama silang babae. Alex's friends?

Alex looked surprised like he saw ghosts. Ba't parang kabado siya, 'di niya ba 'to pinapaalam sa mga kaibigan niya?

Hina naman ng manok ko.

May pahandshake pa ng bumati siya pabalik. "Yo, what are you doing here. Jewelry shop?" Tanong ulit nung lalaki kanina, napabaling naman siya sa akin. I smiled shyly.

"Uh.. We're just buying necklace, Ollie." Sambit ni Alex. Funny mo.

"For?" The guy chuckled.

"For Astrid? Birthday party niya mamaya ah." Habol niya. Huli ka, Alex. I want to burst into laughter.

"Di ah! Baduy mo!" Tanggi niya. Baduy pala ah. Sumbong ka sa 'kin mamaya, kunwari close na agad kami ni Ate Astrid.

"This is Leizel, by the way, my cousin." Pakilala niya. I shook hands with them. I think they will going to be fun to be a friend. Sana madalas ako sinasama ni Alex pag gagala sila. Tutal ay ayaw ko naman makisama sa mga schoolmates kong iba. Even I'm still young, I think I can somehow catch up to them.

"This is Oliver, Aiden and Gianna." Turo niya.

"Hi, Ollie na lang." Bati ni Oliver. Nagtaas taas baba rin siya ng kilay at ngumisi sa akin. He offered his hands to shake, ialng segundo ko iyon natitigan dahil may biglaan sumagot.

"Tigilan mo yang mga the moves mo, Ollie." The other guy, Aiden, said. Oliver laughed and so as Alex, tumingin sa akin. Alam niyang baka pati dito sa Manila, lapitin rin ako ng manliligaw. Pero Alex's friends? I don't think so.

Alex was about to say goodbye to them nang biglang nag-aya si Gianna, the girl they're with.

"Hey Xandro, why don't we bring her too later for Astrid's birthday?" She suggested.

Tumaas naman ang kilay ni Alex na parang naninigurado.

"Sigurado ka diyan Gian? Astrid said only few people can be invited and who's close with her." Sambit ni Aiden.