Encounter (Onze Series #1)

07

"Unfair."

He just laughed at me and started scooping again on his ice cream.

Ang unfair niya! Saakin lang siya gumaganito? Tangina niya pala 'e.

"Hey, I have to buy something." Nahihiyang sambit ko. "Well, you can go home na." I shrugged.

"I'll go with you."

Dumaan kami sa department store para bumili ng damit na gagamitin ko bukas. Wala na kasi akong maisuot na pang-club. Hindi ko lang alam kung okay lang kay Jared na isama ko siya sa mga ganitong shopping ko.

"What are you going to buy?" Tanong ni Jared nang makapasok kami. Hinila ko siya papunta roon sa station ng club dresses.

May nakita akong isang maroon satin halterneck bodycon dress at itinapat iyon sa katawan ko. Humarap ako kay Jared na nasa ganoong posisyon.

"Seriously, Valerie?" He looked away. "You're really wearing those kind of clothes?" Tanong niya nang hindi parin nakatingin saakin. Akala naman niya nakikita na niya katawan ko sa ganito!

"Of course! Alangan namang mag-sweater ako sa club!" I sarcastically said. Tumango tango lang siya kaya naghanap pa ako ng ibang pwede kong isuot.

"Masyadong revealing yan," He seriously said, looking straight at the dress that I showed him

He sounded like a boyfriend! Oh my god.

Napangiti ako dahil sa sinabi niya at kumuha na lang ng velvet rib high neck dress, open back iyon kaya hindi ko na ipinakita kay Jared. At least hindi revealed ang harap! Lumabas na kami ni Jared after kong magbayad para umuwi na.

"Valerie," my eyes widened when I heard a very familiar voice!

"M-mom?" I turned around to face her. Pati si Jared ay humarap din. Shock was plastered on our faces. "What are you doing here, Mom?" My lips trembled as I ask her.

"I'm nearby. I talked to some friends," she didn't remove her gaze on Jared! "Who is he? By the way?"

"Oh, Jared. Friend from UST." Kinakabahan talaga ako, baka magalit saakin si Mommy, hindi niya pa naman alam na nagbo-boyfriend ako. Gosh, I'm such a good kid in front of them.

"Uh, nice to meet you po." Jared offered his hand for a handshake but mom ignored it! He didn't put his hand down, baka mangalay siya! I gave him an apologetic smile. Mommy naman 'e!

"Friend," she repeated and nodded. "Invite him tomorrow at home. Let's have a meal together, 'no?" Sabi niya at tinanggap yung kamay ni Jared.

"Mom," I bit my lower lip and faced Jared. He just nodded at me, saying that it's okay.

"I have to go. Pleasure to meet you, Jared." Mom waved her hand at us and started walking. Nag-smile lang sa kanya si Jared pati na rin ako.

"You don't have to... Ugh! I'll just tell my mom you can't come," I put my hand on my forehead and scratch it lightly. "Gosh! She's a headache! Why would she invite you to our house!" I hissed. I heard Jared chuckle. "What?! What's wrong?!" I asked and glared at him.

"Nakakatawa kasi yung itsura mo ngayon." then he started laughing. Literal na laugh! Hayop 'to ah

"Whatever." Naglakad na ako pabalik sa parking. Syempre nasa likuran ko siya. "May dala ka bang sasakyan?" tanong ko sa kanya paglabas namin ng elevator.