Aurora Borealis

Chapter 53 - Puzzle Pieces

>> • WENDY • <<

"Why do I have to come with you? We're not friends." paglilinaw ko sa kaniya.

"Please, let me come with you. Close naman tayo 'di ba?"

"More like feeling close." sagot ko at hinatak na si Lauren ngunit hindi ito sumunod.

"Hey Wendy, there's nothing wrong with letting her join us." katuwiran nito. Her eyes are sparkling and her wide smile really ticks me off.

"Fine. Only if she'll shut up the whole time." I bargained.

"That's rude."

I pulled Lauren to a corner and whispered, "Would you rather spend this day listening to her problematic rants about her family that isn't our business?"

"Oh, we can't have that. But maybe we can talk to her with a different topic?" I see she has no signs of avoiding that girl.

Lauren and I were supposed to go on shopping clothes when Tiffany snucked out of nowhere. She told us she needs new outfits since they're going on a vacation trip somewhere in Vigan.

Back at the hospital, she caught me and her brother in an awkward moment. Mula noon, hindi na siya tumigil sa pang-aasar at pagtatambal sa 'min ng kuya niya kahit na ilang beses ko nang sabihing may boyfriend na 'ko.

There's also no way that I'll associate myself with her shut-in brother. It pissed West off once.

"Fine. Bahala ka sa buhay mo." napasuko na lamang ako at walang ganang sumama sa kanila papunta sa women's apparel area.

Kinuha ko sa hanger rack ang isang moss green checkered dress na may ruffled sleeves.

Ipinakita ko kay Lauren ang dress na iyon, "This dress would look good on East, right?"

"Yeah. Sa'n mo nakita?"

"Sa hanger rack, third to the last." ibinaba ko sa lamesita ang dress upang maghanap pa ng iba.

There were also handwoven dresses ranging with different earth colors. On the other racks are either laced, off-shoulder, or combinations of dress designs assorted together in one place.

"Look, I found removable hair highlights from the store next to this one." Tiffany flashed the sky blue highlights she's holding in front of us.

She braided it in her hair and stood beside me, "Ta-da! It looks like we're sisters!"

"Yeah, I'm glad it only looks like we were."

"That color's cute! Help me find one for myself." inaya naman ni Lauren si Tiffany papalabas ng shop.

"Wait, pupunta kayo sa kabila?" tanong ko.

"Saglit lang kami." ani Lauren. "You want to come?"

"I don't need any more highlights in my hair. These purple ones on my hairtips are enough." I pointed at those.

"Okay then, babalikan ka na lang namin."

At umalis na sila.

Bumalik na lamang ako sa hanger rack at tumingin pa ng ibang accessories na puwedeng makuha. I came across an orange off-shoulder and pulled it but at the same time, someone seems to be pulling it on the other side.

Sumilip ako sa kabila at nakita ang isang babaeng nakataas ang kilay sa 'kin mula sa kabila. Hindi ko pa rin binibitiwan ang damit, at mukhang wala rin siyang balak na ipagparaya ito.

"Miss, ako ang unang nakakita nito." nahihiyang wika ko.

"Pa'no mo nasabing ikaw ang nauna? E 'di sana hindi natin sabay na hinugot 'to di ba?" pamimilosopo niya.