The Only Exception

CHAPTER 7

Present.

I went in front of the mirror as I buttoned my white long sleeve that you gave me as a gift last year. Naalala ko kasi na I haven't worn this one pa kasi I seldom use formal clothes, you know na I prefer wearing tees and sweatshirts.

After tucking it to my pants, I opened my drawer for my ties and carefully picked one. Pinili ko yung babagay sa outfit ko today so I chose the black one tsaka humarap sa salamin.

I tried recalling the steps you thought me on how to properly tie a tie pero it's been taking me forever kaya I only sighed and finally gave up. I really still don't know how to do it. I closed my eyes and flashbacks came running in my mind again.

(flashback)

"...what about this one? do you think I'll look good on this?" tanong mo as you showed me the 7th dress you picked from the dresser.

Nandito tayo ngayon sa mall trying to find a good pair of clothes na we would wear for the acquaintance party to be held next week. It's a party organized by the seniors who are already graduating by the end of semester pero everyone from freshmen to senior are invited for socialization daw. Kung iisipin mo, ang bilis pala talaga ng panahon. Parang kailan lang nung opening ng college, tapos next next month end na ng semester and we'll be 3rd year next sem. Kailan lang nung rinding rindi pa ako pag naririnig ko pangalan mo, but now here I am stuck with you.

"... I think I can also pull this off, pero I really like the latter tho— Lisa!" naputol naman ako sa pagmumuni muni when you snapped at me which brought me back to reality. "You're not helping naman eh. You are just nodding your head kahit na hindi mo pa nakikita." pagmamaktol mo.

Napabuntong hininga naman ako.

"Eh kasi naman, we've been here since 9 am, anong oras na? It's already 11. Dalawang oras na nakakalipas pero you still haven't choose what you would want to wear." I argued back.

"If you have only helped me choose kung ano yung babagay talaga sa akin edi sana kanina pa tayo tapos!" inis na sagot mo tsaka nilapag sa table yung mga dress na bitbit mo.

"Oh wow, now it's my fault? I literally told you for the hundredth time that your first pick is still your best find."

"No! yun lang kasi yung tinignan mo and you never payed attention to the next ones kaya akala mo yun na yung pinakamaganda." and irritation is already visible to your voice.

"It's because it's the simplest, unlike the others na napaka complicated nung design."

"See? that's the point! It's the simplest!"

"What? simplicity is beauty!" but you only rolled your eyes on me. "Kaysa naman jan sa mga hawak mo, yang isa mukhang natastas, yung isa naman parang kinulang sa tela, now tell me, how would you wear that?"

"Ever heard of fashion? ang ewan mo." tanging sagot mo at muling kinuha yung kanina mo pa hawak hawak.

See? kahit naman anong sabihin ko, you still won't listen to me. What's the purpose of you asking for my opinion?

To be honest, hindi ko nga rin alam kung bakit pinaghahandaan mo ng maigi 'to. It's just an acquaintance party, kung tutuusin kung hindi mo nga lang sana ako hinatak dito I would've just use some of my old suits from my closet or I could I just wear my casual clothes. It's not like I'm trying to impress someone there naman, which made me realized,

"Why are you so G to this, ba? Are you try'na impress someone there?" tanong ko pero tinaasan mo lang ako kilay and gave me a "the fuck are you talking about" look.

"What?" I asked.

"Hindi ba pwedeng I just wanna look good? kailangan nagpapa-impress agad?" you responded and looked at me in disbelief.