Love and Pretensions (Published Under PIP)

07.

"Where have you been? And where did you get money to buy those?" tanong ni mommy nang makauwi ako. Naisip ko ulit na umuwi dito dahil ayaw ko sa tahimik kong condo unit.

Pagod na nilapag ko ang sandamakmak na shopping bags sa sahig, magtatawag sana ako ng katulong para tulungan akong iakyat ang mga 'yun pero naalala kong wala na nga pala kaming mga gano'n.

"Seriously, Avery? I already told you to start saving money! Our company has already failed, you know that, right?! We're on our road to bankruptcy and yet you still have the spirit to go shopping? How much did you spend on all of those, huh?!" she asked hysterically while pointing at my shopping bags.

Coming from her na winawaldas ang binibigay ni kuya para lang mag casino? Buti sana kung nananalo siya, eh lagi naman siyang talo.

"Mom, breathe! First of all, yes, I do know about our company crisis. And I really am saving! I just decided to do a little bit of shopping-"

"A little bit?!" she interfered.

"Listen to me first, mom." I sighed heavily. "Do you remember my bestfriend, Kai?" I asked.

"Oh, your boyfriend?" bigla siyang kumalma. Kaagad naman ako at umiling.

"He's not my boyfriend, mother. And well, he paid for all of these. Don't worry mom, I haven't spent any of my allowance." I smiled a bit and excused myself to go up to my room. Excited kong binuksan ang mga shopping bags ko at nagsimulang sukatin ang mga binili.

Nang mapagod ay pabagsak akong humiga sa kama ko at kinuha ang cellphone. I went on Instagram and posted a picture of me and Kai from a while ago.

autum.avery: went shopping today! thank you for the treat, @xavierkai!

It received multiple comments right after I posted it. With me and Kai still being a hot issue, it's no surprise that my post already got more than 10K likes in just five minutes.

xavierkai: anything for you. ;)

Mahina akong natawa sa comment ni Kai pero mas natawa ako sa reply ng kuya ko doon.

trace.v: friends lang pala huh? @autumn.avery

Ma-issue din talaga 'tong si kuya!

-

As always, our photos made a fuss around social media. Multiple headlines showed up on my feed and I am nothing but satisfied.

"We're famous again, Autumn." bungad ni Kai nang tawagan niya ako kinabukasan. I rolled my eyes and put my phone on speaker. I placed it on top of my vanity so I can do my make up while talking to him.

"Oo nga! And guess what? Dumadami ang offers sa'kin. Bumalik na ulit ako sa sitwasyon na nahihirapan na akong pumili!" I laughed happily.

"Pa-autograph naman po, miss." he chuckled. Napangiwi naman ako at sinara ang makeup palette ko.

"Are you getting ready na? Kasi I'm already doing my makeup and after this I can go out na, how about you? I swear, Xavier. Malaman ko lang na nakahilata ka pa'rin diyan sa kama mo-"

"I forgot to set an alarm last night. I literally just woke up, I am so sorry, I'm already outside your house. Look out your window."

Natigil ako sa paglalagay ng lipstick at kaagad na tumayo para tumakbo papunta sa bintana. His car was parked outside and he was leaning against it with one hand in his pocket while the other was holding his phone near his ear.

"Hello, my Autumn. Good morning."

Napangiti ako at mabilis na tinapos ang makeup at nagmamadaling kinuha ang bag at heels na susuutin. Naka-tsinelas lang ako na tumakbo palabas ng kwarto.