I Am a Woman

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Saturday came, and I decided to go to the mall to shop for clothes that I could wear on Monday. I will be starting to work as the manager of Ate Solana's fashion and cosmetics business branch located here in Croesta Mall.

I'm excited, of course. Finally, I will be working on the line of my passion.

I was about to step inside a boutique when someone called my name.

"Cee?"

Nilingon ko ang pinanggalingan ng boses at nakita ko ang isang babaeng nakangiti sa akin.

"Oh hey, Monica." Bati ko sa kanya at ngumiti pabalik sa kanya.

"I'm glad to see you here." Sambit niya nang makalapit sa akin.

"I will be shopping for new clothes. I guess you are here for work." Pansin ko kasi na naka-business attire pa siya. Nakita kong tumango ito bago magsalita.

"I'm just checking some things here." Oh right. Muntik ko na makalimutan na sa kanila nga pala ang mall na 'to.

"Anyways, I can be your shopping buddy today. Tutal naman tapos na rin ang sadya ko dito." Dadag niya. Nabigla pa ako dahil kumapit siya sa braso ko bago ako hilahin sa ibang direksyon.

"Are you sure?" Nag-aalinlangan na tanong ko. Baka kasi may gagawin pa siya.

"I'm pretty sure. Besides, I want to spend time with you."

Hindi na ako sumagot pa at hinayaan na lang siyang hilahin ako sa kung saan. Tumigil kami sa isang boutique at pumasok sa loob.

Memories flashed in my mind as soon as we settled inside.

This shop is where I and Verra used to shop before. Madalas kami na nandito dati. This is Verra's favorite shop.

Ipinilig ko ang aking ulo at pilit na inaalis sa isipan ko ang mga bagay na nagpapaalala sa kanya. I'm here to shop, not to reminisce.

"They have good quality clothes here. Ano ba ang hinahanap mo?" I heard Monica ask.

"Just semi-formal clothes." Sagot ko sa kanya. Hinila naman niya ako sa women's section.

We busy ourselves finding good clothes. It's a good thing that Monica seems to enjoy shopping too. Mayamaya din itong nagtatanong sa opinion ko kung sa tingin ko daw ba ay bagay sa kanya ang napili niyang damit. I can't help but nod all the time, dahil maganda rin ang mga napili niya.

"I think this will suit you, Cee." Narinig ko na sabi ni Monica, kaya naman napalingon ako sa kanya. Ibinalik ko ang hawak ko na tops kung saan ito naka-hang kanina at lumapit sa kanya.

She was in the area of the shop kung saan may single rack na nakalagay. I think it was purposely placed there because it's their new highlight.

Lumapit ako sa kanya para tingnan ang tinutukoy niya. It's a women's striped button-down polo blouse.

"This looks good." Sabi ko sa kaniya. I think it will be a good pair of black wide-leg pants.

"Now that you said that it looks good, I also want one." Biro na sabi niya.

"Why not? We can have the same clothes naman." I commented.

"Like couple clothes, right?" She jokingly said and winked at me.

I can't help but laugh. She's really not a bad companion.

We were casually chatting and exchanging laughs when suddenly biglang gumalaw yung rack at muntik na matumba papunta sa direksiyon namin. Mabuti na lang maagap ako at nahawakan ko agad.