The Story of Us

PROLOGUE

Cali's POV

"You're coming with me, right?" Ery asked on the other line, I stood up to put my notes back on my study table. I just finished doing my homework.

"Girl, hindi ko sure. Walang katulong si mama kapag umalis ako." I lazily threw myself on my bed, I reached my stuffed toy and hugged it. "At isa pa, wala naman akong kakilala ro'n. Wala rin akong susuotin, bakit kasi dress?" Naka simangot na tanong ko sa kaniya, I heard her laugh from the other line.

"Malamang, saan kaba nakakita ng anniversary party na naka pants? At kung damit ang problema mo, let's go to the boutique. Sakto wala pa akong damit. Tyaka, malaki na yan si tita, kayang kaya niya iyan. Gabi naman iyon, wala ka ng masyadong gagawin kaya tara na." She owns a small boutique, she sells a lot of beautiful dresses, gowns, and suites. She's older than me, she's 23 while I'm 18. She owns a boutique; that earns good amount of money, she's also my workmate at a company as front desk. It's only our part time job.

I ended up saying yes to her she was pressuring me to come because she said she didn't want to look lonely. After ending the call, I took a bath I wore simple maong shorts and a black halter top, which I partnered with my white flats. I went downstairs to tell my mom that I was going to leave. I saw my brother in the living room playing with his favorite dinosaurs, I went to him and kissed his forehead.

"Aalis ka na?" I turned to my mom and walked close to her.

"Opo, magkikita kami ni ery. Pupunta kami sa boutique para mamili ng susuotin naming dalawa mamaya sa anniversary party."

"Akala ko ba hindi ka pupunta?" Kunot noong tanong ni mama, I already told her I won't come she also tried to force me to come but I said I wouldn't so she just gave up, and let me get away.

"Ery kept insisting. Ayaw niya raw mag mukhang loner kaya kailangan niya ng kasama." Naka simangot na sabi ko, my mom laughed at my reaction.

"O siya, lakad na. Mag iingat ha." I smiled and kissed her cheek before leaving.

"Bakit ba kasi ako pa ang sinama mo? As far as I know, you knew lots of people, but why me?" Tanong ko kay Ery habang nag iikot sa boutique niya, her boutique looks so minimal and elegant. The walls are painted white, the shelves are wood, and the lights are dimmed but not that dimmed it's just right, there's a mirror everywhere each one has fairy lights around them.

"Ikaw na kasi ang na-list ko sa guests. Hindi ko na p'wedeng papalitan lalo na't mamaya na yung event. Balita ko maraming poging darating mamaya, malay mo maka bingwit tayo ng papi." I looked at her with my face soured and that made her laugh. I don't have interests in men, it's not because I'm a man hater or what. I have a lot of things to focus on rather than focus on something that woutdn't last forever.

"Eto, sis. Bagay sa'yo!" Itinapat sa'kin ni Ery ang isang wine red satin fitted long dress, my face became sour once again when I saw how deep the cut on the chest part was, parang konti nalang ay lalabas ang hindi dapat, and it has a high slit on it's right side.

"Bakit ayan? Sa rami ng dress rito sa shop, bakit ayan?" Agad na reklamo ko sa kaniya, she pulled me to the fitting room together with a few more dresses and pushes me in. I glared at her but she didn't give a damn.