Campus Royalties (Kingdom University, #1) | Published under Psicom Publishing

Chapter 21

Our sembreak officially started today.

The finals week had been grueling, and we needed to destress, so the girls and I decided to shop this weekend.

"Where are you?" tanong ko nang sumagot si Alice sa tawag. Siya na lang kasi ang hinihintay namin.

"Ito na, nasa escalator na!"

"Ah, it's Alice. Here!"

Nang makumpleto na kami ay nagsimula kami sa clothing stores. There were already fall and winter collections in several branded stores, and all of us started looking at them. Unfortunately, even though they were pretty, we could only wear it on special occasions or when traveling internationally because we were in a tropical country. Still, I felt happy trying and buying the clothes that suit my style.

Isang floor pa lang ang nadadaanan namin pero ang dami na naming hawak na paperbags. Although, banning myself from spending a lot during the first semester did help me in budgeting my expenses for today.

"Gusto ko ring bilhin 'yung nude trench coat kaso baka hindi na ako makabili ng shoes," said Jess. "Dad will surely scold me if I exceed my spending limit."

Dahil baka ma-tempt pa kami na bumili ng iba pang outfits ay pumunta na kami sa 3rd floor kung saan located karamihan ng shoes at bags shops. Of course, we headed to the bags first.

"Matanong ko n gapala," sabay tingin sa akin ni Alice. "Where did you buy this?"

She pointed at the strawberry bag I was using, and I unconsciously averted her gaze. "Uh, I-I forgot."

She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Ikaw? Makakalimot? Especially when it comes to strawberry-related things?"

"Oh, huli," commented Jess.

Sometimes, my friends could be great detectives when it comes to stuff like this. Or maybe I was just too careless and obvious.

Dahil na-hotseat na naman ako ay wala akong nagawa kundi sabihin sa kanila ang totoo. That Darryl bought it for me when we decided to end things between us.

Yna was blushing when I finished telling the story. "Too cute."

Halos sumakit naman ang braso ko kina Jess at Alice dahil kanina pa sila palo nang palo sa akin. I wasn't sure how to react with their reactions, but my face was getting hot. Hanggang sa matapos kaming mag-shopping ng bags ay hindi pa rin nila ako tinigilan.

"Akalain mong generous pala siya," Alice remarked, and then came a playful smile. "Or baka naman sa 'yo lang?"

"Omg, what if crush ka niya talaga?"

"I'm telling you, compensation niya lang 'yan para sa stress na binigay niya sa akin these past few months," I argued.

Jess put his fingers between her chin and looked at me suspiciously. "Wait, that Darryl apologized and gave you a bag? Parang iba na 'yon."

"Omo. Either he really feels guilty or . . ."

"He likes you," Alice concluded, to which all of them squealed at.

Regrettably, their assumption was completely wrong. Darryl was still not over his ex, Tricia, and everything he did in the past was to get her attention, including that fake relationship with me.

He did want to move on, and he was asking for help, but after realizing my feelings for him, I wasn't sure how to face him again. This was new to me, and I didn't like things that I couldn't understand.

Pagkatapos naming mag-shopping ay kumain kami sa isang Japanese restaurant sa 4th floor at dahil ayaw pa nilang umuwi ay dumiretso kami sa karaoke hub.

"Wait, I'm gonna sing Because of You!"