Written in the Stars

Chapter 8

Her eyes scanned the wide selections of CDs displayed on the shelves and racks. She’s at a mall to buy a few things in the supermarket at napagpasiyahan niya na dumaan rin sa record store.

Julie put the headphones on and listened to the sample music. The song has an upbeat melody that made her close her eyes and feel the rhythm. She also nod her head to the beat and sing along. When she opened her eyes bumungad sa harapan niya ang nakangiting si RJ. He looked very amused sa panonood sa kanya.

Her cheeks warmed up and she felt a major embarassment, nakakatawa siguro ang itsura niya and he was watching her all along. Julie quickly took the headphones off.

“It seems like you’re enjoying yourself.” he said to her.

“Kanina ka pa ba dyan? Mukha siguro ako’ng tanga, I looked funny. Nakakahiya.”

“No, actually ang cute cute mo nga, ang sarap panoorin” he beamed at her.

“Cute?” she rolled her eyes in disbelief. “Why are you here? Nagsho-shopping ka?”

“May binili lang ako sa isang store and then I saw you pass by kaya sinundan na kita dito.” RJ answered.

“Ah. Bakit may kailangan ka ba sakin?”she looked at the stacks of CDs near her.

“Wala naman, I just wanted to see you kahit from a distance lang pero hindi ako nakatiis kaya lumapit ako sa’yo.”

“Now you sound like a creepy stalker” she teased.

RJ straightened his posture. “You should be proud kasi ang hot ng stalker mo” pagbibiro nito.

Julie’s mouth fell open. “How conceited can you get?”

He laughed. “You know I was just playing” nakangiting sagot nito then he became serious. “I didn’t see you the whole day yesterday kaya na-miss kita”

She felt her heart gave a loud thud upon hearing what he said. And then there was a strange feeling that rose from inside her that she couldn’t explain. This was the first time that a guy told her that and she didn’t know how to respond. She just smiled faintly at him and adjusted her glasses.

“Bayaran ko lang ito” kinuha niya ang napiling CD and went to the counter.

“Gusto mo’ng pumasok muna for a drink” she asked him pagbaba nila sa sasakyan nito. She declined his offer pero nagpumilit pa rin si RJ na ihatid siya.

“Sure” he carried the plastic bag of groceries na pinamili niya sa supermarket at pumasok na sila sa loob.

“Jules kanina pa ako dito, ang tagal mo. Binili mo na yata ang buong supermarket.” Cheska said in a bored tone. She looked up from the magazine she was reading.

“Oh em freaking Gee!” napatakip pa si Cheska sa bibig nang makita si RJ na kasunod niyang pumapasok.

“Girl ang oa ng reaction mo huh?” bulong niya dito nang makalapit siya.

“At bakit na naman kayo magkasama?” may panunuksong tanong nito sa kanya.

“Sshh, nagkita lang kami sa mall at hinatid niya ko, yun lang yon” she snapped at her.

“Hi Cheska” RJ greeted her friend. Cheska just smiled and waved at him.

He then looked at her, “san ko pwede ilagay ito?” he lifted up the plastic bag he is carrying.

“Pakibaba na lang diyan. Umupo ka muna. What do you want, orange juice, iced tea or softdrinks?” Julie asked.

“Orange juice na lang, thanks.” he sat down.