Kryptonite

Fireworks

Before Christmas Eve

Nadine let out a huff as she placed her various shopping bags on a nearby mall bench.

She was lucky that their building was close to a shopping center. She ended work earlier that day and had time to finish last minute Christmas shopping. To her misfortune, she forgot to bring a change of shoes and though it was only a ten minute walk back to their building, she was gonna be making the trip back in heels.

She was, though, happy, to have gotten gifts for nearly everyone who mattered to her.

She was now down to her last gift, and probably the most difficult one to get: A gift for her driver, James.

It wasn't that she didn't have ideas of what to get him--she was just not sure if he would like it or if it would be enough.

Picking up her bags, she let out a breath as she made her way to an electronics store.

She had spent her entire work day contemplating what to get him. At first, she thought clothes were a safe often, but then it occurred to her that he wore simple designs and probably had 50 different plain white shirts at home. She then considered cologne, but seldom recalled him using it.

It also did not help that though they had become friends, there was so much about his interests that she had yet to figured out. And though she figured a lifetime supply of vegetables would be endearing, she wanted something he could use constantly.

It was that thought that brought her to the camera section of the store.

"Mahilig siya sa photography, so makakagamit niya 'to," she mumbled to herself as she began to look through the prices. Given her newfound card, the price wasn't an issue. Though she also spent a lot that day and wondered how close she was to maxing it out for the month.

"Canon, Nikon, Oympus, Sony....." she trailed off as she began to feel overwhelmed at seeing all the different brands.

She quickly took out her phone and began to search up articles regarding cameras to see which was the best.

"Okay sobra na ang 16,727,700.00 pesos," she said aloud as she looked at what was actually the most expensive camera.

Not knowing what else to do, she took out her phone and facetimed Marlo.

"Nadz? What's up?" he said before letting out a yawn.

Nadine's eyes widened as she realized what time it was in the USA.

"Oh my god, sorry," she apologized.

"It's okay, I needed to get up soon anyways," he assured as he opened up the lights in his room. "I'm guessing something must be going on for you to be calling me instead of Janella."

"I need advice," Nadine replied.

"Tungkol saan?"

"What's the best camera to get? I'm buying a gift for my friend," she explained. "Also, do you think sapat 'to bilang Christmas gift? Should I add more? Is a camera even a good Christmas gift?" she added as she placed her palm to her temples.

"Nadz, you okay?" Marlo asked. "You seem really nervous about picking a gift out for this friend, are they really picky?"

"I don't know what else to give him kasi wala akong masyadong alam tungkol sa kanya except that he likes vegetables, photography, and scenic places like the beach or old architectures," Nadine explained.

"A camera is perfect then!"

"Pero alin? I don't think he has one already and I want it to be the best, but I don't have 16 million pesos to spend," Nadine said as she pointed her phone camera towards the most expensive one.