Vivid

XV

To cope myself from everything that happened this past few days, I planned to enjoy myself in the mall. Sobrang bihira ko lang na hayaan ang sarili ko na gumastos ng gumastos dahil most of the time, kailangan kong magtipid.

My father had me a credit card, but from the moment he gave me that card up until now, I never use any penny from it. I rather not eat for a day than to use anything from him. I just can't take it.

Pinili kong pumasok sa isang kilalang botique. Just for today, I'll buy anything that I want. Una kong napansin ang green hanging blouse with spaghetti strap. Well, I'm not used to wearing those kind of clothing, but maybe someday I might put it in a good use. Iyon ang una kong kinuha. I noticed that there is also the same kind of blouse but with different design. It is a metallic one. I can't help but to grab it and decided to buy the two.

Then, I went to the skirt section. It was hard to choose at first, since all of them looks really gorgeous, but I settled on getting the leather skirt that will cover almost up to the middle of my thigh. Kumuha na rin ako ng isang denim skirt. I tried to look on another sections but I got tired of picking between two or more beautiful styles so, I stopped.

While I was at the paying station, I heard a familiar voice coming from the entrance of the botique. I had to look at my back to see if I really know her and I'm right. It was Hailey, I can see her smiling widely. Then, a guy came after her.

Knowing how my body reacts to the sight of him, reminds me how familiar he is to me. Not with the information you can get from a human but with the emotional connection we built for a short span of time. The sight of him triggers a deadly toxin inside my body. Again, reminding me that only his touch is the cure to that toxin.

How can this man sincerly confess his over dying love for someone, then be with another girl after a few days? The sour feeling from my stomach traveled up to my mouth, making me feel disgusted.

I saw the way he laugh when he talked to Hailey. Another reason why I felt disgusted even more.

"Ma'am?" Napabalik ang tingin ko sa cashier nang kinuha nito ang atensiyon ko. I didn't realize I was looking at them for too long. I flashed a fake smile at her, disregarding the feeling that consumed me a while ago. Jealousy? Nah.

After she stated the total amount that I need to pay, I lend her my card. The one owned by my mother but was transferred to me after she died. Inabot ko ang paper bags na nilahad ng cashier. I muttered her my thanks and gave her a smile, again before I turned myself to the exit.

While I'm on my way out, someone stated my name like she was sure I was the person she's pertaining to.

"Yves." I never plan looking back to where she is but then I realized that she's with Clyde. And if Clyde realize that I actually see him with another woman, it will be like I stop him from hitting my head again with a hard rock. So, I look back.

Hailey, without any surprise in her face, started to throw daggers on me with her eyes. I stared at her blankly. If she's still not satisfied with our fight last time, she can continue now. But that does not mean I will entertain her.

I raised my eyebrows then, removed my gaze from her. We're done here. I was about to continue my way out but Clyde uttered words unknowingly I'm here.

"Lee, uso maghintay!" rinig kong reklamo niya habang inaayos ang pagkakabitbit ng mga paper bag. Then, he look on the direction where Hailey is looking. The spot where I'm standing.