Fragmental Fondness

Chapter Four

Therese

"Why would he think that way? Hindi naman niya tayo kakilala ah pero kung makatingin siya argh!"

Right now hindi ko talaga mapinpoint kung ano ang rason at nagpuputok 'tong butchi ko. Iba kasi talaga ang tingin nang guard kanina.

He was thinking that Ichigo and I are romantically involved with each other and I hate it!

All my life I was linked to him. Nagsasawa na rin ako kahit papano. Kahit pa sabihin nating naging crush ko siya before. It was all in the past. Hindi na ngayon.

"Baka namali ka lang nang pagkakaintindi Tere. Cut it out of your mind already," Ichigo said habang pinagbubuksan niya 'ko nang pinto sa pang anim na boutique na papasukan namin yet still, wala parin akong mapiling night gown.

I stepped my feet inside before him at siya na rin ang nagsarado nang glass door. Nauna na 'kong naglakad at nagtingin-tingin.

"Good afternoon Sir, attire for what po?"

Ichigo only say no at itinuro ako, "I'm with her," magalang niyang sagot. And since there was already a salesclerk entertaining me ay umalis na lang ang babae.

I saw Ichigo coming near me but I immediately signaled him not to. Dahil pinagtitinginan siya ng mga pakikay na saleslady.

Ayoko nang kahit na anong komusyon ngayon. I know how good looking he is. I utterly know it since we were like five and people tend to stare at him or even giggle right in front of him but not now when I'm so dying to finish my matter here 'cause my thighs are begging for a whole day rest.

Bakit ko ba kasi naisipang mag squat kaninang madaling araw at nadulas pa 'ko sa hagdan. Kainis!

"Pang anong okasyon po?"

I glanced at the entire boutique. There were so many dresses hang, they were all varied in angles and cuts.

I'm not good pa naman when it comes to picking what to wear. Most of the time ay si Mama ang bumibili ng mga isusuot ko sa mga events na kinakailangan nila akong isama. But today is different. Buntis si Mama at hindi siya pweding mapagod nang husto lalo na't maselan ang pagbubuntis niya.

It's been 17 years since the last time she got pregnant with me. Naninibago ang katawan niya sa mga sudden changes such as mood swings and literally odd cravings.

"Grand birthday party Miss,"

The woman nodded her head twice. "May theme po ba ang party like required color or such?"

Napakagat na lang ako nang labi. Hindi ko alam. Wala akong alam sa kahit na anong bagay tungkol roon dahil hindi naman talaga dapat ako ang mag-aattend.

Hindi na pweding maki-socialize si Mama nang matagal in a huge group of people that's why I must go as her replace. Kahit ayaw ko sa kahit anong klaseng gatherings.

Paano n'yan? Dad only told me to get a brand new dress and he preferred night gown, he even added.

"Uhm Miss, can I pick for my own na lang?" nahihiya pa 'ko nang magtanong.

Kagat ko parin ang pang ibaba kong labi. Mabuti na lang kaagad na tumango ang babae at ngumiti pa siya nang palakaibigan.

"Yes sure po Ma'am. This way po,"

I said yes but I didn't walk after her. I sneaked and went to Ichigo. He was reading a magazine. Takip no'n ang buong mukha niya. I poked the magazine he was holding. Well, he wasn't reading it at all. Sigurado ako.