Chapter 16
A/N: Let me give you guys another break. Chillin' from the pain and just enjoy the day.
“Are you done?” Shaine asked, roaming around my room. For today, she asked me to accompany her to the mall. And since I'm not busy, I accepted her request as appreciation for the surprise she made during my birthday.
“What should I wear?” I'm struggling to decide my outfit for today, since I have no sense for fashion. I've been looking for clothes in my closet for like twenty minutes already.
“Wear the cute dress I gave you instead.” She stood before the full-length mirror, taking some shots. She's doing this for her daily update on Instagram. After she posted our pictures on my birthday, she's taking mirror shots now.
“Fine.”
As if I have a choice, right? Of course, I should wear the cute dress she gave me since it is her gift for my birthday. Not the literal cute as in small, okay? You know, I don't like to wear revealing clothes. What I mean when I said cute dress is the design. It is a long pink floral dress. I just find it cute because of the flowers.
“I'm all good,” I declared after wearing my pink doll shoes as a uniform color to my dress. Combing my straight hair, I walked toward her. “Let's go.”
“Wait!” She blocked me using her hands when I was about to go out.
“What?”
“I think you miss something.” She kept pointing to my backpack, the one I always use in school, but I don't get her point.
“Just please go straight to the point.” I flashed a hint of annoyance on my face, brows knitted.
“The diamond ring… you forgot to wear it.” She shot a teasing look on me before she shifted her gaze on my backpack. After I accepted the red box from Raven I put it right away on my bag. Well, I won't accept it if he didn't force me. Shaine had him helped as well.
“Why would I even wear it?” I irritably asked, telling her eyes to eyes to please stop. But she ain't listening to me.
“Because it's a gift, Ari. C'mon, you should appreciate the stuffs that other people has given you. Because it's special.”
Hearing it from her, I suddenly stared on the table beside my bed. That is where I placed the flower bouquet that Shan has given to me. I have no plans of putting it to trash, even when the flowers will die soon. I paused a while to smile as I removed my attention away from the table.
Shaine's right. We should appreciate the gifts that other people has given to us because it's special. But in my part, it only depends when you also appreciate the person who gave that. Just because they gifted you doesn't mean you have to wear it like it's required. At the end of the day, it still depends on you. And as a say, I feel it would be better not to wear that diamond ring.
“You force me to wear that ring, or I'm not going to accompany you to the mall?” To be fair, I made a threat just to stop her.
“Yeah, I said you prefer not to wear it.” She shook her head, showing defeat.
“Good girl.”
Since I'm not used to commute, Shaine and I decided to use my car for our transportation. As expected, she was so noisy all throughout the trip. She played songs, sing along with it, shouted at random vehicles passin' by the window. Honestly speaking, she's so noisy as shit.
“What? This is supposed to be a joyride,” she chuckled after I warned her to minimize her voice.
“We're on the highway right now, Shaine,” I reminded her.
“And who cares if I'm making a noise?”
I rolled my eyes, hearing that kind of question. “People of course.”
Since she doesn't want to stop, I just let her do the things she wants. Being noisy is her thing, that's her happiness to be certain.
We arrived at the mall after dealing on the highway and on the vehicles there. I heave a sigh of relief as I get out from the car. I asked my friend to hold the key, and we immediately paced toward the entrance.
Since it is her request to go here in the mall, Shaine leaded the way as I was following her. I don't have any plans to buy anything for today. I'm just here to help her do the shopping.
We halted in the grocery section to buy the foods listed on her phone. I insisted on taking care of the shopping cart, pushing it to the direction where she is going. I look like a pet here and my friend, she is more like the boss.
“3 packs of graham,” Shaine said, reading what's listed on her phone. Maybe she's gonna make a mango float this weekend. I followed her as she was looking for the grahams. “Gotcha!” She got one pack and drop it on the cart.
“Another?” I asked. I love pushing the cart, actually. This is always my task every time mom and dad ask me to join them in shopping.
“Dad told me to buy instant cup noodles,” she responded while looking on her phone. I can't help but to smile. She's close with her dad now. That was his only wish since childhood.
His dad was a seaman before, and they weren't that close due to long distance. But after her mom died—may tita's soul rest in peace—her dad decided to resigned. Tito's managing their food business now with the help of his sister, who was also a businesswoman. In god's grace, their family was able to cope from a loved one's lost. They are my inspiration to live life, no matter how tough it becomes.
“I know where it is.” I leaded the way since I'm already familiar where the cup noodles are placed. Mom always look for it everytime we go to the mall, you know.
We continued looking for the items listed on her phone. There is still a good space in the cart, so we didn't bother to get another one.
“Ari, look on your right,” she whispered on me, thrilled in the tone of her voice.
Curious, my forehead furrowed. “Why?”
She smiled and nudged me on my arm. “Just do it. Oh, my— Ari, gosh! Look at your right.”
I glanced at my right just to stop her from forcing me.
Oh, shoot. A handsome guy was looking for an item in the grocery section just at my right side. So, this is the reason she's thrilled at the moment? Can't believe this bitch.
“Go and flirt if you can. This girl, I swear. My gosh, Shaine. We're here to shop, alright? Not to look for handsome guys,” I said, turning my gaze on her.
“Fine. I'm sorry, miss bitter,” she chuckled. I glared at her but in just a joking manner. “HAHA! Sorry!”
“Alright. Let's see what you have there in your list.”
“Last… two dozen of eggs.” Shaine browsed on her phone and find the remaining item we haven't bought yet. After adding it to the cart, we decided to lined up on the counter. Aside from those, she also added canned goods and other essentials, that's why on our way to the counter we still have to help each other in pushing the cart.
After groceries, Shaine asked me to stop on the dress section to check if they already released new arrivals. She got interested in the red off shoulder dress and asked how much does it cost. Shaine even bought a pair of white crocs for me, even when I said there's no need for her to do that. After she paid for it, we finally decided to have our lunch.
“Take your order, Ari. My treat.” Shaine handed the menu to me and since it's so great to be given free, I happily accepted it and started browsing. One order of pork steak and two cups of rice will be enough, I guess?
After Shaine browsed on the menu, she called the waiter and enumerated our orders. We waited for more than half an hour before our orders were served. Plenty of customers, you know. She ordered the same meal, but she added two cups of rice, large fries, drinks, and sundae.
“Let's take a picture!” she exclaimed and took out her phone from her purse. She smiled from ear to ear while I only smiled a little enough to convince her. After counting from one to three, she clicked the button, taking a good picture of us. That was followed by not just two but more than fifteen clicks until her phone is full of photos.
I can't hide my happiness, seeing her enjoying the moment. I was somehow guilty for not reaching the same level of positivity that she have. But still grateful to have her as my best friend. I may not be bubbly and energetic like her, at least we understand each other.
After that sumptuous meal, we finally left the mall. It's her treat, so she paid for the bill alone. I insisted and even forced to give her money, but she didn't listen. When she made it clear that it's her treat then it is her treat. Okay, thanks for the meal.
“I thought we're going home now?” I asked when she pulled my hand after we put her groceries on the back seat.
She shook her head. “Not yet, Ari.”
“So, where are we going?”
“More likely to ask, will you come with me?” she answered my question with another question. I didn't complain anymore since she's my bestie, and I'm used to that attitude of her, actually.
“Anything for you. Just lead the way.”
“Okay, here we go!” she responded with a smile and told me to drive on the direction she's going to point on me. She really wants to hang out, huh?
It took us some minutes before we finally arrived to our destination. Shaine got off from the car first due to her excitement. I followed her behind, being careful not to lose my key. Oh, hell. I can't leave it inside the car, and my dress didn't even have a side pocket.
“What are we doing here in the coffee shop?” I asked out of curiosity. She's not yet satisfied with the meal that's why she wanted to order coffee, that's my guess.
“Just follow me, Ari.”
Okay. I love this place. The aroma, aesthetic designs, the high ceiling height, furniture and so on. But something I didn't expect when we entered here is the band. I have no idea that a band is about to play today to entertain the customers and to bring liveliness as well.
“We arrived just on time, Ari.” Shaine selected the nearest table where we can see the band playing close to our eyes.
“Is this the reason you asked me to go here?” I asked, looking at the young, handsome guys. They're blessed to have such a unique talent. Not all people are gifted with nice voice and skills in playing different instruments.
“Exactly!”
We focused our attention in the front when the vocalist of the band started singing. It was accompanied by the strumming of the guitar and other instruments, which will create a soft melody once blend.
Music. I can feel the song… softly touching my heart. I'm not a music lover, but every time I listen to people singing, they accidentally caught my heart. Music is lifting my soul up, like helping me to ease my mind.
Remember that time Raven sang the song he composed for me? I don't want to remind myself about that guy. But like it or not, the lyrics made me smile.
I genuinely love this day together with my dear best friend.