Chapter 7

LUMIPAS ang mga araw at ganoon pa rin ang mga eksena sa School. Hindi na ulit nabubully sa loob ng classroom namin si Karl pero marami rin palang nang aaway sa kanyang estudyante hindi lang sa section namin, kaya kapag nariyan ako ay pinagtatanggol ko siya.

Sa nagdaang mga araw ay naging tahimik lang din si Ena at hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa alam kung bakit siya nagkakaganon. Hindi niya rin ako masyadong pinapansin kaya palaging si Karl ang nakakasama kong maglunch.

Ngayon ay sabado na at mag-isa akong naglilibot sa mall na palagi naming pinupuntahan ni Ena. Iniisip kong mabuti kung may nagawa o nasabi ba akong nakasakit sa kanya pero kahit anong isip ko ay wala talaga. Habang nag titingin ay napahinto ako at may biglang naisip na idea. Mahilig nga pala siya sa mga branded na bag at damit, at gustong-gusto niya ang mga gamit ko noon sa Italy, na nabili ko naman sa France.

Malalim ang iniisip ko nang may bigla akong mareceive na message sa aking hawak na phone. It's a DM from an old friend of mine and Serena's, Kelly Laurent.

From: Kells

Hi girl! So when are you planning to visit me here? you promised me!

From: Kells

Visit me now please, I'm really sick.

Followed with a voice message that says "Visit me now.. or you may not get another chance again soon" well, it's not exactly what she said in words but it was the message's motive, and it took three minutes basically because of the "Constant coughing"

Kelly Laurent is a friend to both Serena and I, and we're aware of her illness even since she was a kid so she's also home Schooled like I was. I heard that she went to Paris right after I went here in the Philippines dahil ako lang naman ang kaibigan niya noon, pwera nalang kung bumibisita si Serena. We're the same age but most of the time we treat her like she's the youngest because sometimes she's acting a bit spoiled and we didn't want to trigger her illness.

Nakapagdisisyon na ako kaya tinawagan ko si tito para magpaalam. I think this would be the perfect timing for me to go there. I'll be shopping for Serena too while I am there.

["Hija? May kailangan ka ba?"] Bungad ni tito sa kabilang linya. Alam kong busy ito kaya hindi na ako magpapatumpik-tumpik pa sa sasabihin.

"Tito, sorry po sa istorbo, magpapaalam lang po sana ako."

["Why, hija, saan ka pupunta?"]

I told him I'm visiting a friend's house in France. He was surprised obviously because it was too sudden. I just reasoned out that I wasn't able to tell them earlier because I just got the message awhile ago too and they have been very busy at work and tita was always doing some errands.

He asked me if I already told tita about this but I said no. I was actually hoping that he'd be the one to tell tita about it for me. I know tito already trusts me when it comes to traveling alone because I've done it many times. Even when I was in Italy, I travel a lot. Hindi nga lang ako umaabot dito sa Pilipinas.

["I don't know hija. Ellena might turned hysterical about this. This is too sudden!"]

"I know tito, and I'm sorry. I just got her DMS awhile ago too." I lowered my voice "I'm really worried about her, tito."

I'm not actually lying because even though Kelly seems to be just faking or exaggerating it, and I'm used to her doing that when she wants something, I still can't help but to feel worried about her. It gets me every single time.

I heard tito sighed ["Okay, I'll talk to Ellena about this. But promise me you'll be careful, okay? I'll call Lucas so he could look after you when you're there."]

Napangiti ako "I will, tito. I promise!"

As I expected, Lucas called right after tito and I finished talking.

"Lucas?" I was the one who spoke first

["Your tito called. He wants me to look after you.. you're going to Paris?"]

"Yes Lucas, but don't worry," Inunahan ko na siya "I know this wouldn't be an issue to my father. You could tell him if you want."

["Okay. When do you plan on leaving?"]

"Now. I have a friend there who's sick to visit and I just have to buy something there."

Ilang sigundo pang natahimik ang kabilang linya. ["Do you want me to get you there now?"]

I sighed "Aren't you busy?"

["Well.. I am, but you're my boss's daughter which makes you a priority. I'll send the plane now, miss. For approximately not more than 15 hours you'll be there."]

"Thank you Lucas but I'll be fine on my own. Which plane?"

["The one that is already in Manila, miss. Now, when do you plan on coming back there?"]

"Probably three days." I answered

Pagkatapos kong makausap si Lucas at dumiretso na ako sa field na sinabi niya. Ilang minuto lang din ay dumating na ang eroplanong sinasabi niya. Just an ordinary one, ang nagpaiba lang dito ay ang koronang nakatatak sa hulihang parte nito.

Pagkababa ng hagdan at may dalawang flight attendant na lumabas at ngiting- ngiti bumati sa akin. Ako naman ay nagsimula nang humakbang paakyat.

"Good day, miss Tiara."

Sabay pa nilang bati. Ngumiti ako.

"Good day too."

Nang maupo ay nagrequest agad ako ng makakain. I haven't eaten anything yet even breakfast because the first thing I did when I got up on bed was to think about how to make up with Serena.

Pagkatapos kong kumain ay natulog ako. Masyado yatang napasarap ang tulog ko alas otso na nag magising ako. Lucas was right. Baka five hours from now we'll arrive at france.

I decided to watch a movie habang hindi pa kami nakakarating. As soon as I heard the pilot talking I knew we had arrived. Sa isang field din kami bumaba. Nang pababa na ako ay nasa labas na rin ang dalawang piloto kasama ang dalawang FA kanina.

Nagpaalam na ang mga ito sakin at ganon din ako sa kanila. They'll fly back to manila or they could stay here for awhile if they want. Ako naman ay magpapahatid na lang sa plane naming narito sa bansa sakaling maisipan ko nang umuwi.

I don't know how Lucas did it but he's really a man that's so unpredictable and I know, I owe him one again.

Agad akong nagpahatid sa hotel kung saan si Kelly. Hinayaan kong sundan ako ng mga tauhang alam kong pinadala ni Lucas.

As soon as I entered inside, I approached the receptionist in charge and asked for the room number of my friend. She said she's just gonna call Kelly first to ask if I had an appointment with her. Perhaps when Kelly approved, only then she told me her room number.

Without any baggage in me, I entered the elevator while the securities that are following me remained staying in the lobby as what I told them to. I'm pretty sure if I stay in this hotel they'll be getting their own rooms too.

I pressed the 14floor button because it's where Kelly's room is. 173 is her room number so I was there looking for it. I knocked on the door as soon as I found it.

"Fayree! You're here! Oh my God, come in!" She excitedly lent me inside her room "Oh my God! I just messaged you this morning, and now you're here already? I can't believe this!"

"You guilt tripped me!" I hissed "And I went here to shop for Serena also. She's mad at me for some reason."

I sat on the couch as she grabbed me some beverages. I heard her laugh.

"You want lemonade?"

"Yes, please."

"Teka, what did you do ba to upset her?"

"Ugh. I don't know. Bigla nalang siyang nagkaganon, baka nabaliw."

She laughed out loud and handed me the drink. I frowned upon seeing its color.

"Hey. Why is it orange?"

"Oh, I ran out of lemons so I used oranges instead." She sat next to me

"So it's an orange juice then?"

"No, a lemonade."

"Well, I don't see any lemons in it."

"Because. I already juiced them."

I shook my head. "Hirap mong kausap." I said, accepting my defeat

She then came closer to hug me and I did the same. We talked for a while and she said she'd come with me tomorrow for shopping. Then something snapped in me.

"Wait, you don't look sick to me.. I knew it!" I faced her

She smiled innocently before making a peace sign "You can't blame me. Hindi ka madala-dala sa maayos na pakiusap!"

"Tsk. Napapunta tuloy ako nang wala sa oras." Sumbat ko pa "Ni wala akong dalang damit dito!"

"Ilang araw ka ba dito?"

I slurped at the juice "May pasok kami sa lunes e." I saw how that saddened her "But hey, we have tomorrow all to ourselves. "I'll treat you everything you want!"

She immediately smiled widely "You bet!"

She looked so excited upon hearing that I'll treat her out even though I for sure know she doesn't need it. I bet she can even buy the whole store to herself if she wants to.

"I missed how crazy you get, Kells."

The whole evening nag movie marathon lang kami at nang lumalim ang gabi ay tumambay kami sa terrace nitong room niya kung saan makikita ang napaka taas at maliwanag na ngayong Eiffel tower.

We stared at the alluring sight in front of us, perhaps ako lang at sinasamahan niya lang ako, for a long time as we talked about things that happened to us while we were away from each other and basically some random things.

"Kung hindi lang ako mahina, sasamahan sana kita pauwi." She just said out of the context "Kung sana naging normal nalang ako.."

I can feel the sadness in her voice.

I reached for her hand and caressed it gently "You're different because you're special, Kells." Pakikisimpatya ko sa nararamdaman niya

"Yeah." Her smile went back again "I should be 'cause I'm your only friend aside from Serena, right?" She giggled

Napawi ang ngiti ko, siguro ay napansin niya. "Or I was?" She gulped

I sighed because I know how territorial she is even with her friends. She was mesmerized by the idea of being my only friend that's not related in me by blood, and so I know as soon as she finds out that I made a couple of them back there, it will for sure make her sad.

"I made a couple of friends there..." As soon as I started speaking, her smile then again faded away "But of course you're my best friend. No one can ever take that title from you." I assure her

I saw her smile a little before she turned her gaze on the view in front of us "But that's something we aren't sure about." She muttered

****

It's so early in the morning when I woke up. Gusto kong sulitin ang buong araw na ito para mapasaya si Kelly. Pagkatapos kong maligo at makapag-ayos ay nakita kong tulog pa siya kaya nagluto na muna ako ng almusal namin.

Pagkatapos kong magluto ay binalikan ko na siya sa kwarto para gisingin. Nagtabi lang kami kagabi dahil isang kwarto lang ang meron dito sa room niya pero malaki naman.  Nakatihapa siya habang natutulog at rinig ko pa ang mahina niyang hilik hanggang ngayon.

"Kelly. Kelly, hey. Kells wake up, past eight na. hey." Sinabayan ko pa ng pagyuyugyog sa kanya

Napangiti ako nang unti-unti niyang imulat ang mga mata niya.

"What the hell...? who are you?" Tila ay lasing na aniya

I am used to her this way "It's me, Fayre. Come on, get up now. We're going shopping."

Her eyes fully opened when I said that

She got up and "Sandali, maliligo lang ako!" She snapped

I, on the other hand is enjoying seeing her like this "Take your time, we got all day."

Mabilis siyang tumungo sa banyo dala ang kanyang tuwalya "Five minutes. Eat first!" Tsaka pumasok siya roon

Hindi ako naunang kumain para sabay nalang kami mamaya. Habang hinihintay siyang maligo ay tumawag ako sa bahay.

"Hello?" Sa landline ako ng bahay tumawag kaya hindi ko alam kung sino ang sumagot ng tawag.

A part of me was hoping for it to be Serena but it turned out not. Si tita ang sumagot sa tawag.

["Hello, tiara? Is this you?"]

I smiled realizing she's been waiting for my call. I turned my phone off yesterday because I don't want any disturbance between Kelly and I as we catch up to each other's life. I just realized that it's a bit unfair in their part so I can't help but to feel guilty.

"Tita." Umayos ako nang upo "Ako nga po ito. Ayos lang po ako rito, I'm with Kelly." Unlike tito, kilala ni tita si Kelly

["Thank goodnees."] I heard her sigh in relief ["We were just talking yesterday..  and now you're in France, unbelievable!"] Ramdam ko ang galit sa boses niya ["What were you even thinking, Tiara? Paano kung may nangyari sayo sa ginawa mo?!"]

Lalo akong na guilty. Alam kong pinag-alala ko sila. Siguro nga ay masyado akong nadala dahil naisip kong normal na ginagawa ko lang naman 'to dati. Hindi ko man lang inisip na mag-aalala sila sakin.. I've become too selfish again..

"Tita, I'm so sorry.. I've no more excuses. I was wrong." I admitted

Sandali pa bago siya sumagot, ramdam ko pa rin ang galit sa boses niya ["Pag-usapan nalang natin 'to pag nakauwi ka na. I want you back here tomorrow." She paused before finishing her sentence "Please understand where I was going with this.. I'm responsible if something bad ever happened to you."]

"I know, tita. I know... And I'm so sorry. I promise uuwi rin po ako bukas."

["Okay. Call again, okay?"] She paused again ["Hija?"]

"Tita?"

["Be careful there, please."]

That made me smile "I will, tita. Good bye."

She was the one to end the call. "Tita Elenna called?" I turned my gaze at the newly showered Kelly. Her hair is dripping so she's wrapping it with a towel as she approaches me. She's wearing nothing din except sa suot na bathrobe.

"No, I did."  Tumayo ako at hinanda ang pagkakainan namin habang siya naman ay naupo. "I'm sorry. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have gotten scolded."

I sat next to her "It's okay. Hindi mo naman inasahan na pupunta ako agad."

She didn't answer. She looked in the food that I prepared and sighed "I told you, you could have just eaten first." Iling niya "Same old hard headed Tiara."

I chuckled "Well, that is my love language."

Natawa na rin siya at mukhang may naalala "Teka, pano na e wala ka palang dalang damit dito?"

Bumaling ako sa may couch at tinuro ang mga paper bag doon "Lucas sent me those kanina."

Tumango-tango siya "Idol ko na talaga 'yon."

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay umalis na kami. Nang lumabas kami ay nabigla pa ako nang maabutang nakatayo roon ang dalawa sa mga body guards na pinadala ni Lucas kahapon. They are all wearing black tuxedos and earpieces in their ear.

Kelly suggested a some store where we could find designer bags. We first went to her favorite store to shop and as soon as we entered inside some employees there insisted on accommodating us but we politely declined them. We want to look around on our own and enjoy looking for choices of bags.

Nagsimula na kaming maghanap ng bag na sa tingin namin ay magugustuhan ni Serens pero nabigo kami nang ilang minuto pa kaming naghahanap ay hindi pa rin kami makapili. Napakarami naman kasi ng choices  kaya hindi namin malaman kung alin ang mas maganda. Ilang sandali pa ay lumapit na sa amin ang isang babae na may malaking ngiti sa labi at napaka elegante kung kumilos at magsalita.

"Hello, ladies. I see you're struggling to find the right one. Perhaps you need some help?"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Kelly.

"Sure." Sabay pa naming ani.

Baka mabulok lang kami rito at hindi pa rin kami nakakapili. Ipinakita niya samin ang mga nagagandahang mga bag at halos malula ako sa dami ng magagandang ipinakita niya sakin.

"This classic Birkin bag will look austanishing on you two, ladies. This bag never runs out of style and oh, this Hermés Kelly, we only have stock of it on quiet occasions."

"They are pretty.." Napatingin ako sa nagsalitang si Kelly. Nakangiti ito nang bumaling pa sa ibang bags na hawak ng dalawa pang empleyado. Napansin ito ng babae kaya lalo pa nitong pinalapit ang dalawa.

"I like this one." Kinuha ko naman ang isang orange bag na malaki na may kasamang maliit. Orange is Serena's favorite color so I'm sure she'd love this.

Bumaling sakin ang babae "That Ma'am, is a Hermès Herbag, one of Hermès' most accessible bags thanks to its largely canvas construction. The top flap is made from thick, durable leather and features the clou de selle closure while the bag's body is made entirely of canvas and toile. The top can be detached from the body, allowing for the wearer to mix and match Herbags. This Hermès purse, which also came in a backpack version, has been compared to the Kelly because of its elegant, classic style, however, the Herbag is just a mere fraction of the Kelly's price." Napatingin ako sa babae at hindi maiwasang hangaan ito sa trabaho

"You like that, Kells?" I looked at Kelly and asked her

She nodded "Another beauty for my collection. Buy this for me, please!"

Humarap ako sa babae"Okay. We'll get them." Saad ko

"All three, Miss?"

I nodded. "Yes." At kinuha ang card sa bag ko. Good thing I bought most of my cards. Though I never had an issue about them because they had always gone through.

"YEY!" si Kelly. Para itong bata na Inabutan ng maraming candy

"Thank you so much, mademoiselle. Our shop is glad to have you ladies as customers. Hoping to accommodate you again soon. Je vous souhaite une bonne journée!" (I wish you a good day!)

Tatlo silang employee na yumuko pa nang kaunti nang magpaalam samin. Ngumiti ako at nagpaalam na rin kami bago umalis.

Sunod ay pumunta naman kami sa isang boutique kung saan nagbibinta sila ng iba't ibang uri ng crystal. The three of us; Serena, Kelly and I are fond of collecting crystals and we use them as ornaments. We even got ourselves a matchy necklace where we made the crystals as the pendant. Serena's crystal color was Citrine which is kind of a pale yellow to brownish orange variety of quartz. Kelly has sapphire which is a blue gemstone, while mine is an Amethyst, a bluish-purple one.

Kelly suggested that I get Ena a bracelet version of her necklace as well as the two of us. I also think that it's a good idea so I agreed to it. The boutique is just miles away from the first store that we went to so it didn't really took long for us to get there. I was the one to open the door but as soon as I did the bells rang as it was attached to it.

The inside of the place has this calming energy and I swear I just smelled books. The whole place looks authentic as well and most displays are antique. Before I even forgot that we're only here for the crystals, we immediately went straight to the counter.

"Bonne journée, mesdames! Alors puis-je demander ce que nous recherchons?" (Good day, ladies! So may I ask what we are looking for?) Ask by the guy in the counter

"Bonjour. Peut-on voir des cristaux?" Kelly, using her french accent

I laughed as I looked at her "Kells, the guy is obviously a filipino too." I said, shooking my head

She quickly faced the guy and stared at him shockingly "Pinoy ka?"

The guy as well looked surprised "Filipino rin kayo?" He then looked at the both of us "O' my gudness, ako rin e!"

"Sabi ko nga rin e." Panggagaya ko rito, natatawa

Malaki ang naging ngiti nito "Hay salamat! Matagal-tagal na rin nang huli akong magkaron ng kababayan kong costumer e. So anong atin?"

Nakasuot ito ng pulang damit na may hindi ko maintindihanng pattern at may suot na maraming kwentas na may iba't iba ring design at bagama't lalaki ay hanggang balikat ang buhok.

"Do you guys have sapphire, amethyst, and citrine gemstone here?" Kelly is the one to ask "The sapphire one must be the same as this." She added as she shows the gem in the necklace that she's wearing right now

I did the same as I, too, is wearing mine "Do you have an exact replica of this amethyst? I want mine to match as well."

He looked at the necklaces that we're showing him and nodded "Yes we do. Do you want just the gem or would you like me to make them as necklaces as well?"

Sabay kaming umiling ni Kelly "We want bracelets this time." Kelly said

"No, prob." Aniya ng lalaki tsaka may kinuha sa ilalim na pahabang kahon. May mga naka display ding gemstone rito pero wala ang shade na hinahanap namin.

Binuksan niya ito at doon nakita namin ang mga kaparehong kulay at uri ng mayroon ang mga kwentas namin.

"That's exactly what we want!" Napapalakpak pa si Kelly

"I don't think the Citrine one matches what Serena has tho." Wika ko at naghanap doon mismo sa kahon ng iba pang shade nito "Aha! that one!" turo ko sa isa

"Sure ka ba?" paninigurado ni Kelly

"I'm sure, Kells."

Nang sabihin ko 'yon ay tumango siya "Okay then," at humarap sa lalaki "We'll get those na." Aniya

"Alright. You can choose a design here." Binigay niya samin ang isang papel na may mga design ng chain

"I want this one." Turo ko sa isang simple at may kanipisan

"'Yan na rin ang akin." Sabat ni Kelly

"Lahat na lang kuya." Dugtong ko

Sinimulan niya nang ikabit ang mga gem sa mga ito. Mabilis niya rin unang natapos ang para kay Serena, sunod ay kay Kelly.

"So nice!" She even stretch her arms as she looks at her wrist "I love it!" She seems to be very satisfied with it

I, too, smiled when the guy handed me mine "So pretty.." it's so pretty that it made me gigled

"How much?" Tanong ko, nakangiti pa rin.

Sinabi naman nito ang presyo kaya kinuha ko na ang card ko para makapag bayad

"Oh, sorry. We don't accept debit cards at the moment. Pwede cash nalang?"

Gulat akong napatingin sa lalaki "But I don't have any cash on me.."

"Naku, sorry talaga. Bukas pa siguro kami tatanggap niyan ulit."

Nanghina ako sa kanyang sinabi

"No worries, girl, I brought some. " Sabat ni Kelly "This is nothing compared to what you've spent earlier."

After naming magbayad ay nagpaalam na kami sa isa't-isa "Ingat kayo mga miss!" buong galak nitong Sabi

"You too. Bye- bye!"