Chapter 66

I woke up because of my cellphone alarm and even though I still felt drowsy, I forced myself to get up. It was already 3:00 in the morning when Ivan and I got home last night. We once fell asleep on the folding bed he brought to the rooftop and I wasn"t able to wake him up. At 1:30 a.m., he first awoke. He awoke me right away because he had to go home, but we decided to stay and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. When he awoke, his energy returned, and we were engulfed in the noise as we breathed the cool sea breeze. I was thinking at the time that this would be the last time I'd be able to visit, so I thanked him profusely as he drove me to the flat.
It's almost 10:00 a.m., and I've already taken a shower. I didn't feel like eating breakfast because I wasn't hungry. I got dressed after taking a bath and then I texted Aly to meet me at the main gate of the mall. She was also invited to Ivan's birthday party tomorrow and we will buy a dress to use at the same time.
I came out of my apartment wearing my high-cut converse shoes, baggy pants, and a minimalist black t-shirt. I also wore the cap I bought and I had a mini backpack that would hold my phone and wallet. He was not there when I reached the main gate of the mall so I sat in the waiting area which has a table and chairs for people who want to wait or eat outside the mall. There are only a few people and I'm sure no one will know me now.
It occurred to me to open the Facebook application while waiting for Aly to arrive. I viewed my stories yesterday and it has a huge number of viewers. They can view my stories even if they are not my Facebook friends because my account is not private. I've received a number of friend requests, but none of them have been confirmed because I'm not personally friends with them. They followed my accounts, and as a result, my account has over a thousand followers.
I went to my newsfeed after looking at it. I expected it; I expected that Baki's interview will undoubtedly become a hot issue on the internet. They were all wondering who she was talking about, but she didn't respond. They were all curious who she was referring to but I saw no response from her. I don"t know what Jas was thinking on this issue, but I"m sure he saw the interview and the trending questions with his friend.
Nothing would help me if I continued to look at and read that thing so I chose to put my phone back in my bag and then I forced myself to calm down. I waited for Aly and not long after, I saw her get off the service she was riding so I got up from my seat to greet her.
She was smiling as she ran towards me and when she got close in my direction, she immediately hugged me so I hugged her back as well. "It"s good that your parents let you attend the party tomorrow, Aly," I stated and we depart from our embrace. She inter-wined her finger on mine and then we started walking into the mall.
"I also don't understand my parents, especially mom," she responded.
"Why?" I asked.
"She was so happy to know that I was invited to the party. She really wanted to choose what I would wear because she said I should look beautiful tomorrow, but I refused. I told her that I will go with you and I will choose what I will wear," she responded.
"It"s good that she let you pick your dress with me," I stated with a smile. "By the way, did you already take breakfast?" I asked.
She nodded her head and answered, "Mom didn't let me leave without eating my breakfast and that was the exact reason why I was late to come."
"Based from what you"re telling it seems your parents change. I told you, they will change too," I said, smiling at her. I could see the strange shine in her eyes and I'm sure she felt so happy.
"And you won't believe what I'm going to say, El," she stated and stopped walking so I stopped too. She looked straight into my eyes while our fingers were still inter-wined.
"Why? What do you mean? " I asked.
"You don't have to buy clothes for the party tomorrow because mom will take care of what you wear," she said after taking a deep breath. I was speechless when I heard what she said, and she continued speaking. "It's not just that, El. It's a whole lot more. Mom wants you to come over to our place tomorrow afternoon so we can go to the party together because she hired a make-up artist for the two of us." I swallowed and remained silent. I was taken aback by what she said, so all I could do was shake my head. "Why did you shake your head?" she enquired, pouting. Didn't you like what my mother had to offer?"
Before I responded to her, I bit my lower lip. "Your mother's offer is too much, Aly," I said, indicating that I didn't feel comfortable accepting her mother's offer. I've never received such a significant offer in my life, and hearing it from her makes me both surprised and uncomfortable.
"But, Aly, this is the first time mom has done something like this. It's the first time she's allowed me to make friends. Please accept it, El," she pleaded. I can tell she wants me to embrace what her mother has to offer. "Please, Aly, don't think about mom's expense because it's not too much for her. There is nothing we can do to stop her because she already fixed everything and if you refuse, mom's effort will be wasted," with a smile on her face, she continued. Aly already knew that I couldn"t refuse so I didn"t speak up. "So, you're accepting, aren't you?" she asked.
I averted my eyes at her before responding. "Is there anything else I can do to refuse?" I asked and she just chuckle before she hugged me.
"Thank you very much, El. I"m glad that you accept it," she said.
"Since we're here, just come with me to buy a gift," I responded before we departed from our hug.
"I still don't have a gift and I will buy one," she stated.
"But before that, join me for breakfast," I said and I immediately saw the Jollibee. "Let's just go to Jollibee and let me treat you," I added and started to walk without waiting for her response.