RECKONING SCENERIES (ENGINEER SERIES #2)

Chapter 13

"Napaka-sungit mo, dahil ba birthday mo?"

Kanina pa kami nagtatalo ni Nigel. He didn't even tell me it's his birthday. Mahalaga sakin ang mga birthdays kasi gusto ko lahat ng kaibigan ko, maranasan nila ang ma-surprise. Unlike me, na never pang naranasan ma-surprise sa buong buhay ko.

"I need to buy you a gift, kahit ano." I told him.

He heavily sighed. "Hindi na kailangan, lahat ng makikita mo na gamit sa mall, meron ako."

"Ikaw na ang reregaluhan na, napaka-yabang pa." inis na sambit ko.

He smiled. "Save your energy and time, wala kang makikita na maii-regalo sakin na wala pa ako,"

"Talaga lang, ha?" I arched my brows. "May napkin ka sainyo?"

Racie and Marcus burst out, laughing. Hindi na maipinta ang mukha ni Nigel dahil mukhang napahiya sa sinabi ko. Even my mom heard it, which she laughed too. I teased him more by grinning and giving him a teaseful look.

"I'm just gonna cook," nakasimangot na sambit nito. "Tita, mind if I use your kitchen?" 

My mom shooked her head. "Not at all, anak." 

Halos mandiri ako sa tawag ng mama ko sakanya. What the hell, since when did she call him 'anak'? Maybe she likes him for Racie? No, mom hates her. I shrugged off my jealousy on him with the affection my mom is giving him. I almost puke when he smiled so wide as he looks at my mom helping him cook.

"Racie," pagtwag ko sakanya.

She looked at me with arching brows, like asking why. "Samahan mo ako," I added.

"Saan?" she can't help but ask while putting on her white sneakers.

I took out my corduroy hot pink baguette bag with only my phone and card inside. I just pulled Racie out of the house while everyone was busy. Marcus is playing with Piper so he didn't saw me getaway. Nahihiya kasi ako sakanya magpasama.

I am going to buy Nigel a present, something I'm sure he doesn't have. Nakita ko kasi kung gaano niya iwasan si Piper sa bahay, kaya nakaisip ako ng idea ng ibibigay sakanya. I know he doesn't like dogs, that's why I will buy him one. Ewan ko, gusto ko hindi lang puro saya ang natatanggap niya sa birthday niya, dapat may stress din.

"Bibilhan mo siya ng regalo, ano?" Racie told me while driving. Hindi ko pa sinasabi kung saan kami pupunta, dahil alam kong kokontrahin niya ako. Mas close sila ni Nigel kaya alam kong nasabi na nito na ayaw niya sa mga aso.

I smiled widely. "Oo naman! Hindi ako mapakali nang walang naiibigay sakanya. He's a friend after all," I rolled my eyes after that.