by M.G. Marquez
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MAGGIE
Guji insisted I’d shop for clothes. He told me he’ll come with me, but I told him no. I’m a seventeen-year old girl and I can go to malls by myself. But he said he’ll chain me upside down in a chandelier if I don’t let him come with me.
What can I do? I just let him be.
I gave back Gujerk his keys this morning. I wasn’t planning on keeping them for a long time, and he threatened me that he’ll tie me up if I don’t give them back. So I did. We used his car for our trip today.
I’m currently shopping with a group of jerks. Fred and Klein are giving me tons of oversized T-shirts and size 40 shorts. Irritated, I punched them both more than twenty times.
“Hey SB, this looks great on you,” Guji put a hat on my head, trying not to laugh. “There! A perfect fit!”
“WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?” Instead of answering me, he just laughed.
I ran in front of a full-length mirror and felt my blood boil instantly. He made me wear a foot-shaped hat I looked ridiculous.
“If you don’t stop making fun of me, I swear I’m going to kill –” before I could even finish my outrage in here, Guji covered my mouth, hushing me.
“We’re in a mall, baby. Stop screaming,” he whispered while patting my head.
My face felt hot at the warmth of his voice in my ear as my hormones went crazy. I shook my head and elbowed him at his stomach. He backed away in pain.
I wasn’t particular in designs so Jason helped me pick my pillow cases. He like patterned ones that he gave me four flesh checkered cases. Guji gave me foot-printed ones which I buried into his face.
I took what Jason offered me. Guji made a face.
Before we go home, we went to an ice cream parlor I insisted on going. I told them I’d treat them anything they wanted so they came along.
But I just wished I hadn’t said anything at all.
“I want mango overload with chips and fudge,” Fred started. “Oh! I think I want a snow cone AND OH I LIKE THAT HEAVEN’S DELIGHT!”
“Can’t you just pick one?” I asked, irritated.
“Didn’t you say ‘anything we wanted’ a while ago? I define that as Mango Overload + Snow Cone + Heaven’s Delight. Do you have a problem with that?”
“You’re a monster.”
“Wow, look who’s talking.” The boys laughed and I glared at them. I threw tissue papers at Fred’s face in frustration.
Jason, Fred and Klein said goodbye when we dropped them off their street. Then I was left with a beautiful monster. He’s driving slowly and was not saying anything. The awkwardness was driving me crazy so I said, “Thank you,”
He took a glance at me and smiled a little. “Are you sick?”
I made a face at his comment and looked outside the window. “Damn you. I can take it back if you don’t want it.”
“I want it.”
My head turned to him almost instantly I thought my neck’s going to break off. “What?”
“You’re so stupid, SB.” His face wrinkled in irritation. He switched his gear and drove so fast my soul was left behind.
My high school friends who’re studying at Manila came home. We’re supposed to have a sleepover at Via’s house but Yvan asked me to have dinner at theirs. Yvan asked me first so I had to turn down the other plan.
Actually, it wasn’t Yvan who asked me at all. It was his mom. Debi ranked 5th in their class and they’re celebrating her achievement. With me.
It should’ve been the best dinner yet because I am going to eat in one table with Yvan, and it was the best thing that could’ve happened – but – Guji texted me and said I should eat dinner with him. That all of his maids were on a day-off and no one was home to cook him dinner. That he grew tired of being with Jason and the others so I should go with him instead.
I told him no.
But he insisted.
In the next five minutes, I was kidnapped. He dragged me into his car, and tucked my seatbelt in. I was about to say that I’m going to eat dinner with Yvan when my phone rang. He snatched my phone and was the one who answered it.
“Yvan!” He exclaimed. I punched his arm, but he disregarded me. A dumb ass, as always. “Maj? Who the hell is that Maj anyway?”
I am Maj, stupid. Give me my phone!
“Oh? How can she possibly eat dinner with you when she’s with me right now? We’re the ones who’ll eat dinner together,” he simply said, putting my phone down.
I stared at him in disbelief. He can’t do this to me again. “Hey, BrainDead, stop ruining my life –”
“Where do you want to eat, SB?”
“I said stop ruining my life –”
“Let’s eat at Gerry’s. My treat.” He smiled at me and my soul cried “Oh baby, hug me tight!” “I’m going to kill you.”
Guji dragged me out of Gerry’s when the clubhouse we’re trying to win over had slipped from our hands and was on the floor, dying. He said I should’ve shared it with him instead, that I ate all of the food and he’s hungry, and that I’m making his blood boil.
I can’t just let him go home hungry.
I went to McDonald’s and bought Big Mac. I tried to give it to him but he said he wasn’t hungry anymore. So, I gave it to Hana.
When I was climbing up the stairs, I met him along the way. Looking down, I said, “I’m sorry.”
Instead of answering me, he held my shoulders and leaned forward. My eyes grew big when I realized that I’m already inhaling the air he’s exhaling. I punched him in the face before he could do whatever he’s thinking.
“You bastard! What are you trying to do?” I exclaimed, blushing.
“Damn, it was a joke!”
“I can push you down this stairs and it’s alright because I think it’s a good joke. You think that’s okay for you?”
“It’ll be better if I push you down the stairs,” when he motioned like he was about to push me, I ran.
We ran around the house like crazy butterflies.
I have never felt this thrilled ever in my life.
Guji could be fun to be with. Sometimes.