Chapter 7: Mall

"Pick the clothes that are comfortable for you, I could suggest but it might not be your fashion," Zadkiro said after I asked him what clothes I should pick.

I was surprised when he invited me to come here and told me we should buy things for myself. I refused but he said it's one of his ways to say sorry for the trouble that he did not cause.

I don't know where my clothes were from the orphanage, maybe I left them on the road where they grabbed me or they threw them away.

"What about long sleeves and jogging pants?" I asked, showing him the stall where different clothes are presentably arranged.

That's what I usually wear but I still want to ask his opinion since it is his money that we're going to use to pay for my needs.

"Okay then, grab as many as you want. We don't know when we'll be back here again."

I only nodded at him and started picking the colors that I wanted. I decided to choose a plain one, I don't want too many designs on my clothes because it doesn't look good on me.

I was hesitant to put the apparel on the cart that Zadkiro was pushing but he only smiled at me. I didn't want to get many because I didn't want him to think that I was abusing his kindness, but Zadkiro noticed it and started filling the carts with different types of clothes that he saw.

He wasn't even sure if it was my size but he didn't seem to care, he just pulled here and grabbed there like the bills were nothing for him.

"Better," he mumbled when he saw the cart almost unseen because of how bunch the clothes were.

"I don't need that much," I said while eyeing the cart.

He did not answer and walked past me instead. I thought he was going to pay it already but I was wrong when he added more clothes before going to the cashier.

I saw how the cashier's eyes widened when he saw all the purchases. If I were her, I'd surely react the same.

The cashier asked one employee to help her so Zadkiro stepped aside and waited. I only sighed and went near them before they finished scanning all the clothes.

"Oh damn." I heard Zadkiro utter as if he saw something while looking at the employee putting the clothes in paper bags one by one.

Did he finally come back to his senses and realize that he was going to pay a lot of sum?

"How are we going to carry all of those in the parking lot?" he asked, I don't know if he was talking to me or himself.

I didn't know if I would laugh or just suggest returning the other clothes when the saleslady spoke.

"We have a delivery service for purchases of more than 10,000 pesos Sir," the cashier interfered when he heard what Zadkiro said.

His face relaxed like he resolved the biggest problem he encountered that day.

I just stood beside Zadkiro and waited for them to pack and scan all the clothes that this guy randomly picked. It took almost fifteen minutes and they had to make the other customers wait in their lines.

Zadkiro handed them a black card which they swiped on a machine. Luckily it didn't take that long that's why we immediately left after Zadkiro paid it all.

The employees assured us as well that they'll put it inside Zadkiro's car as soon as possible. He only gave the car's color and plate number then that's all, they didn't ask for his car keys. I don't know why, maybe it's an automatic car.

"Where do you want to go?" Zadkiro asked me while we were walking inside the mall.

I am not familiar with the things inside this building because it's been years since I came to a place like this. Maybe we'll just walk around and stop if something catches our attention.

"I don't know yet," I only answered and roamed my eyes around.

He was walking beside me while his hands were in his pocket. I couldn't help but smile and admire him today because of his outfit.

He's wearing a simple maroon polo and dark pants paired with sneakers. He is wearing his watch and I can't deny that he looks more attractive in dark-colored clothes. He looks younger and harmless.

Before Zadkiro could catch me staring at him, I diverted my gaze off him. I didn't expect that my eyes would land in a store that immediately captured my attention.

A music store.

The walls were made of glass that's why I could see what was inside. There were different types of instruments and almost all sizes were available. Drums, guitars, pianos, and many more.

"Do you want to go inside?"

I looked at Zadkiro. I didn't realize I suddenly stopped walking, maybe he noticed it and saw what I was staring at.

"Can we?"

He smiled. "Why not."

He then accompanied me inside the music store. Excitement embraced me as soon as we stepped in the shop's door. The ambiance that the instruments give me is something unexplainable.

I love music but I don't think I have a good voice and at the same time, I am not good at playing any type of musical instrument.

"Good morning Ma'am and Sir, please make yourself comfortable," an employee greeted us with a smile.

We only nodded and smiled back.

I directly went to the piano section without waiting for Zadkiro. I pressed one of the keys and it made a sound which made me smile.

"Do you know how to play it?"

I looked beside me and saw Zadkiro leaning against the glass wall while watching me from there.

"No, I wanted to learn how but I don't have anyone to teach me," I honestly said. "How about you? Can you play it?" I asked him.

I saw him looking away, trying to avoid my gaze, and cleared his throat.

"I can, but it's been years. I don't know if I could still play it."

My eyes sparked with joy. "Really?! Then can you try playing any song for me?"

A piano is a relaxing instrument and it's my favorite of all. It comforts my heart and it's not destructive in the ears.

"No thanks," he refused.

"Hey! I am asking nicely, even a short one. I wouldn't bash you," I jokingly said and laughed.

I won't judge others 'cause I cannot do it. Maybe I'll only laugh at others if I could do better than anyone else, which is impossible. Kidding.

He remained standing and I could see that he had no plans of giving it a shot so I went near him. He was curious as to what I was planning to do, I pulled his arm and I saw how he was shocked because of it but did not try removing my hand.

I pushed him to sit in front of the piano. He looked at me as if telling me "Are you crazy?", but I only shrugged like an innocent child asking a favor from him.

"Go on Zadkiro, I just want to hear how good you are at playing this one. It's my favorite instrument and I love hearing its melody but no one plays it for me. Can you be the first one to do it?" I said.

Zadkiro closed his eyes and sighed. I was worried that he'd get mad because his face was very serious right now. I am only trying to be jolly because I don't want him to scold me for forcing me to play music for me.

He remained still and serious. I didn't hear any words from him and that made me nervous. Maybe I shouldn't force him then, I don't want to upset him.

"Fine, if you—"

"No, I'll do it."

Slowly, a smile formed on my lips when he started pressing the keys on the piano. He first made sure that all the keys were making a sound before he continued playing a melody.

I couldn't stop smiling when I finally heard him play. I closed my eyes and felt the rhythm and sound that he made. I am not familiar with the music that he was playing but it was like a Korean drama OST. I love it!

Zadkiro was hesitant in playing it but he was this good! If I had the same talent as him, I'd surely sit in front of the piano for hours.

I opened my eyes and watched Zadkiro seriously pressing each key. I don't know if he's just this serious whenever he plays piano but he's so cool.

I wanted to sing together with the piano but I don't know what lyrics I should utter. In the end, I only listened carefully and watched Zadkiro show his talent.

I thought he'd play it longer but I pouted when he stopped after a few minutes. I wanted more!

"You're great! Can you play another for me?" I sweetly said, trying to look cute so he'd agree to my request.

The smile on my face disappeared when he suddenly stood up and looked up. He heaved a deep breath like he was trying to control himself and did not answer or look at me.

Did I upset him because I forced him to play piano? Should I say sorry?

"A-Are you okay?"

I thought he was going to snob me but I felt relieved when he looked at me and smiled.

"No, I'm fine. I'm just surprised I could still do it after many years," he stated.

"You're good at it. I hope you can teach me someday so I can play for myself."

He nodded.

"I am glad I was the first to play one for you."

"Yeah, thank you. You made me happy, we were only supposed to be here to buy clothes for me but you did me a favor. I wouldn't forget this," I said.

The fact that he didn't think about wasting a lot of money to buy things for me is a huge thing already, yet he still agreed to play the piano for me even if he didn't like to do it in the beginning.

He was the only person who did something much like this for me considering how we barely knew each other.

"Are you like that?"

Huh?

"What do you mean?" I curiously asked.

I looked at myself from head to toe. Yes, I have always been like this, I never changed anything about myself. I don't even have the money to improve myself.

"Do you always appreciate small things like it was a life-changing matter for you?" he asked, clarifying his question a while back.

Oh, I get what he means now.

"Why? Don't you appreciate small things?" I asked back.

He inserted his hands in his pocket.

"Yeah, they're small things, and they're called small for a reason."

Wow!

"That's not right. We should learn to appreciate small things because that's where big things come from."

I don't know if I am wrong or right but I believe that small things should be appreciated more than the bigger ones.

"Are you going to lecture me about the importance of having small things in life over huge ones?" he asked, half smirking.

"Hey I am not lecturing you, I was just trying to explain my side because you asked me about it."

He chuckled and looked away. He looks defeated by the way he expresses his reactions.

Oh, how I miss debates in school.

I couldn't help but take a deep breath and smile. Surely, soon I'll find a job and earn money for my studies. I won't give up on my education. Fighting!

"I'm not going to argue with you then, let's just go and eat. I'm hungry, talking to you is very tiring," he teased and turned his back on me walking to the exit.

"Wow, look at this guy. I am not even arguing with you."