16 Summer in the City

We had lunch at one of the City's famous and very expensive buffet restaurants. The resto lived-up to its reputation. The food was delicious. Justine and I found out that we both loved Japanese foods. We stayed mostly in the Japanese section. I eyed the rest of the gang trying out a variety of dishes. But the variety was just too many! The girls finished their lunch first. The boys said that they had just finished snacking and would proceed to lunch! We let out a groan. We wanted to visit the shops already.

Jane informed us that Gary couldn't join us for lunch. She said he would join us for dinner instead. Before we could even react, she told us that we didn't have to worry, Gary was okay.

I also received a DM from him:

Gary: Hi Nins. I didn't catch my schedule so I had to wait for my new turn. It is taking longer than expected. Please tell the gang to enjoy lunch. I'll make it up to all you this dinner.

Me: Okay. Take your time, Gars. (I teased, referencing the name he called me with earlier)

Gary: :)))) Thanks, Nins. (I smiled. I think he really IS okay)

I shared Gary's DM with everyone. Mel urged the boys to hurry. The boys finally had their fill.

Jane brought us to the mall. We told her that we local kids had been in the mall several times so she can leave us to ourselves. We just agreed where and what time to regroup. She agreed to this arrangement. She gave us her number and took ours. She also gave each of us power banks. I was impressed and told her she was a good EA. It was Mrs. Huang's idea, she said. She also handed all of us five thousand pesos each! We refused to accept the money but she insisted. She said it would make Mrs. Huang happy. We reluctantly accepted the money and relayed our thanks to Mrs. Huang.

Justine and Alexis were so surprised (embarrassed even) to receive actual cash gifts. Justine asked me what he'll do with it. He showed me his Visa debit card to imply that he had spending money. 'But of course. He's not a Rodriguez for nothing.' I told him to be just gracious about it. I suggested to him to buy Grandpa and Auntie Anita something nice.

Armed with extra power bank and additional pocket money, we ventured to explore the mall. Justine told Alexis to stick with Justine and me.

"I don't want to be a third wheel!" Alexis protested.

Marion and Via volunteered to accompany Alexis. That settled the brewing argument between brothers. Off they went. I noticed that Jane motioned to two men in all-black ensemble to follow Alexis. There were another two who were eyeing Justine and me. A thought dawned on me. I was so used to being around Grandpa Anton I often forgot how rich (and powerful) he was. 'Of course his grandsons would have bodyguards!' Mr. Huang made sure that they were provided with ample security. I was guessing it was an agreed arrangement with Grandpa Anton.

The bodyguards introduced themselves by their call signs - B1 and B2. They got our numbers and we got theirs. With this protocol done, we went malling. The bodyguards kept a respectable distance. We didn't feel stifled in our stroll. We browsed shops after shops. Justine was surprised to find some of his favorite New York brands. He was impressed with the mall. Each of us bought a pair of clothes. We bought Grandpa a pair of socks (because we didn't really know what to give him). We bought Auntie Anita a beautiful shawl for the cold season. I knew she'd scold us for buying her a gift but I also knew she'd show-off the shawl to everyone. For my father, we bought his favorite beer snack.

I brought Justine to my most favorite spot in the mall - the bookstore. I could spend hours and hours in this store. It was another one of my dreams - to have a floor to ceiling shelves filled with books. I got to live this dream in this cozy bookstore. It was exactly what I had in mind. We browsed through shelves of books. As we went to shelves after shelves, I'd close my eyes from time to time.

"What are you doing?" Justine said, amused.

"Do you know how I choose what book to buy?" I asked back.

"How?"

"I let the book choose me." I answered.

"You're really weird sometimes, baby" Justine said, chuckling.

"I know, That's why you love me." I said, laughing back.

Justine wrapped his arm on my shoulder. It was true, though. I let the books choose me. This system had never failed me. I discovered and bought books through this method. We sat in the bookstore coffee shop and read some of our purchases while sipping milk tea. Justine bought a comic book by a local author and was laughing while reading it.

"This is so funny!" He said.

I said something but it was drowned out by a frightening sound. The floor suddenly shook. It shook so bad I was waiting for it to explode. Someone shouted, "Earthquake!"

Justine grabbed me and we ducked under the table. The table wasn't sturdy enough. It toppled with our movement. Justine covered me with his body when the glass wall near us shattered. We heard people shouting. Some sounded hurt, but most sounded pure panic and fear. Two people hurled themselves to us protectively. I realized they were the bodyguards. The shaking went on that felt like forever.

When the shaking subsided, we immediately got up to go outside the mall. Justine asked me if I were okay as we walked with urgency.

"Alexis!" he said to the bodyguards. They understood immediately and began speaking on their two way radios.

We rushed outside the mall. We barely made it out when another shaking occurred. Justine and I were swept by the surge of panicked people who just wanted to get out. Glass windows were breaking, debris was raining, thick dust suffocated us. With the bodyguards shielding us, we managed to get out and reached a safe clearing in the park just across the mall. People were strewn all over it. Some were crying. Some were hugging. Some were frantically punching their cell phones. The alarm systems of the parked cars were triggered. The sound of simultaneous alarm competed with the shouts of people rushing out of the mall and the buildings nearby. It was mayhem!

"Com'on, com'on, com'on!!!" Justine was murmuring to himself while dialing. The network signal was not available. The bodyguards couldn't also contact their colleagues. I was on the verge of crying. 'Where are our friends???'

"What?!?!" B1 shouted when he finally contacted someone. He glanced at Justine, worried. He approached us and told Justine that the bodyguards lost Alexis.

"What do you mean they lost him?" asked Justine, almost shouting. I held his hand and squeezed it, hopefully to comfort him. B1 reported that his colleagues lost him even before the earthquake happened. They were looking for him when the earthquake struck.

I could feel panic and despair rose up in Justine. He was muttering to himself. I coaxed him to sit on the ground but he wouldn't budge. I told him Alexis would be alright. He just stood with a blank stare, frozen. 'Please, please, please. Lord, please, make my friends safe.' I silently prayed.

Then the earth shook again.