Chapter 29

Keep those who chose to stay and let go of those who desired to leave.

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Most of the people of Metro Manila chose to stay home due to the extreme heat index. However, solar-energized individuals, who like to go out and style themselves fancily, would still hang outside despite the scorching weather. Well, one could always go to Malls or air-conditioned establishments like cafes to chill and fight against the burning heat.

Among these people, though wearing light and cool clothes, were Mary, Neil, Wil, and Aralina. The latter had gone out of her way to invite all three of them to their group chat after creating one the last time they hung out.

"Aww! You two are wearing matchy outfits! What a cute couple you two are!"

Embarrassed to look at Aralina's and Wil's direction, Neil just kept his mouth tight, ignoring the not-so-comforting compliments about him and Mary. While the latter, on the other hand, was smiling mischievously upon coercing her boyfriend, Neil, to wear a cute couple shirt.

"Don't be a slave to love, Neil," Wil spoke, then turned his back and acted like he just didn't hear anything they said afterward. "We should hurry inside. It's burning outside."

"Wil..."

"Dude, you did not just..."

"Acting like he didn't even hear us. Is he always like that?"

Wil strode without even paying attention to them, leading everyone towards their destination as he held his umbrella in his right hand while fiddling inside his jeans' left pocket.

The other three followed suit when they could not stop Wil from walking away from them.

Aralina initially mentioned about going to the cinema since the sequel of one of her favorite movies just dropped and is now showing. She thought that she did not want to go by herself, thus inviting the three to go with her. Aralina enjoyed their company the last time. She liked the fact that they did not try to stop her from eating but complimented her and were shocked as to how much food she had consumed.

***

The amount of people in the Mall of Asia had Wil be surprised. It was twice the amount of the usual people; both locals and foreigners, ranging from babies to adults.

They were still outside yet the influx of people could easily fill one of the Malls' buildings. That might be an exaggeration but the heat they were experiencing was no joke.

"Tons of people are here," said Neil, staring at the people trying to take pictures of themselves in front of the huge globe.

Everyone's fashion style varies and you can easily divide them into groups, and categories as to who belongs to "this" kind of specific group, and who doesn't.

"Lots of attractive people, too. Don't you think so, Neil?" Wil was trying to put Neil in a tight spot as Mary just shot him with her darting eyes. "Oh, that one is a ten. The lady in red."

Neil knew that he couldn't look away other than from what was in front of him. Looking to his side was not an option either, for he did not want to meet Mary's eyes at the moment.

"Haha! I see no beautiful woman other than Mary! What might you be talking about, Wil? Mary is the most gorgeous woman alive. None of those girls could compare! Haha! Haha!"

Awkwardly, Neil waited for Mary would say anything but what she did was totally unexpected by her boyfriend. She just slid her arm behind his and wrapped it around, then decided to walk where everyone was taking their pictures as she pulled out her phone.

"Uh, you're kinda evil, Wil."

"Ehh? I was just pointing out what I was seeing. There really are lots of attractive people. And by attractive, not just conventionally but also fashion-wise."

"I can agree and attest to that," Aralina replied, nodding her head. "Despite the hot weather, everyone's being stylish."

That also goes for Aralina who was wearing a white cardigan and black leggings. Her two-inch high heels added to the already towering height of her, making Wil look small.

"Your outfit is good, too," complimented Wil, then looking away as he changed the subject. "Mary and Neil are already done taking their photos."

"Uh, now that you've said. Do you wanna take some pictures?"

"Sure," without a word or an ounce of hesitation, Wil agreed. "Give me your phone."

And his words and intention of taking a photo were misunderstood by Aralina.

"Why are you there?" Aralina mentioned.

Wil was about to take her photo but stopped midway. "Because I am going to take your photo and I want the globe to be your background?"

"No, no! What I mean is why are you not here with me? Let's take photos together!"

Aralina's demanding tone had Wil cooperating. Thanks to Mary and Neil, Wil didn't have to take a picture with Aralina only. They joined as soon as they were done taking pictures together as a couple.

"For a groupie! Smile!"

Mary took some wild and normal photos as soon as she snatched the phone from Wil's hand. As someone who does not take pictures of himself that often, Wil's pose and expression were all the same with his bangs slightly covering his eyes from having long hair.

Seeing how Wil was not either smiling or changing his expression, Aralina looked back and stared at Wil with the intention of changing how he looked. She leaned closer to him and raised Wil's bangs with her fingers like a comb.

"Smile and don't let your hair cover your eyes. You might trip on your way home someday."

Setting Wil's bangs aside was one thing but Aralina also made sure that Wil would smile in the last photo, holding both of his cheeks with one arm around him, making a smiley face by raising both sides of his mouth as Mary said "Cheese!"

"Buwahahahaha!" Mary started guffawing as if it was the funniest picture she had ever seen but then Aralina looked at the picture herself and saw how Wil expressed himself in the last photo. "Dude! Why do you have your tongue out? You're hilarious!"

~