"I had so much fun today. Thank you both. I really have to go now. See you next time... I'll come back here again." Prim said.
"We had fun too. Thank you so much, Prim." I replied.
"Prim, come back soon. I'll miss this outing. I hope you won't take too long to return." Kai added.
"Don't worry, once my school activities lessen, I'll visit you both again." Prim assured us.
Then he said his goodbyes and left.
"I'll miss Prim." Kai said as we walked towards the jeepney stop.
"He'll come back." I replied.
"But we only get to see him occasionally. I miss the old days when he used to come to our house all the time." Kai said.
I remembered how Prim used to visit us almost every day, and we would always hang out together.
"Hey sis, why don't you date Prim? You don't have a boyfriend anyway. That way we can see him more often." Kai suggested.
"Are you kidding? That's not possible." I responded, surprised by Kai's suggestion. He was really coming up with all sorts of ideas.
"Don't you like him? Prim is handsome and kind." Kai continued.
"Be quiet, Kai. Prim is just a friend, and what you're thinking is not possible." I replied. I didn't see Prim as a potential boyfriend, and I wasn't interested.
Luckily, Kai went quiet. Otherwise, he might have gotten on my nerves more. We finally got home. Once I arrived, I finished the drawings Cairo requested. I also remembered that tomorrow is Sunday, and it's Hannah's welcome party.
I prepared the dress and sandals Asher bought for me. I couldn't help but smile as I remembered our playful pretense of being a couple at the boutique to annoy the two insulting salesladies.
_________________________________
Cairo's P.O.V
I'm excited today because my Tom and Jerry T-shirt merch that I ordered online has finally arrived. Haha, it's embarrassing to admit and may seem childish, but I've been a fan of Tom and Jerry since I was a kid, so I never miss any of their movies when they are shown in theaters.
I even have a room in my house filled with my collection of various Tom and Jerry action figures and other related merchandise. Because I'm embarrassed about this side of me, I keep it a secret. Of course, I'm Cairo Hayes, and I know it would be uncool if people found out about this childish side of mine.
The only ones who know are Asher, Sade, Denzel, and Hannah the closest people in my life.
"They even teased me, but I didn't really care. Besides, I'm already comfortable with them, so even if they make fun of me, it doesn't affect me."
I quickly put on the t-shirt. I've got to go now because the movie starts at 9 AM. I just wore shades so no one from the university would recognize me. I really don't want anyone to know me there at the cinema.
"Cairo, where are you going this early?" Mom asked curiously while sipping wine from her glass in the living room.
"I'll go to the cinema." I answered briefly.
"You're still a fan of Tom and Jerry. Look at you, wearing that merch shirt." Mom said with a furrowed brow.
"Yes, I'm still a fan, Mom, and I always will be." I replied.
"You never grow up." Mom said, shaking her head.
"I have to go." I said before heading straight to the garage and starting the car.
While driving, I happily sang along with the song playing on my car radio. I was really happy, and my mood was so light today. I just hoped nothing would ruin it. But for some reason, that annoying girl suddenly popped into my mind. Ugh. Why did I suddenly remember her, and why does she keep popping into my head?
I shook my head and dismissed the thought. I should have fun today, and I won't let anything or anyone ruin it. When I got to the parking lot, my phone rang. It was Sade calling, and I answered right away.
"Hey dude, where are you? Do you have something to wear for Hannah's welcome party tomorrow?" he asked as soon as I picked up.
That's when I remembered. Oh yeah, Hannah's welcome party is tomorrow. I forgot.
"Not yet. Do you guys have anything?" I asked.
"Not yet either, that's why I'm calling you. Come with us to Denzel's boutique, they'll give us the best suits and tuxedos." he said on the other line.
"I can't make it right now; I have plans today." I replied.
"What? Haha, just cancel it. This is important, dude. It's a big event. We're the big stars at Hannah's party, and we shouldn't disappoint the guests who are coming to see how handsome we look at that party."
"I know, but this is something important. I can go later, so let's do it after." I answered.
"What time will you be free? Where are you, anyway?" he asked one after another.
"Tom and Jerry's new movie is showing at the cinema right now. I can't miss it, you guys know that." I said seriously.
And I just heard Sade burst out laughing on the other line. I frowned at his reaction.
"Seriously dude, you're still not over that show? What the f*ck. But hey, what can we do? Hahah. Not even Hannah's welcome party—you wouldn't trade that f*cking show for anything." he said, still laughing.
"Tsk, whatever, I'll call you guys after the movie." I just said.
"Alright." he said, still laughing, and I ended the call.
I quickly got out of the car, went straight into the mall, bought a ticket, and went inside the cinema. I was really excited. My feelings hadn't changed. The happiness and excitement I felt when I was a kid watching Tom and Jerry are still the same now. I still feel like the child Cairo. It still makes me feel like a kid happy and excited.
I immediately sat down inside the cinema and waited for the show to start. After a while, the movie began, and I didn't miss a single scene. If I could, I wouldn't even blink so I wouldn't miss anything. It really makes me happy.
I kept laughing at the funny scenes, especially when Tom and Jerry were fighting. But I don't know why, while watching the show and seeing the cat and mouse chase each other, another person suddenly popped into my mind. It's annoying, it's none other than Aria. I don't know why, but I suddenly remembered all our fights, teasing, and how we annoy each other. It felt like I was seeing our situation in Tom and Jerry, which irritates me.
It's not right, and it's so wrong to compare that situation. She better watch out because she ruined my moment here. She's messing up the show; it's her fault that she keeps randomly popping into my head. She'll pay for this; I'll make sure of it. I started to feel irritated.
Especially in the scene where Jerry teases Tom, and Tom gets so annoyed that he chases Jerry out of anger, only for Jerry to always outsmart him. It's no different from my situation with Aria. It's like Aria is Jerry, and I'm Tom, and she's really a nuisance in my life. And it's so frustrating—my mood started to get ruined while watching.
Then suddenly, someone stood up and seemed like they were leaving, and they were standing right in front of me, blocking my view of the screen. I couldn't see the scene properly because they were in the way, which was so annoying. I was already irritated, and this person just made it worse. I couldn't hold back anymore, so I shouted at them in frustration.
"Hey, sit down! Move out of the way! You're blocking the view!" I shouted loudly.
And what's even more annoying is that they just stared blankly and turned towards my direction. I couldn't see their face because it was dark, and thankfully, it was dark enough that they couldn't see me either. Who knows, maybe I know them from the university—that would be bad.
After a moment, it looked like they were talking to a lady in their row, and then after a while, they left and seemed to exit the cinema. Because of that annoying person blocking the screen, I missed some scenes.
I was already feeling annoyed, and now it just kept getting worse. My mood was completely ruined, and by the time the movie ended, I was still upset. I was really in a bad mood, and I blame no one but Aria for messing with my head and that person who blocked my view in the cinema. It was just really frustrating.
I carried my bad mood with me until the movie ended, and I left the cinema. I walked around the mall wearing my shades and the Tom and Jerry shirt I ordered online. As I walked, I was still really annoyed. Aria's really in trouble when I see her.
While walking, someone suddenly shouted…
"I'M DONE WITH THIS!!!" A loud shout from a familiar voice, and I think it came from somewhere nearby.
And what's annoying is that I'm sure it was Aria's voice. Wait, was that really Aria's voice? Or am I just imagining things and going crazy because of that girl? It's irritating that she still won't leave me alone—I'm losing my mind because of her.
I didn't bother looking around and just kept walking straight until I exited the mall. Maybe no one actually shouted. Maybe it was just in my head, and because I've been thinking about Aria, I'm starting to hear her voice, like hallucinations. I'm really going crazy because of Aria—ugh, this is so frustrating.