C1 Red Bag

Almost late in the evening when Andrew decided to lie down on his obsolete bamboo bed. It has been holes and eaten also by termites. His routine everyday is to wake up early 5:00 am in the morning as he needs to prepare himself to get into work as helper in one construction company in the town of Ma. Aurora, in the Southern part of the Province of Aurora.

He grew up in a very hard lacking family. His father died early due to car accident when he was eight years old. They had small fruit and vegetables stall in the Public Market nearest from their house where taking care of his mother. But the income wasn’t suffice in their family expenses including the tuition fees of his five siblings which all of them are studying. Since he was the eldest of six children thus he needs to work so hard. After graduated from high school he did not continue in tertiary level due to call of poverty and chose to work rather, to earn money and help his mother in able to boost their family.

Every weekend if he has no school class. Instead of relaxing staying in the house he is helping his mother in their small business in the market. Sometimes, he gets extra pay when there are fish vendors asked him for carrying big tubs of multiple variety of fish such as tuna, mackerel, blue marlin, yellowfin etc.

“ Hmmm…my prince charming is coming so handsome “ said by Angelie, one saleslady in the dry goods stall in the market. Angelie is looking to Andrew carrying a big tub of fish put on his head, a half body naked sweating.

“ Hi Andrew my love! “ Angelie greeted him cheerfully teasing.

“ Hello Gel how are you? “ Andrew responded and smiled. This lady has a nickname “ Gel “ actually he remembered that he’s the one trended the nickname when they were in elementary because he takes a long time to recite it’s name “ Angelie “.

“ Sometimes I get jealous with Janna…how lucky she is having you Andrew. Handsome. Brilliant. Diligent. Hard working. “ Angelie says face which full of admiration to Andrew.

“ Huhhh…Andrew gave a wide smile…you know how I really love Janna. She is my life! She is my everything! “ Andrew’s face is very serious. You could see how happy he is with his girlfriend Janna.

“ Yeahhh! I know Andrew that’s why Janna is very lucky! Very lucky! She’s a stupid if she will lose the one like you. If she did please I’m still here waiting for you anytime. That’s all I can say vow! “ Angelie said seriously but at the same time jokingly.

“ What Gel? “ Andrew looked at her which seems silly and smiled. He saw that Gel is smiling while arranging the goods.

Gel is a jolly girl and cowboy. It’s not hard to love this woman that’s his impression. As far as he knew Gel is a self supporting student working in daytime and attending class in night time. She is simple and beautiful lady. She grew up also in their hometown. They are classmate since elementary until high school.

In fact not in boasting, most girls in their place always commended him as an ideal man of their dreams. Somebody says that he is look alike of one famous matinee actor named Jericho Rosales which is now happily married to the famous model Kim Jones.

Janna is her long time girl friend for almost two years, who came also in a poor family but the only difference between them is that Janna’s Auntie who are working abroad is the supporting her study of their children. Janna which is now in third year taking up BS Accountancy in Aurora State College of Technology. He was very happy for his girl friend.

This is his life routine. He needs to work hard to survive life's challenges.

Said that, the greater the hardships, the more glory in overcoming it. Happiness is not the absence of problems; it’s not the ability to deal with them. Always be the kind of person bravely facing life’s challenges and overcome rather than avoidance. Being challenged in life is impendent as it is a spices of life where you could become more tough and stronger but being defeated is optional which depends on your action in responding to life’s obstacle.

This is the saying that always remind to him that no matter how life brings so heavy, there is always a rainbow behind after the rain.

“ I’ve been waiting here for so long Andrew! You’re always late my Goddd…I’m so tired. “ the face frowned of Janna. She is complaining to Andrew. Actually this is not the first time Janna has complained to him as almost several times they were together. But because he really loves Janna so much so he always understands seizures and tantrums of his girl friend.

Even if he was tired from work as long as Janna told him to go immediately. He will always find a ways for the sake of Janna. He never refused as long as he can do it for the girlfriend.

He took the bag of Janna and put it in his shoulder.

“ Sorry Love! a little tired from work. He kissed Janna in the forehead but she did not response. Obviously, doing make face. “

“ Tired? Andrew what do you think of me I’m not tired? Janna has sarcastic voice.

“ No! Love that’s not what I mean. Sorry! Anyway here it is love I know it’s just a little amount but you could add in your daily allowance in school. “ Andrew put the three hundred peso bill inside the bag of his girlfriend which he’s the one currently holding.

“ Where do you want to go love? “ he asked Janna after while

“ It seems that weather is good we can walk in the beach just we buy some sticks barbe-q, fishballs, cheese stick from the street vendors. “ Andrew is fun to talk to.

He thought that Janna will be fun too but seems wasn’t. He saw the face of his girlfriend was frowned. His arms put into Janna’s shoulder and caressing the same.

“ Love is there any problem? “

“ Yes! there’s a lot of problem. “ Janna’s face reaction seemingly doesn’t care to Andrew’s feelings afterwards.

“ Then please tell me so we can fix it love. “ the voice of Andrew is pleads.

“ I want to watch movie. “ Janna said in a high pitch of voice. She is very demanding with the boyfriend.

Andrew scratched his head. Seemed don’t know what to do to satisfy the wants of his girlfriend. There is no problem if he has a lot of money in his pocket but the thing is it’s nothing. In fact the 300 peso bill that gave it to Janna was only borrowed to his co-worker in the construction. He promised that he will going to pay it on the next salary.

“ Love…” Andrew says seemingly don’t know what to say and how to start with it. This is how he got affected when Janna is complaining to him about this matter.

“ What…Andrew…? “ Janna seems creating pressure to Andrew which is now still speechless.

“ Poor guy Andrew! You have no money again and again…it’s always like that. “ Janna doesn’t care to her boyfriend. The voice is full of contempt and discrimination.

Andrew looked pitiful. Sometimes, he is becoming doubtful if Janna loves him too. But he’s ignoring those kind of things absolutely because of the extent of his love for her girlfriend. He doesn’t care to what other people will say. He had just listen to himself as own feelings. That’s the most important things for him.

“ Love why do you speak like that to me? Sometimes, I don’t think I’m your boyfriend. You know that I do everything for you just one thing I ask your broader understanding.” trace the pleading and pity in the voice of Andrew.

“ How many years have we been together? That’s all I always hear from you Andrew. “ the voice is so sarcastic.

Andrew still very calm while speaking. He had too much patience.

“ Love I’m sorry if I’m just like this in your eyes. “

“ Andrew it’s very simple I am asking to you just watching a movie but you can’t give me how much more if… “

Obviously, Janna is thinking how much more if they will move to the next level of their relationship.

“ Love please understand me, no worries let me save just one week please. “ the voice seemed to cry

Why can’t Janna understand him while he does everything even in a simple way.

“ Let’s go to the beach love! “ he even cheered the voice.

He thought that everything is alright as Janna took down head. But when he is about to put his arms on the shoulder of Janna. Her girlfriend moved away from him.

“ No! if you want to go in the beach then go alone. I want to go home now. Take me home now.“ Janna tough says

“ Love please! “ Andrew has begging voice

“ No! Andrew…after all invite me when you have money in your pocket. “ rude way of speech

Andrew has nothing to do except Janna took home as requested. Janna didn’t even look at him or tell him to be careful when he came home. But he just understood the girlfriend might just be tired from their class. He is lying down in his bed but drowsiness is elusive. He took his cellphone and composed a message.

“ Hi Love how are you? Did you eat dinner already? Please don’t starve. I’m sorry if I can’t grant your simple request now. Please give me more time. I love you so much. Goodnight. “

He just fell asleep waiting for a text back from Janna but until he woke up in the morning. There was no reply. He called Janna but the phone is always busy.

Exactly 6:30 in the morning.

“ Mama I’ll go ahead. “ whether the mind and body are lethargic. He forced himself to go to work.

“ Always take care my son. “ his mother hugged him who was also preparing to go to the market in their stall business.

Only five to ten minutes is the travel time going to his work. He just riding on a tricycle to get there in the site. The construction of building are composed commercial and residential leasing.

“ Andrew are you free next week? “ his co-worker Alvin asked. They currently mixing cement on the second floor

“ Why ? “ he replied as if inwardly

“ It’s my birthday. I am inviting you to join us in the house there is a few gatherings which prepared by my special lady. “ he could clearly see the joy on the of Alvin’s face that full of pride.

“ Happy birthday in advance Alvin. How many years have both been together? “ Andrew seemed curious about the relationship of his colleague.

“ Actually, brother we will celebrate our first anniversary on Saturday that’s why it’s a big celebration. She said yes to me during my birthday last year. “ Alvin is laughing too much.

“ Let’s call for a double celebration. I will try to get there if nothing is completely. “ Andrew laughs as well. While he is talking with his colleague, he’s thinking also about his girl friend Janna. He seemed to want to feel jealous at the thought that Alvin’s girlfriend preparing him for the important day of his life event even they are only one year together but to think he and Janna are together for more than two years now but he doesn’t remember that Janna made him even a special moment. Sometimes he asks himself if their relationship is normal because there seems to be something missing. But it is overshadowed by too much love for Janna. Not in the sense of being demanding to the girlfriend perhaps it is natural since he is the boyfriend of course sometimes he also wants to feel love and appreciation from Janna. But the sad fact is he never experienced anything from Janna. He would be lucky if he could receive the word “ take care “.

There were times which is mistaken by people who know him especially when in the market that Gel is his girlfriend because frequently Gel teasing him, seems to be more worried about him than his girl friend.

Like at this moment. Gel saw him passing by carrying a big tub of fish.

“ Andrew please take it wipe your body sweating, remove your T-shirt immediately so don’t dry the sweat in your back. “ Gel threw the blue bath towel to Andrew.

“ Thank you so much my dear Gel. “ Andrew smiled to her. Gel can’t hide how happy at the moment. For her Andrew is the total package of ideal man.

People around can’t avoid teasing them.

“ We thought Gel is your girl friend Andrew. “ laughter echoed around.

“ Hmmm…Gel is blushing ohhh…” one fish vendor said while smiling.

“ pssttt…stop teasing us, Andrew has a girl friend already everyone knows Janna right? “ Gel was laughed at the same time felt embarassment.

“ Huhhh…Luhhh they are not yet married, please note that wife/husband is still abducted how much more if wasn’t…we don’t know the destiny who knows? Hahaha “ another fish vendor commented which full of laughter’s over the face.

Just let everyone laugh too much.

“ Did you enjoy love? “

“ Of course that’s my favorite movie. Thank you Andrew. “

As he promised to the girl friend. They watched movie. After movie time Andrew thought that they will go home but Janna requested to go in the mall just unwind and window shopping.

They went to Robinson’s Galleria. After walking around for almost 30 minutes. They had eat in the food court. Andrew feels so happy at least he knows that Janna was satisfied wants. But after few moments a happiness seemingly vanish.

“ Love I want that bag for a long time…” Janna said which almost yelling couldn’t hide the excitement, simultaneously dragging Andrew’s hand toward the outlet.

This is the popular branded signature of Nine West.

Andrew was nothing done. All he knew was that he was nervous and sweating again. Don’t know what to do at the moment while staring the price of each bag displayed there.

Php 2,600

Php 3,700

Php 5,500

Php 6,700

Bags prices are staggering. This is the truth prevails in his mind.

“ Hi Ma’am and Sir welcome to Nine West outlet gladly to assist you. “ the saleslady approached them cheerfully

“ Do you have another color of this one? I like red “ Janna pointed out the bag amounting to Php 5,500. Andrew wanted to say something but it seems there was blockage in his throat at those moments.

“ I wish there is no red color. “ Andrew whispered in his mind.

But the opportunity seemed stingy to him.

“ Yes! Ma’am there is color red. It’s beautiful and elegant for you. “

“ Yeahh…I like it so much “ Janna voice out loudly.

Andrew take a deep breath. He is guessing in his mind what will happen next? He is right as after a few moment.

“ Love…Andrew please buy this one for me. “ Janna caressed his back tenderly.

Andrew don’t know what exactly words would say at the moment. How he will handle this situation? He feels embarassment. He don’t want to disappoint also her girlfriend. But what to do?

“ Please excuse us! “ Andrew said briefly looked to the sales lady.

“ Ok Sir no problem “

He put his arms to the shoulder of Janna and led out together.

Janna shook his hand.

“ Andrew what’s the problem? What’s this? “ Janna furiously said

Andrew looks so pitiful. He was so scratchy in his head that frustration was obvious as if he was going to cry.

“ Love… I’m really sorry but please can you give me more time to save money to buy that expensive bag. I won’t do promise but I will try my best Love…” the voice begged of Andrew is truly touching everyone’s heart. But his girlfriend wasn’t.

Janna even overcame the woman who hysterical as if she didn’t care about the people passing by.

“ Andrewwwww……!!!! “

“ Always like that…again and again…and…again….!!! Poor guy Andrewww!!! Always no money!!!!! Really I’m so fed up. It’s just only a bag I’m asking to my boyfriend but he can’t provide me. “ Janna is making rants.

“ Love please lower your voice we’re on a public place. “ Andrew almost whispered.

“ I don’t care Andrew! All I care now is that bag. I want that bag!!! I want that bag!!! “ I want that bag!!! “ Janna is almost screaming. She doesn’t care to the shame of her boyfriend.

“ Love please! give me respect and shame even now. “ Andrew said in a very low voice.

“ Respect? Shame? Do you have that? You’re nothing Andrew! Always nothing! “ Janna looks like woman who was only worshipping money and possession.

Almost every word pierced in his mind most especially to his heart. There is nothing as painful as feeling.

“ Maybe you’re right love…I’m not proud because I’m just such a garbage in your eyes but one thing I assured this poor guy in your front now has refined shame and respect to himself. “

“ Andrew stop making a drama. Buy that bag now as the store will going to close in just a few minutes. “ Janna is insisting to his boyfriend. Nothing matters to her but material things.

“ Love please don’t torture me like this. “