Chapter 3 THREE HUNDRED

Unable to paint the anger and annoyance on Vita's face.

"I've been waiting here for hours Kobi! You're always late. I'm so tired of you." Vita raised an eyebrow that the complaint was clear.

Kobi was only a few minutes late and he has pissed at her again. This is not the only time because almost often this is what Vita shows him but because he really loves Vita he is trying to understand all the moods and tantrums. Even if he is tired from work as long as Vita asks he can't say NO because he will find a way for Vita's sake. He can't refuse like this he is a slave of love to his girlfriend Vita. Even though he wasn't the one who committed a mistake, Vita never apologized so that he wouldn't be in trouble and would humble himself and apologize.

"I'm sorry, love, I'm just a little tired of the site, I've done a lot today, but it's alright, of course, when there are a lot of projects, it means a lot of income and overtime to be followed." Kobi smiled as he spoke because he was happy to share the good news about the condition of the company he is working for. Kobi took Vita's shoulder bag strapped to his arm. This is something that is very impressive in Kobi's character but even though he has never heard his girlfriend praise him it seems like it doesn't matter just because Janna has heard that praise. Sometimes he thought that Vita would have the same character as Janna.

"Tired? So! What do you think of me I'm not tired? If you can say that you are tired from work while your income is too small. You look tired when you know in yourself that you are earning a lot of money. Isn't it? How much do you earn from lifting hallow blocks and mixing cement and how much do you also earn from lifting smelly fish?" Vita said in a very sarcastic voice tune that looked awkward.

Kobi was offended by the words received from the girlfriend. He was just hurt inside and at least he worked in a dignified way. The income was coined but he did not aggravate or trample anyone. But instead of reasoning, he chose to calm himself down and broaden his understanding.

"No! Love that's not what I mean! Anyway, this is only a small amount but can add to your school allowance." Kobi put the amount of three hundred pesos in the pocket of Vita's bag that was also slung over his shoulder.

"Where do you want to go? Kobi asked to kiss Vita on the forehead but that only avoided the gestures he would have made. But instead of getting angry at Vita's behavior, she chose to be calm and energetic.

"It seems that the weather is good inviting us to walk on the beach and eat grilled chicken feet, barbecue, fish balls, and so on," Kobi suggested and smiled.

Assuming that his girlfriend would like what he said. He put his arm around Vita's shoulder to comfort her because he saw that it had made face again.

"Love, is there any problem? Kobi asked his girlfriend in a low voice and was calm.

"Yes! There are a lot of problems! You are always a problem! Do we always just go to the beach and eat chicken feet. What do you think of me? I am a chicken foot. Is that all you can always offer every time we go out? I am going to look like a chicken because that's all you know to feed me. Don't you know or even think about it even if it's a bit expensive or that's all your pocket can handle as usual like before, right?" Vita replied sarcastically.

"Then tell me love so we can fix it" Kobi's tone of voice explained.

"I want to watch a movie now." Vita's voice was loud and powerful that creating too much pressure for Kobi.

Kobi looks pitiful. Kobi scratched his head. He doesn't know what to do to satisfy his girlfriend's wants. There would be no problem if he has a lot of money in his pocket but the thing is he doesn't have anymore except for their fare going back home. In fact, the three hundred pesos given had just been borrowed only from his co-worker at the construction site that he promised to pay in the next salary. Who is the fiancé who does not want the fiancée to always be happy with simple wishes? The only problem is that he doesn't have enough money to meet all the whims of his girlfriend Vita. That's a fact that Vita will never understand. It seems that Vita doesn't understand his family responsibilities and the only happiness is that Kobi can grant his luxuries and wishes.

Kobi is in the midst of confusion. He could barely utter a word because of the pressure he felt at the moment.

"What? Kobi? Tell me no more budget over and over again. You are really useless. Because you gave all your money to your mother and spend it on your siblings. They are always your priority. Can they just make you a girlfriend?" Vita puts too much pressure on Kobi's mind.

"Poor guy! you have no money over and over again. You always just have no money. We are always eating in the carinderia, not in the expensive restaurant. Since we became lovers. I don't think you took me to an exclusive and well-known restaurant. Even on our one-year anniversary, I can't remember you taking me out to a social place. Seriously, I can't avoid comparing you with the boyfriends of my friends. Their rich boyfriends always eat at expensive restaurants. Anything they want to buy can be bought immediately on the spot. Take note not only that, every month there is another expensive gift." Vita said sarcastically full of contempt and discrimination.

Just bent over to accept the insult of the woman he loved so much. Kobi looks pitiful. The face looked so scared to cry. There are times when he asks himself if Vita really loves him but at the end of the day, he's ignoring everything because of the extent of his love for Vita. He doesn't care what other people will say. If it's the same, it's really like that when you truly love.

"Love, why do you talk to me like that sometimes I think you don't think of me as a boyfriend. Your treatment of me is so different. You know that I will do everything for you Vita, and for our best future. I have many dreams for us. One thing I'm asking you is to give me more time." Kobi's voice was pleading.

"Kobi it's been years we've been together right? But there is only one thing I always hear from you. No money. No budget." Vita said in an insulting voice.

Kobi let out a deep sigh.

"Love, I'm really sorry if I am small like this! I can't do anything right now but I won't stop loving you because I also have a dream for you, for us." Kobi's voice is starting to crack because of what is Vita saying.

"It's very simple I'm asking you just watch a movie but you can't give me. So! How much more if I will ask something bigger right?" Vita's voice is insulting. It seems that Kobi was discriminated against and deprived.

Maybe Vita is thinking that what can he do. He won't spend any money, especially when they think of settling down. Because it may still have desirable expensive material things to buy.

"Love, please understand me. Give me one week to save money then we will watch any movie that you want " Kobi's voice begged to get his girlfriend to ask but Vita seemed deaf.

"Not tomorrow. Not next week. I want now. Only NOW." Toughed voice.

"Love, please" Kobi's voice is almost begging.

"No! If you want to go to the beach go alone. I want to go home now. Take me home now." Vita is raising her voice already.

Kobi was just shaken and he did nothing but follow his wishes to just go home. Kobi will just enter the gate after dropping Vita. He waited for Vita to even remember to say "thank you love for dropping, just take care when coming home" but was disappointed because he didn't hear a single word from Vita. He just thought that he might be tired from class all day so she wasn't in the mood. When he got home he found his mother in the kitchen.

"Mother, good evening! Why aren't you sleeping yet?" He took his mother's palm and waved.

"I'm really waiting for you son I can't be bothered until you're not here at home. How is your walk with Vita?" He could feel his mother's concern.

He did not notice the sadness he felt.

"It's okay Mother. I'm already asleep as I need to wake up early." He lied because he was keeping and protecting Vita. The truth is that he said it immediately because he was avoiding the possibility of asking what his mother said about Vita. He was already lying on his bamboo bedroom bed but drowsiness had not yet visited him. Vita conquered his mind. He picked up the cellphone that was put on a small table on the side of the bed. He composed a message.

"Hi love, how are you? Did you eat already? Please don't starve. Goodnight. I love you so much." after composing a message quickly press the send button. He waited for more than two hours so it was past 12:30 am when he fell asleep. But not even a reply he received from Vita.

Although his mood was heavy, he tried to be lively the next morning. Prepare himself to go to work. He tried to call Vita but her line was busy. He pulled back the curtain that served as a barrier to his bedroom. Her siblings have also gone to school. Every morning they almost woke up early to leave the house.

"Good morning Mother" he greeted with a smile.

"Good morning my son! Eat first before going to work. I cooked a fried egg, I think your brothers and sisters still have some left." What his mother means when he sees more leftovers on the table means that the younger siblings are not cattle for food.

"Mother, no worries, there are people selling food every morning on the site, I can owe the salary, that's enough. Alright, I'll go first. Just take care when going to the market." He kissed his mother's cheek before leaving.

Five to ten minutes travel to the work area. He rides a tricycle and spends a fare of twelve pesos.

"Kobi are you free on Saturday?" Alvin approached one of the co-workers at the site. Alvin was kind in fact he borrowed here the three hundred pesos given to Vita. He was currently mixing cement as it approached him.

"Why, brother?" He just smiled

"It's my birthday, brother. I am inviting you to join us in the house as there is a small party which is prepared by my special lady" The special lady he is referring to is his girlfriend. Kobi felt curiosity and admiration after hearing the co-worker's narration.

"Wow! Brother. You are very lucky with her. Advance happy birthday." At such times, he remembers his girlfriend Vita even more.

"Actually, brother we will celebrate also our first anniversary on Saturday that's why it's a big celebration for us. She said YES to me on my birthday last year." Alvin said that the extent of the smile seemed to still thrill in remembering its special moments.

"You are truly blessed with your girlfriend I foresee that she loves you very much! I will try to come, brother. What the long hair you have brother." Kobi hide the tears inside through jokes and spoke acting like a gay while laughing out loud. His sense of humor is on the highest level.