Chapter 4 RED BAG

But in those moments he is hiding real sadness in a loud laugh. He doesn't want to show other people that this is the situation in his love life. Because he really wants to feel jealous, that's the fact that Alvin and his girlfriend, who has only been in a relationship for almost a year, are able to pay attention and love to the highest level of love attention, while he and Vita have been turning for two years relationship but he has yet to remember wasted time for a special moment.

There were times that he wants to ask himself if their relationship is normal as it seems there was something missing. Not in the sense of being demanding with the girlfriend but might he's longing for Vita's love gestures. Maybe somehow he also has the right to feel that way. But the sad fact is he never experienced it as he would be lucky if the word "take care" will come out of Vita's mouth every time they were together or even through text messaging.

After one week.

As he promised to his girlfriend. They watched a movie in the Pacific Mall.

"Did you enjoy love?" He asked his girlfriend while hugging her shoulder. Kobi is very tender and thoughtful to his girlfriend Vita.

"Kobi, what do you think you're doing? Take your hand away, it's embarrassing, maybe someone will see us." Vita said irritating as if avoiding the movement of her boyfriend.

Kobi's appearance was strange. He was forced to remove his hand.

"Love, I believe there's nothing wrong with hugging my girlfriend, that's a simple gesture. We're in love, aren't we!" Kobi explained in a sad tone of voice.

"Even though I don't care if we're in love, my only concern is that I don't want people to see that someone is hugging me, especially in a public place. I'm not comfortable with that action Kobi. Besides, it's just a show of people's sweet eclipses, but the truth is that the pocket has a hole and there's no money to spend." There is no argument that Vita says.

Kobi looked into his girlfriend's eyes as he glanced around.

"Love, what is the connection between simple gestures to hug someone who has no money in his pocket. Shouldn't we just be happy because even without money, it's important to feel true love through action?" Kobi explained to Vita.

"Kobi, wake up around you. Do you think I can live with just your hug and kiss? The weather is different now. I need to be more practical in my life. The battle is about money. If you have the money you are known, but when you don't have the money you are just dirt in the eyes of everyone. So! That's how you are Kobi! You are just dirt in my eyes when you have no money." There are no bones in the words Vita throws away. It doesn't seem to care about the boyfriend's feelings.

"Love, don't worry, God has mercy, maybe the time will come when I will have enough money, that kind of thing, just ask, I can buy it right away. Just give me time." Even though Kobi felt weak because of the words he received from Vita but he just ignored them. He also didn't want to ruin the day of their date. A few more minutes passed and he told Vita to go to the food court. All the foods that the girlfriend likes he actually buys. He was happy and at least he was able to make her happy with the things she wanted even in a small way.

A few more moments and they were close to the exit area. Kobi thought that they will go home.

"Wait...!" He heard Vita say as if saw something around.

"Love, I want that bag for a long time" Vita almost shouted full of excitement like a child while pulling Kobi's arm into an outlet.

This is the popular branded signature of Nine West.

Even though Kobi was reluctant to enter the said outlet, he did nothing and just drifted off to pull his girlfriend. All he knew was that his whole body seemed to be getting cold and sweating. There was only one reason he knew why he was having those moments. Her feelings intensified even more after her eyes widened at the bags displayed on the glass bag stand. She seemed overwhelmed with numbers and wanted to pull her boyfriend out.

Php 3,700

Php 5,500

Php 6,700

Php 7,000

"Hi, Ma'am and Sir good evening welcome to nine west gladly to assist you." Smiling greeting from the sales lady who looked chinita.

Kobi's eyes rolled slyly. Mixed emotions. Nervous. Sweating. Speechless. He wanted to say anything but it seems there is a blockage in his throat. At the same time, he prays that his girlfriend will not be upset but her instinct seems to be elusive.

"Do you have another color? Vita asked the sales lady while staring at a bag.

"Which one Ma'am? "The sales lady politely replied to Vita.

"This one. I like the color red, please."Kobi heard what his girlfriend said so his eyes followed what he was referring to and that's how he was disappointed. He even blinked his eyes at the thought that he was just mimicking.

"Huhh... I wish there is no color red" whispering in his mind

"Yes! Ma'am, we have the color red." sales lady answered

"Ohh! Really! That's great and love it." Vita's words with an obvious high level of excitement on her face.

Kobi even overcame the sallowness of a faint after hearing the confirmation from the sales lady and he felt even more nervous to see the price that Vita chose.

Where he will get seven thousand pesos at the moment?

He remained standing and could not remain silent. He could not speak. It was as if he just wanted to sink into the place where he stand. He can't get close to his girlfriend because he already knows what will happen. His hunch was strong.

One...

Two...

He counts in the mind. Kobi just opened his mouth to number Three when suddenly Vita spoke.

"Love please buy this one for me" he did not notice Vita approaching his back the first time he caressed - it caressed his back. He was frustrated. Dictated by his heart and mind due to the fact that there is a need for his girlfriend so tender. But that thought was immediately erased.

"Love" was the only thing he said because he was really confused and didn't know what to do and how to handle the situation. He felt embarrassed. He doesn't want to disappoint his girlfriend but what he will do?

"Please excuse us! " Finally, he told the sales lady who had been waiting for a signal if the item would be released

"Alright, Sir! no problem take your time" the saleslady replied

He almost shouldered his girlfriend and guided pushing out. Just before they got out of the outlet. Vita threw away his hand.

"What's the problem? What's this?" Vita looks very angry. It even overcame the child who grumbled because she was robbed of candy.

Kobi doesn't know how to calm Vita. He looks so pitiful. He just scratched his head as if he wanted to cry. Why didn't he get rich so that whatever Vita asked for he could buy?

"Love, I'm really sorry but please give me time again to save money to buy that expensive bag. I don't want to make a promise but I will try my best for you." Kobi's voice is raspy but his determination is reflected in every word. Kobi looks pitiful.

"Kobi... !!! " Vita raised her voice. She doesn't care if their scene grabs attention.

"Love, please ohh!" Kobi almost whispered.

"I don't care Kobi! All I care about is that bag. I want that bag! I want that bag! I want that bag! Buy that for me." Vita almost shouted that she didn't think about their embarrassment, especially the embarrassment of her boyfriend Kobi.

"Love, please give me respect and shame just even now," Kobi said. He restrains himself.

"Do you have that Kobi? "Vita is still insulting him.

"That word is not appropriate for people like you. I'm just asking for one bag you can't give yet. What kind of boyfriend are you Kobi? I have many suitors why you are the one stuck with my answer of yes." Vita looks like a woman worshiping money and possession only.

His heart seemed bloody with every word that pierced there. A knife that seemed to sink into the depths of his heart. He couldn't imagine every word that came out of his girlfriend's mouth in those moments.

People passing by inside the mall are almost looking at them because of Vita's actions and words to her boyfriend Kobi who attracts the attention of passers-by with their behavior but the woman doesn't seem to care.

Vita is making a rant.

Kobi didn't last long on the scene. Embarrassing to people. He grabbed the girlfriend by the arm and led her until they could get out. In the corner of an Acacia tree, they landed in front of that mall near the parking area rarely people pass by that part so even if they shout they are not much noticed.

" Let go of me! "Vita sighed but before he could speak he let go of his arms.

"Love what is happening to us? Why is it necessary to reach this point? Do you know how much I desire to buy everything you want?" Kobi's great resentment, he punched the Acacia tree with his fist.

"Do you want to know why I'm like this because you don't give me what I want? I want that nine west red bag worth a thousand pesos. Buy now. That's all I want then no problem." Vita is still stubborn, she doesn't listen to his boyfriend's explanation because he has been swallowed up by materialistic behavior.

"Love, didn't I tell you just give me time. Is that hard to understand?" He has a lot of patience for his girlfriend, maybe if he was just someone else, he would have beaten his temper before. But he didn't and will do so that Vita might also think about what was being done to him. So, as much as the chest can, he will only understand his girlfriend.

"It's boring to understand how angry you are Kobi. You're just a rag that is trampled on when we put our last name aside, maybe I'll be a rag too. A starving man if you don't even carry a fish, your family won't eat. I never dreamed of being a hungry one, a beak that's why I am pursuing my education degree so that I won't be like you. So! What would someone like you be proud of? At least you know how to mix cement; sell vegetables in the market; lift a bucket of slimy fish. Until then you just have no ascension in life." Vita's words are often in the bone. She didn't even feel sorry for his boyfriend Kobi. The young man bowed his head weeping as he savored the ferocity of the insult in his whole being and the most painful since that to a woman with whom he fully looked, respected, and loved Vita.

A few minutes ago. Vita also seemed to feel ashamed and pity for not hearing a single word from Kobi.

"I'll drop you home." Kobi looked up even though his heart was very sad because of his open contempt for him, he was still worried about his girlfriend's welfare.

"No! it's okay. So, I went home alone. I have money for the fare." Vita said proudly and walked to the line of tricycles without looking back. He followed it to coax but it embarrassed him even more even though other people could hear.

"Don't follow me unless you have money. You're nothing!" Vita said loudly before finally riding the tricycle.

He was left scratching his head. He felt the corner of his eye get wet. Gently suppress that by flickering.