Chapter 14 Sam's collections
"The world is indeed small to make you encounter some people who made you, what you are today."
-UnleashingDesire
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"This necklace is one of the new arrivals..." The sales lady described the necklace to Celindra and Sam. Habang seryosong nakikinig si Celindra, si Sam naman ay hindi maialis ang kaniyang tingin kay Celindra. Ang sales lady naman ay hindi mapigilang ngumiti sa nakikita niya.
"I will buy it." Celindra said when the sales lady was done with her speech. Masaya naman ang saleslady sa kaniyang narinig at napangiti.
"Do you want to put a name on it?" The sales lady asked.
"Yes." Sam immediately answered. Tinignan ni Celindra si Sam bago tumango sa sales lady.
"It will take 2 hours. Do you want to wait for it in the lobby?" Celindra shook her head. Narami pa silang kailangang bilhin.
"No. We will just come back. I will pay the necklace now." The sales lady nodded with a smile.
"Cash or card mam?" Tanong ulit ng sales lady sa kanila.
"Card." Sam answered. Tumingin naman agad si Celindra kay Sam. Nginitian naman siya ni Sam.
"Let me pay. I haven't given you a gift." Celindra blinked at what Sam said.
"You already did earlier." Umiling agad si Sam sa sinabi ni Celindra.
"Those things are for sorry gifts. The necklace is for thank you gift." Sam grinned. Linabas niya na ang card niya at binigay sa sales lady. Pagkatapos niyang bayaran ay binigyan sila ng papel at ballpen ng sales lady para ilagay duon kung ano yung ilalagay sa necklace.
Hindi alam ni Sam kung para sa kaniya ba talaga yung isang kwintas dahil wala naman silang napag-usapan kaya hinayaan na lang niya si Celindra. Hindi rin nagsalita si Celindra at nagsulat sa papel, binigay niya agad ang papel sa sales lady ng hindi kinaka-usap si Sam. That's when Sam knew it wasn't for him. He felt disappointed but didn't show it.
He only smiled at Celindra when she looks at him. They both gone out to go to supermarket but stop as soon as they are in the middle of hall. In front of them are a man and woman who are looking shocked. Nakahawak ang kamay ng babae sa braso ng lalake. Ang kaninang ngiti nila ay nawala. Halatang gulat na gulat ang dalawa ng makita nila si Celindra at Sam.
"Celindra.." "Sam.." Sabay na bigkas ng dalawa. Nakatulala pa rin ang dalawa sa kanila. Ang babae ay nakatingin kay Sam habang nakatingin naman ang lalake kay Celindra.
Ngumiti naman si Celindra. She felt relive na ang tanging naramdaman niya lang ay pagkabigla na nakita niya ang lalake. Samantalang si Sam na nabigla rin ay napakunot ang noo at tumingin sa lalake. Naiinis siya sa kung paano tignan ng lalake si Celindra kaya sinamaan niya ito ng tingin.
Celindra didn't notice Sam's glare. She looks at the woman and frowned but immediately smiled. Hanggang ngayon ay nakatingin pa rin ang babae kay Sam. She didn't like it but she couldn't be rude.
"Hello. I didn't expect to see you here. Oh, by the way this is Sam. Sam this is Arthur." Celindra spoke. Nakita niyang walang magsasalita kaya naman pinangunahan niya na. Tumingin si Celindra kay Sam. Mabilis naman nagbago ang expression ni Sam at ngumiti kay Arthur. Tumango si Sam dito.
"Nice meeting you. Right. Celindra, she is Ellen. Ellen, this is my girlfriend Celindra." Sam is nervous but didn't let them see it. He thought Celindra will deny it but she didn't. He felt relieve at the same time happy. Who wouldn't? But when he again saw Arthur looking like that to Celindra, he frowned. He really didn't like it.
"Nice meeting you." Ellen smiled stiffly. Celindra smile and nodded. She knew that Ellen must be one of Sam's ex. The atmosphere became awkward, no one spoke. Celindra notice the book that Ellen is holding. Draco's book, her book. Seems like another reader of hers.
"You are a reader of Draco?" Celindra asked. Napatingin naman agad si Ellen sa kaniya. Nagtaka siya kung paano nalaman ni Celindra ito. Napansin naman ni Celindra ang pagtataka niya, kaya tinuro niya ang librong hawak ni Ellen.
"Ah.. Yes." Tinaas niya ang libro at binaba ulit ang kamay. Tumango naman si Celindra at tumingin kay Arthur. Mukhang hindi ito magsasalita kaya nagdesisyon na si Celindra na umalis.
"Well... We still need to go somewhere.." Tumango lang sa kaniya si Arthur.
"Let's go?" Sam immediately asked. He didn't want Celindra to be with Arthur even he is also present.
"Have a nice day." Celindra said. Umalis na si Celindra at Sam at dumeretsyo sila sa elevator. Nang nagsarado na ang pinto ay nakita ni Celindra na lumingon ang dalawa sa kanila. Tahimik na pumunta si Celindra at Sam sa supermarket.
Habang nagtutulak ng cart si Sam ay kumukuha naman ng mga pagkain at iba pang stock si Celindra. When Sam finished gathering his wits he asked Celindra;
"Who is he?" Celindra looks at him then she put the milk box in the cart.
"He is Arthur. I dated him years ago. We didn't really become official boyfriend and girlfriend relationship. It's just dating for a year, no label." Celindra turned left. Sam followed her.
"What happened?" Sam wanted to know it badly. He saw how the man looks at her with those gazes.
"I became busy at work. One week without communication made our connection cut off." Celindra pointed at two products.
"Which one?" she asked Sam. Sam pointed at the right one. She put it on the cart. Akala ni Sam ay hindi na itutuloy ni Celindra ang pagkwento nito ng magsalita ulit ito.
"When I finished everything I came to his house with a decision to make our relationship official..." she sighed and continues; "But I saw him with somebody else, making out. Nearly every clothes are in the floor. It's not Ellen though. Maybe, it's also for me to see so I will not make mistake in letting him be my boyfriend. Anyway, it's all in the past. How about her? Is she the third one?" Celindra looks at Sam. Sam nodded.
"Yeah. It's her. Don't worry. I don't have feelings for her anymore." Celindra laughed at his statement. "It's true. I'm telling the truth." Celindra chuckled.
"Yes. Yes. You are telling the truth. I'm your girlfriend right?" Celindra grins before turning away and walk towards the counter. Sam was dumbfounded and grinned.
He loves this feeling. It felt magical. Sam called his mother before following her.