Della and Jim

Della and Jim Part I

Della knew it was Christmas in two day's time. She looked at her savings. Only a dollar! How was she going to get a gift for her dear Jim?

Jim. What a poor thing he was, she mused. They used to have a very good income. A bright future lay ahead of Jim. But a year ago, he was retrenched! No one wanted to hire him, thinking that there would have been a reason for him to be retrenched. Unable to find a good job, he could only resort to working as a clerk. Of course, an extreme pay cut was inevitable. Especially of late, he had been returning home later and later! Just look at the dashing Jim, furiously working at his desk, his brows creasing, then his boss striding over and berating him. Oh, how Della felt for Jim!

With their pay cut, they had to move to a rented flat. Shabbily furnished, small and stuffy, was their new home. But Jim said he would work hard to let them regain their previous standards of living. How sweet Jim was!

So, how was she going to get a gift for Jim? Then, looking into the mirror, she saw her pride and joy-her hair. Silky and auburn was her hair, and untying her bun, her hair cascaded down to the ground. Her vision blurred. But for Jim, she was willing to do anything.

As expected, she got a good sum for her hair. The madam at the salon said her hair would fetch a good price. What should she get for Jim? She grinned. Finally, she could afford something. Then, she saw a shirt. It was made of silk, the perfect shade of white. Yes, she would get it for him. It was worthy of him! She thought.

After buying the shirt, she went home, satisfied with herself. However, as compared to branded watch she had gotten for him last year, this was nothing.

Hours ticked by but he had not returned. Then her phone rang. It was a message from Jim! Opening the message, her previous excitement became disappointment.

It read: I'll only be able to return home at 12.00am. I have too much work.

Tears welled up in her eyes. Should she beg her father to help their financial situation? Her father, a rich tycoon, had disowned her ever since she insisted on marrying Jim. He had disapproved of their marriage, saying that since Jim had a girlfriend previously he was not going to be faithful to her and was out to con her money. Maybe, if she put her pride aside, she would be able to help Jim. Moreover, she was his only daughter. Surely, he would not be that hard-hearted?

Depressed, she took a train to a shopping mall in the city. She meandered in the shopping mall, and after a while, found herself in the supermarket. Couples, dressed in matching Christmas outfits, joyously shopped for food for their Christmas celebrations. She lifted her head up to hold back her tears and sniffed. Merely two years ago, she was one of those happy couples, with Jim. Why did this have to happen to her?

Then, she caught sight of a slender woman looking at the shelf of wine. She was dressed in a long back dress that swept the floor as she walked, adorned in jewels and carrying a Chanel bag. She looked very familiar to Della. Her watch! It looked exactly the same as the one she had given to Jim! What a coincidence, she thought.

Wait a minute, she mused, Jim, oh! She was Jim's ex-girlfriend! Della stepped forward, about to say hi to her, when she purred to someone behind her, "Darling, come here, I think this vintage wine looks good. Let's get this to celebrate your appointment as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company!"

Swift footsteps approached.

"Yes, honey?"

That very instant Della spun around, her jaw dropped.

"Jim?"

The man loosened his grip around the woman's waist and turned around in shock and recognition.