Kick-Start

Them

Ella was turned to one side, while James faced the other. Sleeping in a small bed while not speaking to each other was a difficult thing.

When they started the day before, Ella was just about to leave when James woke up. "Uuna na ako ha? See you at school."

James prepared as well but just when he was about to leave, his bag strap gave in. Checking their closet, he took the one closest in size to his current one.

His pen messed up the insides with ink.

"My bag is ruined!" Ella complained when she saw her branded bag at its state.

"Sorry. Yan lang kasi yung makita ko na madaling bitbitin kanina, sira na yung akin eh," James explained.

In her annoyance, she took out James' stuff to examine better and forgot to fix it. It rained hard that night and their roof leak was in the area of their desk. "Ella, hindi mo niligpit! Ayan tuloy!"

"Oh, gosh. I'm so sorry, Santiago. I didn't mean for this to happen."

James had to beg his professor to allow him to re-do his work, showing his soaked paper.

They didn't speak through dinner and now, neither of them could sleep because they had been fighting for two days now and that didn't sit well with them.

"James?"

"Hmm?"

"Did... were you allowed an extension on your paper?"

"Yes." He heard some ruffling and figured that she turned and was now facing his back because her voice seemed closer when she spoke again.

"Sorry. I'm sorry na nagalit ako sa nangyari sa bag ko... ang babaw lang nun compared to what happened with your papers kasi tinanggal ko sa bag. Please forgive me?"

James sighed and faced her. "Hay... Sumama talaga yung loob ko."

"I'm sorry. I was keeping that bag kasi para kung talagang magipit tayo, pwede kong ibenta. Malaki din yung makukuha natin dun eh."

His heart melted upon hearing that.

"Forgive me? I hope you know that you're more important to me than the bag."

*

"Mahal, look!" James pointed at an item on the display window. They were strolling in the mall after buying their groceries for the week.

Ella looked at what he was pertaining to. "A messenger bag?"

"Yes. Like the one you owned that I ruined?"

"Ha? Meron ba?"

"Yes. You don't remember?"

She shook her head.

"Basta. Nag-away tayo nun eh. Let's check how much yan," he said, pulling her inside.

"Santiago, that's going to be expensive. Vintage yung design, tapos yung brand pa."

James asked one of the sales persons inside. "Sir, the bag is 150,000 pesos po."

James turned to her. "Tama ka, expensive. But guess what, Mahal? I can get it! Mapapalitan ko na yung bag mo."

Ella cupped his face. "No need nga! I appreciate the thought but I can't even remember it. Save your money and just spend it on something YOU like."

"Eh ang gusto ko lang naman makapiling ka habang buhay."

"Oh my god, Santiago. Yang pick up lines mo!" Ella blushed, and the store personnel giggled.