Samantha retrieved the smaller box she bought inside the store. She handed it to Gregory.
“This is for you. I wanted to thank you for accompanying me.” She uttered.
She gave the card with a hand drawn heart before uttering another simple “thank you”. “You really helped my day be a better one for me, Greg.”
(Analepsis)
Gregory bought her the shoes she's been eyeing for months now. They were at the shop, checking the new arrivals of her favorite brand when Gregory suddenly reached for it and head to the counter.
And now they are at the side of the road. He was tying her shoelaces, securing them with the knots. Samantha stared. This was the first time that someone from the opposite gender did something like this—tying her shoelaces. Gregory looked up and she raised her palm right above her head to cover his eyes from the light of the sun.
Both of them chuckled in sync.
There were stalls placed at the side of the road. The 9th alley, the street is known for a bargain hunter's goldmine.
The haul entertained the both of them.
Together they did things freely.
“Vanilla ice cream is a classic.” Samantha tasted it—closing her eyes as she savored the cold dessert.
Gregory did the same thing. “And so is chocolate.”
They are the ice cream on the sidewalk. Gregory gestured, he said a word and they went to the nearest bench at the centre park. Both took a seat and placed the bags on the ground. Samantha's eyes stared at the birds that passed above them. She stared at Gregory only to see him watching the birds too. He stared at her.
"It's peaceful here isn't it? You can see the Bethesda terrace.” She took a bite of the cone, munching it after she voiced her thoughts to Gregory.
“It is. I never casually do these sort of activities. You brought me fresh experiences. I wanted to thank you, Sam.”
So we're both grateful for each other huh? She thought. “I'm glad you like what we did.”
Eating ice cream while being seated at the bench with your husband—a man who first became a stranger and slowly is turning to be a confidante. They will be more experience to come for the both of them that they can do together.
“Do you have a girlfriend, Greg?” She asked.
Gregory was startled because of it. "I don't have one. I'm not the type to include the extra marital affairs upon having the awareness of getting married to someone.”
“Even if you don't have any emotional attachment to the spouse that you will have?” She asked, probing for a bit. Samantha couldn't help but think about it because Gregory had the aura of serving a refined and regal personal that women wouldn't be able to ignore.
“But I have an ex-girlfriend.” His eyes went to look away. He was looking at the distant view far from them. "She was taken away from me.” He seriously utter.
Samantha slowly nodded her head upon hearing his statement. She was looking at him even his eyes were fixated away. “What happened?” Her question came out breathy.
Gregory subtle gaze were on her. He managed to show her a suppressed half-smile. “She was taken by another man.”
Samantha started to slump her shoulders upon hearing his words. She tilted her head on the other side and stared at Gregory. “We shared the same ending.” Flashes of the betrayal appeared in her mind again. “I was just done. I got hurt, yes. But it didn't matter to me that much. He's always been never really present. He's there alright... In those situations were he is fulfilling his obligation being a boyfriend. But he just exists, and does nothing much.”
“He rarely listens. He always loves to be the one who's being listened to.” She said the last words as if she's whispering.
A smile broke. She looked at Gregory with gentleness in her eyes. “It was rare for people to genuinely listen to me. I am glad that I finally found a person who does listen.” She told him.
"Im glad you're here, Gregory.” She whispered with an empathetic matification of the gratitude she felt from seeing how it was real—when he's listening to her.
Gregory sincerely received Samantha's gift. He carefully opened the box. Samantha took a look of the thing too.
“I was able to buy it when you're outside.” She said.
Gregory couldn't conceal the smile. Samantha noticed how it's easier for them to let their smiles out when they're together. Almost as if control doesn't exist.
"Mind putting it on me?” Gregory was gentle and careful as he asked her to put it around his neck.
She obliged...
A lot had just happened in a day. Samantha was able to bring him to a fast food place to have their lunch. She learned that his go to for take out was to order to a Chinese restaurant.
She was happy that he was able to keep her company as they strolled around the mall. Samantha told him how the mall is one of her happy place. She was able to brought him to her favorite shops to buy clothes. They were able to walked though every alley that where a wide range of contemporary apparel exist. Choosing from the plethora of things that emerge through the shops.
The jokes that she can say to him. How she wanted him to wear a suit neck time. How she wanted Gregory to try to shoot the ball in the basketball net in the arcade section wearing it. She was able to imagine his look and how he joked that he will probably caught the eyes of many people who will get to see them at the arcade. She loved it. It was a time we'll spent for Samantha.
She was staring at the glass window and let her eyes feasted with all the flashing lights she can see. They were now back at the condo unit and the clock from a acroos the building is showing the signal that its already bed time. A hand touched her shoulder blades.
“Do you want to go to bed now, Sam?” It was Gregory who said it.