Chapter 2
Saturday, 2:00 pm - Shortly after they left the jewellery shop, a young lady came into the shop just to see how things were managed in that shop. After all she forgot to remind the salesgirl on duty that weekend that a customer had booked a bracelet. Ayashi quickly went to the jewellery showcase rack beside the counter. I'm seeing things right? Please tell me it's not true! cried Ayashi's inner thoughts. Then, the salesgirl on duty came to her.
"Aya onee-chan. You're off duty today right?" enquired the girl. Ayashi quickly turned to the girl and shook her.
"Where's that diamond-studded-star-tiger bracelet!" barked Ayashi fiercely. Fortunately, there were only a few customers. They were so into the jewellery that they saw. The salesgirl on duty, Mika, answered.
"Um…er… A customer came a while ago, a girl. She, she was so fascinated with the bracelet she purchased it," she stammered.
"Shit. That guy will probably kill me," Ayashi warned herself. She then let go of Mika and sighed big time.
"Well, what's done cannot be undone. It's my fault anyway. I should've placed it somewhere else," said Ayashi to herself.
A day before the bracelet was purchased, a silver-haired guy came to the shop with his company; a quiet blue-haired boy, an almost grown-up brown-haired boy and a talkative blond-haired guy. While the three of them were busy checking and seeing the jewelleries and costumes, Yzak went to the showcase rack and was fascinated by the diamond-studded-star-tiger bracelet. His mind swam into his kindergarten year. He had liked a certain brunette girl in his class. Yzak remembered that the girl had once said that she loves the feline family; from wild lions, leopards, and tigers to the tame domestic cats.
"I love cats… um… because cats are loyal to their owner. But I also like the other feline family members; lions, cheetah, leopards, um… tigers…" before she finished off her statements, the other children interrupted.
"Kowaii ne, this girl. She likes fierce animals," said a boy. A girl supported him.
"Haii! A girl should like kawaii animals like rabbits and hamsters,"
The previous girl replied back angrily.
"What are rabbits and hamsters if compared to cats! Rabbits and hamsters are sure cute but they're of no use to me! Cats can be fierce but loyal at the same time! They are devoted to the owners until the end of their lives!"
He watched the whole scene from the back of the class. He didn't know why the girl had captured his attention. Compared to other little girls in his kindergarten, that girl was a plain-Jane. But he liked her attitude of having her own piece of mind.
Yzak smiled upon remembering his past. Ayashi, the customer service assistant on duty had watched his behaviour since he came to the shop. Judging by his weird appearance, he must be recalling something pleasant from his past, his kanojyo probably, she thought. She loved the idea of guys giving out jewelleries to their girlfriends, although the girl would probably didn't like the idea of wearing so much trinkets and stuffs. Ayashi herself had a fiancé who were annoying but understood her feelings and always cheered her up when she was down.
Suddenly, Yzak's cellphone rang. Ayashi heard a few em's and huh's from him. Then he shut off his phone. He looked around for any salesgirls and lucky for him, Ayashi was there.
"I'm in a hurry right now. But can I reserve the star-tiger bracelet? I'll come tomorrow and took it," said Yzak, quickly wrote his particulars swiftly, left a 50 bucks note and thanked her. Before she could say anything, he left the shop hurriedly together with his friends. Ayashi was puzzled and dumbfounded.
"Ah, man. The bracelet only costs 15 bucks but he gave a 50 dollar note," her inner mind monologued. Once Ayashi looked at the piece of paper, she smiled to herself. This guy certainly had a lot in his mind when writing his details. Yzak wrote:
Yzak Jule. 810605015679. Shiho, mi amour.
After a while, she laughed out loud. So his kanojyo's name is Shiho huh? Mi amour? Or perhaps the girl is his first crush.
Ayashi kept Yzak's particular and his 50 bucks note in the shop's diary and carried out her duty.
Saturday, 2:10 pm – Yzak came to the shop as promised. He was disappointed that he had to attend the family gathering immediately, after his mother called him. Emergency family gathering? Huh, I thought what was so important, he said to himself. It was the last check-up preparation made for Aunt Czarina's wedding. Grandma Anastasia had made him in charge of the bride's security. He didn't mind about it but the so-called emergency family gathering had made him left the shop right away, without being able to purchase the bracelet. If he bought it right away, his friends and family would suspect that he was up to something. He could picture his mother laughing wildly about him giving presents to girls.
"Yzak, my dear. Since when you're interested in girls? Ha, ha, ha! That's funny! Anata… our boy here has turned into a gentleman. Finally, after all these years. I thought you've turned into a gay or something. Ha, ha, ha! Someone did catch your attention right? Tell me who's the lucky girl!"
He erased that image from his mind right away. Focus! Focus! Finally, I'm able to confess my true feelings, he chanted those words endlessly. Today, he walked confidently into the jewellery shop. The first person he saw when his right feet reached the shop was the customer service assistant from yesterday.
Upon seeing Yzak's face, cold sweats were beginning to drip from Ayashi's forehead. Man, I'm gonna die for sure, she cursed herself. Yzak came to her and asked about the bracelet. Feeling guilty for him, Ayashi finally gathered up her courage and told him the truth.
"I'm really sorry, sir. I've made a mistake," Ayashi started.
"Sorry for what?" Yzak enquired. He was puzzled by the guilty-ridden face of the lady. Before Ayashi continued her explanation, she inhaled deeply. Then she proceeded.
"I forgot to tell the sales-girl on duty today to book it for you. And… um…just now, a girl had come to the shop and purchased the star-tiger bracelet," she explained in one breath.
Yzak couldn't believe what he heard. He scowled and said out some cursive words to himself. Ayashi stood there; ready to be scolded by the customer. She waited a whole minute. But nothing came out from Yzak. All that she can see now was his depressed face.
He had waited ten years to gather up his courage to approach the girl that he liked by giving a gift but it seemed that all his efforts had been thrown down the drain. He had ruined his one and only chance of getting closer to Shiho. Ayashi waited another few minutes when Yzak finally decided to speak.
"It's ok. Thanks anyway…"
He dashed out of the shop. His heart shattered upon hearing that the bracelet had been sold to other customer. So far, luck hadn't been on his side lately. Ayashi hastily went to the counter to get the shop's diary and searched for the 50 bucks note that Yzak had given to her yesterday. She grabbed that 50 dollar note and was just in time to catch him and stopped him. She shoved the note into his right hand and looked at him directly in the eyes.
"I'm sorry. Really, I am. You're sure a nice guy. If that bracelet meant for a girl that you like, I apologize. It's my fault that I didn't tell the girl on duty today to reserve it for you. But listen, if you like the girl so much, hear me. She'll appreciate you just the way you are. Not because you could shower her with diamonds or jewelleries but your inner self, your heart. So cheer up, will ya. If you like someone, don't give up hope. Work towards your goal," said Ayashi, giving a long lecture to him and smiled. Silent. Yzak stared at her blankly but not long after that, he smiled back at her.
"It was very nice of you to advice me. Don't worry. I'll be okay," Yzak responded. He nodded to Ayashi and walked away.
I wish for your happiness Yzak. If you're sincere to Shiho, she'll see you true heart. Ayashi whispered those words quietly to herself and escaped from Plant Mall. After all, today was her time off. Perhaps Touya had been waiting for her at his place.
