Chapter V

“Wow! What’s with all those stuff?”

J was shocked to see me barge in the room while he was attempting to look busy with his laptop in front of him, bags of chocolates scattered on the bed, some stuff which I thought look like from an “All 99 Store” with a pair of scissors on one hand and his phone on the other and a whole lot of mess around him. To answer my question he mumbled something about preparing for a weekend getaway with his team and arranging the gifts for their Monito-Monita.

“Exchange gifts? Now? It’s not even December yet.”

J started explaining so I pretended to listen and just nodded to show I cared. He then showed me the gifts he was planning to hand out which again signaled me to smile politely to show I cared. Then a picture of an innocent boy crossed my mind, prompting me to ask.

“What are you giving V?”

J smiled and he knew why I asked. He said that he will give every member of his team a chocolate bar, including V.

“He is cute. Was that really his boyfriend in that picture?”

His smile grew bigger almost teasing and nodded to confirm. The romantic in him started lecturing me that V could be truly in love with his boyfriend because clearly looks was bypassed. Then in an instant the cynic in him thought out loud that V could be in it for financial reasons.

“True love? Blah! Financial reasons? I doubt. His boyfriend does not even look rich. Not at all!”

He clearly got the joke and laughed so hard. He then started talking about V’s unfaithful ways. He reiterated that it could be not serious at all because V still goes out on dates. He further told me about their little conversations at work about V’s plans to meet new people. Getting a hint from his words I picked up a chocolate bar and handed it to him.

“Give him an extra bar! And tell him that it’s from me.”

He giggled and asked me to write a note for V. He handed me a pen and a piece of paper with some corny Christmas saying that he got somewhere online.

“What will I say?”

He continued arranging his gifts totally ignoring my question. I thought the message should be nice, simple and sweet but definitely not corny. It should be witty, a little flirty but still a bit classy. Pathetically, the best I could come up with was,

Extra chocolate for someone extraordinary like you. :)

J retrieved the piece of paper from me and asked me to close the door when I leave as to not disturb him from his tasks. I obliged, no questions asked. With a meek smile I closed the door behind me as I optimistically open a new door towards another attempt to find that crazy little thing called you-know-what.