Magnifique Mistake

The echoed murmurs of conversation issued from the aisles of shelves inside the cozy hall of the oldest bookshop in town where Attorney Klay Nepomuceno and Leonel Montreal was having their killing time talk after settling documents at transferring title of ownership of the bookshop. "So when will you leave for Europe again?" Leonel inquired. "I have no plans for that, by now" "Why is that? You're planning honeymoon here in our country?" "Ah— n-no. I'm not yet planning for that too" "But Klay, your marriage has happened almost 5 years ago. Why do you seem to not looking forward to it" "Is it really that important?" Asked Klay "Should I?" "We're getting older Klay, my wife and I been raising 2 kids already. And at your age you also must at least have one. You're no bachelor, people might think there's something wrong with you" Leonel retorted with a soft grin. "I don't care what other people think. They'll believe whatever they want to believe" he nonchalantly stated, secretly rolling his eyes away, a bit irked with his friends remark. Leonel said the same as the rest of his acquaintances and relatives. "Or is it her whose not a bit more decided?" Leonel again asked. It took a moment but Klay didn't reply, Leonel then decidedly spoke "That would be quite surprising as the last time we met almost a year ago, at Joseph's afterparty wedding, she seems to be wanting a baby. Envious by her close friends who already has two or three bundle of joys" And again, Klay disregarded what his friend said. Instead, he roamed his eyes around. The bookshop had been closed for years, as the owner, who happened to be Leonel's older sister, had passed away. Stock of books was left untouched, the bookshop looks more vintage than before. The brick-wall wallpaper was almost torn, Glass windows are smudged and few of the florescent lamps has been broken. The thin curtains was also covered with thick dusts. "And why did you suddenly got interested about this bookshop? The last time I check, this was nothing for you but an old trashy bookshop who needs to be renovated in order to blend into synchronization of the modern style of the city?" That was long, but it's not the long statement that halted him— but the answer of the propelled question that in the end he left wordless "I see, you could give me no answer about all my questions. Anyhow, I have to leave" Klay gave him a single nod and Leonel turned his back from him and began peregrinating away. He followed him by his gaze, shadows lingered from the wall and as soon it vanished and the door chime echoed, several memories crashed upon his mind. Seven year ago that place was nothing to him. Nothing but an old trashy bookshop. He don't understand why there's still a lot of townspeople who chose to go in and out the bookshop, regardless of the fact that it sells vintage old books that was far from his generations taste. Well he considers that the youths who came in there just bought books in academic purposes, for the subject literature. Klay was no vocal about his judgement on the said place, although sometimes he talked about it, ironically, with the younger brother of the shops owner. Seven years ago that place meant nothing to him..... that he was not even interested about the book they sell nor the the costumers who loves it there. Yet, one cloudy late afternoon he found himself as an entrant of the vintage bookshop. Its not that he was enchanted to go in neither was encourage to do so, it's just he have to. He was to lend an invitation to the owner of the shop which happens to also be one of the staff in the counter. The scent of old books lingered through his nose as soon he gotten himself inside, he then silently sneeze, breaking solemn silence of the whole bookshop, having few of the people around dart a gaze at his direction— moments after they get back at their own stuffs and that Klay began peregrinating through the counter. "Is Consuelo Montreal here?" He asked to the young woman in the counter. "She was currently piling up books in the 2nd section" the woman silently replied. Her voice was very low that it was almost a whisper. "Do you have any business with her?" The young woman asked, at the back of her mind she knows that the man right across her didn't arrived to look for a book. As aside from he asks for the owner first hand, the man also don't seem to be interested in vintage antiques just by observing on how he dart a judging yet insouciant gazes on every stuffs inside the place. "Yeah" "You can wait for her if it's something you wanted to exclusively settle with her, but you can lend things into me if ever you don't want to wait" the woman smiled with warmth together with a glinting eyes. "Would she take long?" "She just started moments ago. Basically, she finishes doing it an hour or two— also she hates when something or someone intervenes" the woman replied not erasing her very smile. Klay was thinking of just leaving the invitation letter to the woman in the counter but he recalls the last time he handed her something through Leonel. Conseulo might not like being intervene along piling books yet as wells as being handed a matter using other people. Because for her, it was bothering others. Klay couldn't understand Consuelo's reason, but as much as he doesn't like Consuelo's bookshop he also don't like having a woman fume. He also couldn't be able to do something to stop Consuelo at nagging up neither leaving without listening to her as that could be a disgrace towards Consuelo. After all, Consuelo was a nice woman and was older than him which deserves to be respected. He possesses great chivalry after all, as aside from he preciously treasures woman, he also don't want be accused misogynistic by his beloved mother. He ends up waiting in a bar island attached against the glass window, seated in a stool. Along waiting, he witnessed how things gone through outside, realizing all the volatility. Vehicles and people was passing by, seldom blocking different views by their very height or scale, like the clouds that seems running upon the sky, seldom blocking the sun light by the clouds that veils. Almost all of the matter observes mobility, and seconds by seconds they all changes. Position, that's what commonly changes. How come matters change rapidly, seldom, the way mind does, but feelings usually don't? "It's been quite long not seeing you around here" Consuelo Montreal said after greeting him with a beso "It has been years of not stepping your very feet in my beloved place" the sarcasm was no filtered as saying that very fact. Klay haven't gone inside the bookshop for almost 8 years, the last time he did was when he was in Junior High School. "For my mother's incoming birthday celebration" he extended his arms as handing her the envelope containing the invitation letter. "Oh thank you" she took it from him and smiled for a bit "The last time you went here was also when you handed me invitation from Don Segundo" she said pertaining to Klay's grandfather. "You are really great kid, you learn things right away" "Don't remind me of that very day, Consuelo. And just please stop sounding you are that old. You're just few years older than me" "My age might be young, but I'm closer to him than those older people" "D-don't talk like that" he told him, stuttering as he was taken aback with the sudden statement. He then retrieved the mood and said "You're a nice person, Consuelo he'll surely lash you with miracles" "Being a good person was never an enough validation to be given longevity" she looked outside "Besides, there's a Filipino proverb that says, bad weeds are difficult to eliminate. And as a self-proclaimed kindhearted person I know I'm not one of those weed" "Then be one of the weed" "Life is short, Klay. And mine was shorter so I'll better live it with all kindness and virtues. It might be boring, but at least I have nothing to repent into as time comes" Consuelo Montreal was the kindest yet the toughest girl Klay ever knew. The kindhearted Consuelo who has been suffering with a heart illness since she was born. Life was never easy nor plain to her, yet she was trying to live normal and tender despite of the difficult and rough situation the fate have brought her. And she may be not so fortunate enough to be in a great disposition, but she was thankful with God as letting her at least live and somehow survive in the world. "Moving on" Consuelo decided to shift the topic, she knows that Klay was to leave soon enough and that he couldn't stand the place, therefore, she told herself to entertain him with an interesting topic "Our beloved abuelo was planning to have his farewell party first week next month as he'll be leaving for Mexico afterwards" "I thought he'll be staying here 'till December!" Klay was knitting his brows merely intrigued by the sudden news. Abuelo, Consuelo's grandfather was one of coolest person he ever met, that's what he thought. They share the same interest in chess and billiards, also to include that Klay has been fascinated at making wines the past few months and that abuelo happens to be a wine connoisseur. Klay also got interested in ranches due to its influence. "There was said to be a mayhem in his Hacienda that has been happening for months, and that he need to respond before things would even got worst" "What about his projects here?" "He left it to my Dad" "When will he comes back?" "Well no date has been set for that" Consuelo pulled another stool right next to Klay, and sat over there "Don't worry he'll surely be present in your wedding" "That would take long" "Long?!" Exclaimed Consuelo, indeed astounded by his answer "You should not take much duration. The last time I talked with your fiancée , she was anticipating much that she wanted it to be this year already" "Perhaps at the end of this year" sighed Klay, a bit confusing Consuelo. "Why aren't you yet specific, I have plans in the long table already" said Consuelo with a pout "You have been engaged for months, I don't understand what took the both of you so long" Klay did not respond on Consuelo. At the back of his mind, he was recalling the period in when he was profoundly attached with the young elegant and intellectual woman. The beginning of his affection towards his fiancé, Yngrid Santino, was all enthusiastic— sweet words and gestures, romantic dates, frequent contacts, flowers and serenades. Klay has showcased his devotion towards the woman whom he met as he was taking his pre-law course in a prestigious university. The woman who inspires and aspires him. She brought every ineffable feelings into Klay. That it invokes the young man's intention to pursue her The period of great hunger— the relentless pursuit for the woman's returned affection. Where did the avid admiration gone? Where did the intense pursuit ends up? At first he was all jocund but now he seems to be needing a voice to urge over his ears. "Hesitating" Consuelo broke the silence between them "You seemed less decided than to reckon how much you crave for her 'yes' back then" "That isn't it" he tried to deny but Consuelo has seems to have mastered this sort that she have merely scrutinized it already. "It was not strange yet neither normal to be this way before marriage. The doubt emerges in mind and that seldom, unfortunately, you may immense into it. Jeopardizing your mind, withdrawing your oath to the woman you love" Klay stared at her intently, while her gazes were lost in the void "You once loved, rather" "Consuelo, I'm just a bit hesitating. I did not unloved her" he snorted even shaking his head in slow manner, dismissing Consuelo. "And that's the beginning!" Exclaimed Consuelo, aiming to pursue her thought "Why would you prolong an important event such as wedding? Everybody thought that your reason was valid, that you wanted to have a degree in Law first but I was an exception. You could have married Yngrid before entering Law School. But no, you did not. Because the truth is you entered Law School to willingly study for almost 8 years in order to prolong your youth. In order to not yet marry her" Klay again shook his head while smiling out of disbelief, still dismissing Consuelo's statement. He hates it when people speculate, the way Consuelo always do, but this time seems to have been different. For as much as he don't want to entertain Consuelo's notion— he still did. She may be right, she may be not. Klay, was a smart guy, responsible and indeed quixotic man. He makes sure to organize his decisions and that he'll stand to it no matter what. Breaking promises was what he never done as he only promise what he knew he could do. He was not planning at not marrying her though, it's just something's urging him that not yet, not now. Yet was uncertain when to. "You're not so certain about it... that was strange" Consuelo commented on his silence. She's good at it, reading people's mind, and that frequently, she got what exactly was going on there. "I am" Klay finally admitted "But it's not about the marriage nor the wedding or her..." "Then what?" "I am uncertain in some matter... that— I am also uncertain what it was" Klay chuckled, in low and melancholic manner. "You're the greatest guy I ever knew in your generation. My younger brother was a scumbag, and you're a total contrary" Consuelo grinned "But I should have forgot that you're a man too. And that man always mismanage their lives no matter what and they always break their promise!" "Oh c'mon we don't!" "You do! You even did!" Exclaimed Consuelo, and then she hissed "My father had an affair right after their marriage with my mom, my grandfathers love life was also like an imbroglio, my younger brother on the other hand went to be a fuckboy. And you know... I remembered how they swear they ain't going to be a jerk" she again chuckled "I am 13 when I witnessed how my father spit an oath right in the altar, I am 15 when Abuelo swore to my grandma that she's just the only woman she has loved and that they even danced along a romantic song after that, but then I learned that he actually has other women before, I even meet his grandchildren from them. I also remembered that my younger brother promised to me that he'll not be like Dad— but look at him now— he's nowhere near him, or even worst than Dad" Consuelo pursued her very thought creating havoc on the young man's mind and feelings. He overthought along Consuelo's sermons, and that he felt bad for himself. He has realized much things and he turned to have looked down to himself. Self-pity? He has questioned at the back of his mind. But he ends up all shrugging it up. “You better depart” Consuelo told the young man after noticing how the sky gets darker and darker. “Yeah” Klay replied after glancing at the sky. They then encountered each other’s gaze “We’ll be expecting you around the party, make sure to come” Consuelo plastered a thrift yet warm smile and nodded at him “I’ll go” and the both bid their goodbye after a beso, Klay then walked his way through the public parking lot located inches away from Consuelo’s bookshop but he ain’t getting even so near when the rain began pouring. “Damn” he hissed as he stood frustrated in a shed. He keep on cursing at the back of his mind while the rain was pouring. The water that fell from the gutter, the strong cold wind, the sound of the raindrops hitting every roof, and the melange of every onomatopoeic sound irks a big s**t on Klay yet all he could do was to sigh while hugging himself as being enveloped by the coldness of the breeze. Minutes long and that he was all hopeless as the rain poured much stronger. However, a thuds of the running footsteps together with the splashes of water and the sound of the raindrops hitting the none porous umbrella lingered through the vicinity. Just then he heard a heavy sigh of someone right next to him, that’s when he turned his head sideward to gaze at who just came. “Miss” with no hesitation, only audacious determination he began. The young lady turned to look at the distressed soaked man “A-are you waiting for a bus?” “Y-Yeah” she stuttered out of hesitation about replying to the stranger. “I parked my car in the parking lot nearby. I can drive you through wherever you’re heading but please let’s share with your umbrella” What Klay has discussed had her speechless, that she just left her mouth half open while staring at him with furrowing brows and narrowed eyes— suspicious about that guy’s intention. “Look. You may have come up with an idea that I have other intentions as I know what I asked you was pretty unusual, but I swear I mean it!” Klay explained hastily “I really just need an umbrella, I couldn’t stand the downpour and that I still have errands later” “I-I’m sorry— I couldn’t totally understand you” the young lady said while shaking her head in a slow manner. Klay sighed “I know you found me suspicious due to what I asked earlier. But I just need your umbrella because I am in hurry and I need to get to my car which is—“ “Okay—Okay” the young lady cuts her off while lifting its right hand facing Klay its palm while shaking it, dismissing Klay. “You want my umbrella so that you can go though your car in the nearby parking lot and in return you’ll drive me through my destination” “Yes!” “And why do you think I’m going negotiate with just that?” “I am in hurry. If you are worried that I might do something to you, well then you can get my identity and message your friends or parents that I am the last person you’re with. Also—“ Klay turned to look at the direction elsewhere above the shed to glance at the camera “There is surveillance camera in here” “They may track you down if ever you’ll do something to me, but what if you’re aiming to kill me?” She asked furrowing, Klay on the other hand went bewildered “Would the evidences can bring me back to life? No. They might track you down and might even get the justice but I am still dead, I still died” “Damn” Klay only could say “Your trust issue were indeed on another level” She gave him a single nod and a thrift smile. “But seriously I’m not going to do that” “I know” the girl replied, confusing Klay much more ”I am heading in the university, are you also going there?” “You’re studying there” “I will be” “Well, I can drop you there”