His Sole Exception

#1

"Love," Called Yohan as he got back from the balcony of his office because of a phone call. I looked at him. "The bank called, they just wanted to confirm a fifty-thousand payment for a single item."

"Oh," I said and averted my gaze somewhere saka tumayo and went near his mini-library. I pretended I was looking for something.

"Love," Yohan called but I didn't dared to look back. I'm gonna get scolded again for my shopping expenses! "Ami," He called in a serious manner.

"It was for a gift, okay?" I defended myself, annoyed.

I heard him sigh.

"I thought we already agreed that no gift should be bought for more than ten-thousand. Kung meron man, we have to discuss it first."

"It's my card naman, eh."

"Your card or not, we already talked about this."

"But the gift looked cute! I'm sure you'll like it when you see it!"

"Ami," He called. "Fine, para kanino ba iyong binili mo?"

"For Elias," I looked at him with pleading eyes. "For his eight birthday."

"For wh-- What?"

"I'm sorry okay? The gift looked cute!"

"What did you buy?"

"A robot..."

"Fifty thousand... For a robot? Seriously?"

"I don't like your tone,"

"I'm sorry, love. But we already talked about this diba? I know you have money and I do too, but love, we shokld learn how to control your spending. Spending a lot for things that aren't that necessary isn't healthy."

Tears brimmed down, without a second, Yohan came to me and enveloped me in a hug.

"I'm not mad at you, alright? Yes you could spend money. You have money. But my point is, doesn't mean you have money, you will go on a shopping spree."

"I'm sorry,"

"It's okay, love. I'll let this one item go but next time, you have to limit your expenses on things okay?"

I nodded. He guided me to the sofa to sit before giving me a bottle of water as he dried my tears with his handkerchief.

"Can I see what you bought?"

I got out my phone and showed him the Vector Robot I bought with built in Alexa.

*

"Happy birthday, Elias!" I greeted him as I gave him the paper bag.

"Thank you, auntie." Said Elias in a bit of sad tone.

"Why do you look sad? Aren't you happy with the gift?" I asked.

Tash sighed on her side, "Elias, stop being ungrateful."

"May problem ba?" I asked.

"Excuse him, Ami. I'm very sorry. He somehow received cash from one of Eric's friend kanina and since then, he somehow preferred it."

"I can trade him money in exchange for the gift," Said Yohan.

Pinaningkitan ko ito ng mata.

"Love, we should give him what he wants. Would you rather have him sad on his birthday?" Asked Yohan. "Hey kiddo, want to trade money for that?"

"Yohan, stop." I told him off.

"What's happening?" Asks Noah and draped on of his hands across my shoulder.

"Your hand, Noah." Yohan said in a serious manner.

Noah held his hands up high. I rolled my eyes saka na tumawa si Tash.

"Gusto makipagtrade ni Yohan kay Noah. Money for the gift." I said.

Noah chuckled, "If I were you Elias, you have to carefully think your choices. Kalag nakikipag-agawan ang uncle mo ng regalo, lalo na kung galing kay Auntie Ami mo, you should think twice."

"I'm willing to give you ten thousand," Said Yohan.

"Fifteen, uncle."

"Deal," Said Yohan.

Kinuha nito ang pitaka niya at nagsimulang magbilang ng pera. I shook my head. Some of the visitors which are mostly our Yohan and Noah's friends started to gather around us. The moment that they were about to change, Tash held his son back.

"Open your gift," Tash said. "Your auntie gave this to you. Trading it for something isn't nice. When something is given to you, whether you like it or not, you accept it and keep it. Its a sign of appreciation, honey."

"Love," I called Yohan and shook my head lightly.

"Oh, come on Ami." Yohan whined like a kid.

"Hayaan mo na sakanya 'yon. I'll just buy you like that."

"Hey buddy, what do you have there?" Asks his dad — Eric.

"A gift from Auntie Ami," Elias replied.

"Oh really? Open it." Eric said.

And just like his dad said, he opened it. Hindi ito mapigil sa pagtalon when he unwrapped the gift and saw just the box yet.

"Mommy! Daddy! It was what I was saving for! It's the Vector Robot!"

"No shit Ami?" Asks Eric.

I awkwardly smiled.

"Thank you, auntie!" Elias said and hugged me.

"Anything for you, buddy. Are you happy now?" I asked.

He nodded a lot and I chuckled, "Go and try out the robot. I read online that it is a nice toy."

"Yes, auntie! Thank you again!" Elias thanked.

"No problem," I smiled.

Naki-inuman muna si Yohan and catched up with his friends which I also did except the drinking because of my strict diet before we went home.

"I should've had the toy," Yohan told.

I chuckled, "I'll just buy you one, okay?"

"Fine, alright."

I chuckled and hugged him.

"In you go, princess." Yohan urged me tk go inside right after he opened the car door for me.

I shook my head. His forehead creased and I smiled. I tiptoed to try to at least match his height as I could, which I obviously cannot. I tilted my head up and kissed him on the lips.

***
02-02-22