“Gold and gems are precious, but they are not meant for eating. Being an ornament is the only thing they are good for.” Aunt Gracias told me. She looked at me who still could not understand what she meant. “The reason why many people regard them as treasures is other than being a nice feast for the eyes, they put value on how rarely they ever get to have one of their own.” She took a green gemstone from the velvet cushioned box and showed it to me. It was shiny, but rough on the surface, stones that were not cut away were still there. It was more of shiny rock than gem. “This would have been more valuable if it was processed by a jeweler, but I wanted it as is. I cherish it not because of it’s beauty or monetary price, but by the feelings and memories it reminds me.”
I reminisce the time when I was shown my Aunt’s gemstones. The amazement I had for something so small and sparkling that came from below the earth. Later I realized that particular raw gemstone she showed me out of all the others was her favorite. It was rough, maybe you can even say ugly, despite that she held more importance towards it compared to the other gemstones in her collection with their beautiful cuts and glittering sheen.
As a child then, I did not comprehend what the real meaning that she wanted to convey to me so I just confused it with my imagination thinking the stone had magical properties. Naturally, I grew out of that childish thought with time and learned the real meaning later.
“Sierra.” The person sitting in front of me shook me off my recollection.
I gazed at them---him, my long time fiancé. His expression was hardened, I can see the anxiety and fear in his eyes as he watched my reaction. I guess I was quiet reminiscing too long it had made him nervous.
“Adrian,” I said his name slowly, thinking where should I start. Before I could say anything further he interrupted me.
“I know what I did was horrible but I really had no idea then,” He says, pleading his case right away. “The thing with Jenna was a mistake! I meant nothing for that to happen! Please believe me.”
I couldn’t help but raise my eyebrows at him, he was making a scene in panic. The other occupants of the café a few tables away were whispering about the drama they are witnessing.
“Wow! Another case of a cheating boyfriend.”
“She better breakup with him. No cheater is worth the time.”
“Men. So stuck thinking an apology can fix things.”
Even I felt a hint of embarrassment for the scandalous attention we received, though not by much. As much as I loved the one before me he can be a fool and make many mistakes, most of which were clumsy, however his recent errors needed to be addressed.
I held my hand up to signal him to stop before he ended up elaborating more unnecessary details. He pursed his lips as he tried to settle down, not willing to test my patience, not that I was getting mad. I may have felt amused at his attitude right despite how the discussion going awry.
I stirred my Latte, took a sip wetting my lips, before speaking. “Adrian, you should have realized what kind of person Jenna is. I definitely remember the times even you mentioned how her motives were never good.” I looked at him straight in the eyes. “Can you really say that all the fault lies with her when you had the choice not to give in?”
At this he could only look down in shame, holding his mug of black coffee tightly with both hands. Alright, enough playing games. Let’s go to the heart of the problem. I reached into my handbag and pulled out a small black box and placed it onto the table. Adrian saw recognized it and tensed even more.
“Sierra.” He fearfully said in a small voice.
I opened the box with one hand. Inside on a tiny velvet cushion was gold ring with a single inlaid white diamond. The gem was as big as my thumbnail, quite disproportionate to the slim precious metal it was encrusted on with elegant writing of his and my initials were engraved beautifully.
“Return this.” I said with finality.
It was at that moment tears started dripping down from his face. At least he was not crying loudly, I thought as the commentators in the background gave their view.
“Tsk, tsk, it was predictable.”
“Ha! Serves him right.”
“You go girl! Plenty more fish in the sea.”
I sighed amidst the whispers of the gossipers and took a handkerchief, offering it to Adrian. “Stop being dramatic and just get it back to Jenna. If she won’t give you a refund just sue her for fraud.”
Even without looking I know the people watching realized that what I just said seemed out of place with the conversation, not that they understood what we are talking about. The context of the conversation might have implied something but in truth it was entirely different from what it was.
“Adrian,” I reached my hand towards him and gripped it softly. “I don’t need an expensive ring with diamonds. A regular silver would do.”
He rubbed his and took a few moment s to recollect himself. “I just wanted to get you something better for a change.” He mumbled guiltily.
“Even if I like jewels and crystals that does not mean I do not know how to value anything else.” I told him reassuringly.
Just then the waiter finally came with what I had ordered beforehand. Something that would remind him of why I do not need an expensive stone to love him.
“Remember when we first started our relationship? You had no money to buy me a good present. Well, you assumed I would want something more.” I took the plate covered in cloth with the special dessert on placed on it. “You decided to take the “risk” and gave me this instead.”
Adrian blinked as he looked at the plate. On it many glittering crystals were piled together. Lumpy and jagged, yet clear and clean. They sparkled on the light of the afternoon that shone from the window of the café.
“You knew I liked shiny gemstones, since you had no way to afford one then, you decided to give sugar crystals instead as a substitute. And loved it.” I smiled at him.
He stared at the pristine candy for a moment then looked at me. Even though he was still a little upset, I could see he was beginning to cheer up. I took one from the pile and offered it.
“Also, next opportunity you want to buy gemstones again, bring me along. I learned enough from my Aunt in appraising to know if it’s a fake. Jenna cannot make any excuses from me.”
A learned with time what Aunt Gracias meant about putting value. As much as I loved collecting crystals and precious gems, they were just decorative rocks. What makes something valuable is who makes it special for you and what it means for you, I thought as I put a crystal in my mouth and savored the hard yet sweet confection.