The Emerald Necklace

By Anushika Teli

“Can’t help falling in love, that’s seriously your favorite song now?” Caelum asks mockingly.

He brings her her signature Starbucks drink, Double chocolate chip frap with extra whipped cream and vanilla pump, which instantly makes her lips curve into a smile.

He still remembers, she thinks.

“You still drink Hot chocolate? And yes Kay, that is my favorite song. And I won’t hear another word for it. At least mine is better than Hallelujah.”

“Hey! I won’t hear another word about Hallelujah too, it’s one of the greatest songs ever created. It’s in Shrek!” He pouts, as if oblivious to the question.

She is giddy with delight at his childishness.

Oh, how she cherished him.

They would have been together if he hadn't had to move overseas for his further studies.

Did he, on the other hand, like her? After all these years?

“Why don't we go to the library now that I'm here? I'm quite aware of how much you adored it.”

“Still do,” she corrects him.

“Still do.”

She begins to get from her seat and collect her possessions.

“You still have my HP Crest keychain with you?” He cries amusingly, checking the keychain out with gentle motions.

“Yeah, I do. I couldn’t bear to throw it out, it was just too pretty,” She scoffs, recalling his gift to her on her 18th birthday, just before he left.

Abandoning her.

“Hey, now why would you throw it out? Admit it Celine, it was the best birthday gift you’ve ever gotten.”

“Sure,” She drags the word, feigning sincerity, “it was the best gift.”

Caelum leads her to one of the stalls put up beside the Cathedral as they proceed towards the library. She stands beside him, almost tripping over her own feet, gawking at the various fictitious jewelled bracelets, tenuous earrings, cheap clips, and other low-quality accessories.

No wonder they’re phony, she thinks.

“Which one do you want?”

“Don’t tell me you’re serious! I don’t want anything. You just came to Paris; I should be the one to treat you.” She hollered. “But why am I getting worked up about this? I mean I’m getting a gift!”

“I think you would like-”

“I would like-”

“The Emerald necklace,” They both finish together. She stares at him, mouth agape. He compensates for it with a sly grin.

“Emerald is your favorite gem, even if this one is fake,” He holds out the lovely necklace and gifts it to her, avoiding eye contact. “I think we should go to the library now.”

A million questions buzz in her ever-chaotic mind, all concluding with a question.

Does he like her? Or he is just being friendly?

She walks beside him on the pavement, leaves crunching beneath her heels, scarf tight around her neck, and stockings clinging to her legs. She hisses at her skirt, regretting wearing it when a cool breeze swift past her, making her blond hair flow in the frigid air.

They make their way into the library. Celine makes a beeline for the Sci-fi section, wasting no time. She looks through the books on the shelves and selects a few. Caelum lingers alongside her, fumbling with his hands in his pockets, withdrawing and putting them back again.

“What are you so nervous about Kay?” Celine asks sliding into the next aisle.

“Nothing,” The quiver in his voice giving him away.

Her feet come to a halt in the middle of her stride, and she turns around, her eyes narrowing as she stares intensely at him. She neglects his agitation and moves on towards to next section.

“C’mon, let’s go. I got the books I wanted.”

Celine leans towards Caelum as the librarian scans the books for the QR code to input into the system.

He stiffens as soon as he notices their proximity.

“Come out with it, what’s troubling you?” She whispers in his ear making him tingly.

“I- um- I like yo-,” his voice almost a whisper.

“There you go,” Hannah, according to the name tag tugged on her chest, smiles as she hands back her books.

Celine walks out thanking her.

“What were you saying?”

He yanks her arm and leads her towards a dark alley near the library. Caelum's jacket is blown by the chilly air, which sweeps his brownish blond hair.

She loved his hair, it reminded her of the mud they used to play in when they were kids.

“What happe-”

When his lips brushed against hers, she came to a halt.

“Well-”

“Shut up,” she gasps, as she pulls him closer and responds to his enthusiasm with her own.

By Anushika Teli