Colcs

He was driving his car down a deserted road. The area he was driving in was not a nice one. Crows were pawing and eating from the trash spilling from the dumpster. Already the footpath surrounding the dumpster was also smeared with filth. The road was dusty and uneven. Throughout the journey he had been constantly looking at the mobile attached to his car adapter, waiting for it to ring. He had been roaming around in his car for hours now. The hollow feeling in his chest renewed with a force. But his mind was determined. This time he would not call. If this was the end, then it was for good. Let it be he thought.

The phone rang. He snatched it away from the car adapter with such haste that it came out of its lighter socket. He glanced at the name flashing on the screen. It was only his sister. She must be worried when he had not reached home on time. How would she know that he had left the office ages ago and was puffing gasoline on the roads since late afternoon, just to avoid going home? If he went home this time his sister would definitely convince him. Crushing his ego, he would have to call. Even if he attended her call, the same would happen. Let it ring, she would think he is in a meeting or something. Let her think whatever she feels like, he thought.

When the phone had ringed he had stopped the car near the curb. He quickly turned the car around and pounded at the gas. This vicinity was not safe area. Dusk was soon approaching and he had to exit fast. As he took the highway, he passed the coffee shop Carla and he used to go so often. Why does a person has to be so stubborn? As to let small things spoil a relationship so firm. He had been coping with her stubbornness, her thoughtlessness since the start, but now was the limit. Now he will not be the one to relent. She has to see through her callousness and come by herself. He will not call her. He gave the phone another glance. Whatever he thought, he could not be as cold as to detach it from the car adapter and switch it off. It would serve her right of course, but he just could not bring himself to do that.

It was getting well after dark; he had to go home now. His stomach grumbled, he hadn’t even eaten lunch properly. As he climbed out of the car and rang the doorbell, he knew he had waited long enough. Carla was not going to call or come after all. The door opened and he looked up to see into his wife’s apologetic eyes. Carla had come after all.