Paradox

‘I’ve given up on love’

Yo bro, calm down. You are just going to decide just after 3 heartbreaks? Okay, look at me for example, I’m married bro.

Congratulations’ Peter sarcastically remarked.

Thank you but that’s not what I’m saying. I said that to say this. Do you know how many relationships failed before i found the one? Ben asked.

No… but I guess you will tell me.’ Peter said.

Five…five heartbreaks. But I didn’t give up. What if the next relationship is the real one? He asked giving that face that makes him look like a jerk. He always made that face whenever he thinks he said something smart.
Gosh, i hated that he was right.

Truthfully speaking, Since high school I’ve never really felt this empty. I had a crush on the most beautiful girl in school at least she was to me. Yeah, your guess is as good as mine. She wasn’t interested in me at all.
I did everything i could to be in her sight but i was too short to be noticed. Metaphorically speaking.

My best friend Mary told me to ask her out but i couldn’t for fear of rejection. In fact it wasn’t a fear, it was a known fact. Nora would give me a big NO.

‘Ben, wake up, someone’s calling’ i shook him trying to wake him up for he had passed out drunk.

Oh my God, it’s my wife, what’s the time? He asked almost scared.

Calm down man, its just 10pm’ Peter replied.

‘It’s past my curfew’ he stood up leaving the bar.

‘You have a curfew?’ Peter asked. Ben ignored the question and walked out of the bar.

Yeah, married people have that’ Ray the bartender answered.

‘You also have that?’ Peter asked.

‘Yeah, mine is 11:30, you know because of my kind of work’ he replied. I suggest you help your friend so he won’t drive drunk because scared people do that too’ he added.

Yeah that’s right’ I stormed out of the bar. Mary is going to kill me if anything happened to her man. I secured a cab for Ben and watched the car as it drove off.

I was still sober and i really needed a drink now. Breakup is really painful. Ben’s a good friend. He came to console me and now he would soon need me to come console him when Mary kicks his ass. The three of us had been friends since high school, although Ben joined the group later in college.
He had a crush on Mary and thought i also had a thing for her, you know how the story goes. Long story short, the three of us became almost inseparable.
It was Ben’s turn to console me that’s why Mary wasn’t here. They couldn’t leave there little boy Roman alone.

On a second thought, I think i should just head back home. So if i get drunk, I would just sleep anywhere i fall.

He stretched his hands hailing a cab. As soon as one stopped another lady quickly rushed into the cab.

‘Hey, lady that’s my cab’ Peter voiced so pissed.

‘I don’t see your name written on this, so please get another’ she claimed relaxing herself.

Peter was a man of few words, he didn’t have the time to argue so he just did what any decent man would. He joined the annoying lady in the cab and shut the door.

Hey, Mr. guy can you get down from my cab? She asked so irritated.

I don’t see your name written on this, so please get another’ he said relaxing himself too.

So where to?’ the cab driver asked.

‘Well, ladies first’ Peter said.

‘Wow, such a nice guy’ she sarcastically voiced. She inputted her address, the light from the drivers tab reflected back on her face making her face visible in the dark car.

‘Nora Bing’ Peter surprisingly called out.

‘I think i know you from…… High school’ she said. It’s Peter Owens right?’ She asked.

‘You know my name.’ Peter said, that sounded like both a question and a statement.

‘Actually you were the first guy i had a crush on when I joined your school that was until you started dating that girl Mary. Gosh i hated her.’

‘Wait you had a crush on me?’ Peter asked. And Mary and I never dated we were best friends. And we are still friends.’ He added.

Wow, i thought differently because no guy and girl could stay friends without feelings interfering. Oh my God, i can’t believe i was always an asshole to Mary because i thought she was your girlfriend. Nora said feeling sad.

Mary told me to ask you out too but i couldn’t do that’ Peter said.

Why?’ Nora asked.

You started dating the basketball captain.’

I did that to get over my feelings for you. I’m not sure I ever crushed on anyone that hard. I can’t believe we never dated because we were just assuming things about each other.

The rest of the ride was filled with laughter and alot of talks. Peter forgot about his heartbreak, Nora forgot about how much of a bad day she had.