MARITA

Andante (Part 1)

Frank pulled over in front of a store. "I need to get something. Won't take long. Do you need me to get you anything?"

Marita shook her head weakly. She had a slight headache now. After the adrenaline rush of punching Arnold, she felt like she has used up all her energy pack. She recounted the days with Arnold for the past 9 years and what happened for the last few days. They have many happy days but Marita knew that she has been bottling up many unwanted memories and feels. Things that she brushed aside and tolerated. All in all, Arnold was not a bad boyfriend. But there is that dark side of him that peeked through every time he got upset.

Marita sighed. She knew just didn't want to open the pandora box. She knew Diah and Jo have been suggesting, signalling etc. But she couldn't... she just couldn't.

Marita slapped her own cheek gently to emphasized her thought. Stupid! Stupid!! Coward!! Coward!! Weak!! She cursed herself. She herself allowed this to continued. She and she alone can turn herself back around. But How?

Marita could see Frank paid the purchase on the cashier. His tall figure and handsome face attracted attention of a herd of young teenage girls queuing behind him. One of the girls took out her mobile phone and seemed to record or took photo of him. Marita smiled... Once upon a time she was also those girls mesmerized and smitten over some handsome boys and men.

Frank came out carrying a green reusable bag. He must have purchased that from the store. Marita noticed this handsome man walking towards the car looking straight at her. She blushed and turned her face to the left.

"Here put this on your shoulder and this for your hand" said Frank as he once again in the car. He passed one bag of frozen corn to Marita for her shoulder. He also put another frozen corn on a bowl he bought and pulled her hand gently to put in the bowl.

Marita was touched. She didn't say anything but did what she was told.

"Wait! Let's wrapped that with this first," Frank took the frozen corn bag for her shoulder and wrapped it in his spare T-Shirt he took from the back seat and handed it to Marita.

She put it on her shoulder. "Thank you".

Frank eyes were fixed on her. Marita tried to decipher the meaning of the look. Pity? Anger? Or... Love? She didn't dare.

"Keep it there until we get to your home," said Frank starting the engine.

"Frank.."

"Ya?"

"Can you take me to Diah's place? I can't go home like this"

"Oh.. You don't want your mother to find out?" asked Frank understandingly.

Marita nodded. "This will be complicated. Mom is in the military. She will know these bruises and she will be demanded answer. It won't be pretty I tell ya."

"But wouldn't it better for your mom to know... Since... I mean considering the time..." Frank said carefully.

Marita knew Frank was referencing the Wedding. "Not now. I need to get myself ready to tell her."

"OK. Give me the address," said Frank.

Marita punched the address to Frank's car GPS.

"Lay back and tried to rest. I'll wake you up when we get there"

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A white car stopped behind Frank's. Frank got out from his car and shut the door very gently tying not to wake Marita who was a sleep. They have arrived 30 minutes before this and Frank have let Marita sleep. Frank had called Diah after Marita fell asleep and told her what happen briefly.