Lara is waiting for Seb behind the window when Kaan parks the car in front of the house. Bo helps Seb get out, handing him his crutches. Kaan follows him with his bag containing the items bought yesterday. Lara remains standing. Seb searches his pockets and opens the door with difficulty.
"Thank you, Kaan. I can manage from here."
"I'll just walk with you to put the bag in the room. Go ahead."
Seb limps through the hallway to the room.
"So, you're finally here? Couldn't you call? And why are they bringing you? I'm just at home."
Her voice is loud and clear. Kaan looks a bit surprised but holds back. Bo stays outside, watching the entire scene through the window. He hears nothing, yet he can guess what is being said. Lara's body language tells the story.
"Seb, I'll pick you up next week. When the studio informs us about your scenes, I'll make sure you're there on time. If there's anything wrong with your leg, you can call me."
"And who are you?"
"Sorry, I'm Kaan, Seb's physiotherapist for the time being."
She seems to thaw a bit as he kindly explains it to her. But right after that, she gets very sharp with her boyfriend.
"So, you didn't want me to visit you? Do you have something to hide? Or have you found some slut at work? I don't think so. You're not getting rid of me." It seems to not bother her that Kaan hears everything she half-shouts at Seb.
"Don't stand too long. It's not good for your leg."
Seb nods and walks to the bed still in the room. He doesn't give Lara any reaction. Only when he lies down does Kaan leave. Outside, Bo waves at Seb before they drive away.
"Who were they?"
"Lara, this is Kaan. He was assigned by my specialist to treat me."
"Why did he bring the other one?"
"That's Bo, he's one of the actors. They live in the same building."
Honestly, he still doesn't understand why Kaan keeps bringing Bo. He's of the same age, surely, he should have a driver's license. Seb doesn't let this doubt show to Lara. This is his only chance to spend a few hours a day in a different world without her. Feeling the spotlights again, the warmth, cameras that aren't flashing but rolling. These are moments during the day when he feels alive.
"So, you found it necessary not to see me last night. What if I'm worried about you now?"
"Is that what you mean? You're concerned about the money I earn. It's not about me, you've made that clear. And besides, I had no choice, I had to stay to take care of my leg."
"What's wrong with it now?"
"It was swollen from too much fluid, making my skin too thin, and fluid was coming out. I got medication to sleep. You wouldn't have benefited from me, that's why I didn't let you come. Is that okay? And no, I haven't found some girl, you're the only one in my life."
Her glares seem to spew fire. Her hands move towards his knee.
"If you damage my leg, I can't work. Then your plan to become famous falls apart. If that's still the idea, I'd be careful with me. I'm your ticket to success now. Once you're there, I'll gladly say goodbye to you. Then you can look for a better match. Agreed?"
Lara is upset, she knows very well that this isn't the way to gain more respect than Jasmijn. She has to ensure Seb stays with her until he introduces her to his famous colleagues.
"For now, if you're ready, I'll leave you alone."
"Thank you, that's nice. Let's keep some distance here, so we can go to parties together as a loving couple. That should work, right?"
The bitterness in his voice is audible. Lara leaves.
"You'll take care of your own meals, I assume."
"That will be fine. Don't worry. I'll let you know what time I'll be home. It may vary each day, Bo sometimes has scenes that I don't, and vice versa."
"That's okay. I'm just working, you know my schedule."
With that, she turns around and walks out of the room. He hears her going upstairs. The whole weekend, he only hears her when she makes food in the kitchen. Even the dishwashing has been shared since that time. He struggles to make some food occasionally. The hardest part is washing and getting dressed. The next day, he decides to stay in his bathrobe and either looks outside or imagines his scenes while reviewing the first episodes of the soap. Still, he feels bored most of the day. Then he looks outside or dozes off in his bed.
While going through the first episodes of the soap, he finds out that Bo's character is portrayed as gay. Not that this plays a role in the storylines. He is surprised that there is no clear indication of what happens to Bo's character. His own role is now labeled as extra 6, with a description about his rehabilitation. Also, that he lives with his uncle and aunt somewhere on the outskirts of the fictional village. There's not much else described. Nothing about his future or what will happen to him.
YOU ARE READING
the essence of life is love
Romance[english version of de essentie van leven is liefde] A search by young men for themselves and for love. They meet each other along the way. perhaps for a longer period of time. the whole thing takes place between Bo and Seb. two young men in their e...