TO DIE FOR

chapter 7~

     They occupied the end part of the long chromium and mahogany bar.    They sat on high stools, their concentration on each other intense.    Benson, the barman, listened to their conversation with amused tolerance.  

      He leaned against the counter, aimlessly polishing a small square of shiny mahogany very slowly with a soft duster. It was quite in the bar with only these two and three men who sat at the far end of the bar.

    Anikka wore a black dress that emphasized her breasts and hips without being tight on her body.

Benson became interested in Anikka. He liked her large, deep brown eyes and her beautifully painted mouth. 

  Benson particularly liked her slender, beautifully shaped body. He envied Manuel for being there and wished that he could go away.

     They were drinking bar specials, and Benson had a large shaker by his side, ready to replenish their glasses.

    "I must say you are indeed looking very stunning, Manuel." Anikka said and meant it.

   "Every time we meet you, tell me that. Is it for something to say, or do you feel so strongly about it." he looked at her, his eyes angry.

   "Am sorry, but I was just trying to pass my compliments." she said apologetically.

    "Very well. Let's talk about something else. Something that will stir up the conversation."

   "Why do you say that?" she asked, turning her head to look at him. "That sounds so sad and final. Tell me, is there something wrong?"

    "Do you feel it too?"

    "Then there is something wrong. What is it?"

    "Haven't you noticed already?"

    "Please tell me don't be mysterious."

     He took a nervous sip from his glass and didn't say anything. Benson wondered why he looked so tragic. He liked straight talks himself, and fancy language gave him pain.

     "Are you still upset about what I tried to do with that woman?" she asked him. "Is that it?"

      He shook his head, "No, it's not. You see, things are no longer the same between us. Please don't make me say it, you must feel as I feel, don't you?"

She stretched out her hand to take his, but he avoided her. 

     "Why do you have to talk in riddles, Manuel? If it's not about me struggling that woman, then what is it about, huh?"

    He finished his drink. "Am trying hard to be kind," he said. "Can't you see that? Okay, let's put it this way, things between us don't mean anything to me anymore - there I've told you."

    Still, she couldn't grasp what he meant. There was a long pause, then she said :"I love you so much, Manuel, that I would literally do almost anything you wish. Tell me, we'll make plans?"

    He faced her. "Can't you understand!" There was an edge on his voice - "I can't bear anymore of this. I've tried and tried to tell you, but you couldn't understand. I can't go on with this any longer."

    "Don't get angry. I understand that. I am quite willing to do what you want. Really, you can please yourself."

    He said very intensely, "I am breaking up with you."

    She slopped her drink on the mahogany top of the  bar. "You are breaking up with me?" she repeated. "You mean you don't want me anymore?"

    "I tried so hard to tell  you nicely, but you've been so sure of yourself."

    "No, Manuel, I've never been so sure of myself, but I've been so sure of you. I've always thought your love for me was as enduring as mine for you. You mustn't say I've been so sure of myself. I've always trusted your love. I had to have something that I wouldn't doubt. Don't you understand! With all these horrible chaos in the world, with lies and envy and sordid business, I decided to hang on to the one thing I thought would never forsake me - and that's you, Manuel?"

    He said,"I am very sorry. "

     "Yeah, you should,"she passed her fingers through her hair -" I know you are ;when did you even decide to come up with this same insane idea? "

     "Now that I've told you I don't want to talk about it anymore." he said.

   "You can't leave it like that. I'm crazy about you. You know how crazy I am about you. Have I done anything wrong? "

    He shook his head," I thought I could find the happiness I wanted with you, but I haven't, I must live my life. I don't need you anymore, Anikka."

    Benson watched Anikka dispassionately. He noticed that she had suddenly gone pale, and it was with great difficulty that she controlled herself.

    "Please." she begged,"Don't say like that. You are making my love sound like a donation to the hospital. Are you being perverted? Isn't it rather a beast thing to do."

    "I suppose I must expect to hear that sort of thing, but it won't stop me. I've really made up my mind once and for all." he reached out and grabbed his phone and car keys, "Goodbye Anikka, please do yourself a favor and don't ever come looking for me."

    "Don't go," she said quickly. "please don't do this to me, you can't leave me like this I've not done nothing wrong to deserve this, for God's sake please think about what you doing, please Manuel I still need you."

    He slid off the stool, "There is really nothing more to be done. It's already settled. Nothing you say will change my mind."

    Benson watched him go across the bar and walked outside through the swing door. Anikka remained sited, watching, staring at the door, hoping Manuel would come back and say it was just a joke.

    She waited and waited to no avail until Benson had to come in.

    "Can I get you another drink miss, it's on the house."

    "Yeah, just leave the bottle. It may do me a lot better."

     After several drinks, she decided to head back home...

      She stormed straight to her room, and before she realized it, she had blinked too late, her eyes brimmed with tears.

    She cried her eyes out in fear of losing her only true love, someone who she truly treasured with all her heart.

    But the voice in her mind never left her alone: "There's no need fighting it Anikka we've already lost him, it's over we are doomed."

    The more she listened to the voice, the harder she cried.

    The voice insisted, "Listen, I am sure he never meant what he said. He probably had a terrible day at work that he was just raving his anger at anyone. Let's just give him some time."

    As she was surrendering to the voice, Jay tapped the door and entered.

"You would rather be anywhere but here." Anikka said, sobbing up.

   "Oh, for God's sake, Anikka, would you take a chill pill and relax. Trust me, I am here to help you. It's really killing me, seeing you all racked up and stuff."

    "Just say what you wanna say and get the hell out of here." she said, sobbing up a little more.

    "I know you went to see Manuel this afternoon," he said shortly, closing the door. "What happened?"

    "What does that have to do with you?" she asked, whipping the tears of her face.

    "So far... Everything as I am concerned, come on, tell me."

   She felt so inclined to confine into someone, so she grabbed her napkin and narrated everything to Jay.

    But little did she know that the worst was just about to happen...