Parking next to her neighbour's faded BMW, Anita stepped out of her car and locked it. In her hand was a loaded carrier bag. She walked across the parking lot of the residential complex of forty units located in one of the city's outlying suburbs. Two girls seated on a bench waved to her as she passed by.
The middle-aged script-writer glanced upwards at her flat which was located at the very top of the multi-level apartment block. She had purchased the unit eight years back, shortly after marrying Robert, a small-time actor she had met on the sets while working for a friend. She could see no lights glowing from the windows of her abode.
The elevator took her up ten floors and she let herself in and dropped her handbag on the side-table before heading to the kitchen with her groceries. It took her all of a minute to register the sounds, and she tracked them to the master bedroom.
A shocked gasp erupted from her throat when she saw the naked couple on her bed. She gaped when she recognised her husband and turning at the sound, Robert stared back with wide, horrified eyes, the sweat on his face gleaming.
Anita sagged against the doorframe, choking back a sob.
Robert struggled to his feet and began lurching towards her, uncertainty writ large across his features. She stiffened at the movements of her husband then backed away from him, her expression transforming from shock into anger.
He shook his head, wetting lips that were dry. "Anita-"
The sound of his voice made her flinch, and then she turned away, stumbling, hand against the wall seeking support as she made for the kitchen. She grabbed a knife, and headed back to the bedroom.
Robert was near the doorway where she had left him. He blinked when he saw the knife and the elderly man who was still on the bed blurted out: "O my God!"
Robert raised both hands in a placating gesture. "Take it easy, Anita."
Still sobbing, she lowered the knife. "Get out."
Robert exchanged a glance with his lover, Arun and nodded. Both men pulled on their discarded clothes in a matter of moments, and swiftly left the apartment. They descended in silence and Robert pushed his way into the coffee outlet located on the ground level of their building. "I need something strong." He muttered, and Arun nodded in agreement.
They slid into a booth with their brew. Arun still looked nervous and when Robert's phone rang, he jumped. Robert looked at the phone, clearly not recognizing the number. He answered anyway and his face went taut as he listened. "Don't call the police! I'm coming up right away!" He swung off the seat. "Anita's on the roof, threatening to jump. Come on!"
The swimming pool was located on the terrace and when the two men burst from the lift there was already a crowd, gesticulating and whispering loudly. The group parted when they saw Robert. Anita was straddling the parapet and she still held the knife. She held it out threateningly, holding the onlookers, mostly neighbours, at bay. When she saw her husband, her grip wavered.
Robert spoke gently. "Come away from the edge, Anita. Let's sit and talk this over."
She wiped her tears away with her free hand. "Talk? What could we possibly to talk about, Robert?" Her voice was hoarse. "I come home this evening and find you in bed with a man!" Shocked gasps greeted this revelation. "My life is over, Robert! I loved you with all my heart from the day I met you – and in return..." She covered her face with the same hand and Robert inched forward, ignoring the startled faces turning in his direction. "I still love you, Robert, and if this is what you want, then I'll kill myself so you can live your life on your terms." Her shoulders slumped and the knife went down. "I love you so much! Tell me what you want me to do..."
