Stuck With The Afterthought

1

  DALE

“It can’t be like this.” was the last phrase she told me before she left my apartment. Did it have to be this way? “Stella—wait!” I yelled out. She left immediately, passing the stairs instead of the elevator, probably to make things more dramatic.

No, of course I didn’t want things to come out this way. I loved her. I mean, I never went through something like this. Since when did things happen like this?

Rewind to half an hour ago.

Friday evening. She entered my apartment with something to discuss. I opened the door, seeing her in an elegant red dress. She wore her fancy heels, but we weren’t going anywhere special. There were no plans at all. “Did you go somewhere?” I asked her. She began crying on my shoulder. Her mascara dripped down, all over her face. Her look of misery didn’t even look funny. It pitied me for minutes, until she finally spoke.

“I kissed Cleo.”

Immediately, without thought, I pushed her back. “What?” was all I could say. She wiped her sticky face and tried to hug me, but I couldn’t allow that. “Is that why you’re dressed up like that?”
“It was supposed to be a business date, believe me Dale. But then—”
“But then you kissed him! Wonderful!” I spat. She cried even harder. Words were vomited out of my mouth. I couldn’t sugar coat or anything. This was just a total violation. And besides, I had to let everything out, I mean, how could she?
“Why, Stella? Why? Don’t you know that I love you? Damn it tell me this is a prank.”
“Does it look like one? Gosh, Dale! Are you trying to make some sick joke out of this? I’m sorry if I look shitty enough!”
“Fuck Stella! I never said anything!”
Her sobbing just made me break down.
“And I don’t even think it went to just kissing, right? Tell me. Tell me what you two lovebirds did.”

She fell to her knees. I was embarrassed. I was ashamed, even though she was supposed to reflect these attitudes. She wiped her tears as she breathed heavily. Seventeen months together, that’s an achievement, right? Well now it didn’t feel like any.

“At least I’m telling this to you, Dale. It just happened. It was a moment of sparks. It just happened.”
“So what if it was a moment of sparks? That doesn’t define anything! A moment of sparks—does that mean you can just kiss him? Kiss anyone? I bet you went to his apartment, am I right? I mean look at your dress. It’s all crumpled.”
“Stop making assumptions.”
“They aren’t assumptions, because they are true.”
She stood up and pushed me back. “It can’t be like this.” She finished.
She walked out, but something in me had to call her back. I was mad; pissed, but I wanted to forgive her. I just wanted to take all my anger on her before I forgave the wretch she had made. “Stella—wait!” And I never saw her again.

Hours later, my friends, Chriselle and Ben came over. They were holding hands, wrapped up in fall clothes, something I didn’t want to see. “What happened?” Chriselle spoke.

I led them to the living room. I gave Chriselle her favourite: Jasmine tea, while Ben wanted brewed coffee just like me. I didn’t touch my own cup of coffee. I just sat on my brown and velvety couch, the couple on the other piece of furniture right in front of me. I was facing the floor with my hands clasped on my knees as I heard them take sips of their drinks. “It’s okay man.” Ben began. “No it’s not...” I trailed off. “I should’ve let her explain.”
“No way Dale. She cheated on you. Cheaters never win.” Chriselle said.
“But I love her—”
“No, shut up bro. That isn’t how it works.”
I looked up at them. “Find someone new, or even better, take a break. I mean, if she wasn’t meant to last, then she wasn’t meant to last.”
“Ben is right.” Chriselle stood up, puzzled why, then sat down once more. Ben half laughed. “Just find a new one. Where’d you meet her again?”
“At my first ever soiree.”
“Right.” Said Chriselle
“Don’t worry buddy. Soon, you’ll be happy again.”
I knew deep inside he was lying, because his eyebrows were raised, full of anxiety, his smile fading.