5 July 2012

"Don't leave me," I whispered, choking back tears that threatened to spill in clumps and make my eyes red and splotchy. I looked bad enough already. I didn't need to look weak and wimpy as well. But as he fixed me with his usual cold gaze, I realised that I didn't need to look wimpy and weak. I already was. Play hard to get, my mother used to say. I wondered about that. What would life be like, had I played hard to get? Maybe he wouldn't be leaving now. I suddenly realised I had been staring at the cracked floor for some time now. When I lifted my eyes, I saw him watching me. And then I saw it. His eyes glistened. With tears. He didn't want to leave, and I was making it more difficult. A small smile tugged the edge of my lips up. I could win. What was stopping me? "I don't want you," he blurted out, faltering towards the end. "Then why are you crying?" I retaliated, pulling all my strength together. "I-" he stopped. Then he slowly let a tear roll down his cheek. I followed it, almost as if in slow-motion, until it crashed onto the floor. He turned. I shouted after him, begging him to come back. "It's not safe out there, please." He turned abruptly and marched over to me and grabbed me, staring into me. "It's the war for Christ's sake. It'll never be safe," he said. "And anyway, the greatest honour is to die for your country." "Yeah," I scoffed sarcastically, tears now pouring out my eyes. "And every woman just loves getting that yellow telegram saying their husband's dead!" I crumbled. I fell onto my knees, tears gushing from my eyes. I heard footsteps, a door open, and then it slam closed. When I looked up, I realised too late he was gone. Without even a goodbye. "Don't leave me," I whispered, the house empty.

xGxOpuss № I