Thanks to liz33nd for the editorial assistance.
*****
"One minute you fucking a broad; you realise how much you hate prophylactics; the next minute you married with kids and a mortgage; wondering what went wrong."
His loud laughter deafened his growling stomach; his light breakfast being the only thing he had ingested the entire day; rubbing his tummy with his open palm before shooting up to action; "I need to eat!"
"What will I eat?"
He just walked out; slamming the door behind him; he needed to get food ASAP. He had a tight light blue t-shirt; his slender torso clinging tightly to the tee; he liked his body as it was; never found the need to go to the gym to exercise or bulk up. He was preoccupied with indecision of what to have for supper he barely caught a tall slender lady; busy on her phone; stomping near a parked blue Toyota Vitz; it seemed as if the calls were not going through going by her groans and clicks; he didn't bother with her; food first.
He decided on meat stew; something about a well-prepared meat stew; for which he was an excellent cook; he could never go wrong with meat stew. He just looked back at her as he walked past her; her medium ass catching his eye; "nice ass!"
He went on with his shopping but Eve wasn't having such a great day as John was; she was kicking herself; calling herself "stupid" over and over again; swearing on her life that she would never come back to his place; she knew he only wanted her for her pussy; he never loved her or wanted her; she clang onto him dangerously but she still answered to his every whim. She tried calling her mechanic; no answer. Tried texting him but no answer! She called him; no way he'd not help her; "Hey! My car broke down a few metres from your gate."
Help! Silence! Maybe he's busy. Let me give him some time. Breathe. Five minutes later, there was still no answer. Another text...tried calling; nothing! She got a text back minutes later; short and straight; "Can't help. Take a taxi home!"
She was shell-shocked. She was still surprised at his response but she knew that that was how he was going to behave. She was shocked that his asshole behaviour still surprised her. What could she do? It was 8pm. She couldn't leave her car there and just leave; although the thought crossed her mind. She couldn't sleep in the car; she was unsure of her safety. What would she do? She was confused; angry; her eyes were tearing up; she just slumped to the front passenger seat.
"Hey! You okay?"
"What...Ooh? Yes! I'm fine," she replied as she gradually raised her face to John.
His face seemed more curious than concerned; he knew most of the people who lived in that area; had never seen her face around.
"You sure you okay? You look stranded."
"Hey! I said I'm fine. Leave me alone!"
"Okay!" He murmured a faint "Bitch" as he walked away; quickly shifting his mind to the meat stew. He got home and got to it; Eve was still racking her thoughts; trying to figure her way out. John munched to his fill; whilst peeping out his window; curious about the girl seated in her car; not going anywhere; she seemed lost; confused; he kept debating whether to go out and help her despite her putting him off earlier. Finally, he decided to go out and help her; but not to be too upfront with it. He went out to buy a bottle of vodka; at least it would look like he was minding his business. He passed Eve; that time her demeanour was different; she was asking for help; she was hesitant; how would he react; she had brushed him off; she wished he could say something; but he sped away. He hit a double shot; bottle in hand; walked towards his house; he needed that drink coursing through his veins; that kick to the head; maybe he needed some motivation; to rouse up some courage to talk to her again; or maybe to get himself to talk to her after how she had harshly shooed him away. He was fast approaching her; indecisions galore; but he didnt speak to her. He just walked by. Eve couldnt let him go; the clang of her heels echoing in the dark nights silence; John trying to look back with his peripheral vision; the hairs on the back of his neck erecting; his heart thumping; he knew she was coming for him; he waited; she faintly tapped his arm;
"Hey!"
"What?"
"I need your help...Please!"
"But you are fine, remember?"
"Look. I'm sorry. I was stressed and I took it out on you. I'm seriously out of options and I need your help."
"What's up?"
"My car broke down and my mechanic isn't picking up his phone. I don't know what to do. I don't how to get home!"
"Okay! Calm down. I will help you," he reassured her while patting her shoulder.
"My car won't start. When I turn the ignition, the car is just producing a funny sound but it won't start."
"Let me have a look. Hold this. You can have a shot or two. You look like you need it," handing her his drink.
He went over to the car and turned the ignition. He recognized the sound. "Hey, go in front of the car and tell me how the headlights behaving."
He turned on the headlights. "They are on now!"
He turned the ignition; "Are the headlights still on?"
"Yes! They are."
Getting out of her car, "Your engine is fine by my guess. Most likely you have an open circuit or too much resistance in the circuit. You need a mechanic to come and check for a failing component, or corrosion at the cars system circuit terminals. Then you'll be good."
"I didn't get a word of what you said."
