It was the annoying phone call that Adam wanted to avoid. His phone had been ringing and vibrating since morning. As soon as he saw the caller’s name on the screen, he knew better not to pick up. He didn’t need his ex to be in his life especially when he had started dating. He ignored the call, taking the seat opposite of Frances. They were in a dimly lit restaurant for a romantic dinner. They were together for three months, so Adam wanted to celebrate.
“This is a beautiful place, Adam,” Frances stated observing her surroundings. “You know we didn’t have to come to such fancy place.” “I know but I want to take you here. You said you love anything chocolate, so here is one of the best places. They are famous for that,” Adam explained, feeling a vibration from his phone. He looked at the name on the screen and swiped away. “I’m sorry about this. I wish this person would stop calling.” “Why don’t you pick up? Maybe it could be important?” Frances asked.
“It can’t be that important,” Adam said. “It is just annoying.”
“Then maybe you should answer it on the next ring. At least you’ll know who’s on the line and what that person wants.”
“I know who is on the line,” Adam stated. “Who?” The screen on Adam’s phone lit up and vibrated again. He looked at the screen to see Lauren’s name on the phone. Frances took a look and her face fell.
“You should answer it,” Frances encouraged him.
At that said, Adam answered the phone. Within a few seconds, he excused himself from the table. When the waiter brought their food, Adam was nowhere to be found. Feeling frustrated, Frances ate her share and by the time she finished, Adam was still on the phone. Frances checked the time on her watch and decided it was time to go. She paid for the bills and walked out of that restaurant. She saw Adam leaning against the wall and was in deep conversation.
“I’m going home,” Frances whispered before getting into the taxi. Adam didn’t even have time to stop her. After hanging up, Adam knew he had to apologise to Frances for the lengthy phone call with Lauren. He knew such phone calls didn’t look or sound good especially when he was already in a relationship with another woman. Instantly, he drove to Frances’ house and knocked on her front door. He knocked another time before it swung open with Frances standing in front of him.
“Frances, I am so sorry for what happened,” Adam started. “I shouldn’t have answered that call.” “Well, I asked you to, so I am partly to be blamed,” Frances folded her arms.
“She wanted to know if I can accompany her to her friend’s wedding. I said no because I told her I am with you. Then she started accusing me of-“ “Adam, I like you but I don’t think we will work out,” Frances doubted their relationship. “This isn’t the first time she called. It seemed that you are still with her instead of me.”
“Oh Frances, I don’t feel that way. I am with you for sure. Lauren and I are through. She was my past, but you are my present and future. I promise not answer her call or text her ever again.”
“Are you sure that is what you want to do?”
“Definitely,” Adam nodded. “Can you invite me in so we can talk some more?” “Sure, but there’s nothing much in here,” Frances warned as she opened the door for Adam.
The floorboards creaked when Adam walked on it. He observed the living room to see no furniture or decoration, except a vase of flowers Adam brought for Frances two days ago. Aside from that, there were stacks of cardboard boxes in all four corners of the room.
“Have you just moved in here?” “Nope,” Frances replied. “How long have you stayed here?”
“Two years,” Frances answered.
“Two years and you’ve not unpacked?” Adam was shocked. “I mean you should have a few furniture by now and everything out from its boxes.”
“What’s the point when I’ll be leaving again soon,” Frances sighed.
“Leaving? Where are you going?”
“It depends. I’ve been everywhere.”
“Why can’t you just stay here?”
At that question, Frances kept quiet. She left Adam to guess the answer to his own question. When she came back with a canned drink, she let out a sad smile.
“I move a lot because my heart gets broken. I do not know how to move on, so I move away instead. It’s easier that way.”
“When you said you’ve been everywhere, how many places have you moved to?”
“Three and counting,” Frances answered. “You can stop counting because I will not break your heart. I love you, Frances and I always will,” Adam confessed.
“You can’t make such promise because all of them did, and one cheated, one died and another left.”
“Well, I am not them,” Adam shot back. “Let me help you unpack, so it feels like your home?” “I’ll think about it,” Frances answered instead.
Carina Lim bears different messages through her fiction. These messages could be useful in life. She can be contacted at mermaidgal103@yahoo.com
