Eric can't close the book taking his mind away but the bloody doorbell won't let him live in his world he just created for the whole afternoon. The mystery of Ouija Board was running through the chilling thoughts of famous novel writer. After a long, he was captured by a story stopping everything in his physical life to get involved. He does not understand who the hell will ring the bell of his apartment at midnight. Erick closes the book slowly and looks at the clock again. It is half past 12 AM. He puts a shirt on and walks to the front door. He opens the door after looking at the setup of his lounge-come kitchen. Everything is looking fair.
Erick can't believe his eyes as the “manager lady” (of his office) was standing in front of his door like a verse of god just sent to a messenger.
- What are you doing here in this midnight? Erick's coherent words spilled out like someone else was talking.
- Do you let me in? Am I unwanted?
Erick steps aside from the door like a dead person.
- I know there is no reason to expect me here in a time like this. I came here to spend the night with you. She dangles a bottle of champagne in the air.
- I do not have any answers even though you haven’t asked me any questions. Words are spilling out coherent again. Erick still isn't composed to enter the physical world which was extremely out of composure.
- Can you cook the best thing that you ever cooked; for me? Manager lady was making her way in.
- I am not capable enough to keep your request. Erick is making sense now perhaps.
- You don’t have any idea what you are capable of. Summer was sure that Erick was definitely wrong. She was walking inside Erick’s apartment like she is very used to this place and living here for a long. No rigidness, no confusion, no pretending. Perhaps came back home after a long day.
- Are you going to stay the whole night here with me? Are you sure?
- Don’t ask me any question, I am not here for interview.
- Why are you here?
- I am going to leave now if you ask me another question.
Erick realises the conversation is not going anywhere. He tries to get on with the verse of god. Summer was opening the bottle of champagne. Looking at Erick she asked, do you need to shop or you have something to cook for me. Erick must compose himself to face the reality.
- I was reading a novel, kind of lost in it. I have shrimp, vege and rice to cook.
- That will be fine for me. Do you have music?
- You can turn on the turntable if you like; I have some collections, not sure about your test.
- I have faith on your test.
- I am not getting any clue what is happening tonight. Erick tries his best to break the mystery. Why the manager lady is in his apartment.
- Have you ever love someone in your life?
- If you want me to be honest, the woman I loved married some other guy some months ago. Erick had nothing to hide.
- Are you hurt?
- I am old enough to face the reality.
- You are lucky that you are not a woman.
Erick finds the clue to enter the mystery. Erick was preparing things to cook dinner for Summer. He was trying to avoid this woman in his office for an unknown reason, but he does not know if he is getting into something he will regret for the rest of his life.
- Did you come here to relief your pain or agony for any reason, I am not like a painkiller or something. Erick is now taking control in his voice.
- Ha, ha, Summer laughed. You sound really funny. Do you want me to give you a hand?
- No thanks. I am fine. This is my kitchen. Erick was ready with the items just came out from the fridge.
- Can you tell me, why did you decide to avoid me?
- Are you a mind reader? How do you know? Erick was playful holding a pinch of laugh.
- I know I look overwhelming for my outlook. This is not my fault. It hurts when you avoid me on purpose. Summer unveils the disturbing truth Erick might fear to admit in words.
- I never had reasons to think that you can have interest in me at all. Erick was honest in his words.
- Erick; trust me, someone hurt me so badly, I am not finding anyone to share my feelings. I am so lonely. I am so lost. Summer was pouring some glasses sitting in the sofa facing the kitchen in the lounge.
Erick was thinking in his subconscious mind what kind of drama is this? There is no reason not to love this person who has every perfection within; he can’t just bear to deserve it. He is at least honest to his subconscious mind. What kind of bustard could hurt someone like this woman? Summer walks near to Erick; hands over a glass of champagne. Erick never felt comfortable with this woman in his entire life. But he would like to respect her feelings as it is without any fall. At least for tonight.
Summer plays a record of Guns n Roses at its loudest volume.
- I like loud music, if you do not mind.
- I like even worst. Why do you like this band?
- Because you have their album. I came here to spend time with you.
Erick thought for a second, it is becoming mysterious than the novel he was reading. If anything bad happens tonight he won’t able to forgive himself for his entire life. He cannot expect her to be in a situation where she astray her dignity for a moment. Summer walks near the kitchen.
- Can you run down the water for me in your bathtub? I would like to take a bath. I am so tired.
- I can do that for you.
- Am I bothering you? Am I asking for too much? Summer unwillingly touches her earring.
- You can ask for anything you want. I feel better when you are in control. Trust me, I am a very ordinary person, live my life on my own. Never try to invade anyone’s personal life or choices.
- You believe me Erick nothing special about me or my beautiful body, the inner power you have in your within I can worship that for my entire life.
- I hope you are not getting drunk. Don’t make me be someone I cannot deserve to be. You will regret for your deed later.
- How do you measure what you deserve?
- I can at least tell you that you don’t deserve to be hurt. Don’t worry about me. I am fine.
Erick can sense that things are getting out of line. Erick went to the bathroom to run the water on the bathtub. He puts the best shower gel he has, and looks for a fresh towel and a gown. He also spreads the best fragrance he ever bought.
Shrimp is always tasty with veggies. He puts the pot inside the oven for 20 minutes. Rice should be ready by then. He also has some fried chicken he bought. Now he remembered in a second how Guns N Roses was in his collection. Someone gave him as a gift. This is the first time he starts liking Guns N Roses. “Since I don’t have you” may be the best song ever written in music history.
- Erick, can you give me an honest answer.
- I don’t have any reason to be dishonest with you, at least at this midnight with someone like my superior.
- Don’t make yourself lame to me. You look more supreme when you act like that.
- This is not an intention, this is me.
Summer was sipping the glass standing in front of Erick. She comes to the point finally.
- I had a relation with a guy for 7 years. We were living together for 2 years or more. Now I found he is going to marry his cousin in Canada. He told me after he bought the ticket to go there. This is an arranged marriage his family was planning since his childhood. He was waiting for a right moment.
- It sounds like an unfortunate fate to me. What is your question?
- Should this guy leave me after 7 years for this reason?
- You deserve better than that. No doubt. Have you ever spoken to his cousin to confirm if it is true?
- He took a flight to Canada today. He left his property to me with all papers.
- Do you have kids?
- He never agreed to have a kid, He was just asking for more time.
- Do you still love him?
- I am a human; I cannot control my feelings for certain instances.
- You need to look for a solution; I wouldn’t be digging into the problem anymore if I was in your situation.
- How can I let it go so easy?
- I understand it will take some time. But you don’t look like someone who will be broken for a life event that easy.
- I could not realize until he left. I was so calm and steady with the whole situation.
- You trust me, the person I loved, she invited me to her wedding. I had to skip the program very tactfully. At best you are not attending their wedding.
- Why the world is so cruel, why people cannot be a little bit honest for some purpose?
- We have the least control over our life. I don’t get very certain about anything until it happens.
Summer becomes unmindful for a second walking back to the lounge. She opens the window at the other end of the lounge and tries to breathe fresh air. She also had a feeling for a moment that if she jumps off this 32nd floor of the apartment she will become the happiest person of this world.
Erick was checking the woven. Dinner is ready and it smells good. He was feeling very helpless. He hasn't learned any words to ease this woman to elevate her agony. Why we are so vulnerable sometimes on the face of this earth. If there is a god, why he is not kind to people? Why the world can be so ruthless?
Erick was about to ask Summer if she is ready to take a bath now. But when he looked back he found a mare surprise. Summer was standing in front of him not wearing a single thread on her whole body. The window is open wide behind her, the curtains were flowing like they made a pact with the wind, Guns n Roses was playing their everlasting song don’t you cry. Summer was standing on her toes, her left knee was slightly bent, her face is down looking at the floor reflecting the lights with gloss. Erick does not find any difference between dream and reality for a moment. He was thinking why Picasso did not born in 21st century.
- I will give you two options, either you throw me out of that window, or carry me to your bathtub. I would like to take a bath with you until I feel I am clean. I won’t mind if you avoid me for the rest of your life.
A numb feeling runs down from Erik’s belly to his knee. He kneels himself down in front of the most beautiful creation of the world. He touches the west of summer and looks up very slowly. Her teardrops were falling like autumn rain on the forehead of Erick. It was making his face, hair everything wet. She can’t stop, she was crying like she was saving the water for her entire life.
Summer presses Erick’s head close to her belly then tries to pick him up. Erick stands on his feet, Summer cannot look at his face with the womanly shame she brought up beneath her undeniable personality.
Erick’s two hands experience the most infinite touches of her body, hairless chest lost in the velvet softness of her breast, Summer whispers on his neck
- “Can you forgive me”?