BRENDA DAVIS was very worried. Ever since she received the call from Adam, that is. She
was hoping the reason for his sounding strange on the phone would not be what she
was already suspecting. She could say that she was properly experienced in matters
concerning relationships and therefore could tell when a guy was getting fed up with a
relationship. But right now, she didn't want to believe her instincts. She couldn't stand the
thought of losing Adam now. Her world would shatter. In fact, she won‟t be able to survive it
this time around. Adam Walter had called her earlier in the day, telling her that he would like
to discuss something important with her. He had gone ahead to tell her that the discussion
would be for her own good, hence she must come to his house as soon as possible.
Sitting on a stool in front of the two-bedroom apartment, which she shared with her friend
Jane, Brenda was oblivious of the cool and beautiful atmosphere the evening created. She
was remembering and analyzing Adam's behavior towards her in the past few weeks,
which was obviously the reason for her suspicion. He had deliberately avoided her, giving her
flimsy excuses. for not being around as often as before.
Whenever they were together, he would seem absent-minded and uninterested in her
concerns. If she sought his opinion concerning any issue, he would laconically answer as if he
was being bothered. Although Brenda suspected that Adam was fed up with the
relationship and could be calling it off soonest, she still hoped her suspicion was
wrong. She wanted to make herself believe that something else could be the problem;
something she may not have guessed in the past. She looked at her wristwatch. It was
almost 5:00 p.m. She must prepare for the meeting with Adam. Moreover, Jane would
soon be back from work, and she wouldn't like her roommate to meet her sitting around and
looking all gloomy. She stood up and gracefully walked into the
building. Going straight to her room, she took off her clothes and prepared herself for a
shower. She was about to put on her bathrobe when she caught a glimpse of her image in
the half-sized mirror on her dressing table. At twenty-three, her youthfulness was radiating
like the sun. She was average in height and light in complexion. The curves of her body
and its features were proportionate enough to attract the opposite s*x. “I am beautiful,” she
said to herself and tried to smile. Many people had told her this in the past and she was very
much aware of it. She had a very charming smile, which was strong enough to make any
man‟s heartbeat stop for some seconds. “I am alright; why should anyone reject me?” Brenda
thought, running her hands down her body. She knew she had so many female qualities
that most girls didn't have. And one special characteristic was her gentle nature; a kind of
peaceful aura that she carried with her everywhere she went. Something that usually
encouraged most people to easily talk and associate with her.
“But why are things not going my way? What is it about me that turn men off after some
time with me?” she suddenly whispered to herself after some deliberation.
„No!‟ she thought. Maybe she was getting it all wrong. Maybe Adam had some other
personal problems and needs. She should be thinking of how to help him instead of suspecting his motive for wanting to see her.
Perhaps she was letting her experience with men get into her present relationship with
Adam. She hurriedly left the room and entered the bathroom. She looked forward to seeing
Adam. She would be there for him, no matter what she was going through. She won‟t let it
affect her blissful relationship. She must stop being selfish. She mustn't keep him waiting