Ephemeral Ecstasy

Chapter 6

"Why don't you answer?"

"Are you deaf?"

The man's fear was evident in his eyes, perhaps the first time he had encountered a woman who invited with such courage. It wasn't just the man who was anxious; Carmelita herself felt apprehensive. "Ankara? Didn't I bring you home? What are you doing here?" were the words Carmelita had prepared to say to the woman.

Carmelita's carefully laid plans crumbled as a man approached Ankara. Her visage masked with fury at Ankara's actions, she locked eyes with him and gripped her right hand tightly. They both promptly headed in the direction of the man standing next to Carmelita. "Yedd?" Carmelita muttered to herself.

"My apologies, he's had a few drinks," Yedd said to the man, giving him a pat on the shoulder.

"I understand... Anyway, she's not my type, duh... Actually, I'm waiting for my boyfriend," a mix of surprise and joy adorned Carmelita and Yedd's faces at the man's, well, less conventional response. Meanwhile, Ankara was seething with anger.

"THANK YOU"

"Next time, watch your girlfriend, shes so weird," the response from the flamboyant one nearly led to a hair-pulling encounter with Ankara, but thankfully, Yedd intervened. "omygod" were the parting words of the flamboyant one as they both departed. Yedd still held Ankara's hand as they left, much to Carmelita's delight.

After Yedd opened the exit door, Ankara quickly removed her hand from Yedd's grasp.

••

"What are you doing here?"

"Are you following me?"

"You're not just haughty; you also meddle in other people's lives!"

"Mind your own business, Yedd!"

Words spoken by Ankara. Yedd let the words flow from the lady's lips, and he said, "Let's go home; I'll take you." He pulled Ankara close.

"Why haven't you answered my question yet, do you want a punch?"

"You know, you go ahead. I'll continue my search," Ankara said loudly. Anger and irritation showed on her face.

Yedd sighed heavily and picked up Ankara without a word. Ankara was surprised by Yedd's actions, taking her all the way to the car.

"Why are you doing this?" Ankara asked as Yedd fastened her seatbelt. Yedd just continued what he was doing, not answering the question, and began driving.

Once the "unknown relationship quarrel" had disappeared, Carmelita immediately began searching for the man. Her search was made easier due to her beauty and style.

"Why don't you respond?" Ankara said in frustration. Yedd glanced at her, then back at the street.

"You know, I have no idea what's gotten into you, why you won't answer me!"

"I wish you'd stop speaking altogether!"

"Stop this car, and I'll go back there!"

Ankara continued speaking, causing Yedd to stop the car. Yedd gently grasped Ankara's neck and gave her a sweet kiss. The young woman was taken aback, her eyes widened. When she realized the seriousness of the act, Ankara quickly broke free.

Yedd continued driving as the young woman remained stunned by what had just happened. She snapped out of it when she heard the honking of passing cars. "Why did you do that? Why are you giving mixed signals, Yedd? Who am I to you? Take me back there!" Ankara shouted in anger inside the car, tears slowly streaming down her cheeks.

Ankara felt a deep pain. Yedd's humiliation haunted her. She tried to forget, tried to love someone of the same gender, and tried to survive. Even her family offered no support. Ankara's mind was filled with negativity. She was fed up with this life. She didn't wait for Yedd's response; she opened the car door while it was still moving.

"ANKARA!" Yedd cried out, and in the wake of his words, Ankara leaped onto the road, with Yedd managing to halt the car just in time to save her from a terrible fate. She rolled on the ground, narrowly escaping the oncoming vehicle.

Yedd swiftly rushed to Ankara's side, and the two individuals who had been in the car that collided with Ankara's emerged. "Ankara?" uttered the man who had just exited the vehicle. Yedd recognized him immediately; he was Ankara's father, a skilled lawyer, and accompanying him was a girl whose age mirrored Ankara's. Yedd was familiar with Ankara's parents, and, to his knowledge, this girl was no ordinary acquaintance of Ankara.

Yedd cast a discerning gaze at the pair as he lifted Ankara, her forehead, legs, arms, and hands stained with blood. The car had been speeding recklessly, fueled by fear and anger.

•••

"Is 20,000 enough?" Carmelita asked the young man. He chuckled and replied, "I should be the one giving... I will double it."

"The hotel you chose is stunning," Carmelita commented, her hand caressing the man's chest.

"As beautiful as you," the man responded, and he began to undress Carmelita slowly.

The two began to kiss passionately, as if there were no tomorrow. While they kissed, Carmelita took the opportunity to remove the man's pants and upper clothing. They were so focused and skilled, as if they were well-practiced in their actions. The man was not only attractive for his masculine physique but also for his looks. His genes carried a hint of American influence, evident in his expensive attire. A single glance was enough to discern that he belonged to the affluent.

It was 2 AM, but the room's atmosphere remained intense. The only sounds heard were the passionate cries of the two lovers.

"Doctor Yedd?" the hospital guard exclaimed in surprise as he saw him carrying an injured young lady. He hurried to the emergency area to request assistance, and soon returned with nurses and medical supplies in tow.