Here & After

By Saim Cheeda

Nick is a happy go lucky self proclaimed charmer who has never given a thought to much of anything. Emily is a responsible yet unsure person who can't help herself from thinking every second. Two people who seemingly couldn't be any more different from one another happen to meet. What starts off as a clash of personalities turns into mutual respect and eventually to friendship. The two face the changes in their lives always wondering if the other is what they need to truly be happy.
What follows is years of laughter, happy moments, affection and above all else, the need for one another to stay in their lives. But for Nick and Emily, the lingering question of whether they're meant to be more than just friends always remains.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saim Cheeda
• Release date: Dec 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310343834

Saim Cheeda

Saim Ahmed Cheeda (June 12, 1993) was born in Muscat, Oman, to Pakistani parents. His first book, "Here & After," was released in 2015. His true passion has always been in writing as he feels it enables him to explore numerous thoughts and feelings and expand borders in one's imagination. Saim is in the process of completing three more books varying in genre.

Book preview

Contents

Chapter One - 2001

Chapter Two - 2005

Chapter Three - 2006

Chapter Four - 2007

Chapter Five - 2009

Chapter Six - 2011

Chapter Seven - 2013

Chapter Eight - 2014

Epilogue

Chapter One - 2001- His

Here we are! The great escape is almost complete. The airport. College, here I come. But let’s be honest, you know what you’re really excited about. Freedom. I know mom must still be crying her eyes out but it’s the same reaction she had when my first tooth fell out, I have to admit I will miss her but, no more curfew time. I feel Dad’s eyes on me, the old guy’s going to divert his attention to Mikey now, poor little sucker’s going to be at every ball game at school even though he hates it.

Here we go, you get your freedom, Dad says.

Nah, I actually think I’m having second thoughts now.

You may be going to college but you’re still not smart enough to hide that face from me.

I have no idea what you’re talking about, I reply. Am I being that obvious?

Sure you don’t, says Dad, he sighs the next second. Doesn’t seem like there’s anything else to say but…

Let’s not make this uncomfortable, Dad, I say giving him a hug.

Remember to call when you get there, he shouts as he leaves.

You bet! I shout back. This is it. I’m free!

Her

Wow! This place is full. A lot of the people here are my age. Maybe I could strike up a conversation with one of them on the flight, I’d like to know as much as possible how the independent fresh student thinks. I hope the one who sits next to me on the flight’s a girl. I don’t want to risk getting stuck with an overly confident guy hoping to score on his first night of freedom.

I don’t want to be one of those college students who gets broke by the time the first week ends so I should take it easy with the expenses. I reach into my bag for the book but don’t find it. Oh, no! I forgot it. Great, now all I have to look forward to on the plane is listening to my heart thump. Come on, don’t start panicking. Air travel is one of the most common ways to go around. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about. I find myself at the bookstore.

Excuse me, do you have Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone? I ask the guy at the counter.

I think I only saw one more left.

I walk ahead and find the last copy of the book. Trouble is it’s in someone else’s hands.

Their

Umm, is that the last copy left? I look up; a girl stands, eyeing the book in my hands.

You know it, I reply.

Oh, so are you buying it or just browsing?

I actually don’t know much about this book but an opportunity’s just presented itself.

I think I’m going to buy, I reply. She looks disappointed.

How about I buy it, and I give it to you once we’ve landed, she says. Oh no, I’m not going to make it that easy.

I don’t know, I say sounding genuinely interested in the book.

You see, I’ve got this slight fear of flying and I need the book to distract myself on the plane.

Well there’s always a first time for everything. I think you should face your fears today. I reply. Girls like boys who treat them like crap. Or so I’ve heard.

Come on, I’ll give it back to you.

Fine, but let me buy it for you.

No, it’s alright I’ll buy it myself.

Ok, let’s make a deal, I buy the book and you can buy me some coffee. I say, feeling all smooth.

Or you can just let me buy the book.

How about this, I buy the book and we can discuss it together.

Just give me the book and we can both be on our way. She looks annoyed now.

Hey, I gave you your choices, feel free to pick one.

Look, I’m not one of those easy girls who’ll fall for that.

Come on, lady, a movie based on this book just came out, you should have just watched it by now, I find myself saying, looks like this really has gotten out of my grasp.

You know what, you can keep the book. I’d rather face the turbulence than stand around talking to you. She storms off. Ok, that was a disaster. No worries, she was just the first of many. Wait, that doesn’t sound too encouraging.

I swear. The nerve of some boys, why do they think that just because a girl’s alone they want someone to hit on her? I feel sorry for the one who gets stuck next to him. I don’t think any girl deserves that. There was some truth to that situation though, college girls are easy. All around me guys are picking up girls. Why is this even bothering me so much anyway?

I hear the announcement. Finally, time to go. Wait, I forgot to buy a book. Well, I’ll just have to rough it out. Like that guy said, there’s always a first time. Time to face my fear.

Most of the passengers are already on the plane, I hope I get seated with someone nice who can help me during turbulence. I feel comfortable already, maybe this won’t be a bad flight after all. A girl approaches.

Excuse me, I think you’re sitting in my seat. She shows her ticket.

Oh, sorry about that. I turn around and notice the person in the seat next to mine.

Alright, Fine! You can have the book if you want it so badly! It’s the boy from the bookstore.

What are you doing here? The girl asks me, confused.

Well, the general idea of traveling on an airplane is to get one from one destination to another as quickly as possible.

Are you sure you’re in the right seat?

I’m starting to wish I wasn’t.

You know, I don’t want to get into this, she says.

Don’t tell me you’re sitting next to me.

Ok, I won’t tell you that. How about you just sit there while I sit here and we don’t talk at all.

Fine, I don’t want to talk to you anyway.

That is great news, she replies with a cheery tone.

Man, this girl is a piece of work. We both sit quietly after that. A little while later her breathing gets louder. Maybe she’s just doing this to get my attention, I’ll just sit here and pretend I don’t notice anything. She must be getting thirsty by now what with all the huffing going around with her.

Excuse me, can I have get some earplugs? I ask the stewardess.

The girl looks annoyed. Good, I’ve only just started to have fun. I take out the book having no idea what I’m reading but I’m sure it’ll annoy her.

This is some book I say, making it sound as if I’m talking to myself. I can’t believe he did that! Didn’t see that coming.

She still isn’t budging. She has her eyes closed. I nudge her slightly making it look as if I just shifted in my seat. She opens her eyes in surprise. I hear her giggle.

That must be a really good book you’re reading there, she says, look who’s all interested in me now. I knew I could get this girl to start talking.

Oh yeah, too bad you didn’t get it, I reply offhandedly.

You must be great at reading too, she says with a smile. Girls, so easily impressed.

Well, I was good at my Literature class.

I’m sure you were, she says, It takes real talent to read upside down.

What? I look at my hand and I see the book was on the wrong side the whole time. The girl bursts out laughing.

No, actually I was trying to check something, that’s all. I don’t think that was a good recovery.

I can’t stop myself laughing. The poor guy probably thought he was being all impressive. The lights dim down and my cheery mood evaporates away. I begin breathing heavily again, maybe I can take out my cell and play Snake on it to distract myself but the stewardess sternly tells me to switch it off. I close my eyes as the plane starts to gain speed and go horribly fast right before ascent.

You know, I think even the pilot can hear you right now, the boy says. Great, he picks up a new thing to comment on.

I don’t know if you are a generally less attentive person or if you didn’t understand what I said before but I have a fear of flights, I snap at him, keeping my eyes closed.

Like I said before, face your fear. I used to be scared of heights but I decided to go bungee jumping so I could get it out of my system.

So what happened when you ‘faced your fear’? I ask sarcastically.

What do you think? he replies with an obvious face. After a moments silence he continues I ended up puking in midair and came very close to having another accident a little south of throwing up, he says in a small voice. I laugh.

At least you got over your fear of heights.

Well, if you consider closing your eyes and whimpering like a kid every time you’re in a high place, he says, Point is, I do that quietly without disturbing anyone.

Well, I’ll keep that in mind the next time I’m on a flight, right now I have to get through this takeoff ordeal of mine.

Consider the ordeal won then, he replies. I open my eyes, the lights are back on. We’re airborne.

I can’t believe it, I say out loud to myself. I didn’t feel like throwing up even once!

Could have fooled me, the boy says.

Well, it is a big step up for me. He has been a jerk until now but he did help. I guess I should take it easy with the resentment. You may go back to reading your upside down book.

Nah, you’re a little more fun to watch, I tell her, she is a different sort of person. The whole bravado she had going on back at the airport may have been fake, I’d like to know what she’s thinking. How about we make this plane ride entertaining, then?

You don’t have to keep me occupied, I just get nervous during takeoff and landing.

I know I don’t have to… I let my sentence fade out without finishing it.

Well then, why are you?

I don’t know, maybe because I’ve never travelled without family before so I think it would be a nice change of speed to talk to someone other than my mom on a flight. And now that we are adults going to college, I say we play the game of speaking to strangers, it involves not constantly fighting over a book and actually talking about something real.

Fighting over the book sounds like more fun to me, she says.

You will not let it go, will you? I say exasperatedly .

You don’t pick up sarcasm easily, do you? she replies.

Well, what do you think I meant before? That was me being sarcastic, Good recovery, I think. Ok, why don’t you tell me something about yourself?

Ok, I think I would call myself a closed book sort of person, you’d have to pick me up and understand who I am.

You know, I’m starting to see a pattern here with you, I say. And I really was trying to have a decent conversation this time.

Last book reference I promise, She says with a smile.

It’s good to know that you do make jokes when you’re not having a panic attack.

I can be a very humorous person, you know. My middle school teacher used to say I was the funniest student she knew.

Ah, so we finally know something about you, I say, So there is proof that you attended middle school.

So, what have you gathered about me till now?

Just that you are a girl scared of airplanes, loves buying books and were funny in middle school, I tell her, How about me?

Let’s see, you are someone who loves his mom, gets the last available book, has an ‘accident while bungee jumping’ and reads upside down English.

I can see glimpses of that long lost middle school sense of humor.

Who said it was lost?

Fine, long dormant then.

At least I have been slightly amusing, which is more than what I can say about you.

I’m withholding my funny side from you on purpose, I tell her, If I unleashed it, the plane could crash due to forced turbulence, so I’m doing it for the good of everyone here.

Very funny, she says but laughs all the same, That was really lame by the way.

Hey, it got you laughing didn’t it? I stand by my joke, End result is what counts, that’s why I always cheated in my exams.

Really? How did you pass school?

I just told you.

Don’t tell me you cheated on your finals, she says surprised. How did you manage that?

When you’ve studied this art for as long as I have, it just comes to you naturally.

You are aware of the saying ‘cheaters never prosper’, aren’t you?

It got me to college, didn’t it? I defend myself, Let me guess, a surefire honor student, weren’t you?

Well, I don’t know about honors, but I guess getting a special achievements award could count, she says offhandedly.

Look at you, or should I say look at me sitting next to one of the smart ones of our generation, I joke. Maybe I should take another shortcut in my life and marry you, you could easily be the breadwinner, I don’t mind being a trophy husband.

Being one of the smart ones means that I’m smart enough to not do that, she says amusedly.

I do know though that brains aren’t enough, you were also a teacher’s pet, weren’t you?

I was not, how dare you suggest that? I say with mock outrage.

Fine, you weren’t a teacher’s pet but did you get your teacher a pet?

Unless you count gifting a cactus as a pet, I say, the boy bursts out laughing.

A cactus is a pet, my powers of deduction are strong as ever.

He may be kind of a jerk, a lame one at that, but he is amusing. Still, people like him should grow up eventually and now that he’s going to college, the sooner the better.

See, why do you have to do that? Just when we start to have a real conversation.

I think it’s nice to be light headed.

Yeah, but you don’t need to be like that all the time.

Isn’t this the age to be like that? he asks, I’m 19 years old and pretty soon I’m going to have to be responsible, don’t you think this is the exact right time to be, well, kind of goofy?. I pause for a while, taking in his words.

Hmm, that actually does make some sense, I concede, he does make a fair point. But doesn’t that depend on what sort of background a person is from? Maybe he’s had it easy until now but what about someone like me?

You’ve been staring into space for a while now, I hear his voice, How long before I start feeling concerned? I come back to reality.

Sorry, I do that sometimes. I suppose you are right in one way but don’t you think it’s time to at least start being more mature?

Who says I’m not? I can be mature if I get the chance but no one comes to me during those times when I can show them.

Let me guess, you’re the sort of person who everyone comes to have a light moment with but who never gets considered when someone wants to talk about something real?

Wow, that basically sums up my life, the boy says, How did you guess that, is it because you think I’m not mature?

No, it’s because I have the exact opposite role in my life, or should I say others, I tell him, I seem to be having a sort of moment of clarity.

You know, sometimes I would actually like to know what that feels like, he says, now sounding different than he has since I’ve met him. To be taken seriously.

Why? Getting tired of the goofy act already? I thought you liked it.

I do but I think it would be a nice change of speed to be considered something different. I’m sure people frolic over to you with some kind of dilemma, right?

You could say that, but I don’t think it’s that great to be considered as the serious person. People do ask me certain things but they don’t take me seriously either.

That doesn’t make sense. How can they not take you seriously?

It’s a different kind of serious. They think that I always think of the worst case scenario, that I over think and it makes my advice sort of irrelevant. We both sit in silence after that, Looks like I’ve bummed another person out, this has to be some accomplishment because I don’t think I’d ever seen someone as peppy as him.

Maybe your advice is irrelevant, because I barely know you, but in this case your opinion is kind of spot on. I hear him saying. That took me by surprise, is he actually saying I made sense? Because I didn’t really understand what I just said a little while ago, myself. We’re kind of in the same boat, you and I. If you think about, in just different ways we’re both considered inadequate.

Those are some deep words, person I’ve barely known for an hour.

Maybe this was just an act so you see me as a mature person.

If it was, then you were successful, at least in your own way.

Ah-ha so my evil plan worked… hey, what do you mean ‘in my own way’?

Maybe it was my evil plan to know you more than you know me, did you think about it like that?

How do you figure that? he asks.

During our mature conversation a while ago you told me you were 19, I tell him. You don’t know how old I am, I could easily be 30 years old.

That’s alright, I’m into older women anyway, he jokes.

The plane begins to wobble slightly. I catch my breath for a second. Think calm thoughts. It’s only a slight bit of turbulence. Don’t overthink; just be light headed like the guy next to you.

Look at her, she is sort of charming in her phobia. She reminds me of a child, not because she’s immature or anything. Sometimes children can speak of mature things like she does but in the next instant give into a childlike tendency, in her case it’s her fear of planes. As for me, maybe I am immature but I’m sure there’s still time for me to grow up, after all I’m going to college.

I think I should give it a minute before I speak again plus she thinks I’m piling on the layers of funny a bit much and I want her to take me seriously too. I think I would like everyone in college to see different sides of me rather than the goof. Why am I thinking so much? Is it because I’ve been talking to her? I guess I should soothe her, she doesn’t seem to calming down.

You know, we’ve spoken about real things but not exactly. Don’t you think? I ask her. It takes her a while to get her bearings. She opens one eye and looks at me.

What do you mean? she asks.

I mean, I know something about your personality but I don’t know what it is that you plan to do in life, what’s ahead?

I haven’t actually thought about any of that. I don’t even know what I’m going to do once we get there.

I stare at her. Wasn’t she supposed to be an over thinker?

Really? I ask, surprised.

No, I just wanted to see what your reaction would be like if I said that she chortles. She got me again, I really cannot figure out how she thinks. She is one interesting person. Well, it’s like almost everyone on this plane. College. I’m not really 30 years old you know.

Darn, just when I thought I could score with an older woman.

Trust me, you wouldn’t be scoring with me if I was 19 or 30.

Oh, so you happen to be 19 too.

Yes, there are other people in the world the same as you.

So I’ve caught up, haven’t I? Now I know you’re 19 and off to college, too. We’re both even in the get-to-know you game.

Oh, so this was your plan after all?

Told you I was an evil mastermind.

You know there is still hope in the older women scenario, I continue, You wouldn’t happen to have been born in January?

You’re making this game too easy for me, she says, Now I know that you were born in February.

No, little miss know-it-all I was born on 31st January, I mock her, Not right all the time, are you?

I got you to tell me your birthday didn’t I? she shows off.

Oh, you’re better than I thought, I say, So all hope lost in the older women dream of mine?

Unless January comes in June.

See? Two can play at this game.

Hey, I already won. I just gave you a big hint because I didn’t want this to be a mismatch.

Sure you didn’t, I say casually.

You think you know everything, don’t you?

Hey, now that it is confirmed that I’m the older one here, I begin, You should take my wisdom under consideration and understand that I know enough.

What is that supposed to mean? she asks.

When you’re as old as I am you’ll understand.

So I have to wait only 5 months.

A lot can happen in 5 months you know, what matters is that I’ll always be in the lead.

I stare out the window for a while thinking of another topic to talk about. It’s pitch black out there, I don’t even see any stars. She’s looking out as well, I’d better start talking again.

So, what’s your next objective when you get there? I ask her. We haven’t even discussed what we’re studying at college.

Do you like buildings? she asks me.

Can’t get enough of them, whenever I’m out with friends I tell them, hey guys let’s go hang out at some buildings.

Well, you’ll be happy to know that I intend to make some new hangout spots for you.

Oh, so am I talking to the next big architect?

Yes, you have my permission to tell this story in the future to amazed fans of mine.

Yeah, everyone I know intently loves architects.

I think, maybe enough layers of sarcasm, she says.

Are you sure? Because I’d be happy to pile on a little more, I offer her.

Ok, smart mouth what about you? She asks me.

Maybe I’ll be an architect, too, sounds fun.

Ok... she says sounding confused but she really has gotten me thinking now.

Or I could be cop, it would be cool to freak people out by sounding my siren. Can you picture me taking down some thieves?

I can picture you running away from thieves.

Hilarious, I say dryly.

So let me see, you’re going to college to become an architect/police officer? she recounts.

Ever hear of moonlighting?

Yes, but the Earth has only one moon, she says looking serious. Have you even thought of what you’re going to be studying?

Well, I have thought of how boring it would be to study…

Are you serious? she asks in disbelief.

Fine, if you must know, I reveal. I have no idea what I’ll be doing there.

How did you even get into college?

I applied, they said I had to do a couple of extra things to get in. I did them.

Just like that?

Just like that. I repeat her words. Look, it’s not like I have to think about it all right now, there’ll be plenty of time for that.

Don’t you have a lot of things that you’ll think about when you get there?

So? I don’t have to worry about all that now.

Well then, when will you worry about them? she asks me, now she’s starting to get on my nerves. It’s one thing to tell me to start being mature but now she’s starting to judge me in other areas.

I’ve got it worked out.

You clearly haven’t.

Fine, then I’ll work it out, I tell her shortly.

You better do it fast.

Can we stop talking about this?

I’m just trying to help you. If you don’t think about these soon then you’ll end up getting left behind.

Why are you being all wise and mature anyway? We’re 19, we don’t have to worry about this.

Sure you’re 19 right now but then the years go by and you’ll regret not doing things you could’ve done. She will not quit, will she? Such a haughty person.

Maybe it’ll be you who would stop and think that you didn’t enjoy life when you could, I fight back. Why are you even reading into this anyway?

Because you can’t expect to breeze through life, she sounds irritated too.

Well, you don’t have to be mind-numbingly stiff about everything either, you don’t have to over analyze everything. A plane ride could just be a plane ride and not a flight of death.

So, are you saying I overthink? she sounds really flustered now.

Yes, very much so.

Fine, then let me overthink by myself now.

Be my guest, I was just trying to divert your mind away from the flight. I was being nice.

You don’t have to be nice.

Ok, I won’t. I finish.

God, that was frustrating, how did we end up fighting? She really needs to pipe down. I felt annoyed by her cynicism the whole time but overlooked them, the repeated casual jabs didn’t fool me. I don’t feel like sitting here anymore. I get up. It’s good to stretch my legs after sitting like that for such a long time and my head’s starting to feel light again, maybe moving away from her was the right thing to do.

Here I thought he could actually be a nice guy. I was right about him the first time. He’s the kind of person that laughs and says he’ll do something tomorrow and never gets to it. Fine, maybe I haven’t really cut loose in a while but that’s just because I’ve had my mind on more pressing matters.

Once I get all my studies in order I’ll think about the whole having fun part. There’s plenty of time for it. Did I just sound like him?

What’s this in his bag? Looks like a Walkman. That jerk! He could have easily used the Walkman and given me the book to read. I could sneak it out and hide it under my coat. He’ll spend the whole flight looking for it and I could sit here silently enjoying the music. Should I really do it? You know what, I will, he says I think too much, well, this one’s an impulse. I quickly hide it under my coat and start it up. Hmm, not bad, at least he has good taste in music.

I listen to the songs for a little bit when he returns. I look away, he reaches in his bag and gropes around, stops with a strange look on his face, no doubt retracing his steps to figure out where he left it. This is actually a lot of fun. Normally I would have thought it over and decided otherwise but I’m glad I didn’t. He looks so funny in his effort to recall while I stifle a small laugh, he turns towards me, I look away immediately but feel a tap on my shoulder.

Hard on hearing, are you? he asks.

I’m sorry? I reply innocently.

Having fun? he asks slyly.

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Fine, for your benefit I will ask you again, he says, I feel a sense foreboding, Some people would call that stealing?

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

You know, if that architect thing doesn’t work out you could always take up acting, although you probably wouldn’t be too good at it.

What do you mean?

So we’re dragging this out, are we?

I really have no clue what you’re saying.

Very well, what is this? he asks me, showing his empty bag.

A bag? I reply.

Good, so you can also tell me what’s inside of it then?

It’s empty.

Why do you think that is?

Maybe it’s because you didn’t put anything in it. I tell him, he’s definitely onto me but I’m going to keep on denying, it’s not like he can force me to show him what’s under my coat.

I have a separate theory of my own, he says. I think someone wanted payback and took something that didn’t belong to them.

What is it that you’re suggesting? I feign a look of aghast.

I think you know.

Are you implying I took your Walkman?

Maybe all that over thinking’s unlocking some sort of mind reading powers in you.

What? I look back. Honestly, the things he says.

I never told you I had a Walkman in there, how did you know? he asks me with a look of innocence although it doesn’t mask the sound of triumph in his voice.

Umm, I just… knew that you were the kind of guy who would have a Walkman and it’s natural to assume that you lost it.

I don’t think that guy at the back assumed that he saw you take it from my bag, he says.

What? Did he tell you?

He told me he thought we were a nice couple who share each other’s things. So honey, would you mind returning my Walkman to me?

I didn’t steal it, I just thought I could borrow it for some time and return it. I drop my pretense.

When you don’t ask the owner of an item it, it’s called stealing, he says, Guess your teacher didn’t teach you that or were you absent that day?

Ok, here, I dump the Walkman on his lap, Happy now? Or do you want to patronize me a bit longer?

Hey, you were the one who did the stealing in the first place, he says raising his hands airily, I’m just getting my money’s worth.

Go ahead but don’t expect me to say anything, she says furiously.

Well, what’s the fun in that? I ask her mockingly. If you wanted my attention you could have just asked for it.

Oh please, don’t flatter yourself.

No, madam, it is you who did just that.

Let’s just not talk for the rest of the flight.

Ok, it’s your decision, I tell her, but don’t go back on it.

I don’t plan to. She replies.

Well I do, even though I haven’t understood her up until now there is no doubt she can’t sit through like this the whole time plus I’m sure she does want my attention, just as much as I want hers. I’ll mess with her a little more but this time let’s make it tasteful. I call the flight attendant.

Can I have a glass of water and some peanuts please? she looks over at the girl enquiringly but I continue, And she’ll have a personality and some sense of humor… that’s all.

I glance at my side and see her reaction, surprisingly, she looks dejected. Did she feel hurt? It sounded funny in my head. Or was it too mean?

This is what’s waiting for me, isn’t it? she says, what does she mean by that? I’m going to go off to college, not understand anyone and make them hate me like you do.

Err, sorry? I ask her which is the only thing I can say to that.

No, I’m sorry, you think I’m a horrible person.

Wow, this just got intense, I wasn’t thinking like that at all.

That’s not … I start but she continues to talk.

It’s ok, you don’t have to be nice, she says. Now I just feel bad, sure she was annoying but I didn’t think of her as a bad person.

No, no, I was just joking around, I tell her truthfully.

You don’t have to… she begins again but this time I cut her off.

I’m not just saying this, I really was just joking, I’m an idiot like that. You won’t believe how many times I’ve ticked people off with my shenanigans. If anything, it was my fault. I’ve been told I get mean sometimes, I keep going, why am I not shutting up? Yeah, I’m going to work on that when I get to college, so in a way you were right.

Thank you for saying that. She says but I think I see her tearing up now. I should have just kept my mouth shut from the start. I have no idea what do with crying women, they go right up there with my fear of heights.

Don’t cry, it’s my fault, I start slapping myself, will it make her feel better? I must look like an idiot.

I want to thank you for something else as well, she says. Now what?

Err… for what? I ask her gingerly.

For being so easy, she says and her face lights up with laughter.

Oh, so you were playing me the entire time, weren’t you? I feel relief flooding over me.

I know I’ve been giving you advice and here’s one more, never give in to your future girlfriend or wife if she cries like I just did. This is our trump card. She instructs me.

I’m just glad you’re not crying anymore, I admit and actually start laughing along with her, I concede, that was a pretty good act she had going.

But I do want to apologize though. I shouldn’t have judged you like that. I tend do that, I’ll try to tone it down.

Nah, you were right, at least a little bit. I should start to take responsibility.

Still, I shouldn’t have meddled in, she says. I have no right to tell you how to live your life.

"Meh, people have been telling me how to