They finally arrived at her place and she asked Peello to wait for her because she was suddenly not feeling okay. She could see Samke’s car parked outside and she wished for the hundredth time that she hadn’t given her a spare key to her place. Confronting Samke was something she had yet to prepare herself for. Today was not the day.

It had been a few hours since the unfortunate incident and she didn’t deal well with confrontation. She really wanted to go on that walk now. Upon entering her flat, she was expecting to see her friend sitting at the table waiting for her. Seeing that she had dozed off on the couch, possibly sleeping off the hangover, she dashed to her bedroom. She quickly ran the shower and if she was in competing in some speed competition, she would have made the world record and crowned the champion of showering within 2 minutes flat!

Not bothering to lotion her body, she chose to do all that inside the car. Just her arms and legs of course, lest Peello got any ideas. She left the flat as quietly as she had came in, lugging an overnight bag. She had resolved to call one of her colleagues at work and ask to if she could accommodate her just for the time being.

Peello looked up and noticed that she was carrying an overnight bag. Thinking that she was going to spend another night or even better, a couple of days and nights with him. He was excited.

“Hey, are we still taking that walk? You have quite some luggage on you. Of course, if you want to sleep over at my place again, you are more than welcome. You don’t even have to ask!”

“Yes and no. We will still go for that walk but I won’t be spending any more nights at your place. I’m going to call one of my colleagues and ask to crash at her place for a few days. I’m pretty sure she won’t mind.” Zamo responded irritably.

He considered this for a moment.

“Are you sure? You know you are more than welcome at my place right?”

“Yes, I know. Thank you! I will keep that in mind. Thanks again.”

“Well, okay. Good I guess.”

“Okay. Now I need to go to the back seat and lotion myself quickly.”

“Do you mean you didn’t lotion yourself? I wondered why you came out of there so quickly!” he said.

She looked at him and said candidly, “I don’t enjoy confrontation. If I can, I avoid it. Like now. However, I know that I will have to confront my friend sometime soon. I’m just not yet ready. Now look away while I lotion myself. No peeking!”

He chuckled a little.

“No peeking, I promise Thank God for tinted windows otherwise we would be arrested for indecent exposure!”

“It’s just my arms and legs wise guy.”

“To the law brigade it does not matter if one exposes a finger. It’s indecent exposure as long as one exposes parts of their bodies. And that’s all there is to it.”

“Well, they can go drown themselves then. As far as I’m concerned what I’m doing right now is far from indecent exposure – it is more like decent exposure.” said Zamo finishing up and packing away her lotion.

She moved back into the front seat and Peello was already steering his vehicle into the most beautiful park she had ever seen.

“Where are we? I’ve never seen this place; it’s gorgeous!” she gasped with delight.

He smiled and stopped the car. Moving over to her side to open the door for her, he presented yellow roses to her.

“Here you are my lady, these were picked especially for you.” he kissed her lightly on the cheek.

She was speechless. Not one man has ever given her flowers. Even roses at that! Suddenly, wedding bells and the traditional “Here Comes the Bride” started playing in her head. Lord, please give me strength!

He helped her out of the car and placed her arm over his and they looked like a bride and groom walking down the aisle. This is surely a dream, she thought to herself.

But no, this was real!!

I’m walking in this beautiful park, with this beautiful man; birds are fluttering and singing as if welcoming us to their home. What more could a girl possibly ask for? She was completely stunned.

They were walking in comfortable silence when he stopped her and asked her to look at a certain tree. She looked over and saw this unusual tree growing a range of bright, colourful flowers. Is that even possible for flowers to be so luscious and vibrant?

“This magnificent park is called the Enchanted Forest. Though I don’t know why the word ‘forest’ comes in as it is hardly a forest. Then again, I’m sure it has some sort of story behind it.” His attention now focused on the tree in front of them. “This my favourite tree to look at when I venture out here. I find that in my darkest moments, this has been my source of light and comfort time and time again.” He continued. “This tree can survive in any weather and stays as it is all year round. Believe or not. That’s what I truly love about it – God’s stunning handiwork!”

Zamo, still in shock, spoke for the first time since they came into this ridiculously exquisite area where this tree flourishes.

“I am in shock. Really. There are just no words. Wow! Thank you for the beautiful flowers – I adore roses! Also, thank you for showing this very intimate part of you. Thank you for trusting me.”

***

Tell us what you think: How do you handle confrontations?