On Failure - A Discourse Between Two Lovers (Part 3)

Portia and Darius are two sweethearts. They've know each other as friends for over a year. Recently they discovered that their feelings for each other have grown beyond friendship. Both of them are afraid of commitment so they're reluctant to breathe life into the relationship. However, they have made one commitment to each other. They talk to each other every night over the telephone. They've decided to continue their conversations until it is no longer enough. On that day, they will meet again, and for the first time, not as "just friends".

Portia: Darius, will you still love me if I'm a failure?

Darius: No.

P: What?

D: I didn't fall in love with a "failure". The woman I fell for is strong and always keeps going. That's one of the things that first attracted me to you and intrigued me, even as friends. People notice your beauty and intelligence but I saw your strength. You'll never stay down.

P: I'm glad you think so. I feel down. Anyway, how was your day?

D: The usual... Work. Thoughts of life. Philosophies on life and trying to dig deeper within myself. Thoughts of you.

P: I'm not going to even ask you about your thoughts on life or philosophies, else this will turn into another three hour conversation. I'm not going to ask you about yourself either. I don't need to know that...

D: Why don't you need to know that? You feel you know me but you actually...

P: I know all I need to know. Now, tell me what you were thinking about me.

D: Okay, ocelot.

P: Ocelot?

D: Yes, ocelot. It's a wild cat from South America. I was thinking what type of animal you would be. You're an ocelot.

P: Ocelot? O-C-E-L-O-T, right?

D: That's right.

P: Well, at least they're cute-looking. "The ocelot is nocturnal and territorial. It will fight for its territory, sometimes even to the death..." Interesting.

D: Exactly.

P: Boy, why do you have to do this to me?

D: Do what?

P: You don't let me settle. You always have to go and remind me of who I am.

D: There you go with your self-centred view of the world again. No, I don't settle. I fell for you and I'll take nothing less. I'm thinking about me here, not you.

P: Right... Of course you were. Anyway, I've got to go now. Will you still be here when I get back?

D: Where are you going?

P: I'm going to be an ocelot fighting for its territory. I'm going to make the stupidest decision ever made...

D: And what's that?

[dead tone]

© Maja Dezulovic 2011

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To love a person is to learn the song that is in their heart, and to sing it to them when they have forgotten. - Unknown

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