When I was a young man, I dated two women at a time, Mona and Camila. It wasn’t really that difficult. I used work as my excuse when I wanted to meet with the other woman. It worked out so well because soon, I reserved certain days for Mona and all the other days for Camila. Although at times, I got mixed up with the days and ended up going to the wrong woman, but I stated that it was a surprise visit. Both of them loved it. “What do you say we take the whole month off and visit Paris,” Mona asked me one night when we were having a delicious dinner at my place. “Next month?” I asked, feeling pressured as I needed to find a reason to tell Camila something.
“Does it really have to be the whole month?” “You promised,” she reminded me and I remembered the exact promise I made to Camila. “Well, who is hungry for dessert?” I asked, pretending to be hungry when I didn’t feel like eating anymore. “I have your favourite ice cream.” “You always do this.” “Do what?” I learnt that it was best to be in denial, so I had the time to come up with an excuse.
“You promised me something but they are just words.” “You know, I am really busy with work. There will be meetings and all the boring stuff that I don’t think I will be able to make it to Paris on such short notice,” I lied. “You are a liar,” she accused me. “When did I lie to you? Now is just not the right time.” “It will never be the right time because-“she paused and looked behind me. “Because we know.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked and turned around to see what was behind me. At first I was confused. Then I pieced the puzzle together. Both the women I was seeing was in my house, one closer to me than the other but both had a deadly stare. I thought I was smart. I thought my brilliant plan worked out but at that moment I realized my plan had failed. I was too stunt to think of an excuse. “I told you he will be dumbfounded,” Camila pointed out as she pulled out a chair for herself. “I wish we were wrong,” Mona said as if all hope was gone. “Here is how it will go,” Camila started. One looked angry while the other looked sad.
“You will have to make the decision. Who do you want to date? It’s your move.” “If you continue to date the both of us, we will dump you. Choose the one you love more, so the other one can go free,” Mona continued with my choices. It took me quite a while to make my move. I loved both of them but after much consideration, I realized I actually loved one more than the other. I went to one of their houses and apologized for not choosing her to continue our relationship. She cried like I had never seen before. When finally she stopped crying, she wished me good luck and wished that she will never see me again. My relationship with the other woman continued.
I made up to her by marrying her the year after my plan failed. We had our honeymoon in Paris although I promised my ex the same place. Being my wife, she didn’t mind visiting Paris. We spent three weeks there and we had fun. Another year passed by and we were blessed with a son and a daughter three years later. I was living the life everyone wanted; a complete family, a house, a car and a steady job. Life was good until I received photos of my wife with another man. Of course, I thought it was some sort of blackmail from a rival company. That was until I saw them together in a café. When I confronted her, it was her turn to be in denial.
I showed her the anonymous photos sent to me. She denied it and our marriage was on the rocks. When she admitted her wrongdoings, I was ready to forgive her and move on for the sake of our children, but when she told me she did it as a revenge for what I did to her in the past, I called it quits. I didn’t know who she was and I had divorce papers drawn up despite what society thought of divorce. I didn’t know what else to do and I didn’t want my children to spend too much time with her. I obtained full custody of my children. That was donkey’s years ago. My children have their own lives now. I am a proud father and a blessed grandfather.
Yesterday I climbed the steep hill downtown to buy some fresh fruits and I saw a familiar face. She took a quick second to observe me. She looked as beautiful as I remembered. “Philip, is that you?” “Camila,” I greeted her for the first time in decades since I told her I was leaving her for Mona. Carina Lim bears different messages through her fiction. These messages could be useful in life. She can be contacted at mermaidgal03@ yahoo.com
