My girlfriend called me late at night. She screamed into my ear.
‘It’s an emergency! Get over here!’
And then hung up.
I didn’t know what to think. It was three in the morning. My senses weren’t in the best shape. So I did what anyone in my place would do. I shut my eyes and went back to sleep.
Three hours later, wide awake and more alert, I remember her call and my heart jumps into my mouth.
Was it really her? Or a bad dream?
I dial her number to find out. But she doesn’t answer. The ring goes on and on. Where in the hell is she at six in the morning?
Asleep? Or maybe dead?
Nervous laughter doesn’t suit me. I sound like a squealing pig. My hands jump up, covering my mouth, muffling the hideous sound.
Shirt, pants, shoes. I’m dressed and out the door.
The idiot inside me tells me to turn back. Thank goodness he has little say in my important decisions.
This bothers my girlfriend too. She calls me stupid and insensitive when my inner idiot tries to invade our conversations. I keep him on a tight leash. It’s the only way I can salvage any type of human relation.
Her apartment is a ten-minute drive from my place. I cruise well below the speed limit. Anxiety and speeding aren’t a reliable pair. I make it there in seventeen minutes.
I try calling her again, but her phone keeps ringing. I finally get out of the car. She lives on the third floor. I take the stairs, skipping two at a time. The hallway is cool and dark.
The doorbell doesn’t end my dilemma.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
I turn the knob. The door just opens. Why isn’t it locked?
It’s too dark to see anything. Where’s a window when you need one?
I hear a soft click and then there’s light everywhere.
There are balloons, cake, and a table laid out with food and drink. My girlfriend is standing with a giftwrapped box in her hand. She’s too quick for me.
The gift hits me right between the eyes. I fall back. It’s almost dark again.
Her voice drifts somewhere above me.
‘Happy Birthday, you stupid idiot! What took you so long?!’
The idiot in me tries to answer. But I bite my tongue. I’ll just lie here till things settle down again.
He can’t stop making mistakes. She won’t listen quietly anymore. For Better or For Worse takes an ugly turn.
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That is one scary girlfriend. I am wondering why she didn’t pick her phone.
Maybe the whole thing from start to finish was a dream…….
Maybe she didn’t want to spoil the surprise. And bubbling anger can make a person quite aloof.
A three hours reaction time can be annoying. Haha!
Thanks so much! 🙂
So true of one’s inner idiot
‘I keep him on a tight leash. It’s the only way I can salvage any type of human relation’
Yes, indeed it is. 🙂
Interesting that her “inner idiot” is a he! 😏
Haha! The protagonist is a guy. I often betray my own gender while writing. 🙂
Oops. Yeah, now that I reread it, I can see that. Now I’m embarrassed.
Please, don’t be. I often interpret things my way. It’s the right of every reader. 🙂
A stunt like that would instantly qualify her for ex-girlfriend status. There are far better ruses to spring a surprise birthday party on someone rather than being the Girl Who Cried Wolf.
People have been abducted and shoved inside one-way rockets to Saturn for less.
Lol! I think I write stories just so that I can read your interesting comments, Rhyan.
She seems unsure of what she actually wants. Could be a mixture of ‘I do so much for you’, ‘You don’t even care’, ‘What if I really was having an emergency’, ‘You’re just an ungrateful jerk’.
Will have to send her to Saturn for more research. Thanks so much! 🙂
Man, it really is obvious when I leave comments in the wee hours of the morning and I’m dog tired. Curt curmudgeonly comments. Mea culpa, Terveen. It was a creative and well-written story. My hat’s off to you.
What a lovely friend you have! You must be happy with the surprise. Nothing like having your birthday made special. Happy Birthday, Terveen. have a great one. (and if it is not about you, then please reserve the greeting for when it is) 🙂
Lol. I wouldn’t want a friend like that, Shobana. 🙂
I’m already anxious enough.
And thank you for the warm wishes. I’ll extend them to my next birthday.
Always appreciate your kindness and support.
Are you feeling okay Terveen? Why didn’t anyone kill her? Why didn’t the cake have a bomb hidden inside? Why did he not break his bones when the gift knocked him over? 😂😂
Good one Terveen. I like the humor you used at some places 🙂
Vignesh, your comments are my doses of laughter. Thanks so much for that. 🙂
You’ve got me thinking he got away too easy. Next time, I’ll definitely strike back!
Ha ha. I’m pleased to hear that ☺️ Oh yes, I look forward to your usual brutality 😂
Ha ha. Pleased to hear that 🙂
Yes, I know you will 😂
i hate surprises
Lol. Especially one like this.
Lol, that’s interesting Terveen.
The girlfriend waited for him in dark for 3 hour and 17 minutes!
Thank god she didn’t pick up the phone. That created a good suspense for us.
I guess the girlfriend in herself is a questionable character. Maybe a bit mentally unsettled. But the boyfriend usually bears the brunt. Imagine, he fell asleep after such a frantic call. They are made for each other.
Thanks so much, Mayank. 🙂
Great story! 😄
Thank you so much! 🙂
a delightful little story; I felt the guy’s tension; I certainly didn’t see the ending coming ; well done —
With a girlfriend like that and an inner idiot leading him astray, a guy can only be anxious.
Thanks so much, John. 🙂
Ha! Painful and lovely all at the same time. Lovely, story, Terveen. 😊
Haha! Thanks so much, Jeff. 🙂
Welcome, Terveen! 😊
LOL. Love the ending. I didn’t expect that. What a lovely story. So he is a lovely idiot. Gosh. He is a little slow, isn’t he? But there’s somebody to love him. Lucky guy.
Yes, this love story is a unique one. Two lovers and their unusual behaviors. That’s what probably makes them compatible. Haha!
Thank you so much. 🙂
Great twist! Also, I like this “inner idiot”. I think I’m going to start using that.
Haha! That would be a smart option. Thank you so much! 🙂
Good flash is hard to write but you nailed it. I love the ending!
Tried for that twist. Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. 🙂
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I love when my head spins from a compelling story! Thank you.
Haha! This was a bit extreme and crazy.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Ha ha …
🙂
You had me at
“So I did what anyone in my place would do. I shut my eyes and went back to sleep.”
Great work!
Haha. It seems like a plausible thing to do.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
Appreciate it. 🙂