The Long Short Story II

Ann had been really quiet after William introduced his cousin. Her eyes were just like that of mirrors, slightly teary, forced to not even blink so that the tears would not fall down the fair cheek. Peter was not any different from her neither. As a new guest round the table he could only give Ann and Ronald a short awkward greeting before turning into a static boulder.

As time passed by, Ronald was not even tempted to taste his drink. He was only holding the glass so tight in his grip that it can break in any time. Their dinner tonight was supposed to be enjoying and fun. Then should this be defined as fun? He could not stand it anymore watching the two of them like this. The way they avoided each other's eyes and the way they refused to be in the same conversation were unexpectedly hurting all of them. Excluding the innocent William, of course, whom was constantly trying to warm up the atmosphere with his random continuing conversation with the two whom he thought were being shy strangers to each other.

"You two have got to be kidding me...”

Ronald loosened his tie. His face was stiff. The suit did not really suit him. And the two should have known better... about how he really was back then in the school bench. His rough appearance has always been hiding a sensitive soul inside. He could not stand anything complicated, such as this situation.

"What's the matter, Ron?"

William softly asked but Ronald did not replied. Quiet was all there was. What was so cool on the table for Ann, what was so amusing at the waiter for Peter, and what did Ronald found so interesting on the next table? Or should he say frustrating.. by looking at the look on Ronald’s face? He looked as if he had just accidentally munched on a lemon slice. An unusual frown on that bubbly fellow.

"We're here to discuss about the project that your company agreed to work on, but I guess we'll start the discussion after the dinner...", William continued awkwardly, giving a glance at Ronald, as the waitress arrived with the ordered dishes.

"If the two of you had once decided to be apart at least you should have just been happy living your own way right now, don’t you think so?  If being together was so painful... but then being apart was just about the same, then what's the point? I don't give a damn whether you two broke up, or get back with each other. But I can't force myself not to care seeing the two of you like this." said Ronald, this time, non-stop.

His gaze fell on Ann's small fingers, whom was sitting next to him, as she was rubbing it slowly.

"Give me that ring." 

Ronald pulled the ring out of her thin finger, then threw it away into the air. Where it had gone to, no one could figure it out as the small ring shone for its last time under the romantic light of crystal bulbs. It totally disappeared into nowhere after a clinging sound. As if it hit some kind of metallic stuff in the restaurant. A few customers having dinner next to them noticed his gestures.

“My ring!”

Ann immediately got up from her seat. Did it hit the metal tray? Or the glasses that were neatly arranged on the table? Her eyes went wild from the place she stood up.

“Do you really want the ring back? Or is it him that you want back all this time?”

Ronald pointed a moment towards Peter whom was sitting in front of him, before rubbing his own forehead upwards leaving his hair in a complete mess.

“Ann...”

Peter’s eyes were rounded. Ann was still wearing the ring? The ring he gave her years ago?

“You've seen it how she's still keeping that ring around after all these years. What proof more do you need? John? John was never the reason why she left. You were!”

Ronald whom was currently facing Peter slammed his palm on the table angrily. He has kept the anger for so many years that only now he could pour it on Peter. “Say something! Both of you!” Kranggg! And a plate broke on the floor.

Ronald walked out of the restaurant furiously without any sense of guilt, without being held responsible for the broken plate by the waitresses. Instead, all of them were bowing and apologising as he made his way out to the exit. He owned the restaurant anyway. He was their boss.

Like a boss. Tet!
Sorry for the long short story.

Just thought of writing something again today.

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