The Wrapper

Her sudden decision was an outrage to the family. Everything was planned and settled with. Both families have decided and agreed, and suddenly this. Her father was the angriest of all.

“You and your fickle mind! You and your irresponsible attitude will take you no where!”

She sat down, hanging her head low and grimly. She was already numb to all this. They say she was stubborn, and maybe she was, but she was just trying to protect the family.

“I’m sorry, but this is a decision I must take. It’s for the best. I am deeply sorry.”

She left the house for a week, wanting to give everybody time to calm down first, including herself. Her parents were avoiding her in the house, and her siblings were trying hard not to make conditions worse, but she knew they were all taking it harshly. Moreover, she needed time to think and reflect. She thought she was doing the right thing. At least they were only just engaging, not getting married.

Faris was a nice lad. He was nice to her parents, and was calm and composed most of the times. At certain points he could be reserved and shy, but to an extent that was bearable. At least things weren’t quite awkward when they sit together for a date. And it was a pleasure for her that when they meet and began to not know what to speak of, she could take out a book from her bag and read and he wouldn’t mind, because he would then take out his phone and started playing a game.

“Are you sure he’s not texting another girl, Sue?” a friend asked her once with the kind of tone old women use when they gossip. She could smile and shake her head confidently, because she just knew. It was a fact; he was an avid gamer, and he spent most of his free time playing games. That was okay to her because he was a responsible man and he knew what to do at the right times and places.

However, the turning point came a week ago, right after the plan for engagement was made and after everything was brought to their parents. Sue knew the day would come eventually, but she was too much in love with Faris that she had not been careful and aware of the consequences to the things she was doing.

They were in the car, and had just got back from shopping for their engagement rings. She didn’t know what pulled her back down to Earth and what slapped her senses back into reality, but she suspected it was the overwhelming thoughts of being tied to a person forever. She was getting engaged. Soon, they would be getting married. She loved Faris, and she knew Faris loved her, but there was one thing still unresolved; one thing that she should have brought up way before they were head over heels for each other. And now she regretted it, and she hated herself for that.

“Faris, can I ask your opinion about something?”

“Hmm?”

“If someone told you to pick up a candy from the ground, would you take the one without the wrapper, or the one with the wrapper?”

“The one with the wrapper of course.”

“Okay.”

“Why are you asking me this?”

“Why do you choose the one with the wrapper? Why not the one without?”

“Because…obviously, the one with the wrapper is clean. It’s safer to eat. Why?”

“But it’s not the candy’s fault. It didn’t want to be thrown to the ground unwrapped. It didn’t ask for it.”

“Wait, I don’t get where we’re going to here. Why are you suddenly being all deep with me? What’s a candy got to do with anything?”

“I just want your opinion, that’s all.”

“My opinion, huh?”

There was silence in the car for a whole 10 minutes. She was thinking about his answer, and he was obviously still thinking about the relevance of her question. Finally, she let out a deep sigh and said “What if I told you, a total stranger took a sip from your cup of coffee before you did? What would you feel?”

This time, Faris glanced towards her with a questioning look.

“What’s all this got to do with my opinion? I don’t get it. Sweets? Coffee?”

“Oh just answer the question will you!”

“Okay. Fine. If he wants my coffee that badly I’ll just give it to him.”

“But what if he doesn’t want it anymore?”

“Well, I’ll just buy a new cup of coffee for me.”

“What about the other cup of coffee?”

“Why?”

“It wasn’t the one that asked to be drunk by a stranger.”

“It’s a cup of coffee, what’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.”

One thing she realized about Faris was that he was a very hygienic person. He was proper and orderly, and he was absolutely hygienic. His car smelled of lavender, and he smelled of crushed pine leafs. He washes his hands thoroughly before and after every meal, and after every work that needed use of his hands. She should have expected this, but she was still very sad and disappointed.

A few nights later, while staring at the supposed-to-be engagement ring, she made a call to Faris and asked for a break-up. Faris was confused and terribly angry. He must have forgotten about their conversation in the car, but that didn’t matter. She got her answer, and that was more than enough.

“Maybe I only just realized that we’re not meant for each other. I’m not the best, and you deserve so much better. I’m sorry Faris.”

And he ended the call without saying a word.