A Strange Love Story Part one the male part. A man and a woman left a caf together.

. It was one of these fancy cafs you will find in a main street of a rather big but nonetheless cosy town. Both strangers were fashion-conscious. He wore a black suit with a white scarf around his neck and she a deep-magenta dress, with too much shoulders for the current season, and high-heels. Their movements were gentle, almost grandiloquent. It was obvious, that they have spent an enjoyable time together. My dear, it was terrific! She was excited We have to have dinner with them again as soon as possible! He gave her a hand to help descend the caf stair, while she continued Your friends are marvellous, Derrick! Especially George and Melissa. I cant believe he is a broker, I always imagined these people to be extremely boring. Well, he has not always been in that business. Derrick replied I know George since schooldays, hes a fine chap. They passed the last step down the stair and faced each other. Somehow their hands ended up holding the hands of the other one. They noticed it and chuckled to themselves, but didnt let go. She gave him a wide smile, shrugged in excitement and chuckled some more. Her beautiful eyes gleamed with joyful expectance. You sure have gorgeous eyes, Joana. He said in a hushed voice. She bent her sweet head to one side, sending cute buckles of her hairstyle to swirl around a little bit, and enjoyed him tickling her soft palms. How long do we know each other? She asked. Hmm. One month. He answered A little longer than that. It already seems a lifetime to me. She was whispering. Well He said. Yeah? She asked. Right. He said. They both gazed into each others eyes for a while, trying to catch a glimpse of a special movement. Trying to recognize the first few stones of an avalanche on its way down. And both of them couldnt find the right hint for passion. All they could see in each others eyes was a frantic search. You know, he said after a long while I think, I ought to go now. She didnt answer. And I guess we shouldnt see each other again. His voice was trembling slightly. Lets call it a chapter of our lives. A wonderful acquaintance to be remembered as such. To be honest, I dont want to make any mistakes in our relationship. I want it to stay as beautiful as it is. And I know now, the only way to do it is to leave now for good. I wish you the best, Joana. He slowly released her hands from his own and felt for the key of his car in his pocket. He had almost completed the movement of turning around to go, when she called out his name. Derrick! He looked into her face once again. She said slowly What are you doing? Why are you leaving when you actually want to stay? He considered an answer for a moment and replied in an absolutely calm voice Because we are standing here and talking farewell for almost half an hour by now and you still dont throw yourself into my arms pleading for me to stay by your side. An expression of slight surprise arose on her face. He continued You see, Joana, you and me, we seem to be too much alike. We are cold-minded. Incapable of releasing great torrents of real emotions. That is not how it works, you know. In a couple, there always must be at least one person displaying unrestrained emotions. Otherwise the relationship wont last a month.

He let some seconds pass by to allow his words to sink in. Then he gazed into a deep gray puddle at the corner of the street and added As I have told you. Knowing you and me, at this moment in time, there is not much left for us to do but go apart. Our acquaintance will always stay in our memories as something nice and unique. After all, that is what life is all about, gathering beautiful experiences, isnt it? So, this is it. Farewell, Joana. It has been very nice to be with you. Slowly, but without hesitation, Derrick turned around and went. Joana stared after him right until he got into his car, and when he drove off she stared after the backlights of his car. She didnt feel betrayed or sad at all. In a strange way she knew he was right. Even though she very much wanted to fall into his arms and beg him to stay with her; her pride would never allow her to do that. And if a miracle would happen and she eventually could bring herself to do it, even then her movements and words would be clumsily unreal, since she never had practice. She never allowed herself to as much as imagine such a situation. And that was most probably exactly how he felt. He was right, they were too much alike. Finally she turned and put a key into the keyhole of her own car. Part two the female part. And thats all there was. Joana told her friend Mary one evening a few weeks later. I havent seen him since then. Didnt hear from him either. Its a strange feeling. Almost, as if I have lost an interesting book, which I have just begun reading, and forgot its title altogether. You always go and compare people with books, Joana. Said Marys strict voice from the receiver You cant do that! Why shouldnt I? How else am I supposed to express an abstract feeling? Joana replied in indignation You have to admit, Mary. With people its almost the same. You get acquainted and read them every day like a book, until you learn whom you are really dealing with in the end. Nah, I still dont like that comparison. Growled Mary. Nevertheless! What I have read in him is crystal clear. He just didnt love me at all. Otherwise he wouldnt have played the horribly cool guy. So you need a man to go down on his knees before you, to prove that he loves you? Obviously! Youre sick. Mary was very calm. What? What do you mean, Im sick!? Joana, you should go see a doctor, really. Most urgently a psychiatrist. Marys voice acquired a shade of concern. A mocking one, of course. Explain yourselves! Joana cried. Mary played tricks on her for as long as they knew each other and never failed to capture her attention. Well, just imagine, you are a book. Mary explained And your boyfriend has read you just like you have read him. What do you guess, what did he learn from your pages? Dont be evasive, Mary! Joana persisted. I have asked you to tell me why you think your friend is sick. Right, well come to that in a minute. Just answer the question. How should I know!? He could have read anything! Its really none of my concerns. Well, thats the whole point, you see? Mary triumphed Because he read in you exactly the same thing, which you have read in him. He thought you just didnt love him, is all, because you didnt fall into his arms and didnt tell him things. And considering how agitated you still are, several weeks after everything is over, that conclusion is not quite right, isnt it. Joana grunted a couple of unrecognizable sounds.

 Thats why I told you, youre sick. Because you seriously expect him to do something for you, what you yourself never would do for him. And I bet you dont even realize that behaving this way you drain all enthusiasm from him to do anything for you at all. Yeah, yeah. Just let it sound as if its all my fault. Silly little Joana got it all wrong once again. Why me? Why not him!? Why him? Why not you? Mary sounded very much amused. Many thanks, you witch! Now, Joana, we dont want to get personal, do we? Mary laughed. Of course not, my dearest friend! hoaxed Joana and hung up on Mary. Shell call me again later in the evening and apologize, smiled Mary to herself and went into the kitchen to make dinner for her husband.