“You are going to meet Fiona and talk to her.” Ben repeats yet again.
“No,” Oscar replies biting his tongue stopping himself from saying more.
“You are going to see her,” Ben pauses giving weight to each word watching Oscar’s expressionless face grow irritated.
“No. And don’t talk to me that way, I made by decision and I am not changing my mind.” Oscar gets up and tries to talk away but Ben stops him. “Move…” Oscar gentle voice radiated his rage as Ben seemed unmoved.
“Not this time pal.”
“Ben there is nothing left to say. I said everything I needed to the last time we spoke,” Oscar stares at Ben as he continues. “We have nothing more to say to each other.”
“Did you really hear her out?” Ben stops Oscar this time with his words. “You said you told her everything, but did she tell you what she wanted to say.” Oscar wanting to desperately avoid this conversation tries to move away but Ben doesn’t give in easily.
“Why are you doing this?” Oscar asks.
“Someone has to Oscar,” Ben replies. “This was difficult for me as well but we can’t play the silent game forever.”
“Silent what?”
“Do you really plan on living the rest of your life without talking to your wife?” Ben’s words sting Oscar. “There must be something you want to say?”
“Nothing!” Oscar says in an authoritative tone.
“Then why aren’t you filing for divorce?” Oscar’s eyes widen as Ben stands his ground. “If you want to end it just end it, don’t lead her on like this.” After a few minutes of silence, he continues. “Just be honest with yourself and try talking it out.”
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“We aren’t…,” Oscar is unable to continue talking and Ben interrupts him.
“You will talk to her or at least give her a decent goodbye,” Ben says as he holds Oscar’s arm as he tries to move away.
“Don’t even think about it,” Oscar says. Neither of them needed to speak another word as their eyes said it all, they both were stubborn and didn’t want to say or hear anything else. The men stood in silence for a moment and then the fighting begins. As Oscar tries to get free from Ben’s grip, the men find themselves pulling and pushing each other across the room. Soon, Oscar gets irritated and hits Ben causing him to let go. But before Oscar can talk away, his face meets with Ben’s fist. Oscar holds his ground as the two men fight, knocking down things as they wrestle, landing punches on each other every now and then.
“YOU WILL SPEAK TO HER” BEN SHOUTS.
“OVER YOUR DEAD BODY”
“IF YOU HATED HER SO MUCH YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE MARRIED.”
“I DON’T HATE HER I LOVE …” as the words proceed out of Oscar’s mouth, he lowers his fist and Ben loosens his grip as the two men slowly separate. They breathe heavily, as they begin to relax sitting next to each other. Despite not making eye contact, Ben knew he got his point across. Oscar just stared at the floor as his heart began pounding, unwillingly recollecting all the good times he spent with Fiona. Ben soon raises his head at Oscar who seems both relieved and frustrated having finally owned up to how he feels. The time he has ignored Fiona has been brutal for him, and though he stands by his decision, it didn’t make it any easier for him.
“I guess we’re finally talking,” Ben says but Oscar doesn’t reply. Ben goes to the kitchen and takes out an ice pack. He returns and hands it to Oscar, who hesitantly takes it and the men sit down next to each other quietly. Oscar sits there contemplating everything but at the same time feels a huge burden off his chest.
“I guess I should… call her…,” Oscar admits.
“I didn’t mean to push it,” Ben admits as he now notices the results of their fight, realising they both have more than a few bruises. Ben sighs and continues, “Even if it’s just a goodbye, I think you need to let her down easy.”
“I don’t know if I want that,” Oscar says. “Maybe that’s why I’ve been avoiding her.”
“In a way, I have as well,” Ben replies. “I wanted to propose to Ann but, ever since Andrew… I was worried she wasn’t over him.” Oscar nods as he feels embarrassed forgetting that Ben was about to propose to Ann. “I was so busy focusing on Andrew that I forgot what’s most important to me.” Oscar looks at Ben who is now speaking with conviction. Just then Oscar’s phone rings and he looks at it.
“Work.” Ben nods deciding to continue their heart-to-heart after the phone call. But as Oscar picks up, a grim expression takes over his face as he turns to Ben.