A game of fate

It was a warm Sunday afternoon. Most people were at home…either inside to avoid the hot sun…or outside bathing in it. It was the kind of weather that made you feel lethargic and sleepy, and so, the roads where almost empty.

Due to an intense argument with my mother, I had decided to go for a drive in my car to calm myself down. I drove aimlessly for a long time and when I felt that my blood pressure had returned back to normal, I decided to head back home.

As I stopped for a red traffic light, I lay my head back against my seat and enjoyed a moment of peace and quiet. It wasn’t long-lived. A red convertible, with music blasting and shattering the silence, turned a corner and stopped in the lane next to mine. I turned my head in annoyance to see who the culprit was and my eyes rested on a beautiful stranger.

He caught my gaze and the world turned upside down. I blinked and willed myself to look away. That’s when I noticed the other occupant of the car. A female…as beautiful as him. With his eyes still on me, he leaned over towards his passenger and said something in her ear which made her laugh. He then sat back and smiled at me…I didn’t smile back. Instead, I revved my engine. His smile deepened and I knew that he had understood. Starring straight ahead, I put my car into gear and waited for the light to change. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his do the same.

Red…Amber…Green!

Feet pressed down hard on the acceleration peddle, and both cars shot forward…the race began. I knew that in half a mile, the two lanes would join into one. I was determined to get there first. As we both picked up speed, I hoped that no police vans were around because we were exceeding the limit by a great deal.

He was good…but so was I.

Our cars remained almost level…Each pulling ahead from second to second by a short distance. As we sped down the road, I felt all the previous tension due to my argument with my mother leave my body. I was flying.

We approached the end of the lanes together. At the very last second, it was he who braked to prevent the collision of our cars…he allowed me to go first. I won!

I raised my eyes to the review mirror and looked straight into his. He was smiling and laughter escaped from between my lips. Tilting my head to one side, I stuck my tongue out at him and this time, it was he who laughed.

I felt extremely happy. I experienced a peace of mind and soul that I haven’t felt for a long time. In that moment, I vowed that when I return home, I would hug my mother, apologize, and tell her how much I love her.

Still laughing, I turned my gaze towards his passenger. She didn’t look impressed. The expression on her face was one of irritation, and her eyes were throwing daggers in my direction. Not caring that I was annoying her, I turned my attention back to him and blew him a kiss via my review mirror. He laughed again and blew a kiss back.

I was too busy smiling at him…too entranced by his eyes…to notice the truck pulling out onto the road a short distance away from me.

I suddenly saw his expression change. His eyes widened and a look of horror entered his face. His lips mouthed a warning that I did not hear. I felt a sudden, deep coldness inside. I finally returned my eyes onto the road, and that’s when I saw the truck.

My foot slammed against the brakes as shock seized my entire body. I knew that I was going too fast to be able to stop in time. Terrible fear gripped my heart and I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to die. A picture of my mothers’ angry and hurt face flashed before my eyes. I felt sad.

The impact was devastating…there was absolutely no chance…of survival.