The Dating Chronicles – The Penalty Of Deceit

The Dating Chronicles

The Penalty Of Deceit

Rod saw Donna when she entered the room, but she looked past him.  He had come in hopes that she might be there.  It was an annual party she never missed, but he was unprepared for the large lump that came up in his throat and the soft punch that dropped in his stomach.  His hands shook as he walked toward the bar.  She was talking to a group of women.  He relaxed from the inside, as he watched her greet others warmly.

He wondered if she would do the same with him.  He had messed up and he knew it.  He’d made the worst mistake a man could make.  As he stopped and watched her, he wondered if she’d ever forgive him, and come to the belief again that he loved her and only her.

Suddenly, she turned in his direction and stared into his eyes.  Her face lit up and she smiled softly.  His heart leaped in joy.  She’s no longer angry, he shouted from within.  She has forgiven me.  He moved to embrace her, to feel her warmth, and to smell her perfume, but the dance floor stood between them.

He moved furiously through the crowd to reach the other side, but when he got there…she was gone.   He searched the room frantically, but there was no sign of her.  He ran outside to see if he could find her.  As he reached the bottom step, her car whizzed past at top speed.  His heart tore in pieces as he walked slowly to his car.  He prayed she would one day forgive him.

                                      

Donna knew Rod would be there.  She had seen him when she entered the room but pretended not to. Her heart still ached from the knowledge of his deception.  He had been dating her best friend behind her back and she bumped into them unexpectedly leaving his apartment one night.  She was devastated and had not spoken to either of them since.

As she drove fast down a busy street, she smiled to herself, as she thought of the two of them, who now seemed too ashamed to go near each other. They wore their guilt openly. They all attended the same church and she watched them every Sunday as they stumbled to avoid each other eyes and presence. She’d heard they were no longer seeing each other, but she didn’t care.  She was done with both of them.

She knew the power of silence and how well it could affect a person’s mind.  At the party, she could feel Rod’s eyes on her back and see his pain from across the room.  Calculatedly, she had turned, as the dance floor began to fill, stared at him, and smiled.  She knew he would interpret it as a sign of forgiveness and head toward her.  She knew him too well.

 However, when she saw him move, she dashed toward the door, as the crowd spilled onto the dance floor in response to the music. Delight and revenge propelled her steps as she headed toward her car.  As she ran, she hoped and prayed he would feel the same pain of deception she’d experienced.