Secrets

“Come on, Aaron. You’ve been drinking too heavily now,” said a young man, clad in a proper English attire – a long black fleece coat, a classic Fedora and the iconic Wellington boots. He was fair, strikingly handsome and had a dense growth of beard on his face. The listener, on the contrary, was a man of dark complexion, but his presence bespoke more of a debonair gentleman, despite the unkempt features on his visage.

It was Easter and you would hardly find people in Western countries, sitting idly by their fireplaces in cozy homes, except the ones, chained by the shackles of age – within or without. Moreover, these two characters were the best of friends, since childhood, and they made it a point to meet once in a year, however bounded by work they were. It was hence, that they had chosen to meet in an ancient bar, far-off from the maddening crowds in the city.

“Another bottle – order, will you, please, Rogers?” so asked Aaron.

“Stop, will you, please, my dear Aaron. It’s almost nine thirty. They’re going to close the bar and kick us off,” replied Rogers, after casting a quick glance at his watch.

“Doesn’t matter – life kicks harder than these foreign bastards.”

“I think I’ll have to drive your car. You don’t seem to be in a position, are you?”

“Hey, Rogie, my friend… Let’s play a game.”

“A game, Aaron? At this hour?”

“Listen, listen. It’s an interesting game. A game of secrets.”

“Secrets?”

“Yeah. Each of us will disclose a secret that we have, buried deep down our heart, and when after he’s done, the next discloses one. This will continue till we’re finished – and the one whose stock ends earlier, pays the wine bill. Agreed?”

“Fine. Start with one, Aaron.”

“Well, I… I had an affair with one of my cousin sisters. Just tell me, Rogers. Is there anything wrong with that? Even Einstein had. It’s… it’s just fine. Yeah, it went physical. But, what’s wrong?”

“What happened to her? Why did she leave you?”

“She wouldn’t have. I know – she wouldn’t have if she was alive.”

“O! I’m sorry, Aaron.”

“Now your turn, Rogie.”