by S. Poulos
of man, Michael thought as he looked on the water. Whether it is water, greenery or fire; when man is in trouble and needs comfort the elements help.
Right now he needed soothing and comfort as never before but this time he could not share his anxiety with the woman he loved so much and with whom he'd shared all happiness and worries for the last year or so. The other two times when he was in the same dilemma it was easier for it did not involve another person. This time was different because of Aphrodite. For a moment a spark of hope appeared in his eyes but just for a moment, for how could he ask for it? How could even do it to himself, to refuse with a stroke all the good fortune God granted to him so effortlessly as though he did not deserve this... as though he was rebelling against his own luck? How else could he explain the thought of leaving Aphrodite, the woman he loved so much, and all the advantages that went along with this life, for something unknown?
How could he decline the offer of the position in the television network at this young age which many lawyers in their maturity of their profession would envy? But what else could he do? It was the blueprint of what happened the first time when the three met in the bar that time. When the ex-chairman mentioned Patmos he knew that this was the road he had to take. The second time when the Teacher asked him, that was the most important offer ever made to him. He cherished it deep in his heart. The Teacher was bombarded by students who wanted to serve him but he was adamant it was the first time it ever crossed his mind to include a third person in his mission, and the offer was for him.
Michael even remembered when the Teacher asked the opinion of the ex-chairman about it. He felt so privileged to be part of this trio, to serve his fellow man the rest of his life that he was willing to part roads even with the person he loved so much.
After he made the decision that he was going to serve his fellow man under the guidance of the Teacher, the rest was a breeze as the other two cases in Patmos had been. However, he dreaded the moment he was going to be separated from Aphrodite.
First he rang the Teacher. As always his organizer answered the phone. He remembered him well and he said the Teacher would be pleased to see him. He told Michael how and where to find them and how the Teacher was talking about him.
The next move was to see the CEO of the network. He went and thanked him for everything he had done for him and the trust he had showed in him.
"I can tell you this," the CEO said. "Not many people in this world would knock back an opportunity like that. If you ever change your mind as long as I am here, don't hesitate to come and see me if you need work."
Then Michael went to see mister and Misses Clarke. The ex-chairman told him that he was probably the only person who fully understood him, for he went through this stage himself when he decided to give up the chairman's position in order to follow his heart. He said he was so glad about his decision although it was a pretty strong temptation to do the opposite. After all, he'd spent ten years as chairman of the WCFET. It took only a fraction of a second to change his mind, he remembered, and he had never looked back since then.
But for Michael the big test of whether he would survive this trial was yet to come. Would he be able to turn his back on her and walk away? Or would he embrace her and ask her forgiveness? For how could he even consider doing such a thing to her who had given everything to him; her love, her body and all the financially security for the rest of his life?
When he walked into the apartment Aphrodite was already there. They didn't exchange a word, not even glances.
Michael felt bad, guilty and at fault. He could not take any more. He was ready to ask for forgiveness and tell her that he would never ever play with these kinds of thoughts any more. But then the thought rushed to him; for how long? And how about if later he decided to do it after all? Would that not make a mockery out of this? And what would Aphrodite gain then? It would extend her misery a bit longer, that's all.
No, he thought, he should be strong. He should not succumb to this temptation.
He picked up his backpack and started to fill it with his personal belongings. Then for the first time Aphrodite spoke with a cold and tired voice.
"Consider this," she said. "Before you make this move. My father is an old man. I am my parents' only child and they love me immensely. In order to see me happy he is willing to withdraw from the company and appoint us to run it. Now that you are a lawyer it fits perfectly. If we marry you will have made it for life."
Michael did not know what to say. He just realized that this woman he loved so much did not understand him at all. He loved a woman concerned only with his physical wellbeing and that he could not fathom.
He was still packing when Aphrodite turned to him and with a voice as sharp as a witch and with eyes burning like charcoal and oozing hate said, "If you left me for another woman maybe I would understand you, but to leave me now that you are a lawyer in order to serve an old man with all these peculiar ideas... I cannot take it."
"Aphrodite," he said calmly, "I did not become a lawyer in order to serve the rest of my life in companies like your father's or the network. I did not study in order to become a corporate lawyer to defend the legal and to ignore the unethical and injustice. But that would never occur to you would it?" And with that he put his backpack on his back and walked towards the door while Aphrodite screamed behind him, "I hate you! I hate you as no other human being ever hated another one!"
Michael opened the door and when he closed it behind him he did not hear the thump of Aphrodite's body hitting the floor when she fainted.
When he opened the front door of the building a breeze soothed his face; he took a big breath, knowing that a new chapter had started in his life; a chapter of responsibility sacrifice and services.
Bibliography
"In the Light of Truth"
By Abd-ru-shin
