The Rhyme of the Depositary

TWO FIVE

Be married?

Alice stood up aghast. If Kendrick meant to make a joke, well he did.

"Is that a proposal?" Alice laughed awkwardly. Goody. In every emergency situation, Alice's mind was always muddled. Maybe this is one of those situations.

"Do you want me to kneel down and beg you?" Kendrick asked flatly.

"You're proposing we get married?" Alice did not understand.

"Yes. If you still want to continue your intention of taking back your son."

Alice walked around the large space, twisting it in confusion. What's wrong with Kendrick? Why are men so hard to guess? Come on, Alice approached Kendrick just for a certain purpose. He wasn't expecting a proposal this fast.

"I don't think marriage is a game you can just offer, Ken."

Alice recalls her own marriage to Alex. A story that ends in disaster. The bond only serves to legalize Alex's act of robbing her secretly. Alice's assets, funds, house and all property were mortgaged by Alex.

"You have a bad history with marriage?" kendrick asked, capturing the anxiety Alice seemed to have.

"My husband died about two years ago. He left behind a lot of outstanding debts. I'm the one who has to solve everything" explained Alice.

"I am an expert in managing finances and not lack of funds, even to cover all my living expenses until old age. You don't have to worry about me taking all your assets. Quite the contrary, you are legally entitled to all my property if we get married."

Alice shook her head slowly, her belief in marriage had begun to erode. First because of Alex's attitude, and lastly because of Anson's attitude. He wasn't sure he was destined to get married. All the men who bonded with her were always a tragedy for Alice's life. It's not easy to build trust to rebuild her commitment to marriage.

"It's not just about the treasure, Ken. It's about trust. I once believed in a marriage bond with all my abilities. I accept all my circumstances, keep my commitments, do what is best for my relationship bond. I hope my husband does the same. It still doesn't work."

"He's not just taking my assets slowly. He also did a lot of misappropriation behind my back. Gambling, women's play and that kind of mischief. My marriage history scares me to repeat it again, Ken. I no longer believe in marriage."

Alice was once stuck believing in marriage again after she got to know Anson. His dream soared expecting many miracles to happen in his arid life. Until then the bitter reality slapped him very hard. To Anson, he's just a bunch of useless junk.

"We've even just met. How are you so sure you're offering a wedding? A marriage with love can fail. Especially a marriage that's just a superficial deal like you're offering."

Alice sat on a rather tall carved wooden chair. He stared out the window, at the darkness of the night that enveloped their surroundings. Maybe dawn will soon be coming. He's been talking here long enough with Kendrick.

"It is precisely because of that superficial agreement that this marriage may be successful. I no longer believe in love, Alice. We're gonna do this wedding and be nice to each other. We can be like friends who live one roof. Respect each other, tolerance, help, and keep to certain limits. Isn't this a fair deal?"

Kendrick stared at Alice's back from a considerable distance away. The stubbornness Alice had really resembled her late wife. Kendrick believes this marriage might work for them.

"Are you going crazy, Kendrick? If you think such a marriage can work, why don't you offer it to another woman****** who would be interested in jumping right into your arms?" Alice began to raise her tone.

"Because you're the only woman who has courageously offered to cooperate with me. Besides, if I offer to other women, I'm not sure they'll be able to accept my flaws."

Alice looked back, facing Kendrick's handsome face. His tanned skin typical of the middle east looks seductive under the dim lighting of the room lights.

"You mean, gynophobia?" ask Alice to make sure.

"I've been able to control my gynophobia. I began to be able to hold myself close to women, even within reasonable limits" explains Kendrick.

"So? Is there anything else you're hiding?" alice began to be interested. He slightly shuffled justifying his sitting position.

"I'm impotent."

A pretty amazing confession. The two of them were caught in a torturous silence. Kendrick was silent. Alice was confused. His mind was digesting very slowly.

Kendrick's impotent? Just be right. A man as handsome as him? Oh my God ...

"You-"

"Before being killed, my wife was raped by three men in a very violent manner. I was forced to witness the incident" he explained with a glaring look. Kendrick's memory goes back to what happened two years ago.

"So you've been impotent since that incident? You never touch a woman?" alice asked a little in disbelief.

"Do you think I can touch a woman if every time I touch those who are pictured in my brain is the rape of my wife? She was eight months pregnant at the time. After the rape, a woman brutally stabbed my wife. She and my baby died."

It was like it just happened yesterday. Kendrick still remembers how their baby thrashed strongly in his wife's stomach when another woman stabbed him blindly. It was as if the innocent child was trying to rebel, protesting the fate that took him cruelly. He remembered the pooled blood, he remembered the desperate cries of his wife and he remembered the torn organs of the body. The memory, became a weapon that continues to hurt him, even though the perpetrators have succeeded he resolved.

Alice shuddered in horror. He imagined that if Kendrick was forced to see her partner and baby die cruelly, Alice would not be able to.

"I may not be able to meet your biological needs, but there's no harm in trying. We made this marriage work." Kendrick tried to get close to Alice, gently touching her shoulder from behind then retreating slowly. His face frowned unhappily, it seemed like the touch made him uncomfortable. Kendrick's gynophobia bothered him from making physical contact with women.

"You don't feel comfortable touching me?" Alice held back a laugh.

"Don't try to laugh, it's not a funny thing" Kendrick said.

Alice laughed off. Kendrick's reaction really comforted her heart. How could a man like him be afraid of himself?

Kendrick who heard Alice's crisp laughter, fell silent enjoying the woman's response. Alice had a pleasant laugh. He made some of his heart warm slowly.

"I can train with you every day. Maybe you can cure me" said Kendrick flatly.

"Oh well, what if we try shaking hands with each other?"

"No!" Kendrick was a little screaming.

"You can't even touch my hand? Oh come on, Kendrick .. are you gonna tell me for two years that you've never shaken hands with a woman? You're a great businessman. It's impossible to avoid standard things like this."

"I never did. No woman would dare to force me. They think I'm a cold guy. Some of them think I am gay. Just one time actually, with a female official. I have to hold back from doing it."

Alice laughed at Kendrick's words. His face was like depressed recalling those memories. It must be a trauma for him if he makes physical contact with women. The thing that is actually coveted by many men.

"Stop laughing, Alice." Kendrick's not happy. Alice gradually controlled her feelings and went back to normal.

"So ... How's my offer?" kendrick returned their conversation.

"We are two people trapped. You want my support, and I want .friends, best friends, escorts, whatever the term. I need someone who understands all my weak points and is still willing to stand with me. Can we complement each other?" kendrick said sincerely.

"Why are you so sure I'm the woman who can accompany you? I could just use you. Once my goal has been achieved, I can go away from you and carry a lot of your treasure."

"I'm sure you're not that kind of person. My business is big because I have the right judgment on everyone. I've never been wrong in judging people."

So. Alice remained silent for a long time.

If Kendrick has good judgment on him, why can't Anson do the same? Anson should have seen his sincerity. Alice did lie to him, but Anson should be able to realize the love he craved. Why is that guy so stubborn?

"What if one day we find someone we love?" ask Alice kebas.

We never know the course of life. God can bring love suddenly, in a state that is no longer possible for us to fight. Everything could have happened.

"I may never find love again. My feelings died with my wife and baby the night the tragedy unfolded. My life has been empty for a long time, Alice. My desire to enjoy life began to dim at any moment. I don't have a specific purpose anymore."

There is honesty that is delivered bitterly. A tragic reality acknowledged by a powerful man like Kendrick. Life shows feelings are something very fragile possessed by humans. He is capable of tossing, crushing, tossing and knocking us down unprepared.

"But if one day you find someone you love and are able to provide protection, you can get out of my life."

"You're not gonna arrest me?" Alice surprised.

"No. I once had love, Alice. I know what it's like. I will not hinder your happiness by holding you forever by my side. We deserve to be happy, right?"

"How could you give up that? Wouldn't this deal hurt you on all sides?"

Kendrick walked around the room. He stared out through another window blankly. Look at him without any emotion.

"I used to be a very selfish person and couldn't possibly give up, Alice. But the tragedy two years ago changed everything. Losing has the power to drastically change one's character. After the tragic incident, my feelings became sensitive. I cherish my wife's existence and love so late."

Alice was speechless. He bowed deeply, toying with his irregular fingers. Kendrick's story isn't the kind of story you're used to. This is a bit about the bitter reality that inevitably has to be swallowed up by the recipient. We have no power to fight against destiny.

"So, did you accept this marriage? We will create a good relationship. We can be friends who accept each other. If this bond works, we can keep it all our lives."

Kendrick turned around, looking at Alice who was looking up. Alice's brown eyes shone with many mixed expressions. His brain must be thinking hard. Kendrick wouldn't blame Alice if she refused her laugh. Everyone has a right to make decisions and should be respected.

"Yes. I'm willing."

...