STUCK TOGETHER

Liam and Melissa had been neighbours for as long as they could remember. It had started with little things early, which grew bigger as years passed. They just couldn’t stand each other! Parties, celebrations, music, laughter were enough reasons for one to go to the other’s house to have a fight!

“I curse the day I set foot in this building,” she said.

“Why did you? I would have been happier if you hadn’t,” he said.

“Go to hell,” both said together.

That was nearly how all their fights ended.

On a certain Saturday evening, Melissa had finished her work and was heading home. While entering the building lift, she said,

“Hi Robert.”

“Hi Miss.”

She got into the lift and could see Liam approaching it too.

“Robert fast, close the door,” she said.

“Liftman, wait liftman,” said Liam and got into the lift.

“His name is Robert,” Melissa told Liam.

“I know that but I like to call him ‘Liftman’. It’s our own thing and Robert doesn’t mind it, does he now?” and they both looked at Robert.

“I am not getting into this fight, sorry Miss, sorry Liam.”

They both frowned at him. Their flats were on the 9th floor, so it was a matter of a few seconds only. Both kept mum looking in opposite directions. Somewhere on the 6th floor, the lift’s lights went out and it stopped. The emergency light was immediately switched on.

“Why is the door not opening, Robert? In such cases, the lift automatically goes to the nearest floor and opens the door, right?”  Melissa asked.

“I have no idea, Miss. Let me call the security on the ground floor.”  With that, Robert used the lift phone to call the security for help.

While he was talking, Liam suddenly exclaimed, “Damn, my phone network is not working.  I am jinxed from the time I entered the lift.”

Melissa looked at Liam angrily but didn’t say a thing. She wanted to know what the security had told Robert.

“Well, the security is checking. Max to max we will be stuck here for a few hours.”

Melissa sat down on the lift floor as soon as she heard Robert saying this.

For the next one hour, there was a pin drop silence. Then to break it Liam spoke, “Mel let’s fight. You look too beautiful when you look sad, doesn’t suit you at all.”

“I am tired Liam. Tired of all the fighting – tired of everything. Give me a break,” she said.

“And you think I like it?” Liam was sitting opposite her. He asked this question looking straight into her eyes.

Robert by now was asleep.

“I thought you liked it. After all, you were the one who started it every time,” she retorted.

Liam got up and sat next to Melissa. He slowly caught her hand and held it tightly.

“I couldn’t see you with that ex-boyfriend of yours,” he said

“We broke up ages ago.”

“It was too late by then, our fights were at their peak.”

“So you fought with me because you liked me!” she exclaimed.

“A lot actually.”

“I do not understand. Why did you fight with me then?”

“It’s a long story -  one which I will explain to you later, if you will allow me.” he confessed.

“I will,” said Melissa, while keeping her head on Liam’s shoulder.

They could hear a sound in the background. Robert had got up with its sound and in excitement said, “Looks like the door is opening.”

Liam looked towards Robert, then realized that Melissa was fast asleep on his shoulder said,

“Shush, Robert, do not disturb,”

Liam too closed his eyes and smiled.

~ A Story By Fizaah Faiyaz