She’d stopped earlier for some gas, and she sighed contentedly. Her tank was full. The attendant who had filled her tank had tried to make a bit of a joke with her but she was in such a mood that she could hardly even manage a smile.

It was past ten in the evening, and she was still yet to make up her mind on what to do when she saw from afar shadows of people who seemed to have been held by something. She slowed down as she began to make out their silhouettes. She could tell before she reached them that there were three, and there was a man in the trio.

She slowed down as she started to approach them. Perhaps they needed help and she could not afford to leave them on a road that was plied not too often and by travelers who drove with such speed that one would not have the heart to flag down.

She slowly reduced the volume of the song and rolled down the side glass as she reached them.

There were two women and a man humping over the car bonnet. Their car had broken down, alright.

***

From the moment Maria had suggested the trip out of town, Peter had been against it. He was subtle in pointing out why he did not want to go, and he had made himself clear enough, but she would not have any of it.

“It is for our anniversary! Come on, you cannot deny me this!”

Of course, he never denied her anything, and she always had her way at every point.

“Mar, I think we should do it another time. I have my reasons, and one of them is that my instincts tell me not to go.”

“Nonsense! What instincts? Why would you want to ruin my plans based on what your instincts tell you? Are you that selfish? Must it always be what you want, when you want, and how you want?” She asked bitterly, her eyes flashing with anger and her chest heaving.

She was ready for a fight as usual, but the last thing Peter wanted was to fight with her this time. It’s been a cat-and-dog relationship between the two, and they must find a resolution to this.

As far as Peter knew, he was the most selfless person between them. Maria never did anything for anyone or inconvenienced herself for the comfort of others, no matter how small the effort was or how temporary the gesture would be.

She only loved to have her way at all times, and for the four years they had been together, he had only learned to be at the giving end while she languished at the receiving end of all the good treatments and sacrifices he made for her.

“Mar, I’m not selfish, and you know that much. You never regard my opinions on anything and you are the selfish one. You know that,” Peter said calmly. He was not ready for a fight and he kept his voice low.

“What, I’m the one who’s selfish then? The one who always has her way, is that what you are saying?”

“Guys, you do not have to fight over it,” Emma said as she stood up.

Peter did not realize she had been sitting there all along, and it embarrassed him that she had seen the exchange of words that had just transpired between him and his soon-to-be wife.

But then, she was Maria’s best friend and he was sure as hell that Maria let her know everything that happened between them even though he never liked it.

“Peter,” Emma called, turning to face Peter, who had started to scroll on his phone.

“You two should go and have fun. It is your anniversary. Mar told me she had made grand plans already, and you cannot afford to not go with her.”

“Well, I could have been informed before this day,” Peter grumbled.

“Have you ever heard of surprises? You are such a killjoy, and I put up with your excesses every time. Every bit of surprise I try to create with you always ends vaguely!” Maria yelled from her seated position.

“Mar, that is enough, we’ll go,” Peter said in resignation again; if he was to have peace, she needed to have her way.

There was Emma, who always talked in favor of her friend and did little listening to his part. If ever Maria talked about his part in all fairness when they had any fights.

“Emma’s coming with us,” Maria said suddenly.

“What? Did you not say the trip was not to celebrate our anniversary? How then is Emma coming with us?” Peter asked incredulously.

Of course, it was not unlike Maria’s to pop new ideas out of the blue and make new suggestions and expect everyone to have it wolfed down.

“Well, she is coming, and that is it…”

“No!” Emma exclaimed suddenly and then lifted one arm to dispel, perhaps, the shock on Maria’s face at her words. “I’m sorry; I mean, it is your anniversary, and I should not be with you. You two deserve some time together.”

“Well, I’m insisting that you come with us. The more, the merrier. You know how I like to have you around,” Maria said with an air of finality that was not to be argued.

“I’m sorry, I can’t come. Please, I really cannot.”

“But you said you were going to be free; besides, it is the weekend, and there is nothing…”

“Mar, I’m sorry I cannot come. You did not inform me before this time,” Peter smiled. Now, she had seen how it felt to be informed of a thing out of the blue.

“Don’t you like surprises, Emma? I don’t mind having you on the trip. Let us get ready and leave, ladies,” Peter said as he stood up and left the living room.

The maid came to pick up their bags to the car as they set to leave.

Peter ignited the engine and off they drove.