Lana was walking inside the grocery store, as she had no intention to buy anything. She was putting stuff into her cart without even looking at them.
As she entered to another isle, she saw a magazine, “The Silent Battle: Recognizing Depression.” As she was breathing heavily, she took the magazine, started to read it. She was seeing her own problems in the magazine.
After Lana left the store, she walked towards the road. She stopped a cab, and entered it. She thought that she stayed in the store more than she wanted.
As she left the cab, and started to walk towards her home, the groceries got dropped to the ground. She saw her husband, Zane, with a woman, who was wearing an engagement ring.
“Lana? What are you doing here?” Zana asked, as he was shocked.
The woman next to her husband smiled, “Maybe she’s finally realized she can’t give you what I can.”
As Lana’s chest was pounding, she asked, “What’s happening, Zane?”
“I’m not explaining anything to you. Go home and make dinner or something useful.” Zana said.
“She’s pregnant!” Lana yelled, as she was looking towards the woman.
“Just pick up the groceries, go home, and make me dinner, okay?” He said.
“This is over, Zane. I won’t be treated like this.” Lana was angry.
The other woman continued, “You should learn your place, Lana.”
She turned to the road again, and stopped a cab. “Need a ride, miss?” Asked the driver. As Lana was in a shock state still, she said, “I don’t know where I’m going.”
“Sometimes the best journeys start without a destination.” The cab driver said as he smiled.
As the driver started to drive, after a while later the buildings were gone and there were only trees around. Lana asked, “Where are you taking me?”
“To a place where I found solace in the darkest times.” The driver responded.
As she was getting uncomfortable, Lana said, “I need to call someone.”
As she looked at her phone, she saw that there were no signal. Lana got panicked, “Why are we here? What do you want?”
As the driver approached to a cabin, he turned to Lana, “I want nothing from you,” he said. “Out there, that’s where my life changed. Maybe it’s where you find what you need, too.”
“Listen, I’ve got a ring; it’s genuine gold with a real diamond. It’s worth a lot of money,” Lana responded, as she was scared. “I can call my husband. He also has a lot of money.”
“Does he? The cab driver asked to Lana, “I thought he was leaving you for that pregnant lady.”
“What? You heard that?” Lana was confused.
“Yes,” the driver responded, “Here, take this axe. Chop some wood. It’ll make you feel better.”
As she was afraid, and confused, she agreed. She got the axe in her hands, and started to swing it towards the woods.
“Come with me,” said the driver, as he was smiling.
“Why did you bring me here?” Lana asked, as her voice was trembling.
The cab driver then pointed a tree. “That tree, right there, was where I contemplated ending everything. I was… in a similar position to yours. My wife cheated with my old boss. We had been together since we were little.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Lana asked, as she was breathing heavily.
“Because,” he said slowly, “I understand the darkness you’re feeling. I’m not saying you’re suicidal like I was. But I chose to live, move on, and see the beauty beyond my pain.”
Lana was feeling the pain, as he stated. “I’m sorry for your pain. Why do people hurt the ones that love them the most?” She asked.
Then the driver had explained the story of how his wife cheated him, and added more details in his story, which he spoke about the pain he felt during that time.
“You like the forest?” He asked.
“I didn’t think I would,” Lana said, “But there’s something amazing about getting away from the city.”
“Let’s take a walk.” The driver said.
As they walked under the forest, the woods, the leaves were accompanying Lana. The voices coming from the forest were helping her to relieve her pain, and it was comforting. She found a solace she never felt before.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” Lana said.
“You needed something different. And I needed to show you something.” The driver stated, as he smiled.
They went more deep into the forest. As the driver was pointing the trees which were surrounding them, he was seemingly peaceful.
“It’s breathtaking.” Lana said, as she was lost in the moment, with the beauty of the view.
But she was thinking in her mind, “But I shouldn’t be here. I need to go home. Fix my marriage. Get divorced. Whatever.”
As the driver nodded his head, they continued to their walk. They were hearing the birds singing. The sounds were echoing inside the forest.
As the sun was setting, she was mesmerized with her sightings. She started to think, “I don’t want to go back.”
“It’s stunning,” she said slowly.
The driver was looking at the setting sun, as he said, “This is my world. It’s not grand, but it’s filled with marvels.”
“It’s like stepping into a different realm,” Lana said, as she was enchanted with the view.
Then the driver pointed a rotting tree body, and said, “Come, see.”
She walked towards the driver, and noticed the rotting log, and the plant sprouting inside it. A death was causing another life to flourish.
“It’s a symbol,” the driver said, “Of life finding its way, even in the darkest places.”
“Maybe there’s hope for me too.” Lana smiled.
As they walked back to the cabin, they were talking. Their words started to sound flirtier, and more with each step. She started to think as, “This shouldn’t be happening. I’m married. Well, Zane didn’t care.”
At the door of the cabin, the driver was looking directly at Lana’s eyes. And she was ready to do anything. He slowly approached her, and they started kissing. Then they entered inside the cabin.
“How about you come with me to Brazil?” Jared, the cab driver asked to Lana. They were drinking coffee outside of the cabin.
As Lana was still in the awe of the situation, where she laid with a stranger, as it was one of the best nights of her life, going to Brazil with Jared seemed much, as she said , “I’ll have to think about it.”
“Of course,” Jared smiled towards Lana, “I’ll make us some breakfast.”
As Jared went inside, Lana was thinking, “It’s time to go back and face my real life.” As she reached to her phone, she was on the number of Zane. She slowly dialed his number.
“What is it?”
“It’s me,” Lana started, “I need you to pick me up. I’m at a cabin in the woods.” She said, and gave the address.
As Lana went inside, she started to change her clothes. Jared said nothing, and she said nothing. As Jared started to eat, he invited her to the table, but Lana shook her head. Then a car sound started to approach.
As she stepped outside, Zane said, “What’s with this drama, Lana?”
“I thought…” Lana said, and stopped.
“Thought what?” Zane asked, “That you’d come to this far place and get me to beg you to come back? I came here because I need you to go home and act like everything is normal. My parents and your parents can’t find out about this.”
“Excuse me?”
“Just get in the car!” Zane shouted.
As Lana was angry, she said, “I’m done with this, Zane.” She was pointing her wedding ring.
“Like you have better options.” Zane said.
“Actually, I do.” Lana said, she then slapped Zane.
“I’m done playing this game.”
Then Lana went back inside to the cabin. As she got inside, Jared was looking at her, with an understanding look. Lana was thinking, “I’m free.”
“Ready for a new adventure?” Jared asked.
“Yes. Let’s go.” Lana said, after a quick realisation.
She thought, “Rio de Janeiro, here I come!” as she kissed Jared.
What do you think? Let us know.
