Benjamin’s expression shifted rapidly, his jaw tight as he stared at me. “You promised me you wouldn’t go abroad again. You’re going back on your
word so quickly? You’re a liar.”
I looked at him in disbelief. “We’re broken up. Where I go is none of your goddamn business. And I think you’re the one who’s a liar. Stop acting like
a jilted lover.”
He stared at me for a moment, then a confident smirk appeared on his face. “If you insist on breaking up and going abroad, then you can pay back
all the money I’ve ever spent on you. Otherwise, I’ll report you to your university for immoral conduct and have you disqualified from the internsh-
ip.”
I was stunned.
Benjamin had been generous with money in the past. He had paid for my university tuition and living expenses. At the time, he was unwilling to
talk to any other therapist, and I was the only one he trusted. So I had dedicated almost all my time to his recovery–studying, researching, discus-
sing his treatment plans with others–which left me no time for a part–time job.
He had held me in his arms and said, “Thin
of it as my consultation fee.”
I never thought there would come a day when I would have to pay it all back.
I did a quick mental calculation. It was around
My heart sank. He was trying to trap me with money.
thousand. Not a huge sum, but even if I used all my savings, it wouldn’t be enough.
Suddenly, a clear, crisp female voice cut through the noise. “Have you no shame? Clinging to a girl after a breakup and shamelessly demanding
money? If word of this gets out, you’ll disgrace your father’s name.”
Maya sauntered over, rolling her eyes at them. “A bunch of trust–fund babies who’ve never done a day’s work in their lives, and you have the nerve
to give her a hard time? Are your faces made of leather?”
The men at the table flushed red and white.
Maya pulled a card from her purse and tossed it at Benjamin with disgust. “There’s two hundred thousand in there. If it’s not enough, ask me for
more.”
Ignoring Benjamin’s furious/shouts, she grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the bar.
Cutside, the city lights blurred around us.
Maya leaned against the railing, her voice wistful. “He’s in love with you, but he looks down on you. He respects me, but he’s not in love with me.
Love is a funny thing, isn’t it?”
She pulled out another card and pressed it into my hand. “This is another two hundred thousand. Consider it your startup fund.”
I stood there, silent.
She fiddled with her hair, looking uncomfortable. “My friend owns that bar. I’ve seen you there a few times. I knew you must be short on cash. And don’t get any ideas. This isn’t an apology. I’m investing in you. It’s called having business acumen.”
The neon lights cast a kaleidoscope of colors on her face, a mix of shadows and bright spots.
I smiled and winked at her. “I forgive you, boss.”
She burst out laughing and turned to face me, her expression sincere, “Well then, I wish you success.”
I hugged her and whispered in her ear, “Actually, Benjamin only ever spent eighty thousand on me. You gave him too much.”
Her body tensed. She muttered a curse under her breath and stormed back inside to get her money back.
I stood there, laughing.
It was good. My professor was right. The heart finds its vastness in distant horizons; the steps find their newness with the passing of time. Every- thing is a part of growth.
With Maya’s financial support, things became much easier. I no longer had to work late nights at the bar. I made it clear to her that the two hundr ed thousand, plus the money to pay back Benjamin, was a loan. I would pay her back with interest.
