Summary

Peter and Lucy, a couple in a tense situation, are on their way to a hospital with an unresolved decision regarding an abortion, which is influenced by a stranger's intervention.

Abstract

In the narrative, Peter and Lucy are driving to a hospital, grappling with the stress of an impending decision about an abortion. Lucy, while appearing calm, is internally conflicted and expresses her concerns to Peter, who is also struggling with his own doubts. Their conversation is overheard by an old man in the car, who offers his help after learning of their dilemma. The story culminates at the hospital, where the old man, who is awaiting the birth of his grandchild, confronts the couple about their intentions, hinting at the possibility of them considering an abortion.

Opinions

Lucy is conflicted about the abortion, concerned for Peter's well-being but also trying to maintain a composed exterior.
Peter is stressed and impatient, wanting to stick to their decision without further discussion.
The old man, initially a silent observer, becomes concerned and offers his perspective, potentially influenced by his own situation of becoming a grandfather.
Peter's reaction to the old man's questions suggests a sense of guilt or discomfort about their situation, which is intensified by the contrast between their dilemma and the old man's joyous expectation.

Abort The Mission

When a stranger decided to influence the couple

It was a busy traffic in that late evening hours as Peter drove his car with his girlfriend Lucy beside him in the front seat. Peter was so stressed that he tried to mimic a breath of relief. Lucy appeared cool as often was the case with her. She held a bottle of coke on one hand and a lightened cigar on the other hand. They were approaching a traffic signal.

Lucy could not just pretend to be cool anymore while suffering silently inside. She knew that the time is approaching towards a no-more-going-back moment soon and a clear decision have to be made now if she was to have any peace of mind for the rest of her life. But she was not capable to come in terms with her own mind and the concerns.

So she had no choice than to put up a cool face and bother Peter with her doubts and fears. She was like that, she did not want to expose her shadows. Though Peter always took great pride in being her problem solver, on this particular occasion she was getting on his nerves.

Lucy continued to ask questions or rather expressed her fears in a cool tone with the help of cigarettes and the coke. “Are you sure we are going to do this?” “I mean I do not really care about myself, you know it, I am okay with whatever..” “I am just concerned about you? You are fine right?” -Lucy said

“Oh really? Thank you for your concern, cool cat” -Peter replied

Lucy tried to create a fake smile while sipping up the coke but feeling dissatisfied.

Peter could sense Lucy’s inability to take responsibility for her own fears but at that time he himself was lost in his own double-minded thinking and self-doubts which forced him to react to Lucy in an unfriendly manner. But he tried his best to ignore her and concentrate on coming in terms with his single-minded decision and not to waver again at any cost.

And in a moment of having made peace with himself, Peter said to Lucy “I know what to do and I have decided that we are going for it no matter what. I have no choice and so do you. So let us drop the subject, we aren’t going back.”

‘okay okay alright’ -Lucy said. ‘Seriously, we do not have other options…’ -Peter said

Peter then hurried to get past the signal junction before the red light arrived. But failed to and remained stuck in the signal. He stared at the signal count down and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.

And as the coke in her bottle was approaching its end Lucy asked Peter again ‘But are you sure, are we really going to kill?’

Peter lost his patience and exploded saying “Will you STFU, do you want me to go and hit this car somewhere so we all die and so all problems get solved.? Now decide, do you want that to happen or not?. Don’t even imagine I would entertain the third possibility that you might be thinking about. I cannot Lucy, I am sorry.”

And that was when the old man from the back seat could no longer resist being quiet. He was already offered a lift towards the next junction upon his request to drop him there. And until now he was silently listening to the conversation between Peter and Lucy.

But now he interfered “Excuse me, is there a problem? Do you want me to get out? I mean I can get out if you want me to.”

Peter pretends to laugh and replied to the old man “no no, no problem, do not worry, we will drop you in the next junction as you asked for, do not worry, please. We were just talking about something..”

”oh Thank You, but do you mind sharing your problem, I may be old but I could be of help. I mean I heard her… [pointing towards Lucy] I assume she is your girlfriend and she talks about killing etc, just that I am concerned what is the matter..’- Old man asked

Lucy tried to talk to the old man but Peter quickly interrupted her and said

“It is nothing to talk about, it is not like you think. I am so sorry that we bothered you, Sir, Are you married?” — Peter asked

Old man replied “Yes I am married, and my wife is in the city hospital with my daughter waiting for the birth of our grandchild.”

‘Oh f**k’ — Peter said ‘Why what happened’- Old man asked ‘No nothing, we are also going to that hospital’- Peter said

The old man looked at them and asked ‘oh, really? and why is it that you are going there?’

Peter looked at Lucy and did not bother to reply anything to the old man.

They did not talk about anything again. Tears flew from Lucy’s eyes but remained quiet.

Everyone went silent as the traffic signal turned to green and Peter drove the car towards the hospital.

They reached the hospital. Peter politely asked the old man to step out and proceed as they had to park the car.

The old man got out of the car, and thanked them for the lift and saw Lucy’s tear-filled eyes.

He hesitantly turned towards the hospital entrance.

But then soon turned back to the car and asked them.

“I do not know what is really going on with you and If you don’t mind me asking… are you going to abort your child”?

Peter held the breath and looked at Lucy.

*********The End***********