Two timing

John was really tired because he just came on a long airplane flight from Delhi. His legs felt like rocks and his eyes wanted to sleep. He got on a bus going from Sydney to Canberra. John sat by the window and the glass felt nice and cold on his hand. The bus started filling with people. Then his phone buzzed in his pocket and made him laugh. It was his wife calling! John smiled big and said, “Hi, sweetie!” Her voice was warm like the sun. She asked, “How’s the bus trip? I just wanted to know how you are.”

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The bus started moving slow out of the city. The loud honks mixed with the bus’s humming. John talked to his wife and her laugh made him feel like home again. But before he could finish talking about his plane trip, a young lady sat beside him. She smiled and said hello. John quickly told his wife, “Love you,” and ended the call. The girl said her name was Tina.

John and Tina started chatting like old friends. Tina was silly and fun to talk to. They talked about football, politics, dreams, and weddings. John told Tina secrets he never told anyone, about hopes and fears. His heart beat funny. He also said he was married. Tina listened and asked things. She told her own stories and laughed bright like bells.

Time zoomed fast. The outside world looked like it disappeared while they talked big things. When the bus reached Canberra, Tina smiled and shook his hand soft. She gave him a card. On it was her name and website. On the back it said, “Call me if you want to talk more.”

That night John looked at the card in his hotel and felt strange. His tummy twisted. He felt happy, guilty, and mixed up. Talking to Tina was fun but he thought about his wife and got sad. John loved her a lot, like a hug. He didn’t want to hurt her.

His thoughts jumped like kids. One said, “No one will know.” Another said, “Think about your wife!” John walked around and couldn’t pick. Tina’s card felt shiny like a new toy. But hurting his wife felt like cold rain on his heart.

At last John picked. He called his wife. His voice was shaky and scared. He told her about Tina, the card, and how he almost messed up. She was quiet. The silence felt heavy like a quiet room.

After a long time she said soft, “Why are you telling me?”

“Because I don’t want two lives,” John said. “I want you to know all of me.”

His wife said with love, “Don’t do what you’ll regret. Just come home.”

John never called Tina. He kept the card in his wallet to remember. It wasn’t to tempt him but to show how close he came to losing love. He slept good that night happy he chose right.

Sometimes John thought love stories are when you stay true. Being loyal is better than chasing new fun.

John went back to his life and loved it more. He knew real love is worth fighting for, even when distractions come.

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