#rochana

He decided it best to tread lightly.

“Hey, babe. Is something wrong?” asked Henry concernedly.

“Is something wrong? I’d say so,” replied Elizabeth in a huff.

“Would you like to tell me what it is?” asked Henry confusedly, not remembering doing anything that could’ve upset her.

“Why are you with me?” Elizabeth asked.

“Because I love you,” replied Henry surely.

“So, you’re telling me that you’re not attracted to that exotic Amazonian goddess with her long flowing hair and her brilliant mind and perfect style?” asked Elizabeth.

Things started to click for Henry in his mind as he realized Elizabeth was jealous of Rochana.

“I can’t say I’ve never been attracted to her. That would be a lie,” Henry told Elizabeth.

“So, what am I to you? Some plain Jane who can never measure up to your brilliance? Someone who will just fall in line with all of your ideas? Because let me tell you, Henry McCord, you’ve got another thing coming,” replied Elizabeth angrily.

Henry had no idea where any of Elizabeth’s anger was coming from. He’d simply told her the truth.

It’s not like he was saying he was still attracted to Rochana or that she was somehow superior to Elizabeth.

“Are you attracted to me?” asked Elizabeth.

“What? Of course I’m attracted to you. We wouldn’t be dating if I wasn’t,” Henry told her.

“Who are you more attracted to? Me or Rochana?” asked Elizabeth.

“I’m not answering that. You’re two completely different people,” replied Henry, feeling his blood pressure skyrocket at this interrogation Elizabeth was insisting on continuing.

“So, you are attracted to her?” asked Elizabeth insecurely.

“Enough, Elizabeth!” exclaimed Henry.

“Do you think I’m just gonna bow down to people like you and Rochana? Because I won’t. I may not have the intellect you two have, but I do have enough to know when I’m talked down to,” replied Elizabeth, seething.

“Would you just shut up and listen to me for two goddamn seconds?!” Henry raised his voice to get her attention.

“What is there to say?” Elizabeth challenged him.

“There’s a lot actually. Sure, Rochana is attractive, but that doesn’t mean I don’t find you attractive. Because I do find you attractive. We wouldn’t be together and doing what we’re doing if I wasn’t attracted to you. You’re alluring to me in a way Rochana never was. You’re compassionate and you allow yourself to feel things and you love helping people. Those things are what attract me to you. There’s no comparison. At least not in my mind,” Henry told her.

“Really?” asked Elizabeth.

“No. Rochana is my past. You’re my present, and if you’ll have me, my future too,” explained Henry.

“So, there’s no lingering feelings for her?” asked Elizabeth.

“No. Any feelings I had for her died with our previous relationship. I love you, Elizabeth Adams,” Henry told her.

“I love you too, Henry McCord. Sorry I freaked out on you like that,” apologized Elizabeth.

I can take it,” replied Henry as he smiled at Elizabeth.

“Actually, you almost couldn’t,” Elizabeth teased him.

“I did get a little loud there, didn’t I?” questioned Henry.

“I think we both lost our tempers. Truce?” asked Elizabeth.