I was dumbstruck. I was at a loss for words. I wanted to fight him, prove to him that I had no choice now, but to die. But his words were something I hadn't expected to hear at all.

Could I really live like that? Defying everyone and everything? On my own? It sounded so wonderful. Could I really find my peace?

"Think about it," he said. "And if you still feel lost, this river isn't drying anytime soon. You can always come back to jump in," he said gesturing towards the river.

"Wow. I never thought that would be conversation I'd be having today," he mumbled to himself.

He gave me a wicked smile and winked at me, as he walked away.

As the increase in distance between us made him seem smaller, I suddenly asked something that I had been keeping to myself.
"There is a man in our town," he turned to look at me as I spoke, "He is a bad man. And I feel disgusted when I see him. He did something yeras ago but I can't seem to let it go."

"What do you want to do to him?" He asked. Well, there was something I wanted to do. Something pending.

When he saw me lose myself in a thought, he added, "Just do it. Dont leave any unfinished businesses."

He smiled again and turned away from me. I saw him slowly turn into a dot and disappear by the curve of the road.

I looked one more time into the river to gather my thoughts. He had made it sound so simple and easy. Maybe it is all very easy. Maybe he was right.

Was he an illusion? Or an angel sent to save me today? Or my own conscience?

I walked back to the town feeling a bit more relaxed and also kind of excited. The thought of living away, starting over with something simple seemed like a good plan. Isn't it better to live a quiet and fulfilling life than not to live at all?

Mum and pops would understand. They should understand.

And if its destined, I'll find love. If I don't, then that's okay. I don't need to force myself to be with someone I don't like just because everybody else does.

I could pursue my love for baking again. Baking reminded me that there was something I had to do. Something that had been pending for twenty years.

Soon, I approached the old baker's house. There was no aroma of freshly baked bread anymore. Just regular frass being watered by his sprinklers. He was nowhere to be seen. Probably had gone inside by this time.

I walked to his front door through the lawn. Knocking on the door three times, I waited until someone opened the door. It was his wife.

"Yes?" She asked.
"Could I meet Roger? I'm an old friend," I said.
"Of course. I know you Maria. I'll go call him," she said before walking back into the house.

"It's that weird girl... I dont know why... she asked for you specifically..." I could hear her whispering to her husband.
Soon Roger appeared at the door. He had put on a fake smile to seem decent and a genuine surprise on his face.

"Yes Maria. To what do I owe this pleasure?" He asked.
"I wanted to give you something. Return a gift to be honest," I said.
"A gift?" He said as he scanned me and looked around.

I closed my eyes, took in a deep breath and slapped him across his face.