Not First Love by Jennifer Lawrence

starving.”
     
    *****
     
    Arthur and Jan were sitting on the sofa. Jan had cleaned up the place and Arthur had brought the sofa in place and set everything else as before.
    “Arthur, whatever happened last night was not good.” So many things had happened last night.
    “I am sorry Jan for whatever happened last night.”
    “I don’t think we are talking about the same thing”, Jan replied. She didn’t want to think of what Arthur was doing on the sofa with the women.  “I don’t think any of you realized what happened to everybody?”
    You heard Patrick, so many people have had headaches.  You think this is a coincidence?”
    “Do you have any idea? ”
    “Did you notice any aroma or smell in this place?”
    “Yes I did. I remember now. It was some aromatic spray somebody had brought along.”
    “You know what an aphrodisiac does right?”
    “I have heard of it.” Arthur said. “It does a good job.”
    Jan ignored the joke, and continued.
    “The aromatic spray being used was of Ylang Ylang and jasmine. Both are strong aphrodisiacs and should be used individually and sparsely. Even a small drop can do wonders to your libido. Imagine mixing these both up and using it as a volatile spray. It will turn people mad. That was what happened to Van. “
    Arthur’s facial muscles hardened as she took Van’s name. Jan noticed it.
    She placed her hand on his and said, “You should forgive him. I don’t think it was his fault. Everyone was under the spell of the aroma and unaware of what they were doing. That’s why I told you to put on the fire alarm.
    The water on the heads refreshed them and the fresh air outside helped them clear their heads to minimal sanity. That was the only way to help them all.
    When I told you to put the fire alarm, you did it although you were spoiling Zilo’s party. You didn’t know any of this but you did what I said. You trusted me, Arthur.
    And because of you many people have been saved from doing things they would have regretted later. The headache was just the hangover of the gas in our system.”
    He admired what Jan did. She was the hero.
    “Arthur, I wasn’t there for long but I was still affected. It takes great control and mental awareness to resist it. Like you did. I don’t know how but you did. ”
    “But I had two women with me. How was I resisting it?”
    Jan found her heart tear when Arthur mentioned the incident. She was feeling as hurt as before. She got up and looked outside the window, her back to Arthur. A lone tear fell from her left eye. She wiped it off.
    “If you were under the spell, you wouldn’t have left them alone. I saw your eyes, they were clear as day, not intoxicated. What you were doing, was by your own choice.” Jan said.
    “I am sorry Jan. For last night.”
    “You shouldn’t have to be. I am the one who should be sorry Arthur. For kissing you just like that. I knew you didn’t like it. It was uninvited. You were upset because of me.”
    Arthur got up and moved closer to her. He looked into her eyes and said, “I was upset because you said Ron would pay soon and take you away. I don’t want you to go.” He moved his lips close to hers and kissed her.
    Jan felt time stop. His lips were soft and he knew how to kiss. But she controlled herself, moved him away gently.
    “I can’t do this,” she said.
    She came back and sat on the sofa. “I am committed to Ron. You know that. I don’t want to be unfair to him.”
    Arthur noticed she didn’t say she loved Ron.
    “I will wait for you Jan.”
    “Don’t do this to yourself. You deserve someone better than me. Look at me I am such a mess.”
    “Leave it for me to decide what I deserve,” he said as he planted an affectionate kiss on her forehead. “But first, I need to call up Zilo and find out where he got the sprays.”
    Arthur called him. Zilo said he has this nasty headache. He looked at Jan and she mouthed coffee. Arthur told him to get some coffee. Putting him on hold, Zilo