Free Highfall by Ani Alexander

time in intercity buses and too much money on internet and long-distance phone calls.  Needless to say, parting from each other was torture each time.  In the bus station they looked like one more of the thousands of couples, who hug and kiss endlessly, using every last second until the bus goes.  Every time they forgot that in a week they would meet again and said good bye as if it were the last time they’d see each other.
     
    Both lived with their parents, so most of the weekend was spent out.  They watched the stars in parks at night, danced in clubs till almost dawn and ate out.  It was a weekend of celebration after which, tired and happy, they’d both start their busy weeks apart.
     
     

 
    18
     
     
    Astonishingly, sex was good too.  Knowing Vasko's shy nature Annika could never have imagined how passionate he could be in bed.  In fact they made love anywhere but in bed.  Having no place of their own added adrenaline to their sexual life.  They made love almost everywhere they could – in parks, in building entrances, in elevators, in cinemas - even in club toilets.  The risk of being caught added to the excitement and intensified their desire.
     
    This time Annika's love was quieter and not soured with the bitterness of worry and pain.  She was self-confident and, unlike last time, this time she was the one taking the lead.  No longer was Annika cast in the role of a child to be spoon-fed, protected and taken care of as Stefan had done to begin with.  She had become strong enough not only to take care of herself but also of Vasko.  Annika was determined to make it work this time.  That is why one day she woke up and made a decision for both of them.
    After she’d had her breakfast she picked up the phone and called Vasko's number.
     
    “Hi dear.”
     
    “Hi Annika, how are you my love?” Vasko asked.
     
    “Fine, what about you?” she asked back.
     
    “I am ok, but I miss you.”
     
    “Actually that is why I am calling you.  I know it is not a weekend but I am coming to see you this afternoon.”
     
    “Hmm,” Vasko seemed puzzled.  “OK, I will ask to leave work early and come and meet you.  What time?”
     
    “4 p.m.”
     
    “I’ll be there.  Can't wait.”  Vasko was truly happy.
     
    Annika looked at the two suitcases she had packed the day before and wondered how Vasko would react.  With the savings she had, Annika had found and rented a very small studio-flat in his city.  She hoped that he would move in with her and that passionate partings and fucks in outlandish places would be a thing of the past.

 
    ****
     
    When Annika got out of the bus, Vasko looked happy.  They hugged and kissed.  Vasko took her hand and thought they could leave straightaway.  That was when Annika dropped her bombshell:
     
    “Wait.  We have to get my suitcases.”
     
    Vasko looked puzzled.  He helped her take the two small suitcases out of the luggage compartment of the bus.  Each took one handle and pulled them in tow.
     
    Vasko seemed confused, but did not want to ask anything.  He was afraid to say the wrong thing and create an uncomfortable situation, so he decided to bide his time.  Annika, on the other hand, looked very calm and balanced.  It looked as if she wasn’t planning on explaining anything to him whatsoever.
     
    They walked on until they reached the street outside the coach station and then Vasko stopped.  He realised that he had absolutely no idea which way to turn, so he looked at Annika with a question in his eyes.
     
    “Let's get a taxi, dear,” she said with a smile on her face.
     
    Vasko obeyed.  He raised his hand to hail a passing taxi and it stopped next to them.  The sharp squeal of the brakes reminded Annika of her past and she jumped.  Then she closed her eyes for a few seconds and told herself that this time everything would be different, better and nicer. They got in.
     
    Annika gave the driver an address.
     
    Vasko had no idea