Adam's Apple

I sat upright at the north end of my bed deliberately avoiding the ice cold wall that stood behind my head. My eyes ogled the silhouette which stood in front of me and I swallowed hard. I couldn't  resist the urge to touch her, so I reached out for her left hand.

With my heart pounding anxiously, I just wanted this cup to pass from me. To be honest, I've not had rest since I got to Reykjavic. From wondering how people lived in ice buildings that never melts to thoughts on how to survive in a country where the language was tagged the most difficult in the world.

All I knew was that those ice houses are called Igloos and I was currently stationed in Iceland for the next six months of my life. The weather was killing me despite the fact that I was wearing thermal clothing from head to toe, the food was nothing close to the spicy meals I was used to and to cap it all, I was close to cheating on my wife of 5 years with the Icelandic figure that stood before me.

Do you know how hard it was for me? It was like the universe sentenced me to "weather for two" for the next six months and that's just a tip of the iceberg, the final blow was the fact that the woman  assigned to me for "pleasure" was my host's wife. She was called by the name Álmveig (pronounced Aahlm-Wege).

I couldn't believe my ears when I was told to always get pleasure from her. According to Mr Gunnarson, this was the custom and it would be really rude to turn this gesture down. Its like snubbing the handshake of the nation's president, How rude! If I still needed the only english speaking person I knew, I must have relations with his wife.

My religion says its adultery, my wife would be shattered to hear of my indulgence, my friends would lose the respect they had for me, my haters would laugh me to scorn saying "we always knew your marriage was a sham". I was torn between upholding the values of my people who are 10,000+ miles away from me or accepting the warmest welcome from my hosts, both of which have their pros and cons.

I can't recall the decision I made to be honest. All I know is that I had a wonderful stay in Reykjavic, I learnt basic icelandic, I was €2million richer, I earned the equivalent of 10 years working experience in 6 months, Mr Gunnarson was glad I was leaving for good, Álmveig cried sorely when I was leaving and gave me a framed erotic picture of herself at the airport.

Whatever happened in Iceland definitely stayed in Iceland- I was happy but my conscience wouldn't let me rest.
“Lies and secrets, Tessa, they are like a cancer in the soul. They eat away what is good and leave only destruction behind.” 
― Cassandra Clare