What started off as a ballad in his imagination turned into three cantos. The first was about when he saw the luster of her eyes and his sentinel demons bowed before her. The second was about the ritornello played by Aphrodite between the time that he heard her youthful voice and when she held his hand. The last was about when he found her after losing her— and the zephyrs finally refreshed his aching soul that has been yearning for her company.
He trudged towards her as mixed emotions roved across his body. Fear knew that she will not remember him no matter what hints he gives her. Sadness already placed a wreath on the grave of their short-lived affection. And felicity, she was cheerful because for the first time he was ardent about something other than his roguery.
"Excuse me," he tapped on her left shoulder, "I know that you have another client right now, but can I speak with you sometime today?"
"In order to schedule a venting session with me, you need to speak with the receptionist. I am not sure if I am available today, but we do have other Automatons that can gladly help you out." She smiled at him.
"I prefer speaking with an Automaton who is familiar with my case." He wished that the receptionist has lied to him.
"I am sorry, sir, but you must have mistaken me for another Automaton. I don't think we have ever met before."
The perch on which his dove of hope was nesting on broke and fell. His mettle grew weaker as he realized that the receptionist was indeed not lying. He felt like a sad urchin standing in front of her... A rover who has finally found a potential home for his broken spirit, but alas- it was all a figment of his imagination.
"What do you remember from last night?" He held her shoulders tightly and gazed at her.
"Searching for data from last night." Her voice sounded more robotic than usual. "Data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found-data-not-found."
"Sir what are you doing?!" He heard the receptionist yelling behind him. "You can potentially damage her memory card if you keep trying to make her remember erased data!"
"You said that I cannot rent her today, how about a venting session, is she available?"
"Do you know how much a brand new Automaton memory card costs?" She ignored his question.
"Miss, I have asked you if Éloa is available for a venting session today. I am not to be trifled with right now, so answer my damn question." His voice sounded harsh and threatening.
The receptionist was taken aback by his demanding demeanor. "Let me check." She slowly went back to her desk, and he looked back at Éloa with anguish. While she automatically went back to normal speaking to Mister Rogers about his pain, a glacier of despair was making its way to his heart.
"It seems that she is free after lunchtime. What time would you like to book an appointment with her?"
"As soon as she's free." He replied whilst still staring at Éloa.
"Does 1 p.m. work for you?"
"Yes."
"No problem, please place your ID chip on the laser scanner please."
He did as she requested, and she pulled up his profile on her computer. "Great, you can either have a thirty minutes session which costs $95 or a full hour and that would be $180."
"I will do one hour with her."
"Sure, the payment must be upfront so please send the money now." She said handing him a payment terminal.
He opened his virtual mobile wallet, selected the amount of money and then tapped his phone on the terminal.
"Would you like to have your receipt?"
"No."
"You can sit in the waiting room over there. Meanwhile, here is your official request letter to rent Éloa. Please fill it out and give it to the secretary after your venting session."
"Thank you."
Instead of going to the waiting room, Yoel headed for the washroom. Once he entered, he walked slowly along the row of stalls checking under each door for occupants. He sighed in relief when he realized that he was by himself. He selected 'hot water' on the mirror before leaning against the sink and splashed water over his face several times.
"What is wrong with you?" He stared at his haggard reflection in the mirror. "Be it a human or a machine, who gets attached after spending a few minutes with someone? When did I become a troubadour? Did I not promise myself to never let cupid chain me with fetters? Do I really want to allow myself to become a prisoner of luxuria?"
It was a hard decision to make, but Yoel finally agreed with his mind that he must leave this facility and never come back again. He must forget about that beautiful Automaton and move on. Maybe if he believed in reincarnation, their energies can one day meet again when their destinies become one. When the sun sets forever in the heavens and both of them are able to connect in an easier manner. In another universe where a throng of worshipers would wait upon their door while chanting hymns praising their genuine amore. Sadly, he was not a believer and a pang cut through his perfidious soul incessantly when he realized that they will probably never meet again.
"Mister Cohen, your appointment is in ten minutes where are you going?" The receptionist demanded as he rushed towards the door.
"Mister Cohen?" Another voice called, sending his logic to exile. "Would you like to cancel our appointment? You will get full refund if you cancel before 1 p.m." Éloa informed him.
The holy war between what the heart desires and what the mind calls for started, and he became delirious. Shall he stay and talk to her or shall he leave— never to return?
"You can keep the money." He said softly, his hands cupping her cold cheeks with warmth. "Thank you for everything." He kissed the top of her mechanical head before leaving.