COMBAT

Their eyes met with an unwavering steelness, neither of them willing to
look down first; which would be a blow to their manliness. All around a
sea of noise immersed them like waves upon the shore, but for all this;
they could have been locked in their own bubble; which neither one of
them was willing to burst.

As they drew nearer; tiny beads of perspiration could be seen on each
brow; and the clenching of their hands was a sure sign of the tension
that they both felt; but would not let each other see.

Behind them; and on both sides; people went about their own
business; completely unaware of the drama that was about to unfold,
a drama, that whilst being a common occurrence, was life or death to
the actors that were to take part in it, a drama that to the winner;
was not so much the physical part of winning; but a mental triumph
that meant he could hold his head uphigh until his next encounter.

The seconds ticked by as the two players in this modern gladitorial
contest slowly, but steadfastly, drew near to the point of no return. The
no-mans-land between them slowly diminished with each unfaltering
step; until a point would be reached when a decision had to be made.
An instant decision. A decision that once made was irretrievable, a
decision that could have a bearing on his life forever. A wrong decision
would mean shame, a shame that would be ingrained on his memory
for ever, and never more would he be able to walk with his head held
high and look anyone in the eye again.

The time had come; as the two combatants halted and looked each
other unfaltering in the eye. This was the point of no return, the point
when a winner and a loser would be chosen; and no one wants to be a
loser.

Then when an impasse seemed to be the only outcome; the losers
eyes lowered and in a voice that quivered with emotion said " these
supermarket aisles aren't wide enough for two trolleys " as he
sheepishly moved aside to let the winner go past.