Literally or Figuratively

The jab in the jaw was so sudden, so immediate that it was more surprising than terrifying. It made him fling sideways, eventually stumble and fall awkwardly on the asphalt.

Just when he was getting his bearings sorted out, his eyes saw an incoming kick into his groin area. The pain was immediate. He wanted to retch but any motion was extremely painful. Suddenly, he felt a metallic twang in his mouth. Why blood tasted metallic was something he managed to wonder as he felt around with his tongue for broken or loose tooth.

His attacker was still standing tall, walking around him, and surveying where to land his next blow, on the lump of body mass that lay on the asphalt. Still on the ground, the attacked dared to open his eyes again. There were concerned onlookers across the street. If all went well, he would still have some bones left before help arrived. His optimism surprised him.

“Get up!” commanded the attacker.

So slowly, he got himself to sit up first. Pain flowed freely through his veins. His head was ringing and his hands were shivering. Using both his hands, he slowly propped himself. His legs although incredibly wobbly, still managed to do their part as he stood up to his attacker.

“Was it worth it?” the attacker screamed a question. David considered the potency of that question. Surely, it wasn’t worth it. While he seemed convinced that the Aston Martin made the most beautiful cars in the world, getting his face smashed did not seem worthwhile at all. And besides, Alfa Romeo’s weren’t exactly ugly. So he decided to concede. But before he could accept that it wasn’t worth it, he thought of the mathematically perfect proportions of the Aston, the unique grill, the jeweled headlights, the crystal start stop button and the artistically sculpted overhangs.

That is when he found himself nodding “Yes”. It was worth getting beat up.

What followed right after was another punch in his gut. Coughing blood and split, David went backwards and downwards on the sidewalk. He was done. Meanwhile, the sirens were heard in the distance.

There is no saying that he had learned a lesson, as the attacker fled.