N’s STORY Part 1

As he lay on the beach, watching the orange sun slowly sink beyond the horizon, his mind took him on a journey, to a place and time not so long ago, when he had it all. Life is dynamic and seldom stagnant, his life was dynamic, every changing, ever presenting challenges and taking him to places where he never expected. On this late day in summer, he remembered, he remembered her; he could almost hear her voice, feel her touch. He missed her; he was a prisoner to his own memories.

It was almost like yesterday they sat together on that same shore, listening to the waves breaking, hugging, and talking about almost nothing. She had been his everything, friend, lover, buddy, his all. So quickly was she taken from him, the pain still lingered.
He tried to desperately pull his life back together after she had gone, however the pain usually got the better of him. At times when he thought he had accepted life would once again deal him a bad hand. Someone or something would remind him of her. The pain was intense; it was like screaming to the world, yet no one would listen, they would all walk by not even casting a glance. His heart had been shattered; sometimes he wondered if he would ever be able to find all the pieces to put it back again.

His mind took him to that first kiss they shared. As he closed his eyes and breathed in that memory a tear slowly trickled down his cheek. That kiss. That instant where years of what ifs and maybes disappeared, and hope and love was begat. As quick as lightning another memory flashed before him. The day she said it, the day she put all her insecurities aside and made that leap with him. I love you. It seemed to echo throughout every part of him. I love you. He pondered on these words. Now that she was gone these words seemed to mean more, seemed to have more power, seemed to be more controlling of his emotions. He longed to hear these words again.

As he swam a sea of memories, more vivid images washed up on the shores of his mind. A gentle breeze caressed him, yet another wave washed up. More memories flooded his mind. He swallowed hard, and whispered her name. He almost wished that the breeze would carry his call back to her, that some way it would travel the earth and fall onto her ears. “ I miss you “, he whispered, “ I miss you.”

Once again life dealt him another bad hand. A wave came crashing into the shore, hurriedly racing to him, drenching his feet. With it came the most painful memory of all. He remembered the screech, the smell of rubber; once again he was behind the wheel and saw the truck swerving uncontrollably towards him. In that split second he could only remember turning to her, locking eyes with her. Time stood still for that second. So much was said in that instant, and then everything seemed to pick up pace double time. He once again felt the impact of the blow, his eyes tightened and he swallowed once again. Looking over he saw her, slipping away, her eyes were still fixed on him yet her pupils seemed to be slowly shrinking.  She whispered, “ I love you” and gently drifted from this world.

Another wave came crashing to the shore, this time he was aware of where he was. The sun had fully disappeared into the sea, and by this time the lights of the yachts anchored at the bay were already dancing on the silvery water. He stood up, dusted his pants and began his walk to the car. When he was a few feet away, he stopped and turned to look at the bay once more. He stood there in silence and thought of her one last time. Life deals us bad hands sometimes but it’s how we play it that makes us winners. He definitely did not feel like a winner today, all he felt was that void that was created when she left. He whispered “I love you “ once again and began his trek to his SUV once again. determined to keep on loving her as he promised, passionately and completely in life and twice as much in death...

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N's STORY Part 2 -The Room of Treasures

“Where are you taking me “, she giggled as she tried to maintain her balance. “Don’t worry you’ll see “, he replied half laughing. He had blindfolded her and was leading his sweetheart to a place specially prepared for her. He had spared no expense and had planned this little adventure for months. Holding her hand he led her into the room he had organized in a way, which personified his love for her.

She giggled more and kept on questioning him but his response would always be the same “ Don’t worry you’ll see.” He sat her down on the bed and took off her blindfold. As she opened her eyes she was greeted to a spectacle, which was simply breathtaking. There she sat surrounded by candles and rose petals. Petals of all different colors flooded the floor, the bed was no different. The little room was lit by 24 candles. 24 being the number of months they had been committed to each other. In one corner she saw a table set for two. Upon that table sat a bottle of wine and two accompanying glasses. There on the table also sat a box, a box which contained treasures sacred to their relationship, treasures waiting to be rediscovered as the night progressed. The fragrance of the room, vanilla mixed with a hint of strawberry. Her two favorite scents. He himself had put on her favorite cologne.

            In the background the sound of classical violin whispered. Pachebelle: Canon, the musical piece of choice. Theirs was not a fairy tale romance, few romances are but tonight she would be treated like a princess of those children’s stories of old. Tonight she would be royalty and he the ever eager and ready to please servant. Her every wish would be his command.

Her expression was indescribable. Her eyes lit up so brightly that even the candles themselves became envious. She could not contain her smile. He just smiled and looked deep into her eyes. His only words were “ You are worth it, you are so worth it.” She was speechless, yet her body language spoke volumes.

            She never spoke a word; she simply sat there and soaked in the ambiance. She leaned over to the box and opened it. The first treasure she came across was a crumpled piece of paper. Upon it was a drawing, rather juvenile yet priceless. There on the paper with now faded ink were two stick figures, holding hands, their names You and Me. She smiled. “ I can’t believe you still have this “, she giggled. She dug deeper into the box and saw a golden rose, with a ruby center. At once she remembered that exact moment when she received it. “ I always give you roses yet after a week has passed they die”, she remembered him saying “ so now I’ll give you a rose you can keep forever and will never die “ Deeper still she dug. Yet another treasure resurfaced. It was a wax heart, a heart fashioned one night by her own hands. By then she needed to dig no further into the box of treasures.

If there was ever a night she felt loved it was tonight. She threw her arms around him and held him tightly. By then she could not contain herself anymore. The tears came streaming down her cheeks. After a rocky beginning 24 months ago and constant battles behind her own enclosing walls, tonight it all seemed to make sense. The silence was deafening yet so much was said in that instant. Words were not needed. It was one of those times when you’re with that special person and look deep into their eyes. When nothing matters anymore but being there with them, when you wish they could have your heart for one minute to feel how deeply you care. It was one of those times when you know that you want no one else for yourself and that no matter what happens you would risk it all just to at least be rewarded with a smile.

She broke the silence and said it. “ I love you, I know now that I really do.” “I love you to, I have always and always will. I love you twice as much as yesterday, today, and only half as much as I will tomorrow”, he replied. They looked into each other’s eyes and as all couples do kissed like nothing else mattered in the world.

The honking of the horn and bright lights coming straight at him startled him. He swerved back onto his lane and realized where he was once again. Just moments ago on the beach he had had such a similar flashback. That hurtful feeling once again returned to him and yet again his loneliness settled. He took a deep breath and looked straight on. In a few moments he would be home and on his way to bed, asleep. Sleep was his only ally, for there in the whirlwind of dreams alone could he escape the reality of life. Sometimes life deals us bad hands yet it’s how we play it that makes us winners. He would be a winner once again but not this day, this day when their 24th would become their 25th.

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