January Writing Prompts # 5

Hello dear Readers,

Here is the short story of the day. This is one is pure romance..I swear.

No hints of ghost or supernatural elements are to be found in this short text.

I was in a melancholic mood when I wrote it and I hope you will like it.
Feel free to share and comment, or even follow my blog...I'd be glad to know people are coming around.
As usual story, settings, characters are all mines, do not claim them to be yours.

Enjoy....

Love, 

Reading Freak

It was different

- I wish it was different. Really. But things have changed for you and me. Now I need to move on. We need to let it go.  Remember, it is not you, but me.

He spoke so easily that man sitting in front of me. The man I thought I knew.

The coffee house was full at this time of the day. The waiters were running from tables to tables and the cold, snowy weather had brought in more tourists than usual.

- We need to take a break, he continued. You know this job is a fantastic opportunity for me and I'll be away for a whole year. I'm sorry you can't come with me.

As I sat there I kept on wondering why it was suddenly so hard to Facetime or Whatsapp to keep in touch. I was listening, but not fully registering every point he made against our love story. He talked on I let my eyes sweep over my favourite coffee house.  The room was covered with elegant wallpapers and the floor was made of beautiful tiles of various brown shades.   The tables were covered with lace tablecloths and the chairs were so comfortable that it was possible to spend a whole afternoon drinking coffee close to one of the windows. The whole atmosphere of the place was homey and I loved it that way.  My attention turned to him again and I noticed that he was not even looking at me,

but at a point somewhere above my head. And just then I knew this was not a temporary glitch in our story. It was more than that. 

He rattled on and I sat with my mug silently and prayed for him to stop.

As usual, my silence was not a problem for him since I was the introvert girl and he was the sociable guy everyone liked. It never bothered me before because I knew or rather thought our love for each other was strong. It had, after all, survived 5 years of studies, travels and student exchanges before. We always found a way, despite our busy schedules. But things are different now. He got a job in New Zealand and I will remain in Amsterdam.

- We could see in a year how things are then. What do you think? He gently asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. What did I think? I was pretty sure that it did not matter to him. This conversation was not about how I felt or what I thought. It was about him, again. He was the head and I was the body following orders and demands. A deep sigh escaped my lips and I struggled to find a way to express the storm raging inside my head. It was always so hard to express my feelings, but today was the worst I ever had to face. Before I could even try to say anything he spoke again.

- You can always count on me. If you need to, give me a call and I'll be there for you. But, well, I'm quite in a rush and I have so many things to do before my departure on Friday. I'll let you finish your coffee.

I raised my head to face him and felt the tears stinging my eyes. And as he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, I wondered if he was serious about leaving me now without any further explanations, without even giving me time to answer or argue with him. The answer was yes. He stood up, took the bill and motioned to the waiter that he wanted to pay our coffees. Frozen, I watched him leave and close the door behind him.

Nothing was different. January was as cold as always and snow was silently falling on the pavements in Amsterdam. I was alone in a sea of strangers who did not notice that murder just took place between the mugs and cakes. My life had no impact on them.

- Don't you dare cry young girl, uttered someone on my left.

It was an elderly lady. She sat on the next table and I could see how angered she was. She put her hand on my arm and gently cuddled my sweater.

- This fool does not deserve a treasure such as you, she now said. You are young and beautiful. A heart breaks, but someone somewhere has the right glue to put it all back together.  You'll see. Forget this one who will one day regret the diamond he had once.  

And with that, she smiled and nodded as if she had given me the best advice a woman should get.

- With the next one, it will be different. You'll find your voice and confidence. A person who will give you room to breathe and speak for yourself.

And then, I realised she might be right.