She was, standing at the podium, looking at the crowd, waiting for him to appear. Her eyes scanned the aisles, the corners of the vast ground. Her heart ached, longed to see that face from long ago. She breathed a sigh and went on to address the throng. Ears listened to her speak, some knew her truly, some never knew her at all until today. Yet the only person she wanted to see was not there. She uttered the words in a determined well modulated voice, the kind that could make one freeze, and look at the origin of thoughts. It was weird she realized that as she perceived her own voice echoing in the hall she did not recognize herself. Was she the same person once here, unknown, passed by and never given a second glance. How long has it been since she was plain her? How long has it been since she spent time with that one person who made all the difference?
He was standing in a corner of the garden. He was fumbling with a book on his hand. He wanted so much to join the crowd, pass his way through the hall and stand in front of her. He could hear her voice and something inside him, raw and painful yet beautiful was singing with the wind. She was there! She was there and he couldn't find the courage to face her. Could it be that she has forgiven him? Could it be that she could look him in the eye without any remorse? Could he possibly find the same magical stare she used to give him a long long time ago?
The crowd slowly dissipated. The sky was getting darker. It was not only dusk that was at bay, rain threatened to fall. She was still there he saw. She was gathering the strands of her hair blown by the wind. Her face, the face reflected sadness she could no longer conceal as emptiness ruled the place. His heart quivered. Something in him said it was time. It was time he faced her and his fears.
A tear fell from her hazel eyes. She could no longer stand it. How could he not have been there? Was he dead? Had he forgotten? Had he betrayed her altogether? It was too much for her heart to bear. Success was in her hands yet that one person who drove her to toil for it was not there to witness her victory and nothing mattered, not the applause, not the adoration, not even all the money in the world.
Then from behind one of the staircases a shadow appeared. She blinked her eyes in disbelief at first then the dot grew a shape, the shape became a figure she could put a name to, and then a face. The face bore little resemblance to the boy she remembered from long ago. Yet those eyes, she knew too well. Her hand shook, her muscles and every nerve in her seemed to burst. She could not speak. Suddenly the eloquent lady who could command an entire army knew not how to articulate. As he drew near she felt a drumming in her chest, and from it she drew strength to approach the figure she longed to glimpse the moment she landed in the country of her origin.
He looked at her, trying so hard not even to blink even stopped himself from breathing just so not a moment would pass by that he did not perceive her. The sunken eyes, the dilapidated lips, his swollen cheeks full of scars gathered from a battle of survival struggled to bear to be seen by the one woman he dreamed of each day. That one woman whose dreams he fueled a long time ago and allowed to leave him for the sake of love for country.
He was holding the book she gave him one summer when they were young.On the first page she wrote "for you, who shall witness my victory, with all the love in the world..forget me not," - how long ago has that been? Everything is changed now, he knew she would back away. She would not even dare to touch his face and would be gone FOREVER.
He was ready to be hurt over again. She ran to him. Ran to him and held out her hands, touched his nape, ran her fingers through his face. She knew that at last she was home. The scars did not matter, the man she always loved and almost lost was there. He didn't know what to do. Oh God he did not know what to do. His ultimate source of happiness was right in front of him embracing him almost worshiping him yet he could not move.
Wow..what a beautiful story, and such a happy ending! It warms my heart on a cold snowy day, Kulasa!
oh, such a beautiful story Zen, you rendered me speechless here too, keep these stories flowing. love yah!!
Zen, I am wiping away happy tears. This is so touching and wonderfully written by you. Keep them coming.
here again Zen, stopping by to feel the love here again between those two, so so love the story, like Judy, misty eyed too, of happiness and rejoicing for both of the characters.
You're really a gifted writer. I think you should consider having regular short stories published in a widely read platform. You're very good.
I do agree with you Ria C. I keep saying this over and over again, you are truly a gifted writer sis.. Love the ending of this one..
Very well-written, enjoyed reading it very much.
i was hanging on every word and was wondering what the ending would be. glad it's a happy ending. you're such a gifted writer.
Can't say the exact words about your story. It was a joy reading this one, touching moments of Love in the backdrop of rain. Ang ganda ng flow as if I am reading a poem. Simple word choice yet very descriptive. Thumbs up.
Geez! I was so engrossed reading and I must say it touched the very core of my being. I have to admit I am such a hopeless romantic. And you wrote everything beautifully. The protagonists in the story were truly magnified, emotions aptly described.
It's rare to find one good, no- nonsense writer around the blogosphere, Dokie and we're happy you belong to FBF. Hands down to this lovely masterpiece! Please keep writing and please continue to inspire us.
It feels like I'm reading a novel of a best selling author. Keep up the good work!
I just loved reading your story...you can become a popular writer...keep it up!