I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT YOU.
“I hate this!” was the only thought running through Anna’s mind – “I hate this! I hate myself!”
Anna raced down the pavement, oblivious to the world around her. The rain poured down, not only soaking the streets, pavements, and houses but seeping into Anna’s soul, imposing its own rules. It seemed to urge her to swiftly overcome the shattering of her illusions, to stumble and rise again. It’s often tough for women to handle personal failures, isn’t it? Yet, as they say, after the fiercest storm, the sun always peeks through. Everything has an end, doesn’t it?
The rain seemed to want to tell Anna something, but she wasn’t open to its advice. So, like a man, it took matters into its own hands, but more on that later. “Got my shoes soaking wet again! Serves me right!” she thought bitterly. “I’ll get home and drink a hot cup of tea. There’s nowhere I need to rush, and no reason to,” contemplated Anna as her sad thoughts were interrupted by a faint cat’s meow.
“Oh! What’s that?” Anna jumped aside. Beneath a bush near her home, a tiny gray kitten sat crying pitifully. In the past, Anna might have walked right by – she had no reason for stray cats. But not today.
“Come along, little one. You’re just as unhappy as I am. We’ll be better together,” Anna said, scooping up the trembling creature . . .
“Meet our new accountant,” announced the leader of the firm where Anna worked as he ushered in a new employee. Anna instantly locked eyes with him. It was an exchange without words, as eyes often convey more than we dare to share. His eyes were gray, she noticed later, but at that moment, she saw nothing of their color, form, or depth. She was lost in them. For a second, Anna felt as if she were looking into a mirror, seeing her own reflection. The face? It didn’t register. Only the eyes. Anna felt like she was speeding in a boat, racing upstream a mountainous river without oars. She was at once both hot and cold, her lips parched.
“Hello! I’m Anna Perkins! We’ll be sharing an office,” she said quietly.
“Owen Harris – I graduated from the cadet corps,” Owen introduced himself. His voice – oh, the voice was something extraordinary! It not only made Anna’s eyelashes flutter but also her knees tremble. It tickled her cheeks, her nostrils, indeed! The voice settled into her heart and stayed. Her thoughts spoke to her in his voice. When Owen spoke to Anna, she couldn’t help but smile, admonishing herself later for it.
“I’m acting like a twelve-year-old girl around Owen!” she thought, a blush rising to her cheeks.
But today, Anna had taken a resignation letter to work, much to her boss’s surprise. She packed her belongings, a few papers, and pens. Without looking back, Anna left the office for good . . .
“Oh, those eyes!” thought Owen Harris as he stepped into the office. He saw nothing but her eyes. The boss and his entourage faded away. It was just him and Anna.
“I must avoid getting lost in those eyes. That’s just not what I need. But . . . her eyes were something else! So big, like two beams of kindness looking at you. So attentive and familiar, bright and open. No! No! I won’t think about it,” decided Owen.
That marked the start of their work routine. Whenever Owen and Anna accidentally brushed each other’s fingertips, it was like an electric current ran through their palms. Anna would pull her hand away. His touch sent warmth through her, and she feared that fire. Owen noticed and tried to make her comfortable, but he longed to touch her.
Once, as he reached for the mouse, his finger grazed Anna’s little finger, and he flinched, even gasping.
“Hope Anna didn’t notice,” he thought, quickly withdrawing his hand. He admitted that whenever his hand touched hers, his whole body heated up, and he feared saying anything.
Owen was a mirror of Anna – in his thoughts, actions, and aspirations. Anna could anticipate his words because they mirrored her own. She sensed his gaze on her, even when he wasn’t looking. Anna read his thoughts. She felt him with every cell in her body. She could unerringly tell when it was him calling her mobile. How, you ask? She saw with her heart, not just her eyes, and listened with her soul, not just her ears.
Owen quickly realized Anna was his person. He read her desires with his eyes. Her words were extensions of his thoughts. He anticipated her moves. He understood her with a mere half-glance. When Anna cast her eyes downwards, he sensed her embarrassment and blushed himself. Why? He didn’t have an answer. In her presence, he felt like a boy, goofing around.
With his rough hand, he felt her delicate, slender fingers. Owen wanted to hold her hand and never let go, but . . . he was scared. They touched not only with their hands but with their hearts too. It was a sign they were kindred spirits. Owen and Anna were soulmates for each other . . .
Three years went by. Owen never dared to make the first move. Anna waited. He wasn’t ready to change anything. What if they didn’t succeed? Would their closeness shatter hopes and expectations? After all, each carried their own baggage.
After feeding the kitten, Anna gazed out the window. The rain continued, and puddles bubbled on the pavement. Anna didn’t want to think about anything.
“Tomorrow is a new day with its own cares,” she decided.
That evening, wearing her favorite pink pajamas and stroking the content kitten snoozing after a good meal, Anna dozed off. In her sleep, she heard a knock at the door. Cradling the kitten, Anna shuffled to the corridor. She knew who was at the door and paused.
“Anna Perkins, I know you’re home. Please, open the door!” came the familiar voice.
Opening the door, Anna saw Owen.
“Oh, so you’re not alone? Will you let me in on the fun?” Owen asked, noticeably nervous. Anna remained silent.
“I can’t live without you! Do you hear me? Why did you leave? I feel lost without you, and I know you feel the same. Understand, we’re not twenty anymore. I want to embrace not just your waist but your thoughts too. I want to be with you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” Owen added after a pause.
He was her man.
She was his woman.
Their hands intertwined.
What would come next?
I believe they will be fine because, after a dark stretch, there’s always a bright one, isn’t there?
Perhaps, we should thank the rain for this happy continuation? After all, it helped bring two hearts together.
