I CAN’T DO WITHOUT YOU.
– I hate it! – was the only thought that spun through Annie’s mind – I hate it! I hate myself!
Anna was running along the pavement, oblivious to everything around her. Rain was pouring down, not just on the streets, pavements, and homes but also into Annie’s soul, dictating its own rules. According to the rain’s plan, the woman should quickly endure the collapse of her illusions and then move on – to fail, to fall, and to rise again. Every woman goes through her personal failures with difficulty. But then again, after the most terrible storm, the sun always peeks through the window. Everything bad ends sooner or later, doesn’t it?
The rain wanted to tell Annie something, but she wasn’t in the mood to hear its advice. Then, like a gentleman, it decided everything for her. But that’s for later.
– Soaked again! Serves me right! – thought Anna irritably.
– Once I get home, I’ll have some hot tea. There’s no rush, nor any reason to – her gloomy thoughts were interrupted by the drawn-out mewing of a cat.
– Oh! What’s that? – Anna jumped to the side.
Under a bush near Anna’s house sat a tiny gray kitten, crying pitifully. Normally, Anna might have walked by – why bother with stray cats? But not today.
– Come with me, kitty. You’re as miserable as I am. We’ll be better together – said the woman, hugging the trembling little body.
– Meet our new accountant – said Anna’s boss, introducing a new employee to the office.
Anna met his gaze right away. It was a meeting done solely with their eyes, as eyes can reveal what their owner would prefer to keep hidden. His eyes were gray, which she noticed later, but right then, she didn’t see the color, shape, or depth. She was lost in them. For a moment, Anna felt she was looking in a mirror at her own reflection. His face? She didn’t remember it. Just the eyes. Anna felt like she was sailing upstream on a mountain river without oars. She was simultaneously hot and cold. Her lips were parched.
– Hello! I’m Anna Lewis! – she quietly said – We’ll be sharing an office.
– Greg Carter – a graduate of a military academy – he introduced himself.
His voice. Oh, that voice – it was something else! That was when Anna’s eyelashes and even her knees truly trembled. His voice tickled her cheeks, her nostrils, everything! It reached her heart and stayed there. Her thoughts conversed with her in Greg’s voice. Whenever Greg spoke to Anna, she couldn’t help but smile, which she later chastised herself for.
– I’m acting like a twelve-year-old girl around Greg! – she thought, blushing.
But today, Anna submitted her resignation, to her boss’s great surprise. She packed her things, some papers, and pens, and left the office without looking back. Forever…
– Oh, what eyes! – thought Greg as he crossed the office threshold.
He saw nothing but her eyes. The boss and his entourage weren’t around. It was just him and Anna in the room.
– I must try not to drown in those eyes. I don’t need this. But… Her eyes are extraordinary! So large, like two beams of kindness looking at you. So attentive and familiar, bright and open. No! No! I won’t think about it – Greg decided…
And so their workdays began. When Greg and Anna inadvertently touched fingertips, it was like electricity passed through their hands. Anna would flinch away. His touch sent heat through her, and she feared that fire. Greg noticed this quickly and tried not to discomfort her, yet he longed to touch her.
Once, reaching for the computer mouse, Greg brushed against Anna’s pinky and jerked away. He even yelped.
– Hope Anna didn’t notice – he thought and withdrew his hand. He acknowledged that touching her hand made his whole body burn, and he was afraid to say anything.
Greg was Anna’s reflection – in thoughts, actions, and aspirations. Anna could foresee his words because they were hers too. She sensed his gaze, even when Greg wasn’t looking at her. Anna read his thoughts, feeling him with every cell of her body. She instinctively knew when he was calling without even looking at the screen. How did she do it? She saw with her heart, not just her eyes, and listened with her soul, not just her ears.
Greg immediately recognized Anna as his person. His eyes read her desires. Her words continued his thoughts. He anticipated her actions and understood her with half a glance.
When Anna lowered her eyes, Greg caught her embarrassment and felt it himself. Why? He didn’t have an answer. In her presence, he felt like a boy and became playful.
With his rough palms, he felt her gentle, slender fingers. Greg wanted to hold her hand and never let go, but… he was afraid. They touched not just with their palms but with their hearts. It was a sign that they were very alike. Greg and Anna were soulmates for each other…
Three years passed. Greg never took that first step. Anna waited. The man feared change. What if things didn’t work out? What if getting closer led to crushed hopes and expectations? After all, they each had their own baggage.
After feeding the kitten, Anna gazed out the window. The rain didn’t stop. Puddles on the pavement bubbled. Anna didn’t want to think about anything.
– Tomorrow is a new day with its own worries – she decided.
In the evening, snuggled in her favorite pink onesie and petting the content kitten sleeping after a good meal, Anna started to drift off. She heard the doorbell ring through her drowsiness. Clasping the kitten to her chest, Anna shuffled to the hallway. She knew who was at the door and paused.
– Anna Lewis, I know you’re in there. Please open the door! – she heard the familiar voice.
Opening the door, she found Greg standing there.
– Oh, not alone, I see? May I join your party? – asked Greg. He was visibly nervous. Anna said nothing.
– I can’t do without you! Do you hear me? Why did you leave? I’m miserable without you, and I know you are too. Understand, we’re not in our twenties anymore. I want to embrace not just your waist, but your thoughts. I want to be with you. Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner – Greg added after a pause.
He was her man.
She was his woman.
Their hands intertwined.
What will happen next?
I believe they’ll be alright, for after the darkest night, there always comes the dawn, right?
Perhaps we should thank the rain for this happy continuation? It was, after all, what helped to unite two hearts.
