I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT YOU
“I hate it!” Emily’s mind was consumed with a single thought—I hate it! I hate myself!
Emily ran down the sidewalk, oblivious to everything around her. The rain was pouring down, drenching the streets, sidewalks, and houses in torrents. It seeped into her soul, dictating its own terms. According to its design, she should quickly come to terms with the shattering of her illusions and move on—to err, to fall, and to rise again. It’s a known fact that women find personal failures particularly hard to endure. But then, after the fiercest storm, the sun peeks through the window. Everything bad eventually comes to an end, doesn’t it?
The rain wanted to say something to Emily, but she wasn’t willing to listen to its advice. So, like a man, it decided everything for her. But more on that later.
“Once again, my feet are soaked! Serves me right!” Emily thought irritably. “I’ll just get home and enjoy a cup of hot tea. There’s no rush, and nowhere to go,” her sad thoughts were interrupted by a drawn-out meow.
“Oh! What’s that?” Emily jumped aside.
Under a bush near Emily’s house sat a tiny grey kitten, crying miserably. Previously, she would have passed by—why bother with stray cats? But not now.
“Come with me, kitty. You’re as unfortunate as I am. We’ll be better company for each other,” she said, cradling the shivering little body to her chest.
“Meet our accountant,” said the manager of the firm where Emily worked, ushering in the new employee.
Emily locked eyes with him immediately. It was an introduction through gazes, as eyes can reveal so much about a person—more than they might choose to admit. His eyes were grey; she noted this later. At that moment, she couldn’t see their color, shape, or depth. She was lost in them. Emily felt as though she were staring into a mirror, seeing her own reflection. His face? She didn’t remember it. Just the eyes. Emily was speeding in a boat, sailing upstream a mountain river without oars. It was both exhilarating and chilling. Her lips were parched.
“Hello! My name is Emily Parker. We’ll be sharing this office,” Emily said quietly.
“I’m Oliver Smith—graduate of the academy,” Oliver introduced himself.
His voice. Oh, that voice—it was extraordinary! That’s when Emily’s eyelashes and knees truly began to tremble. His voice tickled her cheeks, her nostrils—no, it reached her heart and made its home there. Her thoughts conversed with her in his voice. When Oliver talked to Emily, she couldn’t help but smile, chiding herself for it later.
“I’m behaving like a twelve-year-old girl with Oliver!” she thought, blushing.
But today, Emily submitted her resignation at work, surprising her boss greatly. She gathered her belongings—some papers and pens—and left the office without looking back. Forever…
“Oh, those eyes!” Oliver thought, crossing the office threshold. He saw nothing but her eyes. It was just the two of them there, alone with Emily.
“I mustn’t drown in those eyes. I don’t need that. But… her eyes are extraordinary! So big, like two beams of kindness looking at you. So attentive and familiar, bright and open. No! No! I won’t dwell on this,” Oliver decided…
And so their workdays began. When Oliver and Emily accidentally brushed against each other’s fingertips, it felt like electricity coursing through their palms. Emily jerked her hand back. His touch sent heat through her, and she feared this fire. Oliver noticed and tried not to make her uncomfortable, though he longed to touch her.
Once, grabbing the mouse, Oliver brushed against Emily’s pinky and shuddered. He even yelped.
“I hope Emily didn’t notice anything,” he thought and pulled his hand away. He acknowledged that when his hand touched hers, his whole body felt ablaze, and he feared saying anything.
Oliver mirrored Emily—in thought, deed, and aspiration. Emily could predict his words because they were hers too. She sensed his gaze on her, even when Oliver wasn’t looking. Emily read his mind. She sensed him with every fiber of her being. Emily could infallibly tell when he was calling her mobile. How did she do it? She saw with her heart, not just her eyes, and could listen to him with her soul, not just her ears.
Oliver immediately knew Emily was his kindred spirit. His eyes read her desires. Her words were the continuation of his thoughts. He anticipated her every move. He understood her with a mere glance.
When Emily lowered her eyes, he caught her embarrassment and felt embarrassed himself. Why? He didn’t know the answer to this question. In her presence, he felt like a boy, becoming playful.
His rough hand sensed her tender, slender fingers. Oliver wanted to hold her hand and never let go, but… he was afraid.
They didn’t just touch hands; they touched hearts. And that was a sign of how alike they were. Oliver and Emily were each other’s kindred spirits…
Three years passed. Oliver still hadn’t mustered the courage to make the first move. Emily waited.
He didn’t want to change anything. What if it didn’t work out? Would getting closer ruin all their hopes and expectations? After all, each had accumulated their own life experiences.
Having fed the kitten, Emily watched the rain through the window. The puddles on the sidewalk bubbled. Emily didn’t want to think about anything.
“Tomorrow is a new day with its own concerns,” she decided.
In the evening, wrapping herself in her favorite pink onesie and stroking the content kitten sleeping after its meal, Emily drifted off.
Through her dreams, she heard a knock at the door. Holding the kitten to her chest, Emily shuffled to the hallway. She knew who was at the door and waited.
“Emily Parker, I know you’re home. Please open the door!” she heard the familiar voice.
Opening the door, Emily saw Oliver.
“Oh, you’re not alone? Accept me into your company?” Oliver asked, visibly nervous. Emily remained silent.
“I can’t live 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. I’m sorry for not saying this sooner,” Oliver added after a pause.
He was the man for her.
She was the woman for him.
Their hands intertwined.
What comes next?
I believe everything will turn out well for them because after every dark night, there’s a bright dawn, isn’t there?
Perhaps it’s worth thanking the rain for this happy chapter? It helped unite two hearts, after all.
