When We Were Wallflowers

Nocturne

It was already an unbearably long trip from the city.
The cart which we rode it was noisy and rocked about erratically. I sighed deeply.

"Come now, Yula, cheer up. We are almost there." Nikola mutters. I look to him.

"Easy for you to say." I retorted. Nikola scoffed.

"If only there was a faster way about this." I groaned as I pull back the curtain of the window and look around. Just an expanse of fields, nothing more nothing less. Sometimes trees.

"I trust you'll invent something useful one day, Nikola!" I jested. He exhaled deeply. We both exchange banter back and forth until we reached our destination.

We arrive.

Nikola gets out first so he can help you out the door.

"You know, I definitely prefer the city, but something about the country air hits different." I confess, hearing my boots crunch beneath me. Nikola looks around.

*cough coughing*

"I certainly prefer having a moist throat. This country air is getting to me." He brought out his handkerchief and covers his mouth and nose. I look to him and smile.

*door opens sound*

"Oh! Mother!" I cry. I run and hug her dearly. Nikola followed behind.

"Oh! Come! Its wonderful to see you again! And is this your fiancé?" She was ecstatic. I became flustered. My cheeks went as red as two big cherries.

"Oh! No, mother, he's just a friend." I panic, laughing nervously. I look to Nikola. He seemed....... Hurt?

"You alright?" I ask him. He shook his head.

"Yes. Never better." His voice was deep. I liked to hear him speak and sing. He really had beautiful vocals.

"Shall we go inside? Its boiling out here." Mother requests. We follow her in. Servants brought in our stuff.

"Im so glad you are home again, Yula. Ive missed you so." Mother recollections.

"Just as I remember it." I said kind of sadly. I barely notice that Nikola was looking at me. Why was it now embarrassing to lock eyes.

Mother only smiled.

"Well, i shall retire to my room. Ive had a long ride. I should like to rest." I confirm.

"Me as well." Nikola says.

"Thats fine. I will send for you when supper is ready. Have a good rest, my daughter. And you as well, Mr. Tesla." Mother says.

"Please, call me Nikola." He smiled.

"Okay."

We both went to our rooms. I sat on the edge of my bed. Everything was it its place. Just how I remember. I close my eyes as tears form and fall down my cheeks.

"Keep it together, Yula...." I say to myself. I have always felt something for Nikola since i first met him. I was in America for a time. He was a friend to me when i needed one most. I am forever grateful for this.

But what i felt....... Was it love? Ive never felt this way before. I have a hard time dealing with my emotions. But when i was with him i felt safe. Protected. I once dreamt i was laying in bed with him. I rested my head upon his chest. I have never felt something like how i felt in this dream. I traced our names on his chest, and i laughed. He brushed hair from my face and then without any words he held my cheek. I look back into azure eyes. He guided my face to kiss my mouth.

I woke up before anything could happen. Maybe i was just crushing. You know, when you dream about someone's and then you wake up and have feelings? Maybe this was all that was. But! I recalled earlier this evening when i told my mother that we were "just friends", his reaction. Maybe. What are the chances of us being..... together?

*knock knock*

"Miss! Supper is ready." The servant tells me. I stand to get ready. Before leaving my room, I take a last look at myself in the mirror. Looking sharp. I giggled.

We all sat around the dining table. We were having beef steak and potatoes.

"Thank you, mother. Its delicious." I say. Perfect steak. Medium rare. I notice Nikola picking at his plate.

"Everything alright?" I ask. He bit his lip.

"Forgive me, i am vegetarian." He said nervously.

"Don't be sorry! Shall i call the kitchen and ask for something to your liking?" Mother looked concerned.

"No, it's alright. I will eat potatoes." He says.

Ok. Now, supper was over. We sat, hanging out in the drawing room.

"Nikola! Play us something! I'd love you forever!" I beg of him. He stood, brushed himself a little and then went to sit at the piano.

"Ok. This one piece is Chopin's first nocturne, enjoy." He announced, proceeding to play. I was mesmerised. I watched as his rough and calloused, yet delicate fingers as they almost danced across the keyboard. His eyes closed. He sighed every so often, his eyes catching mine. I must let him know! I had been torturing him for so long.

"Nikola, may I speak to you...... alone?" I know it was unbecoming of me. Mother caught the cue.

"I must tend to my affairs up in my room. Goodnight." She says, leaving us alone. I watch my mother as she goes. I turn quickly back to Nikola.

"There's something i must confess to you, my dearest companion. My dearest friend..... i am in love with you, and have been since the day i met you at the university." I said, approaching him. He reaches out towards me, and i let him take my hand. He gave a soft kiss, and how i yearned for this kiss on my mouth.

"Yula. I prayed for this day to come. I love you as well. I have dreamt a lot, dreamt of this moment." Nikola stared deep into my eyes. I look down at my feet. He lifts my head by my chin. I watch as his eyes look toward ms my lips.

"Nikola..."

We finally kiss. I felt his fingers combing through my hair. I wrapped my arms around him and kept him close. Ive never been close enough to infinity before.

The end