Dinners outside, shopping, late nights cozying about.
Late mornings too, full of breakfast and love.
I awoke, late for my body's clock.
He was not in bed.
Did he go already? I panicked.
The slim fabric on my body rustled.
The sheets on the bed fell to the floor.
His black shirt was all that I had worn.
I ran out of my room, troubled even more.
And then, I heard the crackle of frying eggs.
My heart was relieved.
I slowly walked in the kitchen, traipsing leisurely.
My eyes wandering all over him.
"Good morning, darling. Breakfast?"
He leaned into me and had a smooch.
His upper body was naked, bare.
Apparently, I had given him some tattoos.
Light pink and purple bruises.
"Last night was fun, perhaps," I shrugged.
The eggs smelled nice.
He bent down and kissed my jaw. "That it was."
I had a bite. "New recipe?"
I looked around the kitchen, and noticed my thrifted cookbook in a corner.
He'd been using it.
"Like it?" he asked, and I gave him a bite of it.
"Perfect, just like you," he said aloud, once he was done.
"Am I not a good cook?" he and I both laughed.
My husband.
~
Seven months were to pass now, but I was a newlywed still.
The doorbell rang. I ran towards the door.
He didn't say he'd be here so soon...
I tied up my hair, opened the door.
"Parcel for you, ma'am," a man with cap said.
His hands had a bouquet larger than life.
"Thank you," I mumbled absent-mindedly, and took it in,
Then closed the door.
Deep red tulips, a bouquet the size of a painting.
A white card in the center.
I sat on the floor I had just mopped down, opening it up.
'I'm really sorry, darling, sweetie, wife-
I won't be able to come until late next week.
Work doesn't let me.
These tulips are a mere sorry, nothing compared to my love for you...
Until we meet again. Kisses, your loving husband.'
I was not angry. Never had been. In fact, I was worried.
He would be so tired. If only...if only, I was there for him.
I kissed the typewritten card, then kept it in a drawer.
The tulips would grace my little drawing room.
~
He was very late this time.
Too late for the month.
Too late for the night.
My stomach rumbled, for I hadn't eaten.
I heard the doorbell, rushed towards it.
It was his signature double bell. I opened the door.
"What happened?" I asked, gathering the briefcase and suitcase,
Throwing them on a seat at the door.
"The train delayed for so long, there was an accident."
"Are you okay?" I checked him all over.
"I'm fine, nothing's wrong with me," he reassured, but I wasn't pleased.
"Where's my welcome kiss?" he joked. "I don't see it around..."
And then, he pushed me against the wall, having a taste of me.
"I'm glad you're back," I whispered.
"I'm glad I'm back too," he replied.
~
I sneaked out of bed, it was late in the morn.
He was still asleep, tired, troubled.
I ruffled his hair, my effort to comfort him,
Or to comfort my own self.
In the kitchen, I heated the lasagne we forgot about last night.
I glanced at the cookbooks in a corner of the countertop.
And then, I surprised myself.
I burst into tears.
He doesn't seem well...
He looks sick, like he hasn't been taking care of himself...
It pained me so, so much!
What is going on?
I got off the little stool in the kitchen, wiping off my tears.
I heard noises from inside.
Perhaps he was awake.
~
Eleven in the morning.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" he asked, placing a kiss on my cheek.
I was serving him breakfast.
"You looked tired, I didn't want to disturb."
"Your cheeks are puffy...were you crying?"
His tone changed, from investigatory to worrisome.
Similar to my own.
I shook my head in denial, and sat down in a chair.
He dragged that chair close to him, with me along.
I hid my pink face.
"What's bothering you?" he cooed softly.
His hand on my shoulder, then trailing down my waist.
All just so intimate.
"Take a holiday or something," I murmured.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked.
"No, no," I shook my head, "It's not that way."
"I can't you this tired and miserable. It- breaks me..."
My voice broke too.
He leaned his forehead against mine.
"Nothing to worry about, hm? Just some work problems."
I caressed his cheek. He closed his eyes.
"Fine, I'll stay as long as you want this time, okay?"
I vigorously nodded.
~
It was time for him to leave.
He'd been here, close to me, in my arms, for a whole month.
I had nursed him to health. He thought I had made him fat.
I had laughed at that.
He was to leave this afternoon, right before lunch.
I had packed for him enough to eat throughout the ride.
I had clad myself in a sweater, the weather was cold.
I helped him into a sweater too. The burgundy one from France.
"You've been very kind to me, way too kind," at breakfast he said.
"I'll miss you even more now," he added.
At least I was content, now that he was well and nourished in front of my eyes.
"There's going to be this gala, an exhibition, of jewels," I told, done with my meal.
He was having a small bite of the pancakes.
"I'd seen the poster, my former mistress had shown me last week."
"You want to go there? I won't stop you," he said, smiling at me.
He knew how I loved the rare, colored jewels.
Sapphires were my favorite. There were his favorite, that's why.
"In fact- do you need more money? I'll-"
"Oh no, that won't be needed," I said, catching hold of his hand.
"I just wished you were there with me too, but what can we do about it..."
"I'll be back soon, I promise," he comforted.
Later that morning, I waved him off at the station.
He'd only left me with love, memories, and longing.