Vellichor: A Short Story Collection

Lavenders

Quick Note: The title might seem familiar to some of you. One of the scenes from Grey's Anatomy prompted me to write this. It has something to do with Meredith Grey's conditioner that smelled like lavenders. I got *butterflies* so yeah, I wrote this.

And sorry if I love writing navy officer characters. I'm simping for one particular royal navy lieutenant.

Genres/Tags: Romance, Farewells
Inspo: Grey's Anatomy

• • •

Silence lay in Adela's lobby. Standing there, her hand trembles as she holds the stair railing.

She was facing the other side of the room.

Across her stood a fine lad dressed in somewhat dark blue with a touch of gold embraced by a navy officer's uniform.

In between the opened doors Filip stood still; the chirping of birds being the only sounds audible in a deafening silence.

In a matter of seconds, one finally had the courage to speak. “Adela,” he called, and she responded right away. “Filip...”

Although enveloped by fear and uncertainty, the young navy officer managed to shoot her a smile. He had that particular curve on his lips that always drove her nuts.

Oh, how she missed that smile of his—she's never witnessed it for years.

He spoke. “I just wanted to—”

“Why did you come here?” she snapped.

For a moment, Filip had stopped talking, but he realized he needs to do it now, and he needs to do it fast—remembering.

“I'm leaving for the navy tonight.”

“I know that.”

“Well, I...right. I want to bid my farewell.”

“What makes you think I want to?”

Filip knew that. She was angry, and she had every right to feel that way. Leaving for the navy had been difficult, cutting their relationship of seven years, and not having communication for 18 months—it murdered her, killing her alive. And now he's back, but leaving again, after less than ten minutes of talking to her because he has to move, tonight.

“I know you're hurt. I know you're angry.”

“Damn right I am, Filip. Why did you come see me? I'm in peace. I don't want any of your goodbyes. We said our farewell years ago.”

Before he could even speak, she cut him off, eyes puffy as tears begin welling up her eyes.

“I don't want this. What makes you think I want to say goodbye when you're leaving—again, and this time there is no certainty that you'll be back home alive.”

“Screw you!” she yelled. “At least have some decency to not kill me again, Filip...”

“I know,” he smiled. “I just want to remember.”

Adela took a step forward, sniffing every now and then, arms protectively blazed around her chest. “Remember what.”

Filip enters the lobby, gently closing the door behind him. Only the click of doors were heard, loud and clear.

At last, after a long time, he was able to get a glimpse of her brown eyes once more—and he smiled, recognizing that same old sparkle from years ago.

And she sees it with him, too. His eyes—warm and kind as the day the two of them met.

It was still there; their love, and memories that had been shared and kept. He knew she could help him.