Colors of Rain

Chapter 7: My dearest, Elizabeth

The warm afternoon had most of the professors laze around the lounge. It was still summer but they had to report back to the university for paper works and a few meetings. Eliza and Dr. Lane had just arrived at the lounge when they saw the group drinking iced tea despite having the air conditioning on. Dr. Lane walked over to the group who were all sitting at the sofa and plopped herself down, tired by what seemed to be an endless meeting with heads and other professors.

Eliza on the other hand sat on her favorite spot by the window and decided to rearrange her notes there. Another thing about Eliza is that she likes to organize her things but there are also times when she gets comfortable with her mess. She was, however, interrupted by CC coming inside the lounge.

"Oh, thank goodness you're already here," CC said looking at Eliza.

"Yes, can I help you with anything?"

"Gregory wanted me to give this to you." she handed over a brown envelope with a gold wax seal to Eliza who reluctantly took it.

"Okay. When?"

"Just a while ago, I guess." CC shrugged.

"Thank you."

Opening the envelope, Eliza thought to herself, "Why didn't he just give it to me personally?"

Inside the envelope was a folded cream-colored paper. Her heart suddenly beat rapidly as if something was wrong but she didn't know what. She closed her eyes inhaling deeply and quickly took out the paper and unfolded it. Opening her eyes she saw the words, 'My Dearest, Elizabeth' which caused her mouth to slightly open trying to build up some courage to read. Eventually, she did find that courage and managed to read the content that said:

My Dearest, Elizabeth,

Do you remember the first time we met? You know, at the booth. I didn't really notice you were there, but the minute I did, my heart stopped along with time. Right then and there I knew you were the one I'd been looking for and I confirmed that the moment you gave me the book. Honestly, I was shocked that you bought it for me the minute I told you I liked the first volume. At that exact moment, I saw deep within your eyes a good soul resting behind it.

The last couple of months we'd been together was the best. I had never met a good listener in my life. Did you really like my stories that much? I was often told I'm a great storyteller. Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed it as much as I did. CC gave me her trust to accompany you in her stead at times because she said I keep you from spacing out. It was really such an honor. Even though I did keep you out of trance most of the time, there are still times when you do. I'm sorry, I gave it my best. But I didn't write this to tell you all that.

I came here to tell you that I'm letting you go. Even though you were never really mine in the first place, come to think of it, you were never really going to be mine. I saw the way looked at Dr. Craige and it was nothing like the way you look at me. It's fine though, I understand. I noticed that you tend to relax a bit more when she's around and hardly go inside your mind as if she prevents it from dragging you away. She may seem cold and may not show it, but I know she has a mutual feeling for you. I know that you love her and I sure do know that she loves you. I would bet both volumes of The Many Mysteries of Art on it.

I know it seems weird and you might deny it, but I know what love looks like when I see it, take Devon and Brandon for example. Such pure love. Unorthodox but pure, because it doesn't really matter whether or not you fall in love with the same sex. Love has no gender nor sexuality. Love is love. And if ever you have doubts about it ask Dr. Simpson. She knows. Anyways, I think this letter is too long, are you still there? Oh yeah, I also wrote this to tell you that I'll be leaving for Italy to teach in an art institute and work with other artists for a while. I don't know how long, but I'll come back and when I do, you two better be together, or else I'll burn both volumes. Just kidding, I'm not one to do something so heinous, but I do hope you confess your feelings for her who knows she might be waiting for you.