CUPID | narancia ghirga

𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 - 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐜𝐢

Today the clouds took over the sky, creating clumps of dark cumulonimbus gates of heaven. The infinite blue wonder, now painted gray, made an uneasy shiver tickle my skin. As of today, it would thunder.

The cats already hid under the shade of long, lanky trees. Fur wet from the droplets which had already reached the grass. 

I remained barely awake, staring at the drops of cloud tears that ran down my window, dancing across the glass and leaving small areas of condensed fog that I took pleasure in seeing disappear with time.

"Coda" Father asked for my presence. I sat up. "Yes?"

"That one boy is here again- Are you sure you are not dating?"

I heard Narancia's laughter from downstairs followed by my father urging him to get inside.

Narancia was a sweet boy. He cared for me and I felt cared for when by him, but as soon as he walked inside, I felt as if I knew something was not right.

Narancia had showered in rain-water from head to toe. His hair was licked down and clothes damp. His brown leather shoes ruined and orange bow hung low to his neck. 

"Aren't you cold?" I uttered I pure disbelief. He could only smile sweetly at me. His teeth crooked ever so slightly. "I will get you a towel please wait here"

And he did not wait...

Narancia followed me around the house just as a lost dog would. Following anyone that shows any kind of liking and attention. 

Every step he took left shoe imprints on our wooden floors. But I was not angry. I was not mad. I was glad he stood by me. I was glad I got more time besides that boy.

Followed by the event where Narancia showed his side more devoid of love, I handed him a white towel covered in old flower patterns. It had once been owned by my grandmother whom days were spent knitting away. 

He removed his shoes; first the right, then the left. He then proceeded to slowly lift his hands. Narancia held the towel close to his skin and faintly wiped the water from his arms and face. He was ever so gentle. Though the towel slowly grew damp and his clothes still remained wet. 

"I can lend you a shirt..."

My speech was followed by silence.

"That would be nice" He smiled. And all my worries lifted.

Father convinced him to bathe while I waited with warm soup by the table. I had left neatly folded clothes hung to the door handle of the bathroom, so when needed, they would be right there, for Narancia.

Father,  Delfina and I, awaited for the boy, we remained seated, talking. Delfina rested a deck of cards before us and handed out 5 for each. "What is this for, tesoro?" Father argued. "I'm teaching you how to play Vedova"