Maybe in another lifetime

Chapter Three

I put the key on the counter, after entering the house. As we both make our way to the kitchen, I tell him how the kitchen is now all his and he can cook whatever he likes.
 
"Any requests?", he asks waiting for my answer.
I think for a second and then remember his specialty. "Sarma" I say.

"Good choice", he says looking around the kitchen for ingredients.
 
"Do you need help?"

"I could use an extra hand, I don't really know where the ingredients are".
 
I put on the black apron that was hanging in the kitchen and offer him the white one.

After finishing putting on his apron, he realizes that I need help with tying the back.

"Need some help?"

"Please. I can't tie this".

He comes closer. I haven't been this close to him the whole day. He's removing my hair to the side to tie the apron properly.
 
I can feel his breath on my neck. I cannot focus on the words coming out of his mouth, until the phone ringing brings me back to reality.
 
I take the phone in my hand to see who's calling. It's my mom.

"Hey mom", I answer the phone. "Yes, I saw the note. I know. Okay. Love you too", embarrassing, I think to myself.
 
I get back to kitchen to see him already finding the pot. I ask him what else he needs and I put it all on the counter.
 
I can't really help right now, he looks like he knows what to find where, so I sit on one of the bar stools along the counter and observe him. The way he cooks. Like a professional chef.
 
"Why didn't you ever open that restaurant, you were talking about?"

"Same reason you can't be an author", he sighs, "unrealistic".
I can't help but feel bad for him.
 
"Are you going to go back to your dimension?", I ask.

"Why? Already bored of me?", he put on a flirty smile.

"No no no, not at all!", I actually hope he doesn't ever go away. "I was just wondering".

"I know... I am going to go back tonight, unfortunately".

"Oh", is all I can say.

"I have to go back to my family".

I just look at the food, almost done, on the stove. He's cleaning up the kitchen. I've never seen a man clean up a kitchen. It's so rare nowadays.
 
We're both sitting on the balcony, food already prepared on the balcony table. I'm looking at the sunset, waiting for the food to cool.

                                                                                             *
 
We finish our food. It is better than anything I've ever tasted in my whole life. But now, looking back, I'm sad. Happy that I could spend time with the person I love, but he is going to leave sooner or later.
 
"Are you okay?", he's now taking my hand and putting it in his hand, huge and muscular, compared to mine. He looks worried.

"No, I'm fine", I answer, somehow too worried to believe that it is truly my own hand he is holding.
 
"I've just... I've had a really great time with you and...", I suddenly feel tears in my eyes. He takes my face in his soft hands, making me look at him. I don't want you to leave, is what I do tell him.
 
He is speechless, not knowing how to comfort me. Instead, he just pulls me in close to him. He hugs me. It's the most comfort I've ever gotten.

"It is going to be okay, darling", he looks at my face again, with a sad smile.
 
I have actually been so desperate for someone to hug me, comfort me, spend time with me for the last couple of months, so I tried finding that comfort in books. But since he arrived, I felt... needed, loved, wanted, which I hadn't felt in so long that it's so hard to let go.
 
"Will you...", I sob. "Ever come back?"

"I will find a way of coming back to you. I promise", he hugs me again.
 
We stay like that for a while. I don't mind. He takes my face in his hands again, suddenly it's so hard for me to carry the weight of my own head. He wipes the tears. His hands.

I'm looking at him. He is all blurry because of the tears.

He may not know it, but he saved me.
 
We keep hugging for a while. Sobbing has made me so sleepy, but I can't fall asleep, knowing he won't be there when I wake up.

"Are you going to be okay? After I leave?"

"Are you going to stay if I say no?", I am so desperate for him to stay and I know I am not going to be okay.
 
He sighs.
"I can't stay here forever", he says, "I have to go back. Back to the book, to my family, my friends".

"Can I at least come with you? Please... I" I'm now whispering, "I need you".

I felt a warm pair of lips on mine. 

His lips. They're so soft. I give in and return the kiss, not ever wanting it to end.

The kiss. The kiss is so gentle, I want to melt right here and now.

We both suddenly gasp for air.

"You're going to find your person one day. He will make you the happiest and you will even forget about m---".

"I'll never forget you", I interrupt him.

He leans in for another short kiss and hugs me tightly, whispering into my ear.

And I will never forget you.

Oh I wish, I wish there was a way for us to work.
 
"I love you", he says and if my eyes aren't deceiving me, which I'm not even sure anymore, because of all the tears in them, he's slowly fading away from my touch as well as my sight... Until he's gone for good.
I love you too. I whisper to myself, no one there to hear me.