Love in simple things

Love is healing

"Your medications are on the table. Are you sure you will eat properly at least today? Rose, this is getting ridiculous." Her tone changed. Rose noticed it. "Uhmm... Sorry. I didn't mean to say it. I am really sorry. I think I will go now" Leonard walked away. He is on his way to the office. He works in finance. Investment Banking. They live together. Later that evening, he called her after a long day.

"Hello, Rose"

"Yes Lee, I ate my food. I took my medication"

"Good. Thank you. I wanted to check on you. Take a walk around the building for a while. I will be home in an hour. I will bring Chinese. Also..." She abruptly hung up on him. He didn't call back.

----

"Hey, I am home"

"Hey, Lee. I went to the grocery store. I got us some ice cream" She handed over the New York cheesecake flavored icecream. Her favorite icecream.

"Wow, You didn't have it. You could have called me. I was nearby the grocery store too" Leonard opened up the ice cream tub, scooped it into two bowls, and placed the Chinese.

"I will bring us plates"

"Wait, let me"

Rose sighed at him and sat back on the couch.

"Can I put on the show? It was a really long day. I need that show. I didn't watch the last two episodes. Did you watch it ?"

"No. I didn't. I didn't watch it. I thought we could watch it together" She snuggled up on the couch with her food and whispered under her breath beyond the television noise, "I had a boring day"

"Uh.. What?"

"I said, I had a boring day"

"You could have watched some TV. There are like a million shows."

"Can we talk?"

"What? Don't whisper under your breath. What?" He was lowering up the volume.

"Never mind"

"Uh. No. Tell me what is it?"

"I feel bored with this routine"

"I didn't have an amazing day. I had a pretty bad day to be honest. I just need some series to distract me. Can we talk after the show? Please."

"Lee, I feel like I am a burden to you."

Leonard muted the series. "Why do you say that? Please don't overthink it. Maybe you had a boring day that is why you are thinking like that" Her eyes started tearing up and he switched off the TV. He went near her and kissed her forehead.

"We will talk."

"We don't talk anymore. My anxiety medications are not making me emotional. I mean it, we don't talk anymore. We have this routine and it makes me feel sick"

"But you are sick. We are trying to balance your health and my work. What else are we supposed to overwhelm ourselves with?

"Don't answer me. Listen to me first"

"Sure, carry on"

"Thank you for doing everything for me. I am not being ungrateful. I need to break free from this identity. My illness has become my identity now. Even you are talking to me only about it. I need normal."

"What would feel normal?"

"I might like some changes. You remind me to take medication but you don't talk to me like someone who is your girlfriend. You always call in between to check on me for my medicines but not about my day."

"I was just concerned. I will try to change it."

"Yes. Also, I know you had a bad day. A long day. I don't want to drain you. I just want to talk and feel like we are boyfriend and girlfriend. Not like you are my caregiver."

"I get it. I am sorry."

"Please don't be sorry. I feel like a sick person in a hospital when we are not like the usual. You are a blessing to me. This ice cream doesn't taste good and this Chinese doesn't taste good when we are not talking over it"

"I was not ready to talk yet"

"I know but in different circumstances, I feel like I could do something to become your peace"

"You are my peace. I just.."

"You used to talk to me when you entered this house. You don't do that anymore"

"You are right. I was concerned about you the whole day. I was thinking about your health. I was working. Many things didn't go properly. I was so occupied already. I needed time for myself"

"I could use the talking instead of the whole day concern about my health"

"Now, I need time to think about it. Can we talk about this later, Rose? I am tired right now"

"Sure. You listened. I think I am good"

"Glad we are mature about it. 3 years before we would have argued about it." Lee held Rose's hand and snuggled up with her.

"So true. I would have shouted at you for sure. I was so out of control"

They both laughed with chopsticks in their mouth. This time, the series had a mildly okayish episode, but the conversation was healing her.

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About the story

Welcome to "100 Days of Short Love Stories," where love comes alive! Each day, for the next 100 days, I will share a unique, heartwarming short story that explores the many dimensions of love. From sweet first encounters to bittersweet goodbyes, from fantasies to adventures, these stories will take you on an emotional journey through the highs and lows of love.

Whether you're a hopeless romantic, a daydreamer, or simply someone who enjoys a good story, there's something here for everyone. Join me on this adventure, and let's celebrate love! Love through my eyes.

About the author

📚 Fiction, YA, Romance, Fantasy, & Thriller Writer ✨ | Storyteller at heart ❤️ | Sharing my worlds, one tale at a time ✍️ | Follow for your next adventure!

Disclaimer

© Saranya G. All rights reserved. This story and its content are the intellectual property of the author. No part of this story may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author, except for brief quotations in reviews. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

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