Saudade

6 (Now)

Cecilia woke up the next morning and checked the time. She had an hour to get ready for the funeral. She quickly put on some light makeup. She put on a black free people sundress that she made sure covered her shoulders and quickly head out the door.

She found her car in the parking garage and hurried off to the church. Thankfully the traffic wasn't too bad. Cecilia drove passed the church, which was crowded with people outside, all familiar faces. She parked down the street so nobody would watch her awkwardly get out of her car. Walking down the street, she spotted her mom and her Tia Jennie talking. She also spotted a few of her cousins, family friends and Rui. He was in a black suit and tie. Cecilia took a deep breath.

She briefly greeted her cousins and other distant family members then made her way over to her mom and Tia. "Ola." She smiled lightly giving them both hugs. "I missed you Cila." Her Tia Jennie said.  Jennie was the only one who called her Cila, which Cecilia really liked. Her and Tia Jennie were always pretty close.  "I missed you too."

She walked into the church and sat in the second row with her cousins. The silence was awkward but Cecilia didn't feel like sparking up a conversation with any of them.  She decided to stay silent and admired the big picture of her great grandmother at the front of the church.  She always thought she was so pretty. Everyone always told Cecilia she looked like her. Cecilia got her fair skin and freckles from her.

Once the service started she glanced back to Rui who was standing at the back of the church and made eye contact with him, he then looked down to the ground. Cecilia turned back around. The service felt long, she could feel the sweat forming on her forehead and in her Louis Bouton heels.

Everyone eventually arrived at Cecilia's grandmothers house for the reception. "You look so beautiful sweetheart." Cecilia's grandmother said hugging her. "Thank you, Avó." Cecilia smiled. Her grandmother was always calling her beautiful, even when she looked like she just crawled out of a hole.

Cecilia tried her best to socialize with people but her energy was fizzling out. She went and sat in her old room, trying to not let the memories get to her. She heard a knock on her door thinking it was her mom. "Come in." She said. Rui opened the door. "Hey." He said walking in and closing the door behind him. Cecilia's heart dropped, she didn't want to talk to him. "Listen, I'm sorry about yesterday." He said sitting next to her on the bed. "I'm sorry too." Cecilia said looking up at him. She felt the whole in her heart become deeper. There was a moment of silence before Cecilia asked "Want to go to the beach?" as she stood up. "I kind of just want to get out of here." Cecilia added. "Yeah, sure. let's go." Rui stood up.

They walked to the beach in silence and when they finally reached the sand, Cecilia slipped off her heels and let out a sigh of relief. She felt a tears well up in her eyes as she admired the pink sunset. "I really missed being here." Cecilia said wiping her eyes. "I missed you being here too." Rui smiled at her. "Wanna race?" Cecilia smiled. "Yeah sure, I just have to take off my shoes and jacket." Rui laughed, taking off his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt.

"Ok, ready?" Cecilia laughed. "3..2.." And before she could finish counting she bolted to the water. "Hey!" He yelled after her running. Cecilia giggled out of breath as she splashed through the water. Hearing Rui's laugh behind her sent adrenaline through her body. She started splashing him. Uncontrollable giggles filling the air. When they were in deep enough water Rui picked her up and threw her in the water. She reached the surface rubbing her eyes and frowning. "I'm gonna get you." She said walking over to him with the weight of the water slowing her down. She pushed him but he stood his ground. He laughed, crossing his arms. Cecilia pushed him again with all her strength, but he only took a slight step back. She gave up and rolled her eyes, splashing him. 

"I have a question." Rui said as they sat on the shore soaking wet, the sun was almost fully set. "Yeah?" Cecilia looked at him. "Listen, I don't want to make you mad." Rui added. "It's fine." She re-assured him.

 "What happened 9 years ago?" He asked making Cecilia sigh. Cecilia didn't want to talk about it now, she just wanted to marinate in this moment with Rui. "You don't have to answer, it's fine." Rui tried to shake it off. "No I will, eventually. Just not now, ok?" Cecilia said looking at him. "Ok" he nodded.

He walked her to her car and grabbed a towel out of his trunk that was park few a cars away from Cecila's, Rui always had beach towels and sunscreen in his car, always beach ready. "How much longer are you here for?" He asked as he placed the towel around her shoulders. "I don't know, I haven't booked a returning flight yet." Cecilia smiled. "So, I'll see you again?" Rui asked opening Cecilia's car door for her. "Yeah." Cecilia nodded and stepped in the car. With that Rui closed the door and waved as she drove off. Cecilia felt calm driving down the streets of Apulia with the faint smell of Rui and the beach coming from his towel.