At The Gazebo

Chapter 3: Her Memories

Only a few feet further, stood a lady adorned with the most exquisite items of the time, also gazing at the charming couples by another one of the windows. And though exquisitely she was adorned, the thing most exquisite-being happiness-was deprived from her face.

Her lips drew a line as straight as a needle, as she held them from quivering. Her eyes shone brightly, reflecting the light from the full moon on its glossy surface. And her face was a little flushed by the internal clashes in her head.

That lady, with such a beauty, could easily have been seen ten years younger than her actual age, of somewhere in her late thirties, if not it were for the frown of sorrow that had shadowed her face as so.

Should her husband see her now, he would sadly wag his head, for even he had not an idea of the reason behind his wife's infrequent yet existent wistfulness.

She was the perfect definition of a wife, loving, caring and a sort of sweet refuge to him. And like a devotee, she had devoted herself to her husband and her seven dear children.

Her husband was just the same. His family was akin to precious diamonds for him. He brought quite literally half the world at her feet to make her happy, and being the sweetheart, happy she was indeed, even without the extravagance.

But it was at some rare moments that at the remembrance of something in her past, she would go all dreary. And now that her husband was away for one of his every so often business trips, she was all alone. Left in the company of her wistful thoughts.

The corners of her lips tilted up ever so slightly in a soft smile, as a memory flashed before her eyes at the sight of the gazebo a few hundred feet further. She had lots of memories made at gazebos as such. Memories with her children and with her husband. But only one line of memories stood at the forefront. They were memories from her past with someone that she could never forget.

"The good of the past has now become but a torture..." she somberly whispered under her breath. As that sad smile retained itself.

"Pardon?" a voice from her side brought her back to the present. She turned to face its bearer. Alas, wasn't this man one of those frequent young men?

Though she did quite frequently indulge herself by enjoying thoroughly, it was mostly with her husband or with some close acquaintance of theirs. But today was an exception. She was not in the mood and only after quite an effort, did she conceal her sadness from this gentleman.

But in his eyes she noticed something so sincere and soft, he did not seem like the rest of the men, as she had initially assumed. He certainly did not appear to have come up to her by his own will.

"It was nothing, hmm?" she asked, referring to his good name.

"I apologize, my lady. I am aware that we have not yet been introduced-" he replied with a slight bow. He was a bit tipsy, she realized.

"My not so dear friends, out there..." he vaguely waved his hand toward a group of young men before continuing. "Had dared-ahem, I mean, suggested that I ask your hand for the next dance." She found his nervousness rather adorable and very much amusing. And there was something about him that somehow made him endearing to her. She did not know how, but he sure seemed familiar.

"But in no offense, my lady, I do not wish so myself because..." Two identical spots of red appear on his cheeks as his eyes settle onto someone behind her. She followed his line of sight to find him staring at a pretty little lady at a distance. Who, on getting caught glancing their way, bashfully retrieved her gaze back towards her group of friends.

Looking back at the young man, she noticed that his eyes were still fixed on the girl. Noticing the tender regard of the young man, she concluded that aside from being a bit tipsy, this man right here was a lot more tipsy in love.

"She is pretty, is she not? Maroon sure does suit her." in hushed tones she whispered, as though that girl had just caught her sight. That instantly gained the boy's attention. He inclined his head, whether as a sign of agreement or to hide his embarrassment, she knew not.

"And look at all those men eying her so, one of them ought to make their way toward her soon...'' she continued. A flash of unease appeared on his face and yet he did not move from his current position.

She continued, "No doubt she shall be on the dance floor, with some man holding her close, any second now." She was doing all she could to break his walls of hesitance and it appeared to have been working. Before she could continue on any further, the boy interrupted her by saying,

"Do excuse me, my lady, but it seems as though my mother is in urgent need of me." With that, he nuzzled his way out of her sight in some mere seconds.

With a self indulgent smile, she realized that she helped a young lad in stepping forward. She did encourage him, yes.

Oh, how she adored innocent love!

Only a little while later, she had the blessed opportunity to witness the two of them swaying prettily along the music.

That boy's eyes were so similar to that of someone in her memories. Those deep blue eyes. She shook her head to shuu away those thoughts.

Yet, the loving looks that that young couple exchanged painfully reminded her of something so akin in her past.

Her prior melancholia returned, and she quickly averted her gaze back to the window, in time to hide the single tear that slowly trailed down her dainty cheeks.

~

A/N
Have you ever had such intense emotion that you just couldnt shake off? Like a physical agony. Asthough somthing is gripping your heart so tight that you could barely breathe?

I did. And I know most of you have too.

I wonder how you cope with it?