Prelude to kisses

Chapter 24

Mahita watched as her son watered the flowers out in the front yard through her kitchen window. While other kids played with their tricycles and toys, her little Marvin was more interested in plants and flowers. She watched as his lips moved as he moved the watering tank over the flowers. He seemed to be talking to them, his little whispers bringing the petals to life.

The phone rang, she was so entranced by Marvin that at first, she didn't hear the phone. "Hello", she spoke into the phone.

"Hey, it's me. I know it's your day off, but I really need your help".

"What is it, Desmond?"

"I've just been contacted by Tranquil hotel. They are looking to change up the entire design of the hotel lobby and bar. It's a last-minute thing. They have guests coming from New Zealand in three months and would really like to impress them with something that would make them feel at home".

"And?"

"They want you Mahita, they love your work and wanted to schedule a meeting as soon as tomorrow".

"What's on my schedule for tomorrow?"

"Besides the meeting with the shareholders, your schedule is clear".

"Okay, set a meeting after eleven am".

She put down the phone and went back to looking out the window. Marvin was now sitting on the grass, rubbing the cats fur. She smiled as she went to fix his lunch. He was growing into a man now. At six, he looked so much like his dad it was gut wrenching and heartwarming all at once. What did one do with those feelings? 

Because now he only lived in her memories, and she occasionally saw him on her son's face. She'd grieved enough, she thought. When she lost him two years ago, she'd grieved his loss. Thought she wouldn't make it at some point. thought it would break her. Mahita didn't feel like that anymore, when she thought of him, only warmth went through her body. She'd loved him until she couldn't. Loved him with every part of herself and he'd done the same.

And when he left this world, he'd left her with a son, a home and enough money to start a business. At twenty-seven she'd met a great man, loved him and been loved by him, she married him, had a child with him and unfortunately lost him. She was luckier than most, she'd convinced herself when she lost him suddenly to a car accident. To make herself feel better. To make the pain and grief more bearable? She wasn't quite sure.

Marvin came running, their cat flowing closely behind them, she had a sudden urge to hold him in her arms. Take strength from him. It was so easy to run away than allowing herself to feel like this and hold him instead, but whenever she thinks about how her parents never really held her, it made her want to hold her son even more. She can almost remember everything about her childhood, the laughter's, the giggles, playing hide and seek and all those family dinners, but it was really hard to think of a moment when her parents touched her. When her mom kissed her, or her dad pulled her in for a hug or sit her on his lap.

Those thoughts were always accompanied by an emptiness that was indescribable. Almost telling her she was searching for something that didn't exist, so when she had Marvin, she promised herself to shower him with love, to hug him and kiss him. Without realizing it she found herself clinging to her son, sitting him on the lap just to hug him and hold him close to her chest. She never wanted him to one day search for these moments and come up with nothing...