Ruth: Reimagined

Glad

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Glad
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Her nerves kept her on edge, even after the wash by the river, where even in the reflection of the water, she saw the twinkle in her eyes. Naomi kept reminding her to rest easy, that it would all be well. Ruth was insistent at working, needing to step out of her head for a moment. Getting water from the well, she met with a few women, communed with them, while withholding the feeling of butterflies fluttering in her heart.

As she walked back home, she was surprised at how long the day seemed to be, how dragged out every second and hour was. At her distraught face, Naomi chuckled, teasing her of the situation, until she told her to sleep. And sleep she did.

Covering herself, in the blankets, settling into a cozy position, she thought of the night before when Boaz held her in his arms. She hoped, beyond all hope, that it would all be well, indeed.

Ruth slipped into a deep, intimate darkness. Her eyes shot open, and she was met with the sight of a glorious, blue sky, tinted with shades of white, by the passing clouds. The sun's gleam was warm on her skin, and the scent of the air was thick with sweet fragrances. Laying on a bed of white and pink lilies, her heart floated. Then, blocking the sun's gleam, a shadow came over her, as a huge, pure white dove glided across the sky, covering her on every side.

"Breathe," she heard a familiar voice speak.

That voice. She knew it so well, from the depth of her soul. The one whom she'd encountered in her dreams, at her most dire moments, in those dark times, that dungeon, as Eglon planned to kill her, and even that moment, when Orpah chose a different path.
She looked at Naomi, and she was certain that she was the woman she was supposed to stay with.

The first drop of rain landed under her eye, trailing down her cheek like a memory of every tear she'd ever shed, and the exhale that tore out of her chest hurt.

Then, the rain poured down heavily, drenching her completely. A kaleidoscope of emotions welled up within her, like a storm, until a breaking point she felt. She laid there, and she wept.

Until it felt like she was choking, like she would die, from a broken heart.

"Breathe Ruth." His voice had never sounded as close, and as intimate, and trustworthy as it did then.

With the last of her strength, she screamed up at the sky, one of victory and grief, one of hope and fight, until her voice cracked, and suddenly the rain stopped. The sun was at its full gleam, its rays warming her skin. Slowly, she let out a breath. It escaped her easily.

She woke up.

Her eyes adjusted to the plain room, contrasting with the glory she'd witnessed seconds before. She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. Relief flooded her body, and the peace from the dream lingered, a constant.

Ruth got down from the bed, bare feet meeting with the floor. She stepped out of the room, walking down the hallways. When she was by the kitchen, she spotted Naomi, seated on the dining table, head in her arms, fast asleep. Walking further, until she was out of the house, she sat on the steps of the porch.

As the sun's rays melted on the horizon, and the hues of the sky blue and purple blended into, wondrous contrasts, she smiled, a gentle healing smile- that carried more weight than any struggle she'd ever face.

Then, there, at a distance. She saw him! He ran towards her, across the vast fields of Elimelek. Ruth stood, her heart fluttering as she watched Boaz become more vivid in her sight. His green eyes sparkled, the grin on his face, it spoke volumes, made the good news go before him, and take flight.

And then she was running too, floating on euphoria. Laughter slipped out of her lips, the tears of joy burned behind her eyes, but before they could fall, Boaz was before her.

He met her in the embrace she'd been longing to have, the strength in his arms, the gentleness in his care, flooded her heart with warmth, and satisfied her soul with affection.

Lifting her up, he spun her in his arms as she squealed, and he was laughing, happiness spilling over. Slowly, as he brought her down to her feet, she still felt like she was flying. Her eyes met his, the warmth, and love, vivid and palpable.

"Ruth," he spoke. " Will you be my wife?"

"-yes."

When his lips met hers, soft, warm, and certain, her grieved heart stirred to life again, found a new rhythm.

A fire was lit.

His hands on her hips tightened, and he pulled her closer as she ran her fingers through the soft tufts of his black hair. She pulled away, blushing the deepest of ways, hiding her face, in his chest, wrapped in the comfort of his love, with the feeling of being so small yet so significant.

His hold on her only tightened. "I love you," and it was as he said this that he saw a woman step out of the house.

Naomi.

At the sight of them, the woman's face morphed into pure relief. For the first time, in more than ten years, having lost and missed much, Boaz and Naomi met eyes. His heart stirred within him, and when she smiled at him, she set parts of him free.

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"I don't know what you must think of me." Boaz confessed, willing himself to meet Naomi's eyes again.

He had asked to speak to Naomi alone before marrying Ruth. The young woman left to her room after whispering a word or two to Naomi and embracing the woman.

Offering him food, although he humbly denied it, they sat by the supper table.

"Only the best," Naomi said earnestly.

"You've been here for months, and I haven't reached out to you personally."

"In all honesty, the first few months, I didn't want to even look at anyone I had once known."

He smiled, nodding. "I know."

"Yahweh has been good to us, Boaz." Naomi said, "his law had opened up a way for Ruth, and I to not go hungry."

"It so happened that she came upon your field. Although I was never in a situation such as this when I was younger, neither could I have ever imagined ever falling to such poverty -I know the truth. I know, Boaz, that those who glean don't come home with as much as Ruth had been coming home with. I know," her voice cracked. "-of the kindness you've shown her, shown me. Therefore, you have nothing to feel guilty about my son. Nothing."

At her words, his heart stirred. He nodded, tears glittered in his eyes.

"Oh, how funny it is." he added, "it is only now mother, that I am seated before you that I realize how much I've missed you."

At his words, Naomi wept softly. "You've grown so much, Boaz. Look at you and all you've built. Your father, he would be so proud, your mother too. Elimilek, I don't think he would spend a day without telling you how proud he is."

"Naomi mother, I'm so glad that you're alive. I'm so, so glad."

Boaz's words gripped her heart and stilled the world around her. Oh, how focused she'd been on the loves lost, on the ones who were gone, on the grief she carried, and how she couldn't hide it from anyone. Yet here, Boaz was, acknowledging the pain and grief she'd been through, but fixed on the relief that she still breathed.

"May Yahweh bless you abundantly," Naomi said, wiping her tears, calming her heart. "I trust you with my Ruth Boaz. Don't let me down. Love her with all your life."

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The next chapter is the last chapter!🫣

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