Ripples in the Rain

Chapter Five

Thunderstorms were quite a common occurrence in summer. Although I'd been mostly inside the library for most of the day, I could hear the thunder and heavy raindrops. It was comforting to stay inside the building while the storm persisted outside. I was one of the last ones to leave the library that evening. Both my daughters had plans and I didn't need to rush home and prepare dinner.

As I was closing the front door of the library, I felt a slight tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Oscar, completely wet and soaked to the bone.

Instinctively, I touched his wet shirt and said, "What are you doing here? And why are you completely wet?"

He smiled, but I could see he was also shivering. "I just wanted to surprise you. But I didn't expect it to rain. It was such a nice and sunny day this morning."

"You're crazy." I ruffled up his curly hair and said, "You need to get changed."

"Come to my apartment," he said, " I have ingredients for a simple meal. We can hang out and relax."

"Okay, sure," I said. I would be insane to say no to his offer.

Oscar's apartment was a trendy, industrial style loft. It was something I could picture an actor living in. It's clean, except for some CDs scattered around his coffee table and DVDs around his huge plasma screen. His guitar stood at the corner of the living room, next to a small keyboard.

The couch was plain black leather, elegant but simple. He asked me to sit beside him on the sofa.

"Your place is really nice," I said.

"I've lived here by myself for nearly three years. There is almost no trace of my ex here. But there is still a boy's room I kept for my son, of course."

He reached over to grab a tissue and sneezed. His nose was really red and his eyes were glassy. I could feel the heat radiating from his body. I felt his forehead to gauge if he has a temperature or not.

"You are burning hot," I said.

"I'm fine," he said, sounding weak and lethargic.

"No you're not," I said firmly. I guess my mother's instinct was kicking in.

"I just want to lay my head on your shoulder, if that's okay, " he said.

In a few minutes, he was fast asleep, making the cutest snoring noise. I couldn't believe what was happening. Yves was the only guy I had ever been with. His snores were the only ones I had heard. I started touching Oscar's beautiful mop of curly black hair. It was soft and shiny. I wasn't being weird, was I? I was enamoured with his hair. It even smelt really nice. Like lavender.

Suddenly, Oscar moved his head slightly, opened his eyes and smiled at me. " I'm so glad you're here." And then he closed his eyes again, his smile still lighting up his face.

I walked over to his kitchen. He had an open plan living room, located just next to the kitchen. I saw two brown groceries bag on the counter. Perhaps those were the items he wanted to use for tonight's dinner. Almost every kitchen equipment he had, from the fridge to the oven - they were all 'state-of-the-art' products. Was he a gourmet cook? Or maybe his ex loved cooking?  I also saw a fancy coffee machine and a coffee bean grinder. They were German made. Modern, flawless and worked like a Swiss watch. I thought about the Guatemalan coffee he brought from the cafe the other day. I didn't know that Oscar came from Guatemala, a country that was supposed to be exotic and filled with beautiful landscape. Maybe one day we could go there together? Wow, I was already planning WAY ahead. I didn't even know how he felt about me.

Oscar woke up and rubbed his eyes. He asked, "What do you think of my apartment?"

"It is lovely," I said with a smile. "I was just admiring your kitchen."

"It's a nice kitchen," he said, grinning. "I wish I have the time to cook. I normally just whip something quick or grab a takeaway."

"Oh," I said. "Maybe I can cook for us tonight?" I thought of how much fun I'd have, cooking in his kitchen. My oven at home was twelve years old and almost past its use by date.

"That sounds like a great plan," He stood up, still groggy from the short nap and said, " Would you mind if I go upstairs and lie down a bit. I'm not feeling great."

"Sure." I said. "Would you like me to leave?"

"Oh no, please don't," he remarked. "I'd love it if you could stay. Oh and please help yourself to anything in the kitchen. What's mine is yours."

I smiled. "Thank you,I will certainly do that."

After Oscar walked up the stairs, I started whipping out some sort of meal for us. I assumed he wouldn't be hungry because of his fever, but I wanted him to eat something light, so I made chicken soup. It was the most basic kind of chicken soup, but it tasted pretty good. After it's done, I went up to his bed, carrying a bowl of the soup.

Oscar heard my steps as I was approaching. He sat up on his bed when I arrived.

"Whatever you made, it smells real good," he said.

"Thank you,' I said. "I'm used to making quick meals for our family. Just don't ask me to cook anything fancy."

He took the bowl from me and started eating the soup. After he had the first spoon, he smiled.

"Wow, this is good, Pippa," he said. 
"I'm glad you like it," I said.

"I'm sorry I ruined our date," he said. "This was supposed to be a romantic night. I was going to attempt my first lasagna. Or empanadas. Whatever strikes my fancy," he giggled.

I blushed. "I didn't expect anything, Oscar. You surprised me when you came over to the library. I'm just happy we get to spend time together."

He held my hand and asked, "Do you have to leave soon? Are your daughters waiting?"

"No," I said. "They both have plans tonight."

"Can you stay a bit longer?" He put the bowl down on the bedside table. He didn't wait for my answer before he started kissing me on my lips. And then he ran his hand down my back while he continued kissing me.

"Would you mind?" He asked as he lifted up my shirt gently. " Or is this too soon?"

"No, I don't mind at all," I answered, feeling completely ready. "Let me help you," I said with a smile. I lifted up my shirt and then his. He unbuckled my bra with a confidence of a guy who has done it many times. I was a little ashamed that I wasn't wearing my 'nice' bra today. I didn't expect to end up in his bed.

Oscar didn't seem to mind, though. After we were both undressed, he looked up and down my entire body and said, "Eres muy bonita, mi querida"

I laughed at the ridiculousness of the whole situation. "Oscar, just stop it. I'm not beautiful. I've given birth to two girls and I don't exercise."

He touched my cheek gently and looked deeply into my eyes. "Stop it. I love your body and I love the fact that it has given birth to two children."

"You are such a sweetie," I said as I kissed him. I felt short of breath as he kissed my breasts and ran his tongue all the way up to my neck. When our bodies came together, I trembled from the warmth that radiated from his body. His skin was soft and tanned. As I ran my hand through his beautiful black curly hair, I couldn't believe how lucky I was.

Oscar fell asleep again, exhausted because of his fever. I couldn't sleep due to sheer happiness, so I just lay beside him with my eyes wide open, occasionally glancing at his peaceful sleeping form.

His eyes fluttered open once, and he said, "I love you, Pippa." He paused. "I know it's only been a few days, but you make me feel alive again. I just can't explain it."

I placed my fingers on his lips to silence him and said, "You don't have to explain, Oscar. I feel exactly the same way."

He pulled my face close to his and kissed me deeply in my mouth. At that moment, I needed him like I'd never needed anyone before. Were we moving too fast? I had never been with anyone other than Yves and I shouldn't have jumped into bed with Oscar but it just felt so right. Like we belonged together. Suddenly, I was worried that I was in too deep. Would he break my heart? I decided to brush away my worries and enjoyed the moment I was in. Why not? The moment might pass me by if I didn't stop and savour it. And a moment like this wouldn't come along too often.