Emerald Eyes

20 - Angel

           

After breakfast the next morning, Martijn asked me: "So, what's the plan for today? You know I have to be back in Amsterdam tonight, right?" I nodded and said: "Yes I know. Don't worry about that. I just... have somebody else I would like you to meet today." "Oh, who is it?", Martijn asked interested. "Let me keep this as a secret, okay?", I asked. "Alright, however you wish.", he smiled. "Just one thing.", I added, "Can you please bring your guitar? I'd love for her to hear your music." "Yes for sure. We can jam a little, and you are going to sing. No way around it.", Martijn agreed.

After we got ready, Martijn and I went out the door and walked through my hometown hand in hand. A while later, Martijn whined: "Can't you please tell me already where we are going? I'm so curious!" "We're almost there.", I said with a smile. I could see his face drop, when I led him through the entrance of Leiden's cemetery. I knew he was now clear about who I wanted him to "meet". "We are going to visit your mum?", Martijn asked quietly, with a hint of sadness in his voice. "Yes, we are.", I answered, "I mean this is only if you'd like to. If you feel uncomfortable, you definitely don't have to." "No no no, of course I want to. Yes, I feel nervous, but I would be honored to introduce myself to her.", he replied. When we made our way to her grave, Martijn trailed back a little and politely gave me the chance to take my time first, before he joined me. I invited him to sit down on the grass next to her grave and said to Martijn: "I always come here, when I am in the city. I'm glad you're here with me today." I took a deep breath and then said: "Hi mum. See who I brought with me today. This is Martijn. I got to know him about two months ago, you sure recall how I told you about him and how stubborn he was to score a date with me. Actually, he is my boyfriend by now. I'm so happy that he is here with me today." "Helloo... Your mum's name wa.. is Marije?", Martijn stuttered. I gave him a reassuring look and nodded. "Hello Marije.", he said, now more calmly, "My name is Martijn. It is an honor that I can be here today. Line has told me so many beautiful stories about you. You have raised an amazing and beautiful daughter!" I hugged him and said: "Shall we play some music for her? I'm sure she would've loved a boy who can play the guitar as beautiful as you do." "That would be great!", Martijn replied and unpacked his guitar. After a while of tuning it. He closed his eyes and just started to play a melody. It was one of his dreamy tunes, absolutely beautiful in the pure guitar version. After a while, he switched straight to the next song, mashing the tunes up just like the DJ he was. In the Name of Love. His hit single with Bebe Rhexa. I wasn't sure, if he'd like it, but after the intro I quietly started to sing the lyrics to it.

If I told you we could bathe in all the lights
Would you rise up, come and meet me in the sky?
Would you trust me when you're jumping from the heights?
Would you fall in the name of love?
When there's madness, when there's poison in your head
When the sadness leaves you broken in your bed
I will hold you in the depths of your despair
And it's all in the name of love

It was a beautiful promise of love. Martijn looked up from his guitar, giving me a reassuring smile. I sang the song until the end and then he offered to play the chords for another song for me. "What do you want to play?", he asked. "Do you know the chords to 'Demons' by Imagine Dragons? It's one of my favorites.", I requested. Martijn nodded and started to play. You could really see the focus on his face.

I want to hide the truth
I want to shelter you
But with the beast inside
There's nowhere we can hide

No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come

When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide

When the song ended, Martijn said: "Marije? I hope you can hear this tune wherever you are. I wrote it for your daughter. She seriously turned my world upside down. I hope you enjoy it. I really wish I could've met you." When he started to play, I had tears in my eyes. The whole situation just got me really emotional. I mean, my boyfriend (that still sounded strange to me) was playing a tune for me, while we were sitting next to my mother's grave. The song that Martijn had obviously written for me was really beautiful. It was a quiet, melodious tune which had a beautiful flow. When he finished it up, I realized that he had a tear in his eye as well. Without further words, I pulled him into a hug. Martijn kissed me and afterwards said: "I really meant that. I wish I could've met her."