Wednesday rolled by quickly and Isa had been waiting in his office for Iris. The clock indicated five past twelve, Isa almost gave up on the idea that she might come when Iris entered his office.
“I’m sorry I’m late”, she said breathlessly.
An adorable shade of red was on her cheeks from running. Iris had been drawing sketches till sunrise and decided to take a little nap on the bench. It had been hours later when she noticed the time and ran all the way to Melrose. “No problem, take a seat Iris.” Isa said easily.
Iris brushed her hand through her hair making Isa’s hand itch to do the same. “So tell me, how was your day?” he asked. “Good and yours?” “Splendid, let's start off with a little game. I'll show you a picture and you give me one word to describe it, alright?” He asked. Iris nodded.
He had a bunch of pictures stacked on his desk. The first one was of Jimi Hendrix on stage. A bunch of fans were screaming on the background and he was turning his back on them and raising his arms in victory, a relaxed smile on his face.
“Salvation”, she said.
Isa nodded, not expecting her answer but getting used to it by now. The next one was of the sea, waves crashing down on the sand while a starry sky was on the background.
“Lost.”
The following was one of a painter at work, brushes and paint everywhere.
“Freedom.” She said softly.
“Alright”, Isa said hoarsely, “The last one.” Isa knew this one was going to be more difficult. There was a man and a woman in the picture. The woman was smiling and the man kissed her proud belly.
“Hope.” Iris said sadly.
Isa cleared his throat: “So you do believe people can love each other?” Iris shrugged her shoulders. “Oh so we're back at this question.” Isa nodded. “Why did you answer with hope?”
Iris rubbed her forehead. “How ‘broken’ a little girl ever may be, every girl wants to be swept of her feet by her prince charming. And maybe, maybe live in the lie that fairy tales do exist.” Iris explained.
Isa didn’t know what to say. “But what about believing in hope?” he said, not knowing what else to ask. "Hope, it is the only thing stronger than fear." Iris said simply. Isa stared at her, he cared too much. “Iris”, he said exhausted. “A wise man once told me: Live your dream and never wake up.” Trying to encourage her.
Iris smiled sadly: “But what if I'm living a nightmare?”
Isa gritted his teeth, frustration seeping into him. “Everyone deserves to be loved. It makes life much easier.” Just like the saying: those who are hardest to love need it the most. Iris nodded, she gave away too much So she settled on asking him a question she’d been pondering over.
“How do you make a woman fall in love?” Isa didn’t know if he was glad with the topic change or not. He shrugged: “To get a woman’s heart, a man must first use his own.” He said it like it was the most normal thing in the world. “And how do you keep a woman in love?” From her experience, nothing lasted.
Isa wasn’t surprised by these questions, he had been preoccupied by those thoughts for years.
“Treat her like you’re trying to win her and that’s how you’ll never lose her.”
He wanted to ensure her that not all guys were bad in this world. Isa was just looking for that one woman but Iris wasn’t looking for anyone. The thought made him feel off. Iris hung on every word he had spoken. Isa rolled his sleeves up while being lost in thought.
Iris raised an eyebrow at seeing one of his tattoos peaking from under his white dress shirt. Isa saw her looking, she was probably appalled by it he thought.
“I didn’t expect you to have tattoos.” She said bluntly. He grimaced:” I told you I have been travelling right?” Iris nodded. “Well every country I visited deserved a spot on my body. Like a reminder.” He said, wanting her approval.
Iris was surprised to say the least. “How many do you have?” He grinned: “I lost count” Iris was pleasantly surprised. “Can I see them?” she said without thinking but grimaced at her own words. Isa was surprised: “I would, but I don’t think it’s really appropriate if I take my shirt off.”
What happened next was the first time a woman took his breath away, her cheeks were slowly filled with a red blossom while she ducked her head. “I’m sorry, that was a stupid question.” She said quietly. He laughed. “No, I’m glad you’re not appalled. I can show you sometime if I wear a t shirt.”
“Alright, and why would I be appalled.” She said questioningly. “Not many people like tattoos.” “I know.” She replied. “Would you want to have a tattoo yourself?” he asked. He couldn’t see her actually getting one but he was curious. She quirked an eyebrow, he loved how she did that.
“Who said I don’t already have one.”
Isa looked shocked. “You do?” Iris smiled. “Several.” Isa’s mouth hung wide open. He wanted to see every single one of them, but that might be unprofessional wouldn’t it? “Can you show me them?” he couldn’t help but ask. Iris hesitated but sighed: “I’ll show you the one that had been done Monday.” Isa’s eyes widened.
“Monday? What made you get it?”
“I had been thinking about it for a while, so yeah …” The tattoo had healed nicely so she took off her scarf and pulled her black t shirt down a bit.
Isa held his breath looking at the creamy skin she was showing, and there on her left collarbone in elegant letters was written: no sound without silence. How perfectly these four words described her.
“I like it.” He said, that was an understatement.
“Thanks”, she muttered covering the soft skin. “When did you get all those tattoos? You’re only 18?” he asked curiously. Iris felt uneasy: “I’m a regular, the tattoo parlour I go to doesn’t ask questions.” Isa imagined a 15 year old Iris sitting there, enduring all the pain. I wish I was there with her Monday, he found himself thinking.
“How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?” he asked randomly. Iris gave a breathy laugh, this guy could ask the most weird things. “I would be too old for you.” She said cheekily. Isa threw his head back and barked out a laugh. “You’re so exhilarating Iris” He loved how she had warmed up a bit to him.
