How To Love ✓

28.

Amara

*** A few weeks later ***

"Josephine and I first met at my father's antique store. We were in our adolescent years. The way she carried herself, she exuded beauty, vibrancy, and elegance. She was the path to a new adventure I would take in life, and I knew it the instant I laid eyes on her. When she visited with her family, she explained that they were tourists who would only be in one place for a maximum of three days. As my father had instructed, I stood a few inches away from her, dusting down an old clock. I heard her mother greet my father, who was just as attractive as she was. "I am Carol Ann. This is my husband Elliot and my daughter, Josephine." "It's nice to meet you." My father had said, "My name is Carlisle Chester." Then he shouted out for me, indicating the spot where I had been hiding behind the clock, staring at her. I give him a nod and move slowly in their direction, fearing she would see me covered in dust from dusting all day. I had been introduced to them by my father as William Chester. I greeted them politely, without raising my gaze to meet hers.

Subsequently, I realised how much time I had lost to discover that they were golden brown since I had not seized the chance to do so at that particular moment. The next day, I spent all of my time thinking of ways that I could have at least chatted to her, if not made sure that we would cross paths again. She entered the store again, but this time it was just me because my father needed to go other errands. It was as though God had heard my pleas. I felt silly for believing that she had come to visit me, but that is what I had assumed. She was more interested in the 'wonderful' range of paint my father had brought in from a town much away than ours than she was in me. We had a lengthy talk during which we discussed the paint's origins.  I wanted to know more about her, but I wasn't the only one vying for her attention," I noticed the sorrow and suffering shine in William's eyes as he told me to address him and related the tale of how he and his sweetheart met.

I was curious to know more about the narrative. It piqued my interest and gave me a lot of energy. I was aware that the most important component of a truly memorable love story is by no means passion. But, the love tale of Mr. Chester and the late Josephine gave me faith that love exists in the world, and it made my mind race to think that Lucien and I's story could turn into one.

I put a hand over his and said, "You should probably get some sleep," grinning a little.

The door of the hospital room flung open, and Lucien entered, my coat slung over his arm, with an expression of dismay plastered on his face.

He asked if I was okay before giving me a gentle kiss.

"Are you okay?" I enquired emphatically.

He gave a headshake no. "My father and I just ended our phone conversation. It's my mother. It's nothing good," He only needed to say that for me to comprehend him.

"We need to get going so you can get back in time for your evening class," he added.

I glanced to William with a solemn look, and he exchanged an understanding smile. "See you tomorrow then," I smiled, causing his eyes to sparkle.

I used the journey back to campus as an opportunity to reflect on everything that had occurred in such a short period of time. Lucien and I would have done everything in our power to ensure William had a speedy and full recovery. For the first time, I've seen Lucien commit himself to someone other than myself, stability, comfort, and peace of mind following suit. In light of how often people criticise him, it begged the question of why he doesn't let them see this side of him. I wish he understood how much everyone around him adored him. However, I had an enigmatic notion that there was more.

"Somehow I managed to lose my bookbag," Lucien says after a long drive of silence.

"You left it at my dorm remember," I replied, and he didn't utter a word after that. His non surprising silence was non surprisingly killing me.