The Day Before You Came

Chapter Twelve

"Frida," Benny whispered in surprise. She was on the other side of the door hugging herself, the wind was rushing  and she had some rain-wet streaks on her face, she was starting to get wet despite wearing the raincoat. She could see the confusion on Benny's face followed by concern and he quickly stepped aside to let her get in.

Frida hesitated a bit, suddenly the courage that had prompted her to look for Benny had left her, but the weather outside was terrible so it didn't take her long to get inside. Once inside, Frida took off the raincoat she was wearing and hugged it against her.

"Leave it on the rack," Benny said softly, "You're going to get wet."

Frida looked at Benny without saying anything and did what he said. She took courage before turning to him, her mind was working a thousand times an hour and her heart was overflowing, it took her a long time to assimilate what she felt and now she had to face it. When she turned, she saw Benny who was waiting patiently for her, still with surprise in his eyes. Frida played with her hands, she didn't know where to start.

Benny looked at her cautiously, he could feel a strange energy in the room, it was as if he could feel another storm inside the house, shaking them both. Still he didn't know how to treat her after their last meeting. "Would you like to take a seat?" He asked cautiously.

Frida looked at him nervously. "No." She replied in a shaky voice. "I couldn't sit there and be calm when what I'm going to tell you is killing me inside,"

It's the end, Benny thought, she will ask me to stay away from her. He cleared his throat before speaking, "Sure, I'm here and listening to you then,"

Frida bit her lower lip and looked for a place to look except for Benny's eyes, he was being nice to her despite how she had treated him the last time. "I'm sorry about the other day."

"I already told you I'm sorry too, but I don't regret it," Benny interrupted her.

"Don't interrupt me, please," Benny just nodded a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry about what happened last time, I'm sorry because you were honest with me and I decided to run away, but not only from your feelings but also from mine." Frida paused, closed her eyes and implored heaven for courage. "I wanted to deceive myself, convince myself that you were only a friend, but I can no longer, your confession not only freed you but also made me realize what I really feel for you."

Benny was stunned, she was talking about feeling something for him and he could clearly see that she was at war with herself, her gaze wandered and her hands moved nervously.

Frida looked Benny directly in the eyes, those eyes that had the power to pierce her over and over again, those eyes that saw her with adoration. She felt like she could fade off with just a glance. "I can feel it too Benny... I love you too," she finished in a whisper.

Benny held his breath, the woman in front of him had just said what he longed to hear so much. "What have you said?" He asked almost afraid of having misheard.

Tears welled up from Frida's eyes and she took a deep breath before speaking, "I think you heard correctly... I love you, Benny." Her body was shaking, her heart was racing and she felt her chest might explode. "I love you, and I don't know what to expect, this came up so unexpectedly and I—I feel trapped, I didn't plan it and I'm sorry if I am not free for you, for our love."

Our love. Those words filled Benny's ears and heart, he didn't need to hear any more, if only he could get up from that chair he would run and kiss that woman to exhaustion. "Come here," his request sounded more like a plea.

Frida advanced towards him with cautious steps, when she reached him, Benny held out her hand and she took it. With her left hand, Frida caressed his face. Fuck everything else, the feeling was stronger than everything. She lowered her face little by little until she was up to Benny and dared to kiss him, she wanted to feel what she had felt last time, touch the heaven with just a kiss.