Firelighter | ✓

neun

Present

Dear Elle,

I'm coming home soon.

I'm coming home to you soon.

Love,
Lewy.

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Past

They thought everything was alright. They were the typical pair of lover who thought they had it all.

They thought they had the time and spaces.

On March, Robert and Elle flew to Warsaw, Poland to see his sweet and loveliest mother, Iwona who's living with his sister, Milena and her son, Tobias when they weren't in Dortmund visiting the only man in the family.

He had took her on a walk around the neighbourhood, meeting his neighbours and closest, childhood friends who had welcomed her with warm heart (and warm pretzels) before taking her to the city.

Her being a big fan of museums (while he doesn't like museums) had dragged him to 4 museums whereas he had set the limit was actually 2. He swore he felt 200% educated on modern and contemporary arts now.

'So many arts, I want to live in here and breath in all this acrylic smells and--' He pushed her out immediate from the exit before she really pulled a scene here. 'God, can you be more creepy?' She laughed and he started to notice the faint sound of wheezing as she coughed, 'Elle--' He forced her to sit on the stairs and she took a deep breath, I'm okay. I'm okay,' She reassured him and he suggested for them to go home now and rest. To his dismay, she disagreed and wanted to continue the tour.

He took her home anyway and cancelled their next day trip to the Old Town Market and Zakopane; the winter capital of Poland as she caught a fever; waking occasionally at night as the old dyspnea decided to give a visit.

Robert who was resting on the sofa by the window startled and forced to wake up when he heard a soft muttering and sound of water dripping. 'You'll be alright, Aunt Ellie.' Turns out, it was just Tobias who decided to change the wet cloth on her forehead.

'I thought I came to check on her and change her towel but the little boy insisted.' Milena said, leaning by the doorway with a little smile on her face. Robert stretched up and ruffled the boy's hair. 'Aren't you the best nephew ever?' He kissed the boy's head and Tobi giggled.

'Shhh, Aunt Ellie and Uncle Lewy need to sleep, come on, you've been awake past your bed time now.' Robert watched as the door closed as he curled his body towards her on the bed.

They stayed for 2 weeks when the plan was actually to stay for a week then a trip to Ibiza. Due to her sudden fever, the trip was cancelled and as soon as the fever broke and she was able to walk around and talked (she was quiet and silent when sick; only responded with a simple yes or no or a smile) they decided to return back home.

'I'm sorry.' Elle muttered, bending down to give Iwona a kiss on both cheeks, 'I'm really really sorry.' Iwona smiled warmly and pulled her for a warm hug. 'It's okay. You need to take care of yourself.' The girl sniffled, pulling back to wipe her tears and offered Milena a hug and thanking her for her hospitality. 'Are you going to come back?' Tobias asked and she kneeled down. 'Yes, yes.' She brought the little pair of hands up and kissed it, 'I'm sorry we didn't get to ski and have fun.'

'I have fun taking care of you. Uncle Lewy said you're like a shark.'

She turned around to look at the man and he panicked.

'Friendly. I said friendly shark.'

'You guys should come and visit us. I'll take you around Germany, we can go to Berlin and eat ice cream until out stomach ache.' She winked at the little one. 'Okay.' Tobias giggled.