December's Warmth
You were the opposite of who I was
You were highness, I was no class
You were a dream, I was a nightmare
You were the daylight in my slumber
You were summer, I was winter
And I need your warmth, my December.
Forever yours,
Blaze
December placed the worn out poem-letter over her heart. It had been seven years since she read the poem. And it had been seven years since those words were engraved on her waiting heart. She silently wiped her tears as she folded the paper and put it inside the small wooden box sculpted with delicate form of painted red poinsettia flowers. And at the top was the name of the man who gave it to her. Blaze. How could she ever forget his name.
Less than a decade had passed but the hope in her heart that Blaze would come back was never stolen by the passing time. Still there she was holding onto the words he left before he climbed onto that boat and never looked back. Only the vastness of the ocean witnessed her anguish for the man she had-has ever loved. Then, she found that little box and the poem-letter in their clandestine dwelling two days after he was gone. And the hope that they would be together once again flared brighter. Until now, it's vivid in her memory the events that happened the day before he left their hometown.
"Let's play chess. You can ask me any three wishes if you win the game." Blaze blurted out sounding like a kid the moment he arrived at their favorite place one morning. He was all smiling as if he would not leave tomorrow. "Are you up to it?" He planted a smile on her right cheek as he wrapped his strong arms around her waist from the back.
She wanted to untangle from his embrace but her heart didn't want to cooperate. It was one of the last moments they could share together, why not relish every second of it. Though she was breaking inside, she made all the efforts to flash him interested smiles. "Are you sure about that? You wouldn't like what I have in my mind right now." She followed it with empty giggles. Because I would wish for you to stay, hold me always and make me happy forever. But of course, she didn't say it out loud. No matter how she desired him to never leave, she wouldn't want to be the tough wall obstructing him to reach his dreams. He dreamt to be a well-known brain surgeon and she wanted him to live that dream though it might cost her heart.
"Maybe, I would like to know them." All the playfulness was replaced with seriousness on his voice. "Maybe, they could bend fixed decisions. "
Deafening seconds of silence occupied the tree house except the drum rolls inside their chests. She could feel Blaze's rapid heartbeats from her back. They were hovering around the dangerous line here. Were their dreams and hearts worth gambling?
With a wavering voice, she spoke. "Nobody wins in gambling, you know. We think we won but the moment we agreed to let the game decide our fate, we already lost. A single victory out of such venture can cost everything." She faced him without breaking their intimate closeness. She cupped his face in her small hands. "But just like any gamblers, I would take the risk. Besides, it is not really gambling, is it? There is no money involve after all." She forced a smile that did not really reach her eyes. Just my happiness. Just my heart. She mutely added.
"No, it's not." Blaze answered.
Half an hour later, one of them said the word of victory.
"Checkmate." Blaze announced without enthusiasm in his voice.
She took a deep sigh with that memory. But that was all in the past now. Seven years of waiting was enough. It's time for her to move on. It's time for her to face tomorrow without the memories of the painful yesterday. It's time for her to end the thought of 'what could have beens' seven years ago. However, fate has another plan for her, for them. Perhaps, when the world stops conspiring to give you hope, fate begins to work on its own. Because no matter what happens, when two souls are destined to be together in this lifetime, the strings of their hearts will always pull them back to each other's arms.
December carefully returned the box in her cabinet. The sun hasn't cast its glory yet in the east but she could go for a walk around the meadow. Besides, she could use the serenity of the countryside to finalize her decision. Some places might bring back some sweet and bitter memories but maybe that's what she needed before she closed the door of her past. She changed her nightdress with jeans and shirt that show her curves in every right place. Time might have taken away her innocence but it also gave her maturity, physically and emotionally. She stealthily left the house using the back door. She deliberated whether to bring Snow, her horse, or not. She chose the latter.
Leisurely, she sauntered towards the road. She was greeted by some of Hacienda Casablanca's farmers when she reached the Greenfield. All types of root crops are planted in this area. It was the peak season of corn and wheat. From afar, she could see the other farmers as they started to harvest them.
She didn't linger longer. She continued walking until she reached the beach. She stood on top of a big rock and watched the unfolding splendor of the gleaming sunshine. It was one of the two things that mostly took away her breath- this exquisite view and those pair of gorgeous green eyes. Another sweet memories flashed as she closed her eyes.
Blaze and December leisurely strolled on the seashore. The blanket of darkness slowly covered the light as the glorious sun readied to sleep in the west. While witnessing the breathtaking sunset and feeling the warm saltwater as it kissed their bare feet, they talked about each other's dreams, wants and desires. They shared their views about success, life, relationships, love...anything. It was their fourth week of getting to know each other.
"If you would choose between a man who's your exact opposite but completes the missing pieces of you and the man whom you have a lot in common, who would you choose?" Blaze asked all of the sudden.
December thought for a moment before she answered. She stopped walking and looked up at the dark sky as if seeking the answer among the stars. Blaze did the same. "I want a man who would let me out at night, go with me on the roof top, and gaze at these marvelous twinkling stars as he holds my hand. I will ask him about them though I know that he has no interest at all. Then he would answer and tell me something about the moon instead because he knows it better. And he would hold my hand tighter. " December looked at Blaze and smiled tenderly. This caused his heart beat a little faster. "I don't really mind whether he is my opposite and completes the missing part of me, or we get along well and understand one another because we have a lot in common. I don't need a man who would complete or understand me. I want someone who might never make me whole and never be able to deal with my craziness, but still, he stays by my side and never leaves me, ever, alone. "
Blaze looked into her brown eyes seeking her permission to touch her face. And she let him know how much she wanted him to touch her. He flashed his victorious smile that made her giggled. But then seriousness was back as he cupped her face lovingly. "I want to be that man, Dessie. I want to be yours..."
Under the million twinkling stars and the shy moon that hid behind the night clouds, they shared their first long sweet kiss. She poured her answer on that kiss saying how much she wanted him to be hers, and she to be his. That night, they officially became couple.