Flowers on the grave

The death of a relationship is never sudden nor swift. It’s a decay. It’s never clean, but it can be revived…

In a new city, eager to prove themselves, desperate to leave a mark, they only had each other. They met through a friend who knew someone they knew. It was a whirlwind romance. It was the best time to be young and to be in love.

That was a lifetime away. It’s been five years since he had seen her. She wasn’t the same though…What did he expect? He had changed too.

Five years is a long time. Unlike the rot, healing takes its own sweet time. Scars are superficial but it’s the roots that need mending.

And roots go deep through the heart and into the soul.

Most people try to get along after romance fails; just be friends, or something like that. They didn’t. They plunged into life straight on. Not one text, one email was exchanged. Until two weeks ago.

Two weeks ago, she saw his name in her inbox. For two days the email subject stared back her, tormenting her, until she finally opened it. Remember the times?, it said. Of course she remembered.

After two days she finally scratched the wound open.

Hi Kate,

I hope you’re well…

I know this is unexpected. It is equally, if not more, difficult for me to write to you. I’m afraid you may not open this email at all. Why would you? That evening was a bitter one; may be for you a better one…

I still don’t understand why you never said those things sooner.

Kate, I know I hurt you…I don’t know why I said those things… May be you do. May be you don’t. Doesn’t matter, it happened, and here we are.

Anyway, how’s Jean and your nephew Leo? I realise he must be old enough to be in the school junior team. Does he still demand only your football-shaped cakes? I remember that one time when we took over a box of cookies and he threw it out the window because he wanted a football cake!

I was so mad at him for doing that…! You’d spent hours on it! But you always were very patient with him. Well, you were patient with me, so that’s saying something…

I know how much you loved him. It’s amazing the way you doted on him. You were always so happy and cheery with him around. I miss it, you know…that cheerfulness is rare for me. Rarer still is the smell of your baking and the warmth of your hugs…

By the way, did you get to see the special broadcast on National News the other day? They covered the school I volunteer at. Teaching art is really doing wonders to those kids. I’m really enjoying it.

That’s what I do now: I teach art. I remember you nagging me always to go two blocks down from our apartment and spend some time with the kids at the community school . You knew it made me happy. You always knew what made me happy.

I’m glad I took your advice, eventually. It’s more satisfying there and I get more time for myself than I used to with that drudge of a job.

Why don’t you come visit once and perhaps take a small class and teach them baking? It’d be great to have you there… I’ll be glad too…

Oh and they tore down our building, in case you hadn’t heard. There’s a swanky Italian restaurant there now — A Voce. Funny name, great food, or so they say.

Speaking of which, I recently laid hands on a ’92 Shiraz and I’ve been saving it up for a special occasion. Remember how we used to drink? Oh, the times!

I quit smoking BTW, so that shouldn’t bother you like it used to…

What say? Do you think we could hang out again? Like we used to? Grab some dinner at A Voce?

Well, if you made it this far, then I’m sure you will consider meeting. It’s been a long time, I know, but can’t we just be friends again?

I’m going to wait for your reply.

Kisses,

Henry

She shut her laptop. The wound didn’t bleed. Not a lot anyway. He had changed or at least it seemed that way. She could sense it. Yet turning back the clock just wasn’t possible. She’d come a long way; she couldn’t simply trade courtesy with someone who’d seen her naked everyday for four years.

Nonetheless, he was right. It had been a long time. If she got this out of the way, there would be no need to do this again.

There’d be no reason for her broken heart to be glued together; she’s moved on.

She read the email several times over. He would want more if she agreed yet she could deny him. Back then, she couldn’t say no to him, at all. She could now. She’d changed.

They’re not going to be just friends. They couldn’t and she knew it. She knew it like she knew the sun shone in the day and the stars glittered in the night.

Nonetheless, catching up would be like watching the rerun of a favourite old TV show. She could do with some good memories and a hearty laugh. So she replied, like he knew she would.

Hi Henry,

Great to hear from you after so long! I’m glad teaching art is keeping you happy.This is where i say, ‘I told you so!’ Ditto on the cigarettes too.

Jean is doing well and Leo’s now the captain of the junior team. Yes, I still bake his favourite football-shaped cake. I run my own cake shop now, and Leo helps out at the counter. Thanks for asking!

I’ll take you up on that ’92 Shiraz, at A Voce.

So yes, let’s meet.

Hugs,

Kate

She replied only so that she could lay some flowers on the grave.