It was a lovely sunset. Different colors were mixing with the puffy clouds, and the breeze was slightly chill, yet it caressed their bodies with tenderness.
Nunnally was talking about something. He had lost track of their conversation a couple minutes ago due to the alcohol washing off his body, but some 'uhm, uh-uh, yeah' was more than enough to pretend he was attentive.
However, eventually, his eyes fell on the woman next to him. He did care about her opinions, but at that moment, he was more focused on how well the last rays of sunshine matched her silhouette and blondeness. Alois wasn't paying attention because he was too busy admiring Nunnally's beauty.
On the rooftop, under the influence, and with her companionship, Alois confirmed the shower thoughts and random feelings he'd been experiencing for a while. "You know..." He didn't have to keep with his fake attention. He wanted Nunnally to know what was keeping him so occupied. "I'm so glad I met you."
"Sometimes, I feel I could spend the rest of my life with you like this." Alois laughed shortly. "Perhaps, less tipsy. But with you, anyway." Alois' words carried a heavyweight, but he couldn't realize it. It was always like that with Nunnally. He could say, do, or invent anything because she would take it lightheartedly and with enthusiasm. She'd carry along with any idea because their bond had become camaraderie.
"Let's never miss each other. Even when we graduate and want to pursue a different dream, let's make sure we get to see our hair turn grey." Alois found her hand and squeezed it. "Mnh, what do you say?" There was such loyalty between them Alois almost felt the question unnecessary. He put it out there because he knew the answer.
When she was trying to recall that evening later, it was never a coherent memory for her. Nunnally remembered fragments of it; through different senses and emotions. She remembered it was a chilly evening somewhere away from the busy university life. She remembered how Alois smelled, when she was walking clinging to his arm. Nunnally remembered she was talking, but she was never able to say what she was talking about. The remembered the colour of the sky, the colour of his shirt. She could tell Alois wasn’t listening to her, but she was also aware it did not bother her back there.
Nunnally remembered how she ruffled his hair, and the goosebumps on her arm when the wind got slightly chiller. She remembered feeling h a p p y. Relaxed. Perfectly in the right place there with him. She remembered looking down from the roof top, and being certain they both had a wonderful future. TOGETHER.
She was feeling she was a queen. HIS QUEEN. And if ever asked, Nunnally would say she was sure Alois was sharing her feelings.
And she remembered how he suddenly stopped and said that he was glad he had met her. She remembered how she laughed and said something foolish (or funny?) how he had actually found her. A lost creature in one of the endless empty halls of the old university buildings… And she was sure her heart fluttered in that very moments and her breath quickened. As if she could sense that was only a prelude to something more important.
Many times later Nunnally tried to remember what exactly Alois said. What were his exact words. In which way he proposed to her. She remembered he was talking about their hair going grey…about always staying together…?
No! He was actually talking about not missing each other. She always needed to correct herself. But wouldn’t that be the same thing? Whenever thinking about that moment, Nunnally could almost feel his touch, his grip on her hand, but she couldn’t remember how she ended pressing her face into his chest. Did she actually wet his shirt? Was her face wet from her tears?
But if so they could only be tears of happiness.
Nunnally remembered she nodded in agreement. But was it after or was it before she found herself safe in his embrace? She remembered she whispered: --
“Yes, Alois. But you know that already, don’t you…?” – but were these her exact words? Or perhaps she said nothing…?
Or perhaps ‘I love you.’ Was that what she said?
She remembered how intoxicated she was with him, with his smell, with the touch of his hands on her skin, under her summer blouse…
With the scent of the late summer evening…
She remembered how her slender digits were touching Alois’s bare skin and how it made her shivered. How their lips met in a long passionate kiss. Perhaps that was the only answer she gave him and no words were needed. No matter what she did (or didn’t), Nunnally knew Alois understood her reply. And accepted it. H e r. As deeply as she did accept him.
Was it then when they were kissing till they lost their breath that they decided they were getting married? Or did they know that before?
That day was a promise. But a promise that wasn’t fulfilled immediately. So much yearning and pain in between.
That day was a promise, though. A promise that happened. And is happening now.
---
Nunnally looks at her husband sleeping next to her. His hair still blond, but soon it will be turning grey. Years after that evening on the rooftop. She ruffles his hair gently. She doesn’t want to wake him up. Alois had a difficult day yesterday. But Nunnally cannot stop herself from caressing his cheek. Just before slipping away from bed, and making sure he’s covered. It’s a spring day that is just starting. Chilly, but the sun beams are already getting through the thick curtains in their bedroom…hopefully they’ll not wake up Alois…
She’s standing there naked before she lazily puts on her morning gown. Another day to remember.
“I love you, Alois…” – her lips whisper. They have had so many wonderful days together. And hopefully many more to come. Her gaze wanders to her jewelry box; standing opened on her nightstand (she must have forgotten to close it yesterday). Among many expensive pieces, there’s one that is the dearest to her: her first wedding ring. It looks old and cheap (though so similar to what she is wearing every day now), but it is so dear to her heart. Unique.
Was it the reason they found each other again?
A life without Alois. She doesn't want to even think about it.
She’ll go and prepare him his favorite breakfast…she plans. Nunnally gives her husband a final loving look before she heads for the door.
@dasmondkuss
