THE KISS OF DAWN (16+)
(I wrote this chapter Ā at 4 AM, during a sleepless & heavy night, so if there's any typo or grammar mistake, please ignore it, thanks :D)
PART 2. - THE FIRST LETTER
Ben loved working. He loved challenging himself, getting to know other people, flashing his talent, but most of all: forgetting about his problems for a couple of hours. Any eating related event with the cast was a delightful moment. Lovely chit-chats, delicious food, always learning something new. But this morning was different. Ben entered the dining hall. -Good morning mate, how it's going? -he literally bumped into the director, who rushed outside because of an incoming call. -Everything is fine, thanks! -Okay, you've got a letter at the keeper's lodge, don't forget to take it after breakfast! -What kind of letter? -asked Ben with a confused sight. He wasn't expecting anything, and such surprises just made him anxious. -I don't know, but the janitor said it's important! But sorry... -the director raised his ringing phone as an excuse and quickly left the place. Ben was really confused. "What kind of letter it's supposed to be? Are they firing him now?" He couldn't stay calm until the end of breakfast, so he greeted everyone and headed to the entrace, where the keeper's lodge was located. It was a small green cabin with a man who's supposed to be in his 60s. No matter, what time he saw him, the janitor was always reading something, and just like every elder person, he was also able to see the letters only if the newspaper was as far from his eyes, as it's possible. He was always wearing his glasses on his nose, and licked his finger every time he turned a page. And he could have won anytime an "Ugly sweater competition", but it didn't really matter. The man was a lovely person. -Mr. Johnson, excuse me... -said Ben, after he knocked on the door, which was wide open. The janitor slightly jumped, as the sudden voice scared him, but when he saw its owner, his lips curled into a smile. -Oh Benjamin! Good morning! I was waiting for your visit! Someone just left here a letter for you! -he said, while he was looking for the envelope between the documents. -Do you know what kind of letter is it? Is it a company letter? -asked Ben, as he walked closer curiously. -No, it's not. It's more like a personal letter, I guess! -Oh, I have a place for fan mails... -started Ben, but the janitor interrupted him. -It's not a fan mail, young man! Ahh, here it is! -he handed the envelope to Ben. There wasn't a name, address, or anything on it, only a line, that was written with beautiful calligraphy technique: "For Ben Hardy" -Ehm... thank you. -said Ben, as he examined the envelope curiously. -You're welcome, Benjamin! -smiled the janitor, and then turned back to his newspaper. Ben walked to a bench, sat down, lit a cigarette, and then opened the envelope. The letter was handwritten:
Dear Ben!
I know you have no idea who I am, but honestly, it doesn't even matter right now. You're constantly in my mind tonight, and I just felt like writing it all down. Hopefully it helps me to fall asleep faster. I hope you're fine. I'm always worried, if I don't hear about you for a long time. There were nights, when I opened my window, looked up on the sky and asked the sparkling stars to talk about you. I asked them to tell me your fears, your secrets, your best memories. I asked them if they saw the moment when you were born. They always flashed differently at every question, and when I wished them to take a piece of your soul and bring it to me, one star fell from the dark blue canvas, painting a thick, golden line on it. It was as thick as your lips, when you were about to spread your beautiful mind. I was in pain, and no medicine helped me. No doctors, no therapists. I felt lost and hopeless. I closed my eyes, and imagined you standing behind me. I imagined your messy curls, your emerald green eyes, and your deep voice, that was like a kiss to my thirsty soul. I imagined sharing my silence with you, while our hearts were constantly talking to each other. Our hearts were like the playful snowflakes, who were flirting with each other during their long journey from the fluffy clouds to the ground. They were dancing on the ruffles of the wind, until they melted into one big drop on a leaf of grass. And the drop was like a mirror towards the sky, reflecting the clouds where their love was born. I don't know which cloud was ours, but my heart never stopped missing yours. She was looking for you among thousands of other pulsing hearts, waiting for the moment when she finally recognizes the rhythm of yours. That's how I spent my lonely nights. Getting lost in the infinite galaxy of my thoughts. I silently asked my guardian angels to skip their tasks for me, and give a gentle kiss on your forehead instead. I asked the birds to sing at your window in the morning, when the first rays of sun knock on your window. I asked the time to stop for a while, when you're in the middle of a sweet dream.
I imagined you, being here for me, because that was the only time I felt healed.
Please, take care & have a beautiful day!
M.
Ben read the letter over and over again. The janitor was right, it wasn't really like a fan mail, it was something different. It was touching and fascinating. It was an honest confession of worrying about him, and wanting him the best. He didn't even remember the last time someone said such nice and lovely things to him. Who wrote all of these? He decided to figure it out and came back to the keeper's lodge. -Mr. Johnson! Excuse me, it's me again... can you please tell me who wrote this letter? -asked Ben, but this time he didn't come in, he stayed at the door, showing that he only returned for a short question. -Oh dear, I have no idea. I didn't read it, of course. -replied the janitor. -But... you obviously saw, who brought it, didn't you? -I did. A woman gave it to me, but it wasn't her who wrote the letter. Ben sighed loudly and nodded. -Okay... it's okay. -he said, staring sadly at the ground. -I'm really sorry young man, it seems the letter was seriously important. But if you're also important to the person who wrote it, you might get another one. Who knows. Just try to stay positive, it always helps! -winked the elder man. Ben slightly smiled. -Well, okay. Thank you anyway, Mr. Johnson. -My pleasure. - he turned back to his newspaper, while Ben walked back to the dining hall to have his breakfast, before the work starts. He didn't have much time left, but he didn't really care about it.
"I silently asked my guardian angels to skip their tasks for me, and give a gentle kiss on your forehead instead."
There was only one thing in his mind: "Who... wrote... this?"
















