Saturday, May 12, 2007

First Love -- Part II

Valentine's day. Everywhere I looked, there were happy couples with the girls nestling a bouquet of colorful beauties on her arm. The atmosphere was warm despite the blowing chilly northern winds, which embodies the past angry winter that we just had.

"Are you bitter?" he asked.

"No," I lied. I kept my gaze forward onto the street that we were walking on. The wind was hurting my face but I wasn't so sure if I were to blame the winds or the resentment inside me.

"Are you lying?" he looked at me quizzically with those eyes that I fell in love with.

"No," I lied again.

"Okay," he said with unfulfilled resignation.

We walked in silence. I stuffed my empty hands into my coat pocket trying desperately to keep them warm.

"Do you regret being with someone who doesn't believe in giving his girl flowers on Valentine's Day?" he tried again.

I pursed my lips. "No," I said, not sure whether or not I was lying.

"Okay."

I turned to him angrily. "Where have you been the past two weeks?" I asked, feeling a strange tightness on my throat. "You barely called me."

"I was busy," was his answer. Plain and simple.

"Doing what?" I pressed on.

I saw his face harden. "Stuff, okay?" he said without any further elaboration.

We were silent again for a while. Inside me was a bag of mixed feelings being tossed around like a football. I felt frustrated and angry -- but at the same time, I felt extraordinarily safe being in his presence. I missed him, I really did.

"You missed our one-year anniversary," I said, barely in a whisper deliberately not meeting his eye.

"Oh yeah, I got the package you sent me," he retorted without skipping a beat. His voice was neither cold nor loving, I couldn't tell. "I've been meaning to thank you. So.. thank you."

I kept silent.

He took a deep breath as if taking a deep drag out of a cigarette.

"Listen. I was busy working," he finally revealed. He almost sounded ashamed. "It was a night shift, right after my last class. It was the only time I had left to work."

I was still silent -- mostly because I wasn't sure what I was supposed to say.

He fidgeted around in his pockets and produced a small box coated in a glossy turquoise color. It had a plain white ribbon tying the lid down.

"I only had two weeks to scrape up enough money to get you this," he said handing the box over to me. "I saw you looking at it last month and I know you hate it when I would use the money my parents give me to buy you presents or to take you out."

I looked at the box resting on top of his right palm. A million thoughts were racing through my head and I couldn't seem to pick one to dwell on right at that moment. When I still didn't budge, he quietly opened the box and I saw the most beautiful ring sitting inside the deep velvet case. It was gold with the letters X and O comprising the circumference of the prized jewel. I felt warmth on my face... then it dawned on me that a fat tear just rolled down my left cheek.

He put the promise ring on my left ring finger. "I don't like giving flowers because I don't like giving something that doesn't last forever," he explained quietly. "Especially if it's the type to die."

For the first time in my life, I was at a loss for words. All those unsettling thoughts I've had over the past couple of weeks suddenly seemed so silly, so juvenile. I was angry at myself for thinking them and for entertaining them. I gave this relationship a chance because I had faith in him. And because I love him. Despite his history, I knew there was loving heart hiding underneath that tough exterior that I so painfully wanted to crack.

"I don't like celebrating anniversaries either," he continued on. "I think it's a waste of time."

He wiped my tears away with his soft hands. His skin smelled like gingerbread.

"I wish you'd stop counting the years we've been together too... I don't want you getting tired," he said, his lips giving the hint of a smile. "Because I will be with you forever."


48 Comments:

Blogger :-) said...

awwwwwwwwww ... that is nice to know that you have given it a chance ... now, when is the part three ... heh, heh ... ;)

7:43 PM  
Blogger Nivi said...

"I don't like giving flowers because I don't like giving something that doesn't last forever," he explained quietly. "Especially if it's the type to die."

I LOVED this line !!!
really cute :-)

8:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a smoothie. How wonderfully rehearsed. Do go on.

8:18 PM  
Blogger Malnurtured Snay said...

Awww ... how cute!

9:40 PM  
Blogger riseoutofme said...

Lucky girl.

10:41 PM  
Blogger Momentary Madness said...

"All romantis's meet their same fate someday...in dark Cafe's"
You're a hopeless romantic.I love it. Princess, if you'd like to bring your drink over to my table, I could tell you some stories.
Y;-) Paddy

11:00 PM  
Blogger Aditi said...

awwwwwwwww.... true story?

12:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a story - he went from being the BIGGEST jerk in the beginning to the most sweetest romantic guy EVER. (dreamy sigh placed here)

I'm hoping he's for real and not just "too smooth"

12:54 AM  
Blogger `NEFTY said...

AWWWWWW, this is a beautiful story:] Especially this part, "He put the promise ring on my left ring finger. "I don't like giving flowers because I don't like giving something that doesn't last forever," he explained quietly. "Especially if it's the type to die." Now I see why you were acting so bitter in the beginning, I would've been crying in shame after that present too:]]

5:45 AM  
Blogger RunninOnEmpty said...

beautifully written Princess. Thanks for sharing a touching story.

10:26 AM  
Blogger Sling said...

I really enjoyed this latest installment princess!

11:04 AM  
Blogger Astraeus said...

*hug*

this was so beautiful

12:18 PM  
Blogger Sigma said...

This is incredibly beautiful!!
Loved every word of it!

2:40 PM  
Blogger Nadim said...

thats damn sweet! almost too sweet to be real! is it real or is it fiction?

3:47 PM  
Blogger the walking man said...

Very well written true or not. Although I am not a fan of "love stories" this held me from front to finish.

My wife and rarely celebrate anything, that has to do with giving gifts, we may make mention of the day on the day but we're more the surprise you as you go kind of folks. "here saw this in the store and thought you'd like it."

Works for us and makes me think I got a present today when no one else did. ha...ha...ha..hahahaha.

Peace

TWM

oh yeah thee old lady and I have been together nearly 25 years so we must be doing something right.

4:24 PM  
Blogger Kalyan Panja said...

A nice love story...happiness ^ tears are all part of this unique beautiful part of our lives. Without it I think love will be simply be dull... a very well written post:)

6:45 PM  
Blogger fifi said...

oh, that is a delightful story, princess. My heart began to race!

Such entanglements we weave for ourselves, how hard it is sometimes to navigate the oceans of our love.

I will never EVER be able to read this blog again in case the next chapter is sad...

kidding. I like it here.

7:33 PM  
Blogger confessing7girl said...

oooooohhhhhhh beautiful story!! based on a true story?? did it really happened to u?? anyway u put it into words in such a romantic way!!! beautiful writting!!

ps-thanx for visiting me and im gonna link u, hope u dont mind!!

8:30 PM  
Blogger skinnylittleblonde said...

HA! Great little tale here! Definitely acknowledges some of the differences between women & men. I agree with him...it's ironic that we give flowers for the occassions that we want to express something with longevity. (Valentines' Day, Mothers' Day, even funerals come to mind) I can totally picture that ring & it's little package, your expression upon realizing that 'things' do matter to him.
Somehow you innately knew that somewhere in him was that ability to love...and the ability to show it.

ps~TY for your well wishes for dear Kimbies...very much appreciated.

9:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow - I almost cried when the box was puled out - that is an amazing story and to know it's not fiction is all the better!

11:04 PM  
Blogger Miraj C. Vora said...

Oh..amazingly written..
Not to hurt ne1's sentiments but gurls do get worried at times..and 2 weeks is time enough for her to get worried..
And then very few are as lucky to find someone who would get that "BOX" and throw all your worries in d midst of your tears n get a warm smile that exudes all d love that was nowhere to be seen when she was questioning him abt the last 2 weeks..
Very Well Written indeed..

The Line,
Coz I'll be with you forever..Just kills it for me atleast..

and ya..thanks a lot for commenting on my blog..and yea i love power writing too..jus read the post named "Hockey Demoted" may be you'll like it or the very 1st post on the blog, It got published in my college magazine..

12:37 AM  
Blogger lemon said...

oh my god...!!! ur so lucky..!!
why is it that everybody seems to be having the perfect relationship except me..??!

PS:m soo happy for u :) :)

1:36 AM  
Blogger Susan Miller said...

I do so enjoy it when a couple has their "own thing". It's hard to get past all of the social rules of what being together means, but then I think being together shouldn't have anything to do with social rules.

Great writing there. I enjoyed it.

4:43 AM  
Blogger Webmiztris said...

SWEET!

8:56 AM  
Blogger Anu said...

no words to describe!

very very beautiful!! wonder where such guys exist!!! The old world charm of romance was ingrained in the story so flawlessly..

11:49 AM  
Blogger HippieChyck said...

congratulations - ixnay on the flowers, but brought out a ring? now that's a trade!

11:49 AM  
Blogger Guatyen said...

you write beautifully. life is a continuous fiction isn't it?

6:59 PM  
Blogger Alex said...

Princess,

So became a princess. :)

7:39 PM  
Blogger Sudipta Chatterjee said...

Wow....

But the moral of the story --- not all guys who come across as solid walls are just that: some come with a soft inside as well.

8:22 PM  
Blogger Paige Jennifer said...

Great, and now I have no choice but to hate you (sigh).

9:33 PM  
Blogger Tbone said...

That was a great read...don't know the history of it all...is this a personal true story? If so...wow is all I have to say.

10:20 PM  
Blogger Sarah N said...

I love it! So romantic! It reminds me of the time I got mad at my fiance for not saving his money responsibly, wondering where it all went. Two weeks later, it was on my finger!

10:51 PM  
Blogger smilnsigh said...

Very beautiful....

Mari-Nanci

4:28 AM  
Blogger smilnsigh said...

Re: your comment in my blog... "I looooooooooove your pictures!!! Are you into making collages and scrapbooks too? :)"

No, I don't do collages or scrapbooks. But I give links to where I got those old fashioned pictures. Someone who does those crafts, could go there, for them. :-)

Mari-Nanci

4:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh my.....

7:25 AM  
Blogger darkfoam said...

wow,
how wonderfully romantic!

9:01 AM  
Blogger Stewart Sternberg (half of L.P. Styles) said...

Ah romance. Now I know I've been writing too much horror. I kept waiting for something hideous to transpire. Something with fangs and talons.

Nice writing.

10:25 AM  
Blogger Keshi said...

I dun believe in forever kind of love...call me pessimistic but I dun think there's such a Love :)

Keshi.

11:17 AM  
Blogger Vishesh said...

lol :) ro ro romantic...

12:09 PM  
Blogger thisisme said...

I want part threee!!!!

"I don't like giving flowers because I don't like giving something that doesn't last forever," he explained quietly. "Especially if it's the type to die."

I love this!!

5:08 PM  
Blogger Cuckoo said...

Absolutely beautiful !! Every word of it.

Read it thrice. Is it real ?

8:38 PM  
Blogger mystic rose said...

lovely!

and damn if i dont feel like crying...

9:40 PM  
Blogger mystic rose said...

if htis is true, i would say hold on to him with all yoru heart..
and if it isnt.. hope you meet someone like that.. :)

but romance never relaly measures up to what we conjure.

9:42 PM  
Blogger kristin said...

AMAZING.

that's all i can say.

2:07 AM  
Blogger . said...

truly awesome...both of them were craving for each other's presence in their lives but some silly happenings held back the love to blossom in their lives... but i think we always tend to value that thing more which has always been elusive for us!!!

12:09 AM  
Blogger Prax said...

Beautiful... Simply beautiful. I think this summarises the very true expression of love. Of not counting anniversaries!!! Kudos, (bows down)

1:53 AM  
Blogger Living On Video said...

Too late, hug anyway. :)

7:11 PM  
Blogger John said...

I couldn't help but laugh as you described yourself not communicating whilst simultaneously getting upset with someone not communicating. Ah... relationships!

Assuming this is a true story of course, I expect that he was feeling the same way towards you.

True or not, it’s a great story.

1:42 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home