Life finally turned to the better side. Since Lisa finally decided to come out and continue living as a family, Paul Harrods couldn't possibly think of anything better. Finally able to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the whole family (even supper!), it was a gift from God. Well, almost the whole family. Lately, Lisa have been learning how to cook. That totally lighten some burden he'd been carrying on his shoulders for months. He was really glad and happy with his life now. Truly, he was the luckiest man who ever lived on this planet, he thought to himself.
But some nights, or probably most nights, he'd been having awful nightmares. He'd gripped hard on the bed cover, with sweat pouring from his forehead. Even his palms became sweaty. Why? Because he couldn't stop the image of Rosa appearing in front of him. She'd always come and visit him in a magnificently-tailored pearl-white night gown. On her head, laid a beautifully carved floral-patterned crown perfectly on her long, wavy blonde hair. And she would complete everything with her most lavishing smile. And that exact smile is the smile that made Paul fell to his knees for that woman. She was the most beautiful diamond he had ever laid his eyes on. Oh, no. Please, don't do this Rosa, thought Paul. He'd decided to push away the moments of their first meeting, but he failed.
He still remembered it like it was yesterday. Paul went down to his favorite bookstore of all times in the center of London. He was always a fan of love novels, and he was ashamed of it. He never told anyone about it because he knew that they would point at him, laughing, and say, "There's that disgusting guy who reads love novels. I mean like, what the hell?" And they would keep laughing until he shrinks into a mouse. No, he swore that he won't tell anybody. Anybody at all!
So, as usual, he'd lingered to the love section of the bookstore to find new books to buy. He hates fantasy novels. It's so stupid and ridiculous to read, thought Paul. How could you call something entertainment if it's so superstitious? His mind was so whirled on reasons he hates fantasy novels, until he did not realized someone approaching him.
"Excuse me, are you interested in love-genre books?"
His mind instantly stopped. His eyes were clenched shut. Oh, my God. This is not happening, this is not happening. What should he do? Lie? Dude, this is too obvious to make a lie. He was again way deep in his thoughts that he forgot to answer the question. Suddenly, he heard her laugh. It wasn't a mocking laugh, it was just, a laugh. A peaceful one, he'd referred. Finally, he let himself open and his eyes and witness the owner of that peaceful laugh.
His jaw dropped.
In front of him stood a woman of ultimate perfection. He couldn't describe her enough to show how perfect she was. He just stared at her, silent, but was totally awed. And he was surprised to see that she wasn't angry that he kept staring at her, open-mouthed. Finally, he regained his senses and started searching for words.
"Err, I, it's just that..", What the hell? He was stammering! He never stammered before! Okay, keep calm Paul. Find the right words. Think, think..
She laughed again. This time, a little bit louder, but the calmness contained didn't budge.
She finally spoke, "You are a man who over-thinks, eh? Do not be. It is okay for a man to love such a thing. In fact, I give you my respect for it!"
His jaw dropped, again. His breathing stopped. He was aghast. Fascinated. Not just by the fact that she didn't laugh at him or make a complete fool out of him, but also by the soft, raspy voice and genuinely elegant Spanish accent of hers. The moment she opened her mouth, he melted like Baskin Robin under the summer sun. And unknowingly, they were already conversing and exchanging experience regarding love-genre novels.
Argh! The pain that surged into his soul brought him back to reality. Finally, he sit up with sweaty pajamas. He couldn't hold back the tears anymore. He wrapped his arms around his thighs, placed his head on his knees and wept like a little baby.
TO BE CONTINUED.