How is it that two people can live without knowing about the existence of the other, and yet one day those two people can meet and forge a strong bond? That’s how it is for one certain couple. The girl goes about her daily routine, focused on making a living. Wake up, go to work, come home, sleep, repeat. Her days aren’t monotonous by any means; they’re filled with pleasurable activities, such as reading and crafting. However, the one distinguishable feature between her and all of her friends and coworkers is that she never considers love. It’s not that it isn’t a possibility or that she’s secretly waiting for some fairytale romance—she thinks that “spending one’s whole life, like a neuter bee, working and working and nothing after all” wouldn’t do (Darwin 84). More pressing matters simply exist. But life has a funny way of working, for one day hers flips itself on its head.
The day her life changes is quite normal. She’s working the cash register in the small shop when he comes to check out. He isn’t a regular, which she knows because she could remember faces. Is he new to town? Does he live in the area and this time is his first in the store? Questions like this flit through her brain as she rings him up. Nevertheless, he’s another customer, and she fully expects him to be just another face. Neither of them look at each other and think of the other in a romantic sense. Yet, three days later, in a twist of fate, they meet again, though under very different circumstances.
She’s rushing to meet a group of friends; she almost misses the bus, something very uncharacteristic of her, but she lost track of the time, lost in thought and preoccupied with tasks. When she finally makes it to her stop and disembarks, a flurry of nerves, she is in such a hurry she forgets to look where she is going and almost walks straight into a pole. Almost. Luckily, he is passing by and has the good sense to stop her before she earns a large bruise on her forehead.
“Thank you,” she says. She thinks he looks familiar.
“No problem. Happy to help,” he responds before he continues on his way.
Time passes without the two seeing each other. Is the subconscious thinking of the other? No. Any romantic notions have yet to even bud; it takes time, and they haven't had enough together yet.
He shows up again at the shop after a couple weeks. Recognition registers on both of their faces, and they recount the second time they met.
“I was such a mess that day,” she says, groaning and burying her face in her hands. “I’m normally so much more careful than that.”
He laughs. “It happens to all of us. Well, not necessarily with a pole, but with something. One time I was so distracted thinking about all my assignments for work that I grabbed the wrong food at the grocery store and didn’t realize it until I got home. Dinner didn’t go as planned.”
They both share a smile and a couple more words before he leaves to carry on with the rest of his business. Has the other made a favorable impression?
The fourth encounter seals the deal. Both end up at the bus stop one day at the same time because they live in the same part of town, though neither previously realized it. The day is blustery, and her hair is being whipped around despite her best efforts. Arriving at the same time, they see each other and laugh. What a coincidence! For some odd reason, the two feel comfortable around each other and start talking, though neither particularly enjoys conversing with strangers. After talking for a while, they somehow feel as if they’ve known each other for their entire lives. They exchange phone numbers, not yet thinking romantically, but each seeing it as a friendship in the making. Their hearts are warm because of the new friendship. They don’t realize it yet, but “the friend must be ‘another,’ but not entirely ‘an-other,’” especially if love is to ever form (Meilander 145). Their commonalities have drawn them together; they instinctually see parts of themselves in each other.
They continue to observe each other without knowing it as their friendship grows over the next several months. Soon they have met all of the friends and have been integrated into the other's groups. Despite not having known the friends long, both feel right at home, as if they are meant to be there. One gathering includes both groups at a new pizza place that opened up that claimed to carry the best pizza around. The advertisement is definitely right. At one point, one of his friends tells a joke, and the whole table erupts in laughter. Through her laughter, she looks over at him out of instinct to see his face to find him looking over at her as well. For some reason, she notices the brightness of his eyes for the first time and the way the corners of his mouth curl when he smiles. It’s not that she’s never noticed, but more so never realized or never took the time to consider it.
Afterwards, when they are all parting ways outside the restaurant, everyone is full of good spirits, but she feels sad and wonders why. She’s never felt this way before; after all, it’s been hours and she’s ready to leave despite loving being with her friends. Unbeknownst to her, he’s feeling the same way and holds back a minute and waits for everyone else to leave.
“Hey, would you want to get together this weekend?” he asks, not understanding why the question is so hard to ask. He’s asked it many times before.
Her insides feel like someone lit a match to them and the corners of her mouth turn up.
“Yes! Just let me know if you have anything in mind.”
The two part ways, gladly anticipating the weekend.
The weekend arrives. She’s a nervous wreck and is struggling not to pace. All she knows is that she’s been dying to see him since the pizza gathering on Tuesday. There’s a winter festival that they decided to attend. She’s hoping they have gingerbread, as she can never find it in stores. There’s a possible chance of snow, but she doesn’t care and refuses to let the weather ruin her time with him. And then she hears the doorbell peal throughout the house. She opens the door to find him all bundled up, his hat pulled over his ears and scarf tucked into his coat. Huge smiles plaster themselves across their faces as they greet each other.
After meandering about, observing the different festivities, and, thankfully, eating gingerbread, the pair ends up in front of a stage. Part of the festival involves a concert, and they’ve arrived in time to see its opening. The friends stand there and watch together, and eventually, she turns to look at him. As she watches him, she finally begins to understand what she’s feeling. She understands why it was hard to identify, as she hadn’t really felt it before. As the clouds roll by, “[t]he word comes … out of the opening sky. The word love” (Divakaruni 214). Well, not exactly love quite yet, but definitely its beginnings.
They find a bench to sit on, and she notices that his face is pink; she chalks it up to the weather, hoping it may be more but not dwelling on the hopes so that she can’t be disappointed. He’s reflected throughout the week and nailed down what he’s feeling. He knows he wants her in his life for the rest of his life.
“Violet,” he starts. “Would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?”
Violet is speechless; her heart starts running a thousand miles an hour.
“Yes,” she says, the biggest smile lighting up her face. “I would love to, Landon!”
After getting to know him for who he is, and after having known him for a period of time, “she can yield to the inclination of her heart without risk” (“Emile: The Courtship” 439). Now, Landon’s “heart is no longer alone. All of his relations with his species, all the affections of his soul are born with this one” (“Emile: Educating for Love” 268). To say they are on cloud nine is an understatement; they feel like they could walk through air from sheer ecstasy. When it’s time for the night to end, they have difficulty parting ways. They stand at her doorstep, gazing into each other’s eyes, neither wanting to be the first to break the spell. Eventually, as if through mutual consent, they part ways. Not too long after, they’re texting each other about how much they enjoyed the evening, how much they already miss each other, and to have a good night. The flower of romance has fully bloomed.
Where their relationship goes from there is a tale for another time. It’s a tale full of tumult and stability, tears and smiles, sadness and happiness. Such is a tale of two lovers navigating life together. No guarantees exist, but they will keep looking at each other, looking ahead toward the future, and learning about love and how to love.
Comments
Post a Comment