Words

Image courtesy: http://decora-chan.deviantart.com/art/Drawing-of-Words-137448777

“She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art was not supposed to look nice. It was supposed to make you feel something.” – Rainbow Rowell

She looked nice and she looked like art. This blend, magnified by the rarity of its occurrence, stirs up such feelings that mere words fail to do justice.

No one had incited such emotions in Michael until he met Lisa. They met each other through a common friend. Pretty soon, they started spending a lot of time together and, as is generally inevitable, started dating each other. Life was blissful for both of them. They spent days together and time held no meaning for either of them. The mundane problems of every relationship somehow stayed away from theirs.

Today was significant. One year of togetherness. But, that wasn't the only reason why.

Michael’s reflection stared at him from the full length mirror in his room. He was dressed in a brand new jacket that he had purchased recently. He wanted to look his best for her. He knew Lisa didn't care how he dressed but today was different. Their lives were about to change. This was the first time he was ever going to say those words to someone. He looked at the mirror and repeated them.

Lisa hadn't slept all night. The tempest of emotions raging in her mind was overwhelming. The significance of her thoughts weighed her down so much that she didn't even go to work that day. Evening drew closer and she wanted nothing more than to get ready and meet Michael. Her Michael.  Michael had forged a place for himself in her heart. She remembered meeting him for the first time. They hit it off immediately. Now that she thought about it, she couldn't even remember which friend of theirs had introduced them. She allowed herself a smile. And tonight, everything would change.

Both of them had decided to meet at their favorite restaurant, the place where they had their first date. Michael had suggested the venue and Lisa had immediately agreed, knowing that she would have made the same suggestion. It was amazing how their thoughts matched. Almost as if one knew what the other was about to say.

The restaurant had a rustic ambiance with an ingenious setting that managed the fine balance between limited space and the privacy of every table’s occupants. It was a fine place that served a variety of cuisines complemented with a meticulous assortment of wines. The music was subtle enough to ensure that even the softest of conversations could carry on without interruptions.

They reached at the same time and were sat at their table which had already been reserved by Michael. He gazed into her almond shaped eyes and for a second, forgot himself. Lisa’s beauty was unreserved and stemmed from her eyes. The delicate shyness about her face, her long dark hair which had been left untied and the gentle quivering of her lips made her seem angelic. Michael’s emotions resonated when he saw her. He prayed to the Almighty to give him the courage to say those words.

Lisa caught his gaze and looked into his eyes. She could almost feel the intensity of his emotions across the table. And she knew he would be feeling the same. She noticed that he had made a special effort to look good for her and she approved even though she thought it wasn't necessary. And he did look really nice today. His clean shaven face along with those eager brown eyes and smartly trimmed hair made him look especially handsome. She felt a certain calmness descend inside her as if the emotional storm had slowed down to a pleasant breeze.

They looked at each other and time held no meaning. The music, food, people and the restaurant faded into oblivion as their gazes seemed connected solely by the depth of their emotions. Neither of them wanted to let go of this beautiful silence and yet, just like it had always been, they let the words spill out at the same moment.

‘I want to spend the rest of my life with you.’

‘I want to break up’