Encounter

A Story by Tara Ghorm

    She curled up next to him and quietly contemplated the events that had just taken place. Her back was to him, but she didn’t mind. His arms were wrapped around her bare body, one silently stroking her. The warmth was so comforting. She smiled. He moved a bit and spoke.
    “ Are you happy?” he asked hopefully. To his dismay, she didn’t move and mumbled some sort of response. “You’re going to have to use words,” he said jokingly. He didn’t get the reaction he was hoping for as she gave him a less than sincere “Yes.” He rubbed her cheek. “What’s wrong?” he whispered soothingly.
    She moved onto her back and looked into his eyes. She loved those eyes, but she had never seen them so full of concern. Maybe he really did care about her. However, her mind began to convince her otherwise and she turned away. “Nothing’s wrong,” she muttered, holding back tears.
    “Then why won’t you look at me?” he asked calmly. A tone of disappointment was in his voice too. He touched her cheek again and stroked it, trying to coax her to speak up and tell him what was really bothering her. He thought he might know, but wanted to be sure. Women were delicate creatures and needed to be treated as such.
    “Because...” she choked miserably. “Because.......” She couldn’t finish the sentence. She couldn’t even find the words to begin to finish it. So, she improvised. Maybe he’d accept it. “Because,” she began, her voice shaky, “I don’t want you to see me sad...” A small sob emitted from her, taking several tears along with it. She felt his hand move from her cheek to her chin and turn her head back towards him. She didn’t fight or protest.
    He looked deep into her sad eyes and asked, “Why are you so sad?” He hated seeing her this way. He’d only seen her upset a few times. She was usually such a happy and excitable person. That’s what he liked about her. He liked to see her laugh. The utter randomness of her actions was also to be admired for someone who likes to have everything planned out. But... he didn’t love her.
    She knew that. And her tears showed it as she whimpered, “I just want you to be mine....” A fresh sob emitted from her. She didn’t want him to see her cry, but she just couldn’t help it. He meant so much to her.