The Dream

Chapter 7 (Nostalgia)

*Sofie*

We had been dancing for I don’t know how long and when I took a look at my wristwatch, 2:33 am.

‘We danced for almost 2 hours’. I didn’t notice that

Suddenly, the music was cut off and different music was played. A sweet music.

‘A Thousand Years by: Christina Perri’ --playing now

People started to gather in pairs and some dispersed away from the crowd just like I did. Stellie and Oliver remained on the dancefloor with love in their eyes.

‘I’m happy for her. I’ll always will’

Seeing them, I felt a sudden prick of pain in my heart. I’m happy for my ultimate best friend but I felt sad when Josh’s picture slipped through my mind. I found myself going to the garden of the place. It is peaceful here and I sulked on one of the chairs near the rows of peonies. Seeing the flowers that I specially chose for this area, I remember the night Josh and I danced just like every couple on the floor right now. I fell in the pits of nostalgia of the past.

3 years ago/

January 11

It’s our third anniversary.

I was walking in darkness with a blindfold. Josh was very careful in guiding me as I felt the love and excitement in my heart.

“Few more steps, baby” Josh whispered in my ear and chills ran down to my spine when I felt his hot breath on my neck. I just nodded my head as I was holding him tight in his arms.

Just like what he said, a few more steps and we halted.

“Are you ready, baby? He asked in his hoarse voice that sounded so sexy in my ears.

“Yes, baby.” I replied, I felt butterflies in my tummy.

He slowly untangled the knot of the blindfold.

“Happy Anniversary baby”, Josh exclaimed.

The moment the blindfold was removed, I rubbed my eyes to have a better look at the place. I was in so much awe. The place is so enticing.

I looked at Josh, who was staring at me the whole time. I can see love in his eyes.

I took steps toward him and gave him a very tight embrace.

“Happy Anniversary babe! I love you so much. Thank you” I said as I inhaled his manly scent.

“I love you too, so much, Sofie Trinity Garcia” he said while caressing my hair and he placed a kiss on top of my head.

I slowly removed my arms around his waist and looked up at him.

Our eyes met and his eyes were shining. His gaze fell on my lips as he slowly bent down to reach for it.

He cupped my face and his lips crushed into mine, his tongue started to move and asked for consent to enter my mouth, which I accepted without doubt. I slowly raised my arms to wrap around his neck. His tongue explored my mouth as I did the same to him. I let out a small moan that made me bit his lower lip. His hands fell on the sides and he pulled me in for a tight embrace. Our kiss deepened and I bit his upper lip softly, which made him moan. I could feel something hard that was pressing on my belly that I just did not mind. We shared the sensual kiss for a few minutes. We decided to break it. He let go of me slowly and found ourselves gasping for air.

I took one step back and giggled. He let out a deep breath.

I looked up and found him grinning at me.

He pulled me in for another embrace. Josh had always been a clingy, sweet boyfriend. He never failed to surprise me with his romantic gestures.

He let out a sigh and said again the words I always wanted to hear from him. “I love you so much Sofie.”

“I love you so much Josh.” I replied.

We stayed like that for the next two minutes.

When we broke the embrace, he held my left hand and guided me towards the table that was elegantly set up. Once I was seated, he handed me a bouquet of Lilian Wild and Sarah Bernhardt peonies. I thanked him and placed the bouquet on the right side of the table. I’m still in awe as I roamed my eyes around the setting of our date.

The table is set under a gazebo that is decorated with wave-type fairy lights in a warm setting around it. There are flowers hoisted around each column. They are my favorite flowers: peonies. Only Josh and Stellie know about it. There are peony petals that were scattered on the floor too. It was a simple yet elegant set up.

I was gawking my eyes around when Josh cleared his throat. I looked at him. He’s so handsome.

“Do you like it? He asked, looking around the area.

“No” I replied and saw him raise his eyebrows. “I love it, Josh!” I exclaimed and his face relaxed.

“You’ve done it elegantly” I said and smiled at him.

“Stellie helped me with preparing this,” he said.

“She did? So that is the reason she was avoiding the past two days?” I asked him.

He chuckled and replied, “Yeah. She did avoid you because she was doubtful of herself that she would spoil the surprise. You know her”

“You’re right. It’s a miracle she was not able to blurt it out. She did her best.” I said, chuckling at the thought of how many times Stellie was able to spoil Josh’s surprises before.

I reached out for Josh’s hand on the table and squeezed it lightly.

“Thank you for everything Baby”, I said to him and gave a sweet smile.

He took his hand out from my squeeze and placed it on top of my hand.

“My pleasure to make you happy Baby.” He said, staring at me.

We were interrupted when the 2 waiters came. The other one placed the bucket of red wine.

I see Beef Wellington served with Potatoes Dauphinoise. A perfect pair for me. Potatoes and beef are heaven.

The waiter served us Pinot Noir at a perfect 55°F. I thanked him and he nodded. I raised my glass as Josh did the same. The glasses clinked when we tossed them. I swirled the glass and sniffed the aroma lightly. I took a sip of it and swished it around my mouth for 5 seconds before swallowing it. ‘Hmmmm, so good.

We started to eat and engage in regular conversation about our day in between.

We finished up the main entrée and the waiter cleared out the table. A few minutes later, the same waiter came with another set of food. Desserts. It is blueberry cheesecake.

‘My favourite, I could eat this every day’

We finished our meal and Josh waived his hand to signal the waiter, who immediately came toward us. He cleared the table and music suddenly played.

Perfect by: Ed Sheeran

Josh stood in front of me and gestured out his right hand, which I took lightly. He placed my arms around his neck and he gently wrapped his arms around my waist. Some of the fairy lights went off and made the place dim a bit. I placed my head on his chest and he softly placed his chin on top of my head. We stayed like that until the music stopped.

I came to my senses and found myself breathing heavily. Tears are gushing out and I'm crying my heart out. I felt pain in my chest. It's so painful that I'm running out of air. I started to curse under my breath.

Someone grabbed my hair lightly upward and started stroking my back.

"Breath." I heard a man's voice say

"Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale" he added.

I don't know who the person is beside me right now, but I found the voice comforting my soul.

Tears are still flowing as I started to mumble.

"This is the last time I'll cry for you, Josh." I know I have reminded myself so many times, but I'm still affected by what has happened.

The person pulled me in for an embrace and I don't care if I don't know the person hugging me right now. I find solace in his arms.

"This is the last time, so take your time and cry your heart out. It's fine to be weak sometimes, but promise me that this is the end of your agony", the person said.

" You're right. Everything should be left behind and I promise this is the end", I replied. I don't know why I followed the man's request to state my promise, but I don't care. I stayed in the person's arms for I don't know how long. I'm glad he never complained. He kept on stroking my back until I felt relaxed.

I released the man from my embrace and looked up at him and met his gaze.

I was hypnotized by his honey-colored eyes and the whole place became dark.