The
square concrete pavers were swallowed beneath her feet, Vanya swung her gaze
through the winding path through the park grounds. Shadows overcast almost obscuring
the path the sky darkening. If it were not for the bright lamp posts cleverly placed,
she would have tumbled headlong into the fountain that abruptly appeared
through the thicket. A secretive smile gladdened her lips as her eyes clapped
on the towering column, her eyes glazed over at the magnificent stature, caught
in such rapture she mused as she did every instance she spied it. Two years ago
to this day she had passed through this very place, and was taken aback by such
a daunting display. Such beauty must rival the most famed art of the gallerias
of the world. The statuette’s fixed stare soulfully beckoned a hand
outstretched, beseeching, entreating. Stunning in it’s simplicity. Perfect. The
god’s were said to be beauty personified. The creator must have looked on a
fallen angel to fashion this masterpiece. It was unashamedly bare, fulsome
where it counted, the smooth muscular contours in stark contrast to the little
chubby winged cherub positioned at the base a crossbow taught the arrow at the
ready. Hovered forever in time above the small stone pond with its never-ending
babbling spout. As a warm blooded woman Vanya could appreciate so much
virility. It was palpable like a living thing. Many hours since then were
whiled away….. sketching. The lines would blur together as the vivid images would
take a life of their own, His full lips mocked her, confounded her, eliciting
her heightened awareness. It left her ……wanting more, unfulfilled, empty,
deeply disappointed. Was it so wrong to feel this way about a mere piece of stone?
Yet those knowing eyes always touch her like a physical caress, and she shivered
deliciously.
The following evening, Vanya peered out from her fourth floor apartment overlooking the park. It was a festive sight that greeted her. Picnic baskets and colorful blankets scattered everywhere, a wavering candle burning at each site to mark the beginning of summer. A make-shift stage occupied front and centre, the live music played softly. Corded lights lined the entertainment area. An enormous pine tree was decorated with glow in the dark eclectic décor. Even the lone figure that remained impassive over time was adorned with a twinkling crown of lights to bring it out of the shadows. Incidentally her gaze collided with a shooting star trailing across the heavens and Vanya whimsically made a wish.
The holidays. She joined her many friends for picnics, braais and last minute shopping sprees. Santas were underfoot clanging their bells pedaling their wares to passersby's. Vanya’s favorite pastime has always been to stroll through the flea markets on the promenade on a humid summer evening searching for hidden treasures. Religious groups took to the make shift platform at night singing Christmas songs where a nativity scene of the birth of a saint was erected.
She was reluctant to go home alone for Christmas. Even though, their family Christmases always involved the huge 4-bedroomed cottage overflowing with guests and good spicy home-made food. Despite all the preparations that went into the event of the year Vanya’s mother always always managed to meet a “most” suitable man whom she invited over Christmas day. She had dated on and off, of course but what eluded her was the special affinity her parents possessed. Her younger brother Niven had married this past year. Her younger sister Pam was seeing someone quiet seriously. So that left her. She felt conspicuous, out there for anyone to pity. She was awfully tired of being reminded how old she was getting. Grandchildren! Was that what all parents looked forward to? Hers definitely did. It seemed to be the highlight of every women’s life. After attaining a good education, and even better a good job. Two out of three was pretty good, she thought so. One is never complete if one does not have a husband and children in tow. Every stage for every age and so forth.
The night before Christmas she was packed for her long trip home to Durban. All was quite as Vanya walked toward her apartment, her hand rifled through her bag for her keys – she wondered for the umpteenth time why she had brought along her shawl which was haphazardly stuffed into her bag, it was way too humid she could feel the hot trickle of sweat slip between her breasts. So flustered, in her haste the keys slipped through her fingers. Bending over she froze when a flash of silver spark illuminated the night and the marbled figurine of the beautiful David so she had come to think of him. A burning arrow from Cupid’s bow found its mark. The stone cracked a sound not unlike a gunshot in the quiet, piece by piece crumbled. In its place a glorious flesh and blood David appeared just as in her dreams in all his naked glory. Her legs warbled then straightened her keys forgotten. What on god’s green earth, she thought. She rubbed at her eyes, thinking that the tiredness was making her see things that were not there. Nope. That wasn’t it.
Like poetry in motion he stepped off the pedestal into her sights. His swagger growing closer and closer until he stopped. Her eyes leveled to his chest. Almost touching. unbelievable. He seemed to be all aglow, his skin pearlescent. His hair. His hair a wonderful fiery shade of red and gold, His eyes so full of gaiety and surprise were a deep cobalt. Until now, she never thought about the silly wish she had made…and for one millisecond imagined beggars flying. She cleared her throat loudly, as if it will awaken her from another wanton dream. Being a practical person of sound mind she believed in the adage “if wishes were horses then beggars would fly.”
“My Aphrodite” he whispered in a low deep sexy voice, the glimmer from his body slowly fading as he moved closer. “My life. My love. My heart. My soul” he stared into her tawny eyes roaming the beloved plains of her face like a much cherished object, I have watched you from afar for so long…I never would have thought…guessed…that is.“ He was contemplative for a moment. “Nortia! Tyche!. You positively wicked girls!” He mused referring to the goddesses of fate and luck. “and yet how stupendously marvelous.”
“Do you believe in destiny, my beautiful Vanya?” he said loudly with an air of unaffectedness “I always did believe in the “what is”, and here we are” Vanya’s eyes grew round at the reference to her name “My heart has chosen you, as surely as yours has chosen mine. Much providence to us?” he chuckled softly “I am known as Theo – “ he said with flourish.
“ – a gift from god” Vanya squeaked stepping back this was too fantastic. Even his name meant something special. The feelings between them were alive, it zinged back and forth. At his first touch she flinched, she felt as if she was hit by lightning, she was shocked by her own response. This was definitely no dream. Tentatively she reached out tracing her fingertips up his arm pausing on his well defined bicep, she shuddered with the enormity of it all. The practical part of her wanted to turn and run screeching into the night, the dreamer believed in the impossible…in miracles…in destiny. So she stayed put. The intrusion of the street lamps flashed bright and white making them stand out in the spotlight. She retrieved the shawl with a flourish and secured it around his slender waist away from any prying eyes. Making sure that she did not brush up against him. Propriety dictated that she get him away from there. He felt real enough. He was hers he claimed! Hers to take. Hers to protect. And there he stood for the taking. Theo bent over for a second then enfolded her palm in both of his, when his hand came away a shiny metal object twinkled. Of course….Her keys.
“Then who am I to mess with destiny” she answered breathlessly into his laughing eyes, her fears melting away like ice on a hot summer’s day.
“So young and so wise” Theo cupped her face in his hands “Carpe Diem!” he whispered blocking out all but the feel of Vanya’s lips against his. Time was suspended. Time enough for words. After….much much after.
Theo’s arms stole around her ardently pressing her closer to him, and Vanya felt the rightness slip in like a piece of a puzzle falling into place. He was warm and so receptive. She felt right snuggled against his heart. She smiled against his lips. Silently thanking the fates that this Christmas will be so singularly special from the rest.
The END
The following evening, Vanya peered out from her fourth floor apartment overlooking the park. It was a festive sight that greeted her. Picnic baskets and colorful blankets scattered everywhere, a wavering candle burning at each site to mark the beginning of summer. A make-shift stage occupied front and centre, the live music played softly. Corded lights lined the entertainment area. An enormous pine tree was decorated with glow in the dark eclectic décor. Even the lone figure that remained impassive over time was adorned with a twinkling crown of lights to bring it out of the shadows. Incidentally her gaze collided with a shooting star trailing across the heavens and Vanya whimsically made a wish.
The holidays. She joined her many friends for picnics, braais and last minute shopping sprees. Santas were underfoot clanging their bells pedaling their wares to passersby's. Vanya’s favorite pastime has always been to stroll through the flea markets on the promenade on a humid summer evening searching for hidden treasures. Religious groups took to the make shift platform at night singing Christmas songs where a nativity scene of the birth of a saint was erected.
She was reluctant to go home alone for Christmas. Even though, their family Christmases always involved the huge 4-bedroomed cottage overflowing with guests and good spicy home-made food. Despite all the preparations that went into the event of the year Vanya’s mother always always managed to meet a “most” suitable man whom she invited over Christmas day. She had dated on and off, of course but what eluded her was the special affinity her parents possessed. Her younger brother Niven had married this past year. Her younger sister Pam was seeing someone quiet seriously. So that left her. She felt conspicuous, out there for anyone to pity. She was awfully tired of being reminded how old she was getting. Grandchildren! Was that what all parents looked forward to? Hers definitely did. It seemed to be the highlight of every women’s life. After attaining a good education, and even better a good job. Two out of three was pretty good, she thought so. One is never complete if one does not have a husband and children in tow. Every stage for every age and so forth.
The night before Christmas she was packed for her long trip home to Durban. All was quite as Vanya walked toward her apartment, her hand rifled through her bag for her keys – she wondered for the umpteenth time why she had brought along her shawl which was haphazardly stuffed into her bag, it was way too humid she could feel the hot trickle of sweat slip between her breasts. So flustered, in her haste the keys slipped through her fingers. Bending over she froze when a flash of silver spark illuminated the night and the marbled figurine of the beautiful David so she had come to think of him. A burning arrow from Cupid’s bow found its mark. The stone cracked a sound not unlike a gunshot in the quiet, piece by piece crumbled. In its place a glorious flesh and blood David appeared just as in her dreams in all his naked glory. Her legs warbled then straightened her keys forgotten. What on god’s green earth, she thought. She rubbed at her eyes, thinking that the tiredness was making her see things that were not there. Nope. That wasn’t it.
Like poetry in motion he stepped off the pedestal into her sights. His swagger growing closer and closer until he stopped. Her eyes leveled to his chest. Almost touching. unbelievable. He seemed to be all aglow, his skin pearlescent. His hair. His hair a wonderful fiery shade of red and gold, His eyes so full of gaiety and surprise were a deep cobalt. Until now, she never thought about the silly wish she had made…and for one millisecond imagined beggars flying. She cleared her throat loudly, as if it will awaken her from another wanton dream. Being a practical person of sound mind she believed in the adage “if wishes were horses then beggars would fly.”
“My Aphrodite” he whispered in a low deep sexy voice, the glimmer from his body slowly fading as he moved closer. “My life. My love. My heart. My soul” he stared into her tawny eyes roaming the beloved plains of her face like a much cherished object, I have watched you from afar for so long…I never would have thought…guessed…that is.“ He was contemplative for a moment. “Nortia! Tyche!. You positively wicked girls!” He mused referring to the goddesses of fate and luck. “and yet how stupendously marvelous.”
“Do you believe in destiny, my beautiful Vanya?” he said loudly with an air of unaffectedness “I always did believe in the “what is”, and here we are” Vanya’s eyes grew round at the reference to her name “My heart has chosen you, as surely as yours has chosen mine. Much providence to us?” he chuckled softly “I am known as Theo – “ he said with flourish.
“ – a gift from god” Vanya squeaked stepping back this was too fantastic. Even his name meant something special. The feelings between them were alive, it zinged back and forth. At his first touch she flinched, she felt as if she was hit by lightning, she was shocked by her own response. This was definitely no dream. Tentatively she reached out tracing her fingertips up his arm pausing on his well defined bicep, she shuddered with the enormity of it all. The practical part of her wanted to turn and run screeching into the night, the dreamer believed in the impossible…in miracles…in destiny. So she stayed put. The intrusion of the street lamps flashed bright and white making them stand out in the spotlight. She retrieved the shawl with a flourish and secured it around his slender waist away from any prying eyes. Making sure that she did not brush up against him. Propriety dictated that she get him away from there. He felt real enough. He was hers he claimed! Hers to take. Hers to protect. And there he stood for the taking. Theo bent over for a second then enfolded her palm in both of his, when his hand came away a shiny metal object twinkled. Of course….Her keys.
“Then who am I to mess with destiny” she answered breathlessly into his laughing eyes, her fears melting away like ice on a hot summer’s day.
“So young and so wise” Theo cupped her face in his hands “Carpe Diem!” he whispered blocking out all but the feel of Vanya’s lips against his. Time was suspended. Time enough for words. After….much much after.
Theo’s arms stole around her ardently pressing her closer to him, and Vanya felt the rightness slip in like a piece of a puzzle falling into place. He was warm and so receptive. She felt right snuggled against his heart. She smiled against his lips. Silently thanking the fates that this Christmas will be so singularly special from the rest.
The END
No comments:
Post a Comment