Gems

Have you ever been in love?  I mean, really in love?  When nothing else matters but the sound of their voice… the touch of their hand…

When the sky has never seemed so blue or the grass so green…  all senses heightened.  Have you ever known that feeling of pure joy just to be alive… and together?

That’s how it was for us when love coloured our world.

***

Escaping the office for the park had become my lunchtime habit and that day was no different from any other.  That is until you sat down beside me on the bench.  I can’t remember who spoke first or what was said, all I know is that two unhappy people came together that day.

As the weeks and months passed, the park became our sanctuary, our very own Shangri-La.  Only it wasn’t imaginary, it was real.  How many precious hours did we spend walking, hand in hand, wrapped up in each other and in a world of our own?  While falling deeper and deeper in love.

We knew we were heading for something that scared us both but it was much too late to turn back.  And so, we made plans.  Plans for the future.  A future that would change our lives and the lives of others forever.

***

I lost count of the number of unanswered calls to your mobile and the hours I sat waiting in that little café close to the park.  The night we were meant to begin our lives together.  But it was with a heavy heart that I finally accepted you weren’t coming and I returned home.

I read that you were speeding when the accident happened.  Were you running late or in a hurry to meet me?  Whatever the reason, there was really no need my love, we would have had the rest of our lives together.

I still take my daily walk in the park and reminisce.  It’s there I feel your presence the most strongly.  And, for one brief moment in time, my grey, lonely world transforms once again into the colours of love.

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    Julie Harris
    Julie Harris(@julie-harris)
    1 year ago

    Linda, the picture that accompanies this story is absolutely gorgeous! And so is the story itself. Beautiful and oh so sad. You write with such tenderness and understanding of the human heart. Thank you for this story.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    1 year ago

    Such a poignant, bittersweet tale Linda. Beautifully crafted. Very nicely done.

    Margarida Brei
    Margarida Brei(@margarida-brei)
    1 year ago

    Miss Linda, what a haunting phrase “the colours of love” – so befitting for such a moving story! Well done!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    1 year ago

    Hello, Linda. Julie is right. It is beautiful but so sad. I thought it was a happy ending for them. Anyway, it was beautifully written. I was carried away by the emotions of your story. Well done, Linda.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Linda Rock
    1 year ago

    You’re welcome, Linda.

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    1 year ago

    Linda, this is a beautiful, bittersweet story. It is beautiful that they learned to trust each other and fell in love, but then the tragic accident happened. The ending, with the happy memories, is lovely and it made me happy to read that your protagonist could hold on to them, even if only for a brief moment every day. Well done.

    Emily O'Leary
    Emily O'Leary(@emily-oleary)
    1 year ago

    Oh Linda this is wonderfully written, and so heart wrenching! That last line is really one that stays with you, because it’s so relateable that we have a memory or a place or an object that just brings something back to us in that moment.
    Lovely ❤

    Emily O'Leary
    Emily O'Leary(@emily-oleary)
    Reply to  Linda Rock
    1 year ago

    It’s amazing, the little pieces of ourselves we put into our writing, isn’t it?! It always adds that little something more that makes a story shine. Very well done ????❤

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