This is a true story that happened to me once....

Evening. 17.30.

I called you to see how you were doing. ...You were busy for about 2 hours.

I shaved and put on my suit for you for the first time, I knew you would like it...Tonight, this evening, I smelled deliciously of exotic perfume.... It was your favourite scent!

I had been on my way for 40 minutes when you sent me a message: "Sun, I'm busy at the moment. I probably won't be able to meet you today. I'll call you back." I thought: You didn't guess. I wanted to see you and to make you pleasant by my presence... I knew that you were tired today and I wanted so much: to raise your mood and to have a rest together with you; to give you a drop of happiness, a little bit of my warmth, calmness..... I knew you'd like all this!

19:00. Arrived at "your" metro station. Waited for you, killing time in two shopping centres. I dialled "you" - you didn't answer. 

20:00. Finished the book. Called again - again silence. 

21:00. I took the minibus to your house. I'm thinking you're coming, cos it's late. I call you, but it just beeps in response. 

21:30. I'm at the shop. I'm getting groceries and wine for us. I call you, and there's no answer.  

22:00. I make my way to "your" entrance. I go up and stop between the sixth and seventh floor. You live on the eighth floor. I dial "you" again and it beeps!

22:30. I'm dialling again, you're not here! You're not there, where are you? What happened? I look out the window..., I stare at the cars passing by - I hope you'll get out in one of them. I stare at the silhouettes of people approaching "your" house, hoping to recognise you… 

23:00. It's winter. I was starting to freeze. It takes an hour and a half to get back. The underground closes at 0:00. I'll have to adjust the time. 

Well, she's coming! There's no way she won't come! There must be a miracle! I dialled "you" and got dial tones. 

23:15. Now I realise that there are no miracles..., and I want so much to create this miracle out of all that is among us! You see, people, I want so much! And I've created it... almost..., only she won't see it... that I'm here waiting for her! Alone, all alone without her! I'm dialling her again - she's silent again. 

No, she's not coming.... Maybe she has someone else? Then why did she invite me to her place and get acquainted? It's weird!

It's not your fault! It's my fault for coming to see you. You told me I couldn't see you today, but I was halfway there! There's no point in going back. I have to go all the way! To see what awaits me! I just wanted to see you! To give us both a little bit of joy.…

… I just needed to see a message from you..., I needed to know if you were coming or not, and..., nothing else…

23:20. I'm leaving. It's time to go. The underground closes soon. Otherwise I'll have to stand in the corridor of "your" house all night. It's winter. It's cold today.

I'm dialling you, but you're not saying anything again....  I get on the bus. Going to the underground. There's emptiness and pain in my eyes. Dull pain and nerves.... Thoughts swarming in my head.... Why did this happen? What could have happened to you? I was worried about you! You hear me? - Worried!

0:00. Already at my metro station and an hour away from you!  I got your message on my phone, on the internet site: "I'm home. Switch on Skype. I'm waiting for you. Came home at 23:00. "Forgot my phone at the woman's. Sorry."

I smiled back: we just missed each other by floors and you didn't have your mobile phone. So you're fine, you're healthy and at home! But what it cost me…!

I hope you will fully understand me. After all, I waited for you for four long hours!!!! And the journey took two and a half hours!!! So you'll see the suit after. 

But, I was on my way to you! Remember that and know it!!! That's the way I want it! That's it! I kiss you tenderly.

"Well, make up a punishment for me! - you wrote. I'm guilty in front of you! Now you won't call me again, will you?"

That time you stayed up all night…

I hardly fell asleep myself - it was the accumulated fatigue from the experience and the "swarm" of thoughts in my head.  

Dialed "you" the next day.... Came over.... We were fine.

Published earlier on 08/04/2024.
© Copyright: Vladimir Yevtushenko 3, 2024
Certificate of Publication No. 224080400760