It is almost getting dusk, and the sun is going down on the eastern horizon giving an after-glow effect. As I walk down the aisle between the flowery gardens of our home, I cannot stop to cherish the prevailing fresh fragrance like that of a perfume worn by a beautiful lass in her 18. As I close the gate to our house, I feel my skin tingle, and I can feel tiny drops of sweat flowing down my armpits. My only thought is on her, the girl I met on a day when I was giddy and grinning as I sipped rum by the pool. I had promised to take her for a dinner date on this day which also coupled as her birthday treat. Suddenly I hear a sweet melodious voice like that of birds chirping in the air on a warm morning “surprise!” and for a moment I am startled to the roots of my existence standing there admiring her like a statue. She was all glowing in a bright yellow dress with shades of blue colors and adorned with elegant designs. Before I could regain my consciousness, she gives me the hearty laughter that rings through my mind in reverberations. Her pink lips and pearls of white teeth cannot quench my desire to see her smiling. “Hello, gorgeous, shall we?”
It is almost 1900hrs when we arrive at the hotel. The table set for the dinner is decorated with red and purple flowers, glasses of wine and a bottle of champagne are on the table evoking a special feeling. As I shove the chair for her, I can see that she cannot hide her joy. From afar, there is soothing jazz music and she tilts her head in appreciation-it is her favorite music anyway. On my side, I am enjoying the bittersweet symphony; I feel the need to acknowledge the happiness in me and letting the melody shine as bright as the sun. My mind gets a therapeutic feeling; it is cleansed, and I feel so free. Abruptly I get a rush of warmness over my body; she was touching my fingers and caressing my fingers. “Can you do me the honors? She possesses the question I have always wanted to ask. For a few minutes, we are on the floor, dancing with the rhythm of the soft music. My hands are all over her hips, and our eyes are locked to each other. I can’t have enough of her at this moment.
“Happy birthday love,” I tell her while grinning my teeth exposing the tiny space between my teeth. She often said she loves it and with that in mind, I always tried to find an opportunity to expose it. We gobbled the chunks of “raspberry cake” and drown then with the sweet red wine. Each one of us is engulfed in the frenzy and freshness of the moment. We exchange romantic glances and glass shattering laughter to jokes we were sharing. “I am living in a dream; how was it possible for this girl to fall in love with me at first sight?” I soliloquize to myself. My dream is short lived with her almost pleading voice is saying it is time to go home. I retreat to normalcy and wondering how time could be so unmerciful to my happiness. “Yes, baby let’s go home. I love you!”
