Fierce Insects

They had not looked at each other for over a year. They had seen each other, though. Unfortunately seeing hurts. Time shapes feelings. It does not sweep them away.

He woke up early and everything he did was waiting for her. Had a long lasting shower. Listened to the game on the radio. Read a traveling magazine. Random useless things.

She missed her turn the first time she went by.

"Hello," she quietly said.

"Hello," now, that was slightly awkward. "Welcome to my house."

One year has three hundred and sixty five days. That is eight thousand seven hundred sixty hours. That is five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes. That is thirty one million five hundred thirty six thousand seconds. Enough. Enough time to hate each other. Enough time to love each other. Enough time to feel yellow, red, blue. Letters never written and letters that should have never been.

"Are you hungry?"

"Of course."

He clumsily cooked without paying attention to what he was doing. A little bit of this, a little bit of that. They were able to dribble the initial awkwardness. Other people's issues, beers and boobs. That always works. The food was good, so was the company.

Time stretched. Urgency committed suicide and they decided to walk together to the ice cream parlour. Randomness kept them comfortable, as they would have always been if they had known better, if he had known better. Sunshine kisses. Breeze caresses. Chocolate, mocha, strawberry, cappuccino, and movie quotes.

They walked to the park and sat down under the shadow of a generous smiling tree. It only happened after she was attacked by a fierce insect he bravely fought with.

"I was really mad at you..."

Only then, it was their hearts who were talking. Only then, they were ready to listen. Only then, they were able to look at each other far from the mouth of the river they once descended.

"Can I hug you?"

"No."

His foot was bleeding from the fight. His heart was not, anymore. She was sad, she was happy. Before they decided to walk back he asked again.

"Yes."

After their rise they went back to the reign of randomness.

"I will see you soon."

"Yes."

He walked back. A smile drawn on his face. The smile of a triumphant soldier after scaring a fierce insect away. He imagined her smiling as well. Sometimes it is easier that it seems. And better with ice cream.