The meadow... O prado...

Delicately, she held the brown square-shaped wooden box, which had been hidden in her wardrobe for untold sleepless nights. Along with it, there was a long sleeveless wine dress, a present for her mom, who had passed away three years before. Sitting on the bed, motionless, she stared at the clock, watching the hours go by. Her eyes were deep and empty, holding back a tear that had not, and perhaps, would never be shed. Her shaken hands still kept the box safe and the truth inside it untouched. With heavy steps, she got up attracted by the pitter-patter of raindrops on the roof. It was pouring… yet again. Months were through since the last summer, but the everlasting and unbearable sense of abandonment would not allow her to reach anything else besides pain. With care, she took her opaque frilly white nightgown off, letting it fall on the floor of her room. Gently, she unzipped the long wine dress, and put it on, feeling the softness of the silk touching her skin. The unbreakable sadness on her features was lessened for one tiny second, but then again the unspeakable sorrow was stronger. Around her pale bruised neck, rested a thin silver chain where she carried two small jade stones and a key inscribed with his name. She sat down vaguely, now in the antique rocking chair by the window, as if her stiff body could control its movements by itself. There was nothing but the sound of the rain washing away his scent, or any trace of their walks under moonless nights. For once, phlegmatic, there was a possibility her gaze found his in the woods. There was a possibility her shattered heart would be healed. Sluggish, absorbed in her own thoughts, she pursued him. As she walked into the woods, she could feel his shadow closer and the whisper of her lullaby. She could hear the water of a stream flowing softly and the rushing of the trees against the wind. The meadow. At each step, the wild flowers caressed her bare feet. She pressed the key nervously against her aching chest, and ripped it off the silver chain. The brown wooden box was finally unlocked revealing a dainty little bottle, covered with a cork, carrying a thin greenish liquid. She lay down slowly, as the anesthetic venom ran through her body, letting her long red hair fall over her fragile shoulders. She was statuesque, he thought, as he came out of the darkened woods to lie by her side. She felt his hand holding hers strongly like never before, and a gush of warmness took her over. He, lovingly, kissed her face and the tears rolling from her eyes. They were only one, touching the heaven. She closed her eyes. He kissed her goodnight.