Heather looked into the night sky, leaning onto Glennâs shoulder for one last night, for he had to leave the town because of a promising job offer. She looked into his watery eyes, seeing a drop of tear forming on the rim. Glenn wiped the tear off his face as it leaked out of the corner of his eyes. He looked at Heather, the girl he loved, who was now almost asleep and half drunk.
âMy love,â he muttered âIâll be gone by tomorrow morning and I wonât be able to see you again.â More tears seemed to flow out of his eyes as he said those words. âHeather, I donât want to leave you, and you know it. I canât do this! I wonât leave you for anything. Weâve been together for so long, and I couldnât bear losing you. You are my best friend, and I am yours. But I have to leave.â More tears of regret poured out, landing onto Heatherâs long auburn locks. He loved her lots since he first met her.
He remembered the first time he met her: she was in a blue dress, her hair tied up in a messy ponytail, after a long journey from Belfast, finding a place to stay the night in the small town Glenn lived in. She carried nothing more than a large box of her belongings, alone, confused, and tired, she barely escaping the terrible conflict. He greeted her warmly and took her to his small house where he lived alone. After they settled down, they started talking.
âThank you so much for letting me stay the night. I promise that Iâll be off before sunrise, and I hope that Iâm not so much of a botherâŠ
As the memory faded, Glenn looked at Heather, who seemed to be sleeping on his lap already, and carried her back into their room. He put her into bed and put the blankets over her. He sat down beside her, admiring her for one last time.
âWhy?â Glenn said, frustrated âWhy did I not treasure our time together? All those months that you stayed with me for, and I never felt like this. Your eyes, your ears, your lips, your hair, etcetera. What is this feeling? I love you, and youâre here with me. But why do I feel like I want to strangle you? Every feature on your face, every thing that you do⊠I donât even know how to explain this!â
A hand slowly closed around his. He looked at the hand and saw her small ivory coloured hand holding his fingers. He didnât know how to react, for questions kept arising in his mind.
âDid she hear me?â
âDid she know that I love her?â
Although they were close, theyâve only regarded to each other like siblings, looking out for each other and caring for each other. Theyâve barely even talked about love. And Glenn was always too shy to tell her when he had the chance to do so.
A minute passed, and Heather was still silent. He let go of her hand and went to fetch himself some water.
âWater! Water! What does that remind me of? I think of something but I donât know what!â
And then he remembered. A figure of Heather appeared and he remembered their first night together.
âMr. Glenn, can I have some water next to my bed, Iâll need it before Iâll go and I wonât ask for anything more.â He remembers Heatherâs voice as he remembered himself boiling the water with a paraffin stove. He remembered bringing the warm water to the bed.
âHave some water now, you look tired and itâs the least I could do. Come on, you donât want it to get all cold, considering the weather, and you wonât be leaving tomorrow- itâll be too cold for anyone to travel.â He knew that he needed an excuse to keep her here for longer. âWhere are you even off to?â
âNowhere, but Iâll find a place to settle, eventuallyâŠâ Heather sighed and made herself comfortable.
âMs⊠UmâŠâ
âHeather is fine.â She gently assured, âWhat did you want to say?â
Glenn walked towards her, pulled up a chair and sat down next to the bed.
âHeather, I⊠I⊠uh⊠Want to tell you something.â
âGlenn, are you saying thatâŠâ
âYes, you can stay. Thereâs a tailor looking for an assistant. You may want to consider staying here for a while.â
Glenn smiled as he recalled Heatherâs puzzled face when she found out that he was the tailor. He slowly sipped his cup of water as he brought the other cup to the bedroom. He quietly walked in their bedroom as not to disturb his secret love. Heather was still asleep, and probably a little drunk from the wine they had earlier. Glenn leaned close to Heather as she remained still, with her eyes gently closed.
âHeather, oh HeatherâŠâ Glenn whispered in her ear, âItâs the last time Iâll be looking at you this way, my darling. Iâll be gone tomorrow and weâll never see each other for a very very long time.â Glenn knew that he probably wonât come back, but he refused to believe that heâd leave his love forever. âHeather⊠You knew that I love you, and Iâd wish that weâd exchanged one more word, but you are asleep, and I wouldnât bother you.â Glenn walked towards the window and tears started to pour out of his eyes.
âGlennâŠâ Heather muttered softly, as if she was trying not to let him hear her.
âHeather! My love!â Glenn shouted without a thought. âUm⊠Heather⊠I meant⊠My⊠friend?â Glenn covered his face out of embarrassment. Heather slowly sat up on the bed and chuckled softly.
âItâs alright, sweetheart, I knew all along. It was very obvious, from the first day we met to this very moment. I felt your love. And I also heard everything youâve said.â Heather assured him.