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"I'm home…" David called out happily, still loving those words on his lips as he opened the front door of Julia's apartment, which was now their common home…
"… Living room," she replied immediately, quickly arranging the papers on the dining table, before she hastened out to the hall to welcome him with a long loving hug, which warmed him up instantly after the chilliness of the streets outside.
"I simply can't get used to this feeling," he smiled into her neck, just holding her tightly.
"Me neither… gosh, I've missed you so much." she inhaled his scent, feeling the relaxing sensation of his closeness overwhelm her, "You know, I just love the sound of your keys in the lock, because it means you're home."
"And do you know what my favorite thing is?" he leaned back slightly to see her face, "When I get home late at night and see the light still on in the hall, showing you were waiting for me."
"Of course, I'm always waiting for you." she smiled, losing herself in his eyes, "I need you next to me, and I can't sleep properly until you're home."
"You don't have to worry," he held her close, "This new job of mine is much more secure than the previous ones."
"I know, but it's not about your job actually, it's some kind of a basic fear. Anything could happen on the streets, so I feel at ease when I know you're safe at home with me."
"That's the only place I feel secure…" he smiled and gave her a playful kiss, "So, what are your plans for tonight?"
"Well…" she began sweetly, "I have a bit more work to finish up. Nothing long, just responding to a few emails. Then I'm all yours."
"Perfect," he smiled happily, "Then we can have dinner after you're done. I bought a few things on my way home."
"Really? What did you get?" she asked happily, stepping to the kitchen island, peeking into the bag.
"These are from Pasta Palace," he unpacked two takeaway boxes.
"With that creamy tomato sauce?"
"Uh-huh," he confirmed happily,
"That's my favorite." she smiled, loving the caring side of him so much. Then she found something else, "Oh, and a pack of ginger shots? Gosh, where did you find it? I've been looking for it for weeks now."
"I just checked the drug store next to the pasta shop, which was still open, and they had just restocked it. I knew you hadn't had a chance to get it for a while."
"You're the sweetest," she smiled with shining eyes.
"Wait, there's more inside. I got you… I know you're obsessed with clotted cream, so…" he pulled out a bottle.
"I'm an addict, and I fully accept it." she replied sweetly,
"And a chocolate orange…"
"It starts to feel like Christmas," she chuckled, then after giving him a long kiss, she added with an excited grin, "Actually, I also have a surprise for you."
"Really? I can't wait…" he grinned.
"Chicken will be ready in a few minutes," she pointed towards the oven, "And I made some pasta with that special peppery sauce of mine you love so much."
"… You really cooked dinner for me?" he asked, gazing at her lovingly, trying to conceal the tears welling up in his eyes.
"Of course, I did." she stroked his arm softly, "I got home early today, so I just whipped something up." she smiled, noticing how touched he was,
"…"
"Hey, are you okay?"
"Yes…" he tried to pull himself together, "Just… just a few months ago, I was living like a stray dog on the street… coming home to an empty, dark flat where I hadn't even unpacked my things since moving in. I would usually have a few beers, then just fall asleep on the sofa…" he explained, while she stroked his arm compassionately, "And now, I come home to you… I mean YOU, gosh. I still can't believe it. You're waiting for me in a warm, cosy home and you even cooked for me, it's just…"
"Hey…" she gently placed a kiss on his shoulder.
"I'm the luckiest bloke, really." he smiled, holding her waist, when she started giggling, "What?…" he asked, pulling her closer playfully,
"I don't know if I should mention it or not…" she smiled up at him mischievously, "But there's also a possibility of something more tonight, so…"
"Gosh…" he chuckled, caressing her waist, "I don't think I can handle any more of this luck…"
"But you have to… because it looks like you're the lucky winner tonight." she grinned, sliding her hand under his jacket as he leaned in to kiss her lovingly,
"… So how much work do you have left?"
"About ten or fifteen minutes, then we can officially start our evening." she smiled, "And in the meantime, you can decide what you want to eat."
"Your cooking, of course…"
"Alright, then we can save the tomato pasta for tomorrow, which will be a real time-saver for the weekend." she added with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Saving time for other goodies." he replied and they exchanged a look, "… I'll set the table while you work."
"Great," she smiled happily, "And could you make a cuppa for me?"
"Sure," he nodded with a smile, and took off his jacket as she returned to the living room with a cosy, happy feeling in her mind. Hanging up his jacket, he noticed an envelope in the pocket. "Oh, I almost forgot, your assistant sent this. She mentioned you left it in the office." he said, entering the living room and handing her the envelope,
"…" she took it from his hand, but her sudden expression seemed odd. "Uhm thanks, I'll read it later along with the rest of the mail," she said swiftly, placing it on the table and returning to her work.
"… What's that?" he asked, more to himself, as he noticed the golden edge peeking out of the envelope, which opened slightly as it fell. Startled, she turned back, but he had already extracted it, "Hey, looks like a concert ticket…"
"…" she tried to act normally.
"And it's for your favorite band, they've reunited." he added cheerfully, smiling at her. However, she appeared more perplexed than before.
"Really?…" she tried to be nonchalant.
"Yes, we can go together. It's happening next month."
"Well… I'm not sure I'll have time for that. I have a lot on my plate in the coming weeks."
"But it's your favorite band. I mean it's almost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, right?"
"I'm not as into them as I used to be…"
"Are you kidding?" he asked surprised, "You still have every single one of their CD's."
"Yes, because I like them, but it's been many years… and now, it's better if I finish my emails quickly." she tried to evade further discussion.
"But the ticket says…"
"What?" she stopped,
"That you were the one who purchased them."
"… Really?" she moved closer, feeling guilt creeping in.
"Yeah."
"Oh, yes. I remember now. When they announced it, I bought the tickets instantly. It was an impulse purchase, but that was nearly a year ago."
"See? I knew you still loved them. So we can go now, I'm saving the date…" he pulled out his phone.
"I'm not sure if I can go…"
"Oh…" he suddenly understood her hesitation, "I'm so sorry."
"Sorry for what?" she asked confused,
"I didn't mean to ruin your fun, just…"
"My fun?" she inquired, puzzled.
"Yes. You probably want to go with one of your friends, for a girls' night out, right?"
"… Uhm, not really," she replied, shaking her head with a soft smile. "I don't really have any female friends, David."
"But what about those from…"
"They're just colleagues. I've never gotten along well with women, you know."
"But if you don't want to go with someone else, then what's the issue?"
She let out a sigh, hoping he would believe her. "It's just not that important to me anymore."
He looked puzzled, then realization struck him.…
"What is it?" she asked, noticing his sadness,
"…"
"David?" she approached him gently,
"Are you… are you ashamed of me?"
"What?!" she exclaimed with disbelief, chuckling at the absurdity, "How could I be ashamed of you?" she stepped closer, embracing him.
"I just don't know what to think…"
"But why would you think that?"
"Maybe you don't want to be seen with me. After all, we're… we're from two different worlds."
"Gosh, we've discussed this before," she sighed with a smile and snuggled close to him, instantly relaxing him. "I couldn't be more proud to be with you. Can't you feel it?"
"Of course, I can."
"Then?"
"I feel that you love when we're together, but still…"
"…"
"I think I've noticed that you might not want to be seen in public with me."
"What?…" she asked confused, "How you mean that?"
"We've been a few places together, that's true. But you often cancel our plans."
"…" she knew he was right.
"We never go anywhere, really."
"That's not entirely true…" she tried.
"I know you love concerts, movies, and festivals, but when I suggest such outings, you tend to dismiss them."
"I want to be with you…"
"I know, and I can feel it, really. I've just had this strange feeling that you try to stay away from public events…"
"…" she tried to avoid his gaze,
"I don't want to make a big deal out of it, I just want to understand," he said softly, while she still held him close,
"I just…"
"Please, tell me."
"… I just fear for you, David." she finally said aloud.
"What do you mean by that?" he pulled away a little to meet her gaze,
"Do you recall the classical music concert we attended in April?"
"Yes…"
"I noticed how you suffered the entire time."
"What?"
"Your hand was clenched, you flinched at every loud noise. David, I could see your suffering. I knew what you were going through."
"I was okay…" he whispered, but knowing neither of them truly believed it.
"I saw you putting on a smile and enduring it all for me, but I don't want you to suffer."
"I use earplugs, they help."
"Yeah, I noticed them."
"That's why we avoid concerts, theaters and cinemas?"
"Yes…"
"But what's the matter with cinemas?"
"Are you serious? The special effects, loud noises etc… I wouldn't subject you to that."
"But these things are inevitable, the world is full of loud noises," he said softly.
"I know, but if I can shield you from even one of them, I will." she answered, and he just pulled her fully into his embrace and held her tightly.
"I know you will," he kissed her head softly, "But you shouldn't isolate yourself from the world because of me."
"Why not?" she asked, gazing up at him with her big brown eyes.
"… Isn't this indoor life too dull for you?"
"No, not at all," she shook her head with a smile, "And do you know why?… Because if I had to choose between any kind of event or being with you… I'd always choose you."
"And what about movies at home?"
"You mean those light, fluffy romantic comedies we always watch?…" she teased,
"Uhm… yeah," he nodded with his boyish smile, "Which I actually quite like."
"Really?" she chuckled, "We're watching the same movie for the seventh time in a row."
"I never noticed." he smiled, kissing her nose,
"How could you not?" she giggled,
"It's simple. I just love lying on the sofa with you in my arms, feeling your scent, the soft curls of your hair and your body against mine. Who could focus with such distractions?"
"Fair point…" she smiled sweetly,
"And these nights almost always end up in bed."
"My favorite part," she bit into her lower lip, "But…"
"What?" he encouraged her with a smile,
"I have the same question for you… don't you feel bored staying at home all the time?"
"How could I?" he chuckled, pulling her closer, "I've been waiting all day to get home to you, spending the evening just the two of us."
"Just as I do," she said, her eyes shining, "So, how about the same movie after dinner?"
"I'm all in…" he smiled, and just kissed her lovingly…
The End