The sun was setting. The wind was calm. It felt, and looked like the perfect evening. Around us a sea of people hurried to everywhere and nowhere. But I only had eyes for one...
Momentarily I broke step, and stood in her way. Her eyes lit up in that forever mesmerizing manner that I will always love. She knew I was about to do something silly, I certainly knew myself.
But this was a different silly, one that would either be the first of many, or the last...
I went down on one knee...
Stacey...
"Her gentle steps, how so meek.. Her eyes like angels, in hide and seek.. I close my eyes, I love her so.. Still I couldn't say, a single hello.."
I paused and looked up at Stacey..
"What do you think?" I asked.
"That all?" She asked, mischief floating in her wide eyes.
I smiled. I knew I'd never get a serious response from her at first asking. Not Stacey Anderson.
"Well, there's more.." I answered. "But you'd get to hear it only after offering your opinion on this initial part."
Now Stacey smiled. Then almost immediately she feigned a thoughtful look. And before she even said the words, I had a strong guess as to what they were.
"Terrible, that part's terrible."
Then she smiled again, and I thought for the umpteenth time to myself..
what sort of woman..
...
Stacey was literally 'the girl next door' to me. She was a strange sort of neighbor. One who shared so little of the values I hold dear, yet who consistently found ways to intrigue me.
The sound of her singing very early in the morning while she did her chores, or late evening while she cooked, was a constant source of annoyance for me. I loved, and still love me a good bit of silence. Yet somehow, I owe my present love for Emeli Sande's music to her...
Over the years we grew closer, Stacey and I, even as life inevitably took us in separate directions. But we kept in touch. At least the memories she left me were enough to make me find her.. Everytime...
...
"When I look at her, my heart skips.. when I take a step, my courage leaks.. But soon it'll come, because it's fate.. And when it does, then I'll get my date..."
I didn't say anything this time, as I paused and looked at Stacey.
But she kept silent, the beginnings of another mischevious smile appearing around her lips.
"Uhun..." I murmured..
"Oh, my comment again..." She said, as she struggled not to laugh.
"Hmmm.." was my wordless response.
Then she feigned that thoughtful look again, her eyes telling all that her lips wasn't. But this time I didn't wait. I drew closer and I kissed her...
...
When our lips separated, the mischief was gone from her face. But the excitement of the last few seconds had added something else to her eyes.
That look, that mesmerizing look that I would grow to love..
All that was two years ago...
...
Behind me I knew the sunset was visible despite the sea of people. I had walked this path a thousand times before in my head, and I knew it was near perfect.
Yet I still had a band close by, playing the tune of Emeli Sande's My Kind of Love. For in the two years since fate had finally brought me my elusive date, I'd known that my heart did beat only for Stacey.
So on one knee, I asked her...
"Stacey Anderson..."
And she said no...
THE END...?
This is on the surface, a work of fiction. But certain parts of this story are true events. Stacey truly exists for me, and I certainly do love Emeli Sandes's music because of her.
But enough of the nostalgia. I hope y'all had fun reading, and placing the disjointed parts together.
