A Short Love Story
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Dear Cherished Writers, Readers, and Fellow Cold Survivors!
My entire itinerary has taken a slight detour as a result of a very pleasant seasonal cold. But, hey, at least it’s given me an excuse to curl up under the blankets with a mug of hot cocoa (cinnamon, of course), a slice of cake, and a weekend of binge-reading. And, yeah, I’ve definitely devoured your most recent articles while I was at it. So, if you noticed an unusually large increase in readers… you’re welcome! And speaking of reading, a big thank you to all of you — 4.4K amazing followers on my profile and 0.45 K for our publication. You’re all officially welcome to join us for some cozy winter fun with our Winter Contest. Oh, and if you don’t want to be tagged in our future updates, just wave. Stay cozy and wonderful, and enjoy this story, which is part of my soon-to-be-published Book of Love and Gossip, originally published in Romanian in December 2021.
Be gone, you, petty, insecure little bitch— short legs, no neck, all twisted up! And yet… I adore you! Ha-ha!
Then… silence. Rina, the target of the threat, pursed her eyes and lips until her face rounded like a full moon.
Luckily, she had managed to record the conversation. She listened to it over and over again until she understood that it wasn’t just a bad joke.
Maria, a friend of her mother’s, told her, “You had a panic attack, sweetheart.”
Rina asked her, tears in her eyes, “What should I do?”
“Beware of jealous women and lustful men. Change your phone number, don’t go out at night, and quit smoking because nicotine increases anxiety. And remember, when you have a panic attack, get close to a bonsai and show it how much you love it. You both might calm down quite quickly.”
They relaxed together, chatting about the art of bonsai.
Maria was extraordinary here, as she steered the conversation towards the small pleasures of life and love.
“Elegance matters. And then, the speech, the education, the class, the humor, the tenderness. And… the color of the eyes. Of course, I only cheated on him with men with blue eyes, how else?!”
She didn’t flaunt her intimate life but focused on the story with Hikaru.
They had been family friends, even neighbors, but the relationship needed years, even decades, to transform into something else. Rina was surprised to hear this straight from Maria’s mouth, but she had heard the story long ago from others. It seemed almost too simple. Maria dismantled her ex-lover’s intellect and pride but left untouched the heart she had loved and would continue to love through this life and beyond.
After a few glasses of hot milk, Rina’s discomfort subsided, and she felt hungry. She took a bite of a hot pie, full of sour cherries, and chuckled:
Rina said, “I also had a bit of a love story with Hikaru.”
“But it’s not what you think. It’s the love of the bonsai for the blade. Ha-ha.
Last year, I was at the seaside with a group of friends. One morning, on the way to the beach, we stopped at a book stand. I remember it as if it were now — the books were arranged vertically and covered with a plastic film to protect them from the breeze. Among sci-fi and romance novels, a single book of essays and a few theoretical ones, history books, I think.
Since it was vacation, I decided to pick up the essays. Hikaru’s book captivated me, and I stayed on a terrace by the promenade, having a long coffee and many cigarettes. In the meantime, my friend was reading a sci-fi novel and casting sharp glances over the beach towards me, afraid that I might get hit on.
In the afternoon, I continued reading from loose pages, as my friend had torn the book apart in jealousy. That evening, to avoid further interruptions, I even gave him money to go to a club and enjoy himself with other girls.”
Maria asked, “Why did you do something like that?”
“I wanted to read.”
“Any book or just Hikaru’s book?“
“His book, yes.”
“Do you love him?”
Rina said, “I love you both, together and apart.”
And so, Maria decided to introduce her to Hikaru.
It was almost like it hadn’t happened at all, taking place in a noisy public spot.
That evening, when Rina tried to read the dedication Hikaru had written for her in his book, she could hardly understand it.
I’ll tell you what he wrote, Maria said, “he called you a little fool and told you to forget him. Also, he suggested you drop any artistic ambitions… and return to your friend, to love you.”
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Dear Medium Friends, Thank You for Being Part of My Journey 💖
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With Love,
Julia 💖
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Julia Kalman 