Xander and Amelia: "September Days"

It was a rainy afternoon. September weather was always so. The trees danced away to some unknown wind and the sky was painted in shades of orange and pink. Amelia was walking slowly and  witnessed it all like some work of art. She smiled so as to clock in another day in finance. These were the moments, she thought, were she would drift away and remember who she really was; an artist.

The train station was filled with co workers who waited for the rain to go away. Most of them never brought umbrellas to work, just for the excuse to get some drinks before heading home. Amelia chuckled  because she understood. She stopped in her tracks near the glass door from the bar, because amidst all those people, there was one who stood out for her. His reddish hair shone more in the yellow light and his laughter was audible even outside. Xander was surrounded by a crowd, something that Amelia learned to shy away from. He noticed her at once and she smiled as if they alone were guardians of some secret. She waved at him and walked past the park towards her car and it did not surprise her to see his car next to hers.

Suddenly she heard someone jogging and turned around to see Xander making his way to her while getting all drizzled in rain drops. Something about that scene made Amelia laugh and as a result she waited for him under her red umbrella.

There they stood facing each other. People have been obsessed with scenes involving rain for centuries, something about the rain or perhaps the couple. Something about seeing a face you love as it searches yours in a totally magical rainy way. Yes, that was cheesy.

 Xander was too big for her small umbrella, which made fair excuse to be closer to Amelia and perceive her perfume; sweet and spicy. He smiled mischievously as he wondered if Amelia was at all like her choice of fragrance. He had been wrong about her before, he was sure that every time he figuratively placed her in a box, she went ahead and crushed the image with spectacular grace.

Amelia remembered how earlier in the day she tried to avoid him. Pretty naive on her part considering how closely they worked together. But here he was, inches away from her. Amelia didn't plan what was coming next, Xander had an idea, one he was desperate for.

No words were spoken. Only touch.
Sometimes words are overrated.
Touch is genuine, touch is universal.

Hands explored the edges and corners of her shoulders. Timid at first, as if unveiling a work of art.  Her face was near his neck inhaling  his perfume until it made her tipsy with desire. She felt warm and radiant under the rain and wind. These september days are always rainy and expectant.

Her red umbrella flew way and with it all her doubts and past inhibitions. They both knew what was coming next and the idea was too consuming. Such a simple thing, lips entwine and sparks fly. Amelia teased around his neck with her lips. Xander cupped her chin and made her lock eyes.

"Amelia, look at me"

She knew the moment she raised her eyes at him, the past would be forgotten. She knew that passion was truly what she needed. Law was right, someday someone would make her burn with an  unknown fire. Law was right...it was Xander.

She looked into the eyes of the man she hardly knew but was desperate to be close to. She finally let someone in. Xander smiled and slowly leaned down and kissed her. Their lips explored lightly as if testing the waters. The temperature was right, the water levels were getting deeper and hot.

It was a rainy afternoon, but nothing could possibly put their fire out. Trust me, you wouldn't want to try. It was passionate, anyone could have told you that. Anyone including Roberto from accounting who just happened to be walking by.

"Evening Xander, Amelia. Tough day at work, huh?"

No one answered back. No one stared at poor Roberto from boring accounting. No one else existed for these two. But surely Monday morning would prove to be an interesting tale.

Xander y Amelia: "Ahí viene E.T"

 

En el año 2012 se predecía que el mundo iba a culminar. En la calle se expresaban diversas opiniones, hasta las redes sociales crearon un itinerario que incluía desayuno con los extraterrestres. Sí, ese año fue particular para muchos, pero en especial para mí. Fue el año donde vi sus ojos color ámbar y su cabello rojizo a la luz del medio día. Recuerdo como aquella visión y su risa contagiosa eran conceptos tan ajenos para mí como el desayuno continental de los supuestos E.T's.

Se preguntará (eso presumo) cómo alguien en tiempos "apocalípticos" despoja tiempo para enamorarse. Le soy sincera, no tengo idea. El amor con esta criatura fue tan imprevisto y desesperante como perder tus llaves dentro de tu cartera.

Lo veía por las mañanas en la estación del tren. Su apariencia siempre jovial y misteriosa parecian  guardar un maletín de secretos. Ya sabe usted, ese tipo de secreto que le estremecen la piel. Sus camisas siempre tenían filo, su barba rojiza perfectamente estilizada y sus brazos eran largos y musculosos, claro no que me fijaba tanto. Eso quiero pensar.  Al principio lo miraba sólo por curiosidad pendeja, de esa que busca algo más interesante en otras vidas. Me parecía que yo misma cultivaba el secreto de mi análisis sobre su persona. Realmente era un juego para distraer mi mente sobre mi propia vida.  Me llegó a interesar tanto que al fin lo aborrecí en mi corazón. Me causaba molestia pensar tanto en alguien que ni sabía que existía, en alguien que se rodeaba de personas que comían del cuento.

Si le cuento que en ese año era una chica de concursos de bellezas, le estaría mintiendo. Era una nerda de siete pares que prefería leer que salir con chicos ignorantes. Usted me disculpa si caigo en lo vulgar o coloquial, cuando me apasiono tiendo a perder la tabla. Bueno, mis cabellos oscuros cortos y mi vestimenta de oficina seria ocultaban ciertos atributos y le soy honesta, me encantaba estar escondida. No me sentía preparada para permitir a nadie en mi vida.

¿Qué dice? ¿Es puro cuento lo que digo? Bueno dígame algo usted coño. Usted con esa facha tan seria posiblemente núnca se enamoró así de entregado. Ah, claro puedo continuar con mi historia. Por supuesto que puede tener música de fondo. Me encanta La Oreja de Van Gogh.

Mire, realmente no hay tanto que decir. Me enamoré antes de conocerlo. Qué ridiculez esto del amor a dos o tres vistas. Escuchaba sus historias con los compañeros de trabajo y me encontraba riendo tanto.Cantaba en el kareoke todos los viernes con tal de verlo.  Fue hermoso poder reconocer mi voz nuevamente y en especial ver mis ojazos achicarse con cada carcajada. Pero lo más hermoso fue la tarde del siete de septiembre. Lo ví acercarse con una mirada tímida y segura, ¿Es posible semejante dualidad?

Llegó a mí y pude ver sus ojos claros y reconocer su fragancia  de madera y especias que  me estremeció de primeras. Me sonrió y hablamos de las cosas más tontas y profundas del mundo. Parecía como una canción que  quieres seguir escuchando mientras conduces a tu casa. ¿Recuerda que mencioné como pensaba que era un portador de secretos, bueno, su secreto era yo. Sus miradas que parecían distantes realmente eran su manera de decir "sé que estás ahí".

Así que en el año del fin del mundo, tres meses antes de la llegada de los extraterrestres, encontré el amor. Un amor para pasar el fin del mundo tiene buenos prospectos para el futuro. De manera que le exhorto que revise nuestros talonarios y acepte nuestra solicitud de préstamo hipotecario. Si sobrevivimos el fin del mundo, creo que un préstamo de treinta años es nada.

Bueno, dígame algo, ¿Alguna vez se ha enamorado por más tiempo que su hipoteca? No conteste ahora, solo piénselo, y ya sabe que trabajo en el piso cinco. Perdone las palabras, usted ya sabe. Yo sé que sí.

Xander and Amelia: In the world of women and mortgage loans

   It was a rather uncommon day in mortgage loan affairs when all projected cases closed. The time was exactly three in the afternoon and it served as an opportunity for casual day dreams. She thought of Xander and heard his boisterous voice across the hall. Amelia chuckled and wondered how anyone had such constant energy, considering where they were working.

Amelia took the chance of low "productivity" and walked for a while. She noticed that in every corner there was a woman. The world of mortgage loans is ruled by pure estrogen. Amelia thought about how women are the most loving and giving creatures, and yet the worst when it comes to competition. Amelia was aware that she looked strange staring casually at people in the 18th floor of the building, however, she sincerely did not care.

Women everywhere here.

Sasha was a mortgage loan underwriter. She had the clearest blue eyes and graying hair. Her lovely and delicate features made a smooth canvas for her rather difficult story. As if sensing she was being watched, Sasha smiled at Amelia and asked her to sit next to her. Some days, their conversations would be strictly business like how to know when a client qualifies for a federal mortgage loan without appraisal. But today, they both had a lot in their minds.

Sasha was 60 years old and Amelia 27. They had become close friends. It was Sasha who first mentioned to Amelia that there was more than meets the eye with Xander.

"Amelia, you are too closed up when it comes to love. Give Xander a chance"

"He makes me feel reckless sometimes. Like if I should loose control. It's so out of character for me".

"Given, he is a wild ride...but maybe he is just what you need"

Amelia smiled warmly at Sasha and dropped the subject. In that silence, these two women with decades apart from each other, found comfort. Sasha was still in love with her deceased husband. It had been ten years since his death from a heart attack. Amelia found it amazing how her friend surpassed the pain of loss and chose to remember the man she loved.

"I admire your peace, Sasha. I admire your courage on love and hope. You know what I've been through...maybe Xander just came at the wrong time"

Sasha was working on some figures in her computer but stopped abruptly and gave Amelia a "you're so full of shit"look. Amelia laughed hard and the sound surprised her. Everything about Xander always made her feel things. Feel again. Yet she found it so funny how Sasha could see right through her.

"Amelia, you're a sweet girl, but honey,cant you detect your own bullshit? Ever since you met this guy, I've seen you come alive. I feel as if with Xander, the real Amelia comes out. I'm not sure what you are waiting for".

Amelia shrugged but then looked at Sasha as if remembering a fun fact

"well, he did ask me out last week". Sasha extended her arms in the air in victory, but only to be slightly disappointed.

"And?! You told him yes, right?"

Amelia left the conversation in the air. She loved teasing Sasha like that. But truth is, she had decided a long time ago. As she made her way back to her cubicle, she stopped by Xander's desk. He was busy analyzing data and the frustration had him red in the face. Amelia always found this ridiculously cute in him. She wanted to stay a while looking at him without being noticed, but it was Xander, he always knew when she was near.

Amelia went up to him and in her most decisive tone yet, looked into his eyes and said "Yes". She smiled as if she couldn't believe what just happened, and quietly left.

In the world of mortgage loans, some people didn't make the cut, others got a great deal in the new federal mortgage loan, and two people spent the next two hours day dreaming of their up coming date.