A
twirl, a giggle, another twirl, another giggle. He was there because of her and
she was there because of him. The company was celebrating its 50th year in a
gala occasion. Her long red dress and his smart tuxedo. They looked like the
happiest couple on that dance floor. However, they were not really a couple.
Pandemic
times, although, everyone had been tested because of the virus, masks still
needed to be worn. She had on a red one that sparkled as the light hit it and
his was black which stood out over his well-trimmed white beard. In the limo
compliments had been exchanged. He looked older than her because of the white
hair which to her was a charm, nonetheless he was a few years younger than she
was- still in their fifties.
While
they were dancing, she wondered when his wife would show up, after all he was
married. In the middle of a slow dance, which she tried to keep a descent
distance from his body, she asked him. Surprised at the question, he thought
she knew. ‘We split up during the pandemic’, he softly said. ‘I am so sorry. I
had no idea’, she replied as she looked into his eyes. ‘Let´s get some fresh
air’. He led her to the balcony just outside the hall.
Once
they were out there, he took off his mask and so did she. They had been tested
negative. Nowadays, this was the protocol for large parties- vaccine, test,
mask. ‘You were away from the company for so long, guess rumors do not reach
home office’, he laughed. ‘Do you want to talk about what happened?’ He mentioned
that there wasn´t much to be said. Quarantine had ruined their relationship. By
being together all the time ruined their intimacy, which made them realize that
the reason why they weren´t being intimate before pandemic wasn´t that they
were tired from the commuting to and from work every day. However, that was
just an excuse, because now they had all the time and rest, they needed and in
the bedroom all they did was sleep. Their romantic candle had burned out. She
listened. We even tried counseling, but to no avail. He looked at the full
moon.
‘You
love the moon, don´t you?’ he said as he smiled and looked at the moon. ‘I love
everything in the sky, the clouds, the sun, the stars and especially the moon’.
Moments
of silence were broken. ‘During the office online meetings, I started to notice
how much I missed talking to you. You always find a way to make me laugh. I
would always move the zoom windows to try and find you. Attending those weekly
meetings was the highlight of my week because I got to see you’. He moved in
closer and looked into her eyes. No words needed to be said, she had feelings
for him too. But before they kissed, she asked if it needed to be kept a secret
at work, keeping in mind that they were surrounded by company workers. He
laughed. He pulled her closer. They shared the longest and most passionate kiss
ever.
They
went back to twirling and giggling with hope of a better future overcoming the
four-year pandemic.
Written:
November 14, 2021 (This is a work of fiction based on a dream)
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