Danny Osipenko - Miranda Sparks’ wonderful life

«Mike’s alive,» it sounded in my head as I opened my eyes and looked ahead of me. The man who’d let me believe he was dead and left me alone to suffer the pain of love lost forever was now standing over me with his furry head bowed.

– Are you awake!?

The familiar voice sent shivers through my body. I pulled myself up in my seat and put my arms around my shoulders. It looked like it was someone else’s room, so there was a good view of the city from the window, and I was also sitting in bed at the moment.

– How do you feel?

I looked at Mike. He’d changed, a lot. His hair was shoulder-length and practically blond, he had a beard, and the glow in his eyes that I’d seen every time we were together was gone. I couldn’t help but reach forward and put my hand over his face. He pressed it tighter with his warm hand and sighed heavily, closing his eyes.

– You’re alive. – I wheezed with excitement.

– Yes, alive.

He looked at me, and I didn’t know what to say to him. Everything was so confusing and hard to make sense of. My thoughts swirled around in my head in a frantic whirl. I wished I could just hug him and run away from here. This man meant so much to me, but he had caused me so much pain that I didn’t know what I was essentially feeling at the moment. I looked at him, but I no longer saw the familiar and desirable face that I adored so much. He had become a stranger to me.

I turned away from him as tears welled up.

– Hey!

Mike took me by the chin and turned me toward him. I tried not to look at him, tears running treacherously down my cheeks.

– Please don’t cry. – There was a familiar pain in his voice, and I looked up in surprise. – That’s it, baby. That’s it, look at me.

– Mike…

His name sent a wave of pain through my body, and I threw the blanket aside with a sob, got up, and clung to him tightly. The familiar feelings overwhelmed me, and I started sobbing profusely.

– Oh, Violet! I missed you, too. I’m sorry, darling. I’m sorry…

I clung tightly to his shirt, which was damp from my tears.

– I… I… thought you were dead. Why is that? Why is everything like this?

– Forgive me. I am so sorry for you.

– I thought… I thought… God, you’re alive. How can that be?

I pulled away from him and sat next to him, looking more intently into his face. He tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear and then ran his hand down my cheek.

– Sorry.

He was so close that I couldn’t believe I’d already lost him once.

– Alive! – I exhaled as Mike took my hands. – But how?

– It’s hard to explain.

He stroked my hand with his huge finger, as if asking me to calm down.

– I’m not rushing anywhere.

– Not now, baby. Are you slowing down here?

– No. At the AZ Hotel.

Mike smiled guiltily at me and got out of bed.

– How long have you been in Algeria?

– Denek. What about you? Where have you been all this time?

There was hesitation in his gaze.

– I can’t tell you everything yet. It’s really hard, just to explain. How long will you be in Algeria?

Here it is, the 1st bell warning me to be careful what I say.

– One week.

– That’s way too little, baby. Did you just come here to rest, or do you have business here?

I got out of bed and fixed my light yellowish dress.

– Both. Especially to see you with long hair.

Mike took a step toward me and put his hands on my shoulders.

– Can I ask you something else?

– Uh-huh.

– Did you come here alone?

– One.

I don’t know why, but I wanted to say «I’m not alone. I was afraid to tell him that I still couldn’t forget him. That for the last few years5, I’d been avoiding people like crazy, indulging in our memoirs, shutting myself away in my own little apartment. He probably remembered a completely different me, one who often laughed and enjoyed life. A colorful, concrete, ready for any adventure lady. But not a dried herbarium in her place.

I’d lost my luster over the years5, and my fur was too shabby for me to just lie to Mike. Anyone who could see me at the moment would tell me how pale I was, and how unkempt my clothes were. To those close to me I had become very skinny, almost transparent, playing a constant silent game, as if I had been reincarnated as a fish. My blank face without paint, resembling an unstained leaf and indifferent attitude toward everything that was going on were all part of who I was now.

Everyone knew the reason, but no one tried to talk to me about it, not even my father. It was as if they were afraid I would snap and run to chop up my wrists. And I wanted to share this pain with someone who would hug me and let me finally get all the shit out that had been building up inside me for years. But there was no one willing. Miranda was always on the road; it’s hard to reveal your soul to someone whose life is more of a rushing waterfall. My friend was very busy with her own life; she was active, energetic, in constant motion, while I sat in a corner. I couldn’t admit to her that I was unhappy when she was so happy and fulfilled. Well, it’s not in my nature to complain about life.

I would naturally like to look better and more confident in front of Mike at this point, so that he would think that I had survived everything that had happened between us.

– Oh so!?

I saw that this was the answer he was waiting to hear.

– Yes, one.

Mike looked me over from head to toe with an attentive eye.

– You’ve changed a lot.

– I know.» I mumbled back.

– I’m sorry again Val, I’m really very sorry for the way I disappeared back then.

– The truth?

I grinned ironically. If he was hoping to get away with an apology, he didn’t know me very well.

– Listen, let’s meet up with you tomorrow night. And I’ll answer all your questions.

– Where?

– Where is more comfortable for you.

I reflected on my own hotel, but I also remembered the detective.

– Is there a restaurant in this hotel?

– There is. But it’s very crowded.

– So? Is there some sort of inconsistency in that?

Mike ran his hand through his hair excitedly.

– No, I just wanted to talk to you in a more casual setting. But if you really want to meet in a restaurant, I don’t mind.

– What time is most convenient for you?

He pulled out a cell phone from the pocket of his dark pants and, after quickly typing something, shoved it back in.

– В5. Normal?

– Yes.

I went to the nightstand by the bed to get my bag.

– Violet!?

Swiftly throwing the strap over my shoulder, I turned around.

– What?

– You will come, won’t you?

– Naturally. I have to find out why you did what you did.

– And you will find out, I promise.

– I don’t doubt it. I’m sorry, but I have to get back to my business.

We uncomfortably started waving our arms as we walked to the door.

– Are you sure you don’t need an escort? You’re still pale…

– Oh no, that’s not necessary. There’s nothing wrong with me. I really am.

– Great.

– Bye.

He looked at me with a long gaze.

– See you tomorrow, Violet.

I smiled at his forgiveness and left the room.

«What the hell was that?»

Some people like the rain in the summer, explaining it by the fact that after it passes, it becomes fresher. Some people like to bask in the sun under its colorful and scalding rays. There are people who like to walk outside and feel the light breeze on their own skin. There are a lot of people like that, but I’m not one of them. The rain gives me a migraine and my hair gets frizzy, and when the rain passes, the road turns into a swamp for me and my shoes get dirty. I rarely go outside, so on the only days I do get out of the house, I am greeted by sunny weather. It makes me wrinkle, my skin dries out, and in the light I start to notice the loose, unruly hair on my head, and I always feel like it’s trying to fall on my face. It’s a terrible feeling. It’s the same with the wind, yes it’s nice, it blows me blue, but it ruins my hair, and from time to time little grains of sand hurt my eyes and even get in my mouth.