Have You Actually Come?

I brushed my teeth, washed my face then checked myself in the mirror while patting my face with a towel. I didn't feel like sitting down on my bed again so I grabbed the letters then went down to the dinning room with the intention of checking them while taking my time to enjoy my breakfast. I opened first the official ones which were mostly from financial companies, bank updates and house bills. These letters made me feel more like I was a little CEO rather than an investigation officer.

There was actually nothing new. What was new was the baby blue envelope that looked a bit thick this time. What could this be? I wondered while picking up my fork to shove some food into my mouth. I realized I was indeed sick hungry.

There were pan cakes and a measure of honey syrup placed beside it, and a glass of orange juice.

I put down my fork and opened the letter with both hands. I read it slowly while munching on the sweetness of the pancake in my mouth. 'My love is sure smart and brilliant!' I smiled as I read how she raised a question about my going there. 'Or have you actually come?' was her words that appear to be asking but in fact was concluding. So she deduced the fact that I went there myself! Or could she have pestered that kind landlady?

Then I flipped to the next sheet. My eyes were greeted by a beautiful view sketched as a backdrop of a short poem. I was drawn to study the sketch first. First, my eyes were drawn to the sunset. The sun touching the still calm sea while its colors were reflected by the sea creating a warm and peaceful feeling. The rays of the sun were extending to the hills facing it. This made my sight carried to the overlapping hills infront of the sunset. The hills were quiet and looked hopeful for the next sunrise. Then my attention was captivated by the detailed sketch of a two storey house on the near top of the right hill. "This is beautiful!" I exclaimed while smiling wide bowing to shove the rest of my pancakes into my mouth.

Munching on it, I started to read the poem on it. I read it over about three times before laughing out loud. I found the last stanza most amusingly loving. I didn't know my love could also compose a rhyme with her wits and humour still intact. What a brilliant mind.! She never stops surprising me!

With a wide smile on my face, I put things down, cleaned my dishes then picked up the letters and moved to the couch in the living room. I propped my legs on the coffee table with the letter still on my right hand. I draped my arms on the armrest while savoring the sweetness of my love's message. I felt all the exhaustion I had this past weeks had vanished in the air and I was feeling so peaceful and so contented with life. Or it was more appropriate to say I'm so in love. Although she rejected my offer to support her studies, it didn't surprise me at all since her reasoning was too matured and valid. I actually anticipated this reaction from her. I furrowed my brows with the thought that my previous two letters didn't actually reach her. 'No wonder she didn't write back!' I muttered. 'Did Marie do it in purpose? Or did she forget to send those letters? It's quite impossible! She must have a good reason why she didn't send those letters!' I then made a mental note to visit Marie to ask her about it although my love admonished me not to.

I was in deep thought when my grandma entered from having done her gardening. She changed her shoes with home slippers then went to change her clothes. She came back after few minutes finding me still on the same position she saw not long ago.

"You don't seem to be sick, are you?" She stared at me before joining me on the sofa.

"Nahhh, your blood running down here does not allow me to get sick Grammie." I said normally.

"But look at you? Are you still feeling tired?" Grandma asked again.

"Grammie, stop it! Im just in love, don't you see?" As I sat up and grinned at grandma's a bit wrinkled face. She was 67 years old, just three years younger than grandpa.

"Ha! So how's your girlfriend doing? Was the letter from her? Or from someone else?" Grandma asked.

"Yeah, it's from her. Here!", handing grandma the page that contained my love's sketch and poem. Grandma adjusted her spectacles then looked at the piece of paper, scanning it from up and down then back.

"That's her work Grammie. The backdrop and the lines written on it. Read it Grammie!" I said with a sheepish tone eager to get any reaction from grandma.

"This is an impressive drawing!" She said without reading the lines yet.

"Read it Grammie!" I said again now amused with grandma's facial expression.

She started to lip read the lines slowly. Then looked at me after reading it about twice or thrice. I don't know.

"Oh my! Is your girlfriend an artist? an engineer? a painter? or a poet?" she asked almost whispering.

I can't help but laugh, "Grammie, by the evidences you are holding, it seems that she is all of the above! Ha ha ha!" I said proudly then hugged my grandma tightly.

"How could a young lady be so versatile as this?" she said like asking herself.

"Grammie, did you know I went to her boarding house two weeks ago. I was going to test drive my land rover and thought it was the best idea. It was their semestral break though, so I didn't catch her there. But the school is good!" I informed grandma.

"Oh, really? How unfortunate! When will you be going again? Can grandma come along?" Grandma was still as adventurous as a 50 year old woman.

"I'll have to check my schedule Grammie. Will let you know." I said but I really doubt if I get a good chance next time.

I spent the entire day at home in the study after having lunch. I tried to write my response letter to my dear lady then dug myself into some case studies. This occupied me the whole afternoon until it was dinner time.