Armando? Is that you? "
The words were steady but so heavy with desperate hope. Anastasia had never taken a moment to notice how much she was drawn to him. How much Armando meant to her. The world moved so fast that even a second to stop felt like a let down. But now it was a blessing.
She looked into his deep brown eyes, there was a pleasant glow, and it wasn't just a reflection of hers. She didn't have to carry the emotion within their shared stare. Then it hit her, the gut wrenching feeling of his curiosity, as if she was unfamiliar. She searched for something else, she searched for emotions solely for her. Drowning in the muddy waters of his eyes, threatened by her own vulnerability, like he had the power to physically crush her heart. She burned for him, and at that moment she knew he would let her become ashes.
And then they softened, they rested but the sparkle in them didn't sleep.
" Do you remember me? " Anastasia pressed, paranoid that she was imagining his reaction.
He remained silent just looking at her, with the same look of shimmering eyes.
Embarrassment, hurt, frustration washed over her, once more she couldn't breathe. Suffocated by the strength of her oppressive emotions. She walked, the entire situation was overwhelming on so many levels, she wanted to blame him. She could, but she didn't.
Then she froze, a gentle hand wrapped around her wrist. A light touch, but she was unable to move. The skin to skin contact was electrifying, but in the warmest way. Almost indescribable. Refreshing like a fresh water river, comforting like a soft blanket you clung to on bitter nights. Anastasia turned to look at him, a weird sensation inside her. Not butterflies, she wasn't nervous. She felt at ease, the feeling you get as you're about to fall asleep. Peaceful.
" How could I forget you, Anastasia? " Delicate smile lines appeared as he grinned. It then became clear, that all the shine in his eye was for her.
" How are you doing? When did you get out?" Anastasia asked.
" A month, just, "
A punch in the stomach, a month? So much time… so much opportunity.
" I wrote to you… " She began to fiddle with her fingers, the hurt slowly returning. Oh how she wished she didn't care as much as she did.
" I know.. " He broke the eye contact looking down at his hands. Slightly dirtied with dried mud.
She scoffed. " You knew? You could have written back. " She stepped back, realising perhaps she really was a fool.
" I'm sorry, I really am. " He took her hands kindly, as is if he was too rough he might betray her presence.
" It's just been so much… it's not an excuse I know. I've been looking for you since I got out, I went to the address from the letters you sent me while I was in there. I memorised it. "
He took a breath, like he was trying to remain composed.
" I didn't want to mess it up. "
They stood there, just in each other's space. Holding hands. Like the distance between them was too far apart.
Anastasia impulsively pulled herself into his chest, embracing him delicately. That was what they were, delicate. Armando wrapped his arms around her shielding her from anything that was troubling her mind.
His breath became easier, this was real.
" I missed you. " he breathed.
" I was worried. " she closed her eyes, never wanting to let go.