This part of Leyna's corner will be containing short stories about love.
I'm not used to this kind of writing, but thought it could be challenging to try it out.
So if you're a romantic spirit, read on, if not....oh well......!

The man of her dreams
The Wedding
Flowers from a stranger

The man of her dreams

- Hey Honey. Your mind seems to be a million miles away.Wake up !
Sam's voice startlet her. She was indeed far away inher mind. About ten years into the past. It felt like yesterday though.
- I guess I was daydreaming, she answered uncertain, and tried to send him a smile. She felt quilty. Like he caught her in the act of cheating.
- About me, I hope. He winked at her.
She didn't answer. Just smiled at him again.
They had been married for six months now, and she really loved Sam. Sure she did.Of course she did. No question about it. Then why did it upset her so to see Peter again ? Why did her heart jump when she turned and looked straight into his face at the supermarket ? And why couldn't she speak when he send that flashing smile at her ? Peter had been the love of her life, or so she believed at the age of 21. She had adored him, like every other girl that laid her eyes on him. He was extremely handsome, and he was charming. A girl just couldn't help herself. They had been going steady for a couple of weeks, and then Peter found another girl. He always did. they were practically standing in line, and he just couldn't refuse. He had to take all that was offered to him. He had broke her heart then, and the ache didn't really stop. It just grew paler over the years. When she met Sam two years ago, she was sure, that nothing could come between them. Sam was reliable. He was trustworthy, and he was always there for her. And today she'd seen Peter again. Oh, how she had been fooling herself. She had never forgotten him, and in comparison Sam was plain dull.
They had talked, and Peter had asked her out for lunch the next day. Before she could think about it she had accepted. Now she was scared. Maybe Sam wasn't the any dreamboy, but he was sweet and tender, and he loved her. She was sure of that. And now she had made an appointment with the man she never had forgotten, but always loved. She felt sorry for Sam. How was she ever going to break the news to him ? She wouldn't dream of cheating, so it had to be divorce. "You're being silly", she told herself. After all, it was just a lunch date, so why worry ? But nevertheless her heart raced.

Peter was already at the cafe, where they should meet. He had never been too worried about being precise before she remembered. He greeted her with one of those flashing smile, that could melt your heart. She smiled back nervously.
- You look marvelous, he said.
- Thanks. You look pretty good yourself.
She'd spent three hours picking out something to wear and finally she decided that she didn't have anything which fitted this occasion, and she had left the office early, and went shopping. She'd stuffed her old clothes in a bag, which she had left at the railroad station. She felt uncomfortable in this new dress. It was a bit too flashy for her, but Peter liked it, and that made it all worth while. Sam never complimented her on her choice of clothes. When she asked him, he just said "You look terrific in everything, darling." That was so annoying.

Lunch went well. Peter was charming as always, but she found his way of behaving a lit off beat. It was like he still thought he was 25 and she was 21, but they were both ten years older now. For one thing he called her pumpkin, like she was a child. She didn't like that. And besides, they weren't a couple anymore, although she wondered what it would have been like if they were.
- Pumpkin, he said. - I've missed you. I guess I was a fool to let you go. You've been on my mind for all those years. I've been with other women. I can't deny that, but it was always your face I saw. Allways you I longed for. Allways you.
He grabbed both of her hands in his and looked into her eyes.
- What do you say, we start over ?
At this she had expected that she would have been overflowed with joy. Just being in his arms again should have been the ultimate goal. And she should not have any doubts. And yet. Her heart didn't leap or flutter. She didn't feel flattered. She felt doubtfull. So she didn't respond right away.
- I know you must be overwhelmed, he said. - I can understand that. You don't have to say anything, pumpkin. I can read the answer in your eyes.
His selfconfidence is remarkable, she thought.
She sent him a flashing smile and raised her hand to show him her wedding ring.
- I'm married, Peter.
The look of surprise that rolled over his face was almost comical, but also a bit pityfull.
- Well, he said at last. - I know it's been a long time, and I understand that you had to get some kind of substitute, but admit it pumpkin.We were made for each other. Nothing else matters. Just the love we share. These days you can get a divorce as quickly as you can get married.
She suddenly felt sorry for him. He wasn't the man she loved. He was a man she once had been attracted to because of his good looks. Because of his charm and because he always seemed to know what a woman needed to hear. He always said the right thing, but he never ever seemed sincere. He just had to win them all. And when he had conquered one, well...then he moved on to the next. He needed teh attention of women like a vampire needs blood. He drained his victims and then moved on to the next. She couldn't believe that she had seriously considered putting everything on the line for this man. He didn't realize how phony his lines sounded now, and the worst thing was, she didn't think he cared one way or the other.
- I'm happily married, Peter. I love my husband, and that's all there is to that.
He suddenly looked angry.
- You're lying to me, he said. - But you're lying to yourself as well. When you make love to him it'll be my face you see. It'll be my face, cause you belong to me, pumpkin, and you know it.
She stood up.
Goodbye Peter. She took his hand and shook it, like they were two strangers who had just had lunch together. - I hope you grow up some day, and I wish you luck. You'll need it.
She turned and left the cafe.
- It'll be my face, he shouted after her, but she didn't look back.

>On her way home, she wondered if he might be right. Would she still be dreaming of him in years to come ? She had dreaned a lot about him for years and years, and her hope had been that he would come back some day and make her his woman. Very romantic dreams, and were they over now ? She didn't know, but she knew that she wouldn't cast all she had aside, just to follow a dream. Sam was not handsome like Peter, but he loved her in a way thar Peter would never be able to. Sam knew the meaning of responsibility and Peter would never obtain such knoelegde. Peter might be the man of her dreams, but for now, he would have to stay that way. Only a dream.

- A penny for your thoughts, Sam said.
It was late at night and she lay silently in his arms. They had made love, sweet and tender, and she felt happy and fulfilled.
- Is that what you think they're worth ? She smiled a little
- Oh, I could never pay you what they might be worth. Not even if I were as rich as Michael Jackson.
She laughed quietly at this.
- I was just thinking, that I was glad to see your face, she replied.
He looked puzzled.
- Never mind, she said.- I love you, Sam.
- And I love you, honey.
This was where she belonged, in Sams arms. Sometimes the man of your dreams isn't the man you've dreamt about for years, she thought. Sometimes you have to wake up to find the true amn of your dreams. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.

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The Wedding

She stared at her own reflection in the mirror. She looked terrific. No doubt abot that. Still she was nervous. After all, this was the day she had dreamed of most of her life. The day Michael would say "yes" to his beloved. She had known him all his life.

Their parents had been close friends, and therefor they had seen a lot to each other.
Michael was two years her senior and she had adored him from the minute she laid eyes on him. She didn't remember this herself, as she had been no more than three years old at the time, but her parents had told her often enough how she had followed Michael everywhere and been his beg and call. They had considered it a little bit funny, but neither of the kids had cared. They only cared for each others company.

When she was 9 and Michael 11 they had become "bloodbrothers". Michael had taken a knife and cut both her and himself and they had mixed the blood. Michael had looked at her gravely.
- This means that we're bound together, no matter what happens, he had said. She had been utterly flabbergasted by this ritual. It was special to be chosen to be a bloodbrother. And she wasn't even a boy! She had thought that it was so romantic, and she had loved him dearly from then on. She was only 9, but she made herself a promise right there and then. She would always love Michael, and she would stand by him, no matter what.

She started to put on her make-up. The wedding was only two hours away, so she had to hurry up. She usually didn't wear any make-up. Michael said that she was the most natural girl he had ever encountered, and he seemed to be pleased by that. Besides, she didn't really need make-up. God had favored her with features that didn't need to be hidden. She was beautyfull and she was aware of it. Not that she thought herself to be some kind of Godess. She just thought she looked okay, and she didn't want to use a lot of money on some unnessecary products. Today was different though.

At the age of 13 she had been the one to share Michael's secrets. He had had a crush on this girl and she had listened to his trouble and given him good advice. She loved Michael and believed she always would, but she understood that he might need some attention from other girls as well. She wasn't jealoux. Even at 13 she wasn't. She knew that Michael always came back to her. After all, she was the one to share his secrets and she knew his dreams.

She finished the make-up part and finally decided it was time to go. She picked up her purse and called a cab. Her hands were shaking slightly and she was angry with herself. She wanted to be calm and relaxed. Not like a virgin on her first date.

She remembered Michael kissing her for the first time when she was 19. It was under the big appletree in his parents garden, and she had never experienced anything quite like it. She had kissed a lot of boys by that time, but no kisses came even close to matching this. She had still been a virgin two years later, and Michael had been the first. It felt good. It felt right. Michael was the first and there had been no other. Not ever. They had been together as a couple for 13 months. Then she had had to leave to finish her education as a journalist. she wanted that education, and Michael had agreed that she should leave. They would have all the time in the world when she got back. After all it was only a year. They wrote each other at least once a week, and she was glad that she had gone after all. He was right. They had all the time in the world, and she finished her education and got a job right away. She didn't come back for the next two years.
Her feelings for Michael hadn't changed though. She still loved and adored him, and he was the man for her. Always had been, and always would be. She had had an affair while she was away, but it had been brief and without much tenderness. He wasn't Michael. He had been in love with her, but she kept comparing him to Michael, and he grew tired of that. Sometimes it hurts to love, she thought.

The Taxi honked, and she left the appartment. She was on her way to Michael. The day had finally come and she was on her way. Sometimes it hurts to love, she thought again. But she would love Michael always, and some day she might even learn to love Susan. The girl Michael was going to marry today. She stepped into the cab and went to the wedding.
Sometimes it really hurts to love.

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Flowers from a stranger

She had been chatting a lot since she got a connection to the Internet. What a terrific idea that people from all over the world could communicate with just a single click on a button. It still amazed her how nice and friendly most people seemed. Usually people wouldn't talk to each other, and in a city as huge as the one she lived in, it was all to common that you didn't even know your neighbours.

She had made a few friends, whom she exchanged emails with on a regular basis. It was not like friends you made at parties or met otherwise. These people were someone you've never seen, and that made them a bit more interesting. There were no other kind of contact than the keyboard. It was all so new to her, and she found it utterly addictive.

On the chats she met all kinds of people. Some were funny, some were strange and some were just plain lonely. She liked most of them, although she did seek the company of a few special people. He was one of them. He called himself a silly name, but he wasn't stupid. He was intelligent and open minded and she could discuss all kinds of subjects with him. Usually she was kinda shy, but with him, it was okay. He was not beside her and therefor she could speak freely. And he didn't laugh at her. It was like he just understood. She liked him a lot.

They'd been changing email for a short while when he first mentioned a meeting. She didn't know what to say. For all she knew, he might be some kind of criminal. She was a little scared to meet him. On the other hand. He seemed honest enough, and he hadn't tried to hit on her or talking dirty. She ignored those who did. Most men were really just looking for a romance, or maybe an affair,at least that was her opionion, and she wanted neither. So she didn't agree to meet him right away. She wanted to make it clear to him, that she wasn't looking for a companion first. Then they could meet, and maybe even become friends. Romance was not an issue here. He had to understand that first.

It seemed that he did understand. Actually he didn't want a relationship himself. He had been through too many relationships that turned out to be brief affairs after all. He had had his share of dissappointments. He didn't play that game anymore.

They exchanged emails for a week or so, and then she got ill. She lost her job, because of her illness, and of course she told him this. He expressed his sympathy and if he only had the chance, he said, he would have sent her flowers. She never believed he would, but she email her address to him anyway. Now he wouldn't have any excuse for not sending her flowers. She only wanted to humiliate him a little. Men not doing as promised, and that sort of stuff. All was just for fun.

Two days later her doorbell rang. It was the florist. He brought her er dusin red roses. Never in her life had she been this surprised. He actually did it. He sent flowers to a stranger. She was flattered as well as amused. The joke was on her now, wasn't it ? She wrote him back, and agreed to meet him. He kept his promises, so she was sure he would respect her wishes not to get involved with anyone.

The day arrived when he came to her doorstep. He wasn't handsome, and he certainly wasn't prince charming, but they matched each other so well. They talked and talked, and agreed to meet again soon. Something "clicked" at that first meeting. It fell into place, and even though none of them had any intensions of getting involved, they both had some new dreams for the future. Getting flowers from  a stranger might lead to a lot of things, and she thought that maybe, just maybe these flowers were a new beginning for both of them. From now on anything could happen.

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