He was quite the charming man. The very first time I laid my eyes upon him, I couldn't tear them away. His hair was a pale blonde, like a field of wheat and his eyes, a pool of water that reflected sunshine back. He had a smile that touched the soul, so kind that you couldn't help but to smile back. And his voice could seduce even the Devil himself.
"Good morning, sleepy head." I greeted him as usual. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining bright through the glass windows, basking the house with its warmth. "It would be a perfect day to go on a picnic today. We could take Loopy to the dog park and let him let loose."
Loopy was his dog. He was a good boy, always so delighted to see me. Even when I first moved in, he greeted me at the front door, his tail wagging so hard I thought it'll break off. I gave Loopy a good 'ol rub and his tail wagged with delight.
"What should I eat for breakfast?" Quinne muttered to himself. He had a habit of doing that but he'd been doing it more frequently lately. Couldn't help but to speak, he said, to fill in the silent space.
"We bought more bread yesterday. You could eat some of that for a change." I called out to him.
Quinne hobbled over sleepily to the kitchen and examined the fridge. He gave a long look before sighing and taking out the milk instead. "Don't really feel like cooking right now. I guess cereal it is, as always."
"Oh Quinne. It doesn't take too long to fry some eggs." He had always been a little lazy, a slovenly sloth, I used to call him. "I'd fry them for you but I think you really need to get your act together and do it yourself for a change."
The man sets a white bowl on the kitchen counter, the porcelain making a sharp clang as it banged against the marble. Quinne stands there for a minute, contemplating. "Let's just fry some eggs."
He put the bowl away and poured a glass of milk instead.
As I watched him take out the pan and cook the eggs, I couldn't help but to smile with pride. "See? I knew you could do it. I'm so proud of you, honey."
Quinne wryly smiles as broken yolk leaks onto the pan and cooks along with the whites. "I could never do it as well as you, honey."
"Oh baby, you just need some more practise." I comforted him.
He shrugged and turned the stove off to-
"Oops, I forgot to toast the bread. Dearly me." Quinne laughed and grabbed the toaster. "The exact same thing happened on Valentines day, didn't it, honey?"
"Yes, it did. It was a disaster really, burnt toast and overcooked eggs." I chuckled in remembrance.
"At that time, I got early to cook breakfast but had the heat on too high and almost burnt myself. I remember you scolded me but ate it all up anyways." Quinned crouched down and scratched the back of Loopy's ears. He was waiting down there for any strays that had the luck of overflowing. "You remember too, Loopy?"
"Woof!" Loopy barked in reply, wagging his tail with delight as usual. He was quite the lively one, that dog. Always so happy and cheerful. Brightened up the room just being there. I was really quite thankful that he would always be there by Quinne's side.
"Alright! It's my day off today so let's go to the park after breakfast." Quinne laughed as the dog jumped on his knees excitedly at the mention of park.
Soon after, Quinne changed into a comfortable set of clothes and grabbed the leash. As Loopy circled around his legs with anticipation, he stood at the front door, staring intently at his phone.
"It's not very nice to keep him waiting like that, Quinne." I giggled. There was a music bar covering our third wedding anniversary photo on the lock screen. Quinne skipped through the songs fussily before finally settling on 'Spring Days' by our favourite band.
"Alright, time to go." Quinne popped on earphones and finally walked out the door whilst humming the melody.
It truly was a fine spring day. A wind drifting through the winding roads brought with it the scent of flowers, the laughter of children and chirping of birds and the embrace of Mother Earth. Not that Quinne noticed. He was never too fussed about nature, didn't pay much attention to it. Even now, he just walked by the most beautiful rose as if it were a common wildflower.
"You should slow down sometimes, enjoy the scenery." I chided.
Quinne continued with his brisk pace. It left me wondering whether or not Loopy was feeling rushed as well...From his wagging tail, perhaps not.
"Alright, run along now, buddy." Quinne unleashed Loopy at the dog park and watched as the dog zoomed through the grass fields. He was always quite the energetic one, never shied away from exercise. On the contrary, Quinne loathed to move his body and was always quite lethargic. I'd bet if he didn't have Loopy, he wouldn't have gone on nearly as many walks as he has.
"It's quite a nice day today, honey." Quinne closed his eyes and felt the cool breeze brush against his face. "Loopy is enjoying it too."
"Yes, he is, isn't he?" I whispered underneath my breath. My lips arched into a slight smile as I sat upon the soft grass watching Quinne's face relax under the spring sun.
"I wish you were here with me." Quinne's voice trembled ever so slightly as he broke out into a strained smile. "I really miss you, Lilliane."
I dove in to hug him and brought his head to my chest...I didn't expect such a beautiful day to turn out like this. Once again, the tears fell from my eyes and dissipated in my air. Quinne's face was basked in the golden sun rays and glowed with sorrow. His eyelashes trembled with held-back tears as he struggled to keep strong.
"I'm here, Quinne. I'm always here." My hand traced his jaw to his chin but still, he could neither feel my touch nor hear my voice.
"I miss you so much…" Quinne whispered.
"I miss you too."
I knew that he couldn't see me but I forced a smile on my teary face and looked him in the eye.
"I'll be here for you, forever."