Evans Anderson
I watched her happily enjoying the ride like a little kid enjoying a road trip or she was just reliving moments just like I was. Being back here in Melbourne was bringing back memories, ugly memories I thought I had buried. Unfortunately it was nothing like I had imagined it would end up turning out to be, but it did feel good reliving these moments and reliving them with someone I care about.
Holding the steering wheel as I drove I remembered a memory that was Before the whole place got redeveloped, this road was the first place my dad first taught me how to drive. I was the happiest person alive.
"Evans," Coral called out, taking me out of my memory. She was looking at me with those pretty eyes that looked so much like the galaxy.
"Yes, Cherry" I answered, looking at her and then looking back on the road. I noticed her blushing a bit when I called her cherry, I guess she was finally beginning to like the name just as much as I did too.
"Why do you always call me Cherry tho?" She asked, looking at me anxiously waiting for an answer.
"I asked initially, but you avoided the question," she added.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. The truth behind the name Cherry was that I had chosen the nickname "cherry" because it reminded me of a memory from my childhood.
When I was young, I had a pet hamster named Cherry. She was a tiny, fluffy creature with bright inquisitive eyes. I loved spending time with her, and she was my constant companion.
One day, Cherry escaped from her cage and I spent hours searching for her. I was really scared when I thought I had lost her but I was even more heartbroken when I finally found her, curled up in a corner, looking scared and alone. I gently picked her up and held her close, whispering sweet nothings in her ear.
From that day forward, I associated the name "cherry" with comfort, love and a sense of belonging. And when I saw coral, with her warm smile and kind eyes, she reminded me of my beloved hamster.
I took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to tell her the truth.
" I call you 'Cherry' because it reminds me of a special memory from my childhood," I confessed.
"When I was young, I had a pet hamster named Cherry. She was my best friend, and I loved her dearly." I said, looking at coral briefly before fixing my gaze back on the road.
Coral's eyes softened as she listened to my story. "Awww, that's beautiful," she said. "I'm honored to be nicknamed after your beloved pet."
I smiled. " You know, you're the only person I've ever given that name to." I said, my hands still on the steering wheel as I took little glances at coral.
She was blushing really hard, as she looked down. "I... I like it," she admitted. "I like it when you call me cherry."
With my right hand on the steering wheel, I reached out with my left hand and he took her hand in mine. "I'm glad," I said. "I'm glad you like it."
I felt really happy, I haven't felt this way in a really long time and I was so happy I was spending it with her.
As we were both seated in the car, holding hands, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I knew that our connection was special, something that might just last for a lifetime. I am thankful to the universe for finally doing some good by adding someone new that I actually really like, into my life and I was grateful that I had found someone that could relate with me on such a deep level. I lifted up her hand and planted a kiss on it, I could see her smiling happily.
I loved seeing her happy, it gave me so much joy. I hated the fact that she lost someone so dear to her, I know how it felt, it wasn't such a pleasant position to be in. Seeing her smile right now gives me so much pleasure.
"So where are we going?" She asked, looking at me, her eyes filled with so much curiosity.
"You'll see," I said.
I turned on the radio, increasing the volume.
"Coming up next is 'starlight serenade' by Johnny almond" the radio broadcaster said.
"Oh my God I love this song, it's my favorite" she said, smiling and staring at me.
"What!It's my favorite song too" I said, smiling back at her.
He jaw dropped in surprise at how we both shared the same favorite song.
I increased the volume some more, the intro of the song starting with the soft thrumming of the acoustic guitar through the radio as we hummed along with the sound of the guitar.
"Underneath the starry sky where dreams take flight and lovers sigh." She sang so sweetly alongside the music.
"I found a love so pure and true, a love like mine, a love for you" we both sang in unison, looking at ourselves.
We hummed the interlude of the acoustic guitar and then continued.
"Oh starlight serenade, a lover's aid your gentle glow, a guiding ray through the darkest night, you light the way a love so sweet, it'll never fade" we both sang together the chorus in unison, her hand folded in form of a microphone.
She continued the singing and I went down memory lane to when I had first heard this song. The song was actually my parents favorite, it was the song they danced to on your their wedding and I promised to do just the same. I was seated in the living room watching my mom and my dad dancing slowly to the song, my dad's arm was holding my mom's waist and his other hand was holding up her other hand, their feet moving together in perfect synchronization it was a beautiful sight to behold and a core memory i could never forget. They danced to the song titled "Starlight serenade" they seemed so happy and at peace. The way my dad loved my mom, I wanted to love whoever I ended up just the same way. My dad showed me what love truly is.
"Daddy, Daddy I want to dance too," five year old me said, running in between them so I could join in.
They both chuckled at my sudden interest in dancing.
"Oh Evans my boy," my dad said, holding up my hands and teaching my how to dance while my mom stood a bit distant from us singing along with the song.
"Hand in hand, we'll walk the earth sharing laughter, joy and mirth. A bond so strong, it cannot break for your love sake, my heart will make" my dad and mom sang the second verse along with the song playing through record player.
They both hummed with the interlude of the acoustic guitar.
"Oh, starlight serenade, a lover's aid your gentle glow, a guiding ray. Through the darkest night, you light the way. A love so sweet, it will never fade" We all sang the chorus together, as I danced with my father.
It was a beautiful memory, I wish I could just remain in that memory. I was the happiest back then, right now life seems odd and strange. My mom moved on with her life, getting married to a billionaire and I was still stuck in the past unable to move on.
I miss you so much dad! Can't wait to see you again.
"Evans," Coral called out, her face etched with worry and concern.
"Are you okay? You seem down," she said, the tone of her voice laced with worry for me.
I parked the car, by the side of the road in order for me to explain how I felt, I was tired of bottling up my emotions and how I truly felt.
"I first heard this song when I was five, it was my parents favorite song, it was the first song i and my dad danced to" I said, tears welled up in my eyes threatening to fall.
"Its just that miss him a lot and I can't seem to move on with life, it's too hard" I said, expressing how I felt, the tears felt streaming down my cheeks.
She reduced the volume of the music, her warm hands gently caressing my skin as a sign of comfort, her other hand wiping away the tears.
"I'm pretty sure your dad wouldn't want you stuck in the past, he would want you to live on, living your best life" She said, her voice calm and gentle.
"He would be your guiding ray, through the darkest night, he'll light the way" she sang the chorus of the starlight serenade, looking at me with so much love in her eyes.
I felt at peace again, all thanks to coral.
I could not understand why I was so open to coral, it was weird for me but it just seemed to happen naturally.