A Celestial Resonance

"Time after time, I tell myself that I'm so lucky to be loving you" those words remained silent...

It was a lovely Thursday evening, back from my usual work in the office, my nephew told me that he will bring a special guest to my house, I thought maybe it was his best friend? I went to my bedroom, leaving behind my bag back in my bed and then I rested to relax, suddenly I heard the door opening and the footsteps of the individuals, both Jude and a lady entered the house.

"Hi Uncle Chris just got back, Ella you can sit there" Jude said, as I got away from my bedroom to see them, the lady, maybe in her late 20s or beginning of 30s but who cares enough about those futilities she is just a guest, that's what I thought...

Once they sat together, I noticed her familiar face, it was Ella a popular author, not only that but she looked similar to that one bookstore lady I visited years ago. The one that consumed my evenings, she wrote many romantic and dramatic books and I can tell that I'm such a fan of her, how can I describe her writing style, her novels are beyond excellent, they are perfect. Reading her works created a new connection between me and my mind, the way she philosophically describes the situation and how realistic it is... I can feel a great admiration. And now she is sitting in my couch.

I struggled to keep my composure as I observed their conversation from a polite distance. Eventually, I asked, "What can I get you both to drink?"

"Make her a mocha cinnamon coffee with honey and bring me soda" Jude said

"Jude, I prefer making that recipe alone, a little espresso will be perfect Mr. Christopher" Ella replied

"But Ella, my uncle is a professional he usually makes that recipe, it's his favorite coffee too"

"If you insist..." she sighed.

I started making coffee for her, in that mochapot, the smell of the fresh of the beans… so delicate and soft, I tried to equilibrate the sugar and the honey her cup, once it's done, I brought it to her.

"Here is it, Miss Ella" I gave her the coffee, the cup was hot yet made with love.

"Thank you so much" she smiled, it felt genuine.

"Hey I want to express my admiration towards your works, they are just perfect so please keep going"

"The pleasure is all mine sir" she took the hot cup with her warm hands.

The more I stared at her I noticed she was having a saxophone necklace which made wonder if she likes Jazz, for me Jazz is not simple notes but a composure filled with dedication, each instrument speaks an intimate conversation, unpredictable yet harmonious and rich of emotions.

"You must be a jazz enthusiast, Miss Ella" I turned to her as I was in the corner of the kitchen.

"Indeed, and you must be a pianist" she saw the piano in the middle of the living room, that instrument that I play each day after work, in the sadness and the happy moments, yet I cannot define myself as a pianist.

"Of course, I do, let me play something if you want"

"Sure" I sat thinking of a song I could play only the fact that the only music coming to my mind was Mellow Dream by Ryo Fukui. I began to play and I turned to see them, her looking at me with passion.

"So, this is how falling in love sounds like... dear pianist, I have some attachments for this song that I wish to fall in love with someone with, but now you are playing it, once I remember that one guy…" Ella complimented the play.

"He must have been lucky" I looked at her with resonance.

"We never dated; in fact, I have never dated anyone in my life" while stirring her cup.

I got sort of shocked "But the way you tell those stories, in the Winter Emptiness it feels like it was written with dedication" I replied.

"It was also written when I was 16 but whatever I rather not talk about this"

"In your perception love is a lie, a sweet warm feeling isn't it"

"Indeed... now tell me about your love story"

"I have never been in love for a few, nothing serious, regrets and mistakes, I prefer not to think about it" and all I could think of is her, my ex-girlfriend, the thought of her made me disgusted.

"Regrets, perhaps. Or maybe you didn't find the right melody, a man like you deserve to have a caring wife, I mean I thought you were married first but here is my advice: let it happen... look at how talented you are, you are legit handsome not going to lie, you must be very smart too but first let me challenge you in a chess game"

Those words spoken made me feel a brand-new feeling, a woman calling me attractive, I used to be considered as one of the most handsome guys back in school, but now it's different, who would like a man in his 30s whom only focus is work and a piano, I went to bring the chess board.

"Be careful Ella, he will dust you" Jude told her.

"We will see" determination in her dark blue eyes, they are beautiful.

We began to play and we continued our discussion.

"A well-known author, a great mind, lovely taste and such a pretty lady..." describing her, it was true.

"I-I am flattered" she tried to look away and concentrate on the board.

Looking at the board, I realized I was lowkey losing, maybe because of distraction, I am usually great at chess, in fact my ELO is 2119, I've been playing chess from such a young age and I kept in, I panicked but in front of her I gave up and said "Ella you are a genius, I give up"

Jude got a little bit shocked but Ella noticed that something was wrong, she raised her hand on her cheek and she replied "No keep going you are winning"

"No need" I couldn't keep it, I lost the sense of strategy in chess, I am usually a strategic player in every field but now, what is stopping me, her look made me even more worried, I don't mind losing, she won everything "No need" completely out of everything and all of the sudden she took my hand "Keep playing Christopher" she looked at me, our eyes met, a straight face I couldn't say no, but I tried my best to lose.

"No, you are literally trying to make me win" she analyzed everything, a dazzling charm, an incredible intelligence, her name is Ella Marlow, brain and beauty is how to define her.

"A winner will always be a winner and so you are Ella" all that mattered was her.

"But for me, you won everything" she shacked my hand after the game

"New characters for the comic, the main couple of the story you two make great models" Jude excited, at first, I didn't get it.

"Jude it's not like that" Ella objected.

"Can you explain what is happening" I demanded a real explication.

"So, me and Jude are making a comic, he is a great artist I'm so proud of him but his shipper fan self-got him the idea to make characters about us" Ella explained, I was very skeptical, I mean we may know each other's as a customer and cashier but we don't know anything about each other's, she is way different that I do, a popular writer and a decent pianist, a miserable one who spends his day on a work place he doesn't like and an old piano made in 1965, before I was even born

"Seems lovely but no, we are not even a couple" I responded but deep inside I wish to see it.

"You will" as he replied.

"Ehh, I mean it could be a great inspiration for the plot, do you agree Christopher" Ella asked me.

I was literally distracted by her elegance and beauty, I was zoning out, thinking of this weird feeling that just got me when Jude wants to make us as the main couple me and Ella.

As the project went by, our relationship grew closer, my nephew became more motivated for school and for art, one time she told me how she met Jude.

"So it all began when I was with my friend, I was in her house chatting about life until she brought out Jude as we were speaking, it's his teacher and she told me that it annoys her to see him prioritizing art over studies, I felt really bothered but in the same time I needed a partner to help for a comic, since I don't have basic drawing skills I decided to meet him after class, my friend presented me to him and he recognized me by the fact that you his uncle read my books which made me so glad, we began to talk about our project and I can admit I am so proud of him, and here we are now, our project is about to finish"

Hearing her talking about how they met and their bound less made me worried, it fels like she is a mother figure to him besides my sister which is great.

Living my mundane days made me adopt a dog to feel less stressed and to grow my sense of responsibility, I called him "Arpeggio", a golden retriever. He is my everything and he is the cutest, both Ella and Jude were so glad and approved him, he even likes Ella, having her in my apartment was something really usual, having evening teas while I play piano and she tells me about her story telling things, she does have friends but she admitted that with me, it felt like she was seen for who she is, the real Ella, we got closer to eachothers by the time and I could see the glimpse of her eyes as she was staring at me, laughing, smiling... I don't know how to define my feelings anymore.

 One night, we decided to meet in the local bar so we can discuss and talk about life, I was waiting for her there, ordering a bottle of red wine for us, for the first time I noticed she was getting late which made me worried, after 30 minutes she came there looking extremely pretty, I couldn't handle it but blush, I stood up and I tried my best not to disappoint.

"Hey dear, I'm so sorry for being late, I accidentally slept after work, you know working as a professor in college may be hard". She said, completely out of breath.

"That's fine Ella, how was your day?" I reassured her.

"A little boring but one thing that got me motivated is meeting you." While a smile was forming in her lips.

"Really? What made you that excited" I asked, surprised by her honesty, and I wondered if she truly meant it.

"Hmmm, discussing with you is quite interesting, you are such an intellectual and more, especially in a bar where desires and emotions combine" she said locking her gaze with mine.

Her words made my heart skip a beat: "So you are, Ella from the depths of my heart I'm admiring your philosophy" I began to take sips from my glass of wine.

"Chris, I don't know what to say anymore" she looked away as she drunk for her turn.

"I'm so sorry" I apologized cautiously, maybe I overstepped.

"No, I'm really glad to hear that, you are the first man to ever see me for who I am" Tears started falling from her eyes.

"Your tears are so precious, but you do more, Ella you are such an amazing woman that deserves the world's happiness and the most genuine spoken words, I like you Ella." I smiled as I was wiping her tears, letting away what I truly feel towards this lady, I want to spend everytime with her and not only this night.

"Enough, what makes you think like this?" Ella replied.

"I don't know Ella; how do I define this" lost in a complete confusion.

She continued to drink even more which leaded her to the state of being drunk.

"Christopher, can you tell me about music? The songs you compose and everything."

"If they ask me about love, I would speak about music, I started playing piano at the age of 21, my parents were against me having hobbies thinking it's a distraction especially piano, that's expensive, so I decided to save money from part time jobs and my scholarships and I entered the conservatory to learn music theory, it was beautiful. 12 years of passion and I'm still a passionate"

"I'm glad you are dedicating your life to piano, so you will love playing piano more than loving your own wife." She said that completely drunk and tired, I got confused

"What a comparison, my wife must enjoy my practices, that's my only wish."

"I love your plays, eachtime I listen to you I feel… head over heels, I'm in love"

Her words struck me, leaving me wondering if she truly meant them or if they were the wine speaking but in this nocturnal wonderland, all I wished is to kiss her forehead, she looks so humble and sweet when she is drunk, a gentle kiss maybe.

It was getting late that night, she suddenly slept in the middle of the bar, I was in the dilemma of either taking her in my house or in her house. The next day was a weekend day so neither of us were working. But the thing is how would she react if I take her in her house, she would think she teleported and would be mad at me for not even telling her, the final decision was taking her in my house, she would feel more comfortable and I can make her the greatest breakfast, she will sleep in my bed but for me, I will sleep in the living room with Arpeggio.

Minutes of driving to home, I stopped in front of my house, as I was about to pull her in my back, she slowly whispered "Whistle me Mellow Dream.... Chris..." and I did, I tried to be delicate as I can, she is such a princess. As we arrived in my room, I tried to clean it a little bit, after that I putted her in the bed and covered her. I kissed her forehead as I saw her sleeping deeply and I went to the living room, words cannot describe how much she means to me.

Months passed and here is the release of the comic, such a huge success and I was so proud of them, so they organized a signing session in the library of the town, I was sitting with them, the public was so cheerful and I noticed how friendly they were and respectful, suddenly a teenager came to us and told to Jude "Didn't know that Miss Ella is your mother, that man must be your father right? (Pointing at me) Your work is amazing and take care of your parents"

For a moment I became speechless, referring to me and Ella as Jude's parents made me feel really awkward, Jude is like my son but Ella... I turned to see her and I found her red, she was blushing so bad and was so ashamed, I wanted to comfort her but how about her, she must have a secret lover that she hides and wouldn't like hearing the rumors, I don't know what to do anymore, what the hell is this, what I'm doing here, Jude has his parents why can't they come instead of me, why am I even talking to Ella, what if all her writings were pure bullshit but just because I admire her I try to enjoy that, feelings are so fake...

The next day was my birthday, I went to the office as usual, coffee in my left hand and my back bag until I saw everyone congratulating me, for my work and my 34th birthday, the more I get old the more I accept myself, I went home only to see Ella waiting outside of my apartment, as she saw me, she came excitedly to hug me tightly.

"Good evening Christopher, I wanted to surprise you but Jude had extra hours today so I didn't get the keys, I waited here for an hour"

"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you" unwrapping her in my arms.

"Take your time, hope you got a wonderful day" I opened the door.

We entered my apartment and I decided to make her favorite coffee.

"Don't you think we got a lot of coffees, let's grab some sodas or beers." Ella told me.

"Alcohol is bad for you; I will make you hot chocolate."

"Perfect then".

We sat together, telling eachothers about life, we spoke about yesterday event and how they thought we were his parents, I love Jude ad Enlla, they are like a family to me, whenever I'm alone they are with me and I'm glad.

"Happy birthday Christopher" Ella exclaimed and then she gifted me a gold bracelet with the eighth note in it, just like my favorite note and the 8th for my birthday, a gold necklace with Arpeggio for my dog, matching things, pure gold, that most have cost her a fortune, with a little poem named "Look at you..."

"I tried to give you something significant since you know how much I am a dedicated to you, thank you Christopher for everything…"

She said dedication right, for her love is based on dedication I remember that, is this a sign that she does love me, is this reciprocal? I don't know how to define my feelings...

"Thank you, Ella, you are amazing" but if I had the chance to write a book about her in that moment, I would have done it but I'm not a novelist nor a writer except I can compose a song, that's right I will create a song with her poem where I will propose to her, I love Ella, she is perfect and I wish to be with her each time even if I am not worth loving.

That night I decided to compose the song, my piano and my software were perfect, I spent two whole nights working on it, coffee was my life saver. The third day I went to work only to get sent to my house by my boss after he saw my condition, I entered home and I took a cold shower, as I finished, I heard someone ringing, it was Ella, at that moment I was only having a towel in my lower part and as she entered, I fainted, I was so tired, opening my eyes only to see her moving her hand in my forehead, caressing it.

"I'm glad you are fine, Christopher, you have a fever and you should rest"

"I can't... I have to... do it.. for her.." as I was shaking but she looked desperate as I said "her"

"Then she must be the luckiest woman on earth, take care of her please"

She must think it was another woman but the only lady I saw was her, Ella, I love her I like every moment with her, I wish she healed me forever like this, her touch is so sweet and her hands in my hair, I genuinely love her.

The thought that came in my mind those nights is "What if she doesn't love me", I never experienced the feeling of rejection, but I am excepting everything, except if she rejects me we wouldn't talk again, even worse I would ruin her relation with Jude, the high probabilities of her having feelings for me, I'm confused but I will do it anyways… I am getting old and I never had a healthy relationship , for the first time of my life I am truly falling in love, ever since the first look into her eyes, I felt something.

After days I continued my project, once I was done I was willing show her, that evening I decided to go to her house with roses in my hand, she opened her door only to see me smiling at her with a bouquet and my laptop, she felt honored and more than glad as she saw me like that, she greeted me.

"Take a rest, I will make dinner" I said as I went to the kitchen but she couldn't stop but smiling at me when I was preparing the steak, the ring in my pocket everything was well prepared.

We sat together for the dinner and we talked again, this time all I could feel was fear, I was afraid of rejection, she is the woman of my dreams but will she love me? I wish.

"Ella, what is love about?" I asked the stupid question.

"Why this question suddenly, to answer this love is purely about showing dedicating, simple acts may conclude love"

Then I began to play the song, she looked at me confused at first, except she realized that the lyrics was actually her poem and I was the one singing, she couldn't stop looking at me with her bright eyes not knowing what to say, the song ended and it was time.

"Ella, are you willing to continue our living together, just the two of us?" Proposing to her with a ring.

I saw her tears for the first time as she said yes... tears of joy, just like a mellow dream she was ethereal.

 The rest of the night was full of laughter and revelations, expressing how we feel about eachothers and how my plan began for the confession. Ella the woman she is, the reciprocal feelings, now that I'm going to wake up each morning looking at her, making her, her morning coffee and playing piano while she is coming from work, the look in her eyes… After all, love is for those who waits.