Short story 5. The smell of chocolate

Agness opened her eyes and her heart sank because of the view around. Clean light-green walls with several spectacular landscapes, hanging on them, surrounded young woman. Warm peach-colored rays of morning sun made their way through pearly weightless curtains. Elegant wooden furniture was advantageously placed in the space of cozy round room. Agness couldn’t believe her eyes, but she finally was in the country of nature, sun and sea, she was in Greece. The story about how young woman found herself here was not so joyful, but at this very moment it didn’t matter. Agness hadn’t found her soul mate, so she didn’t have husband and children, she even didn’t have her own corner in life.

Everyone was busy in her family and among her friends, except Agness, for whom every job that she had tried seemed to be the God’s retribution; children were the most hostile creatures and all boyfriends in the world looked just like barrels filled with demerits. Little by little young woman ceased doing make-up and shopping, visiting gym and consuming healthy products. Later, she found out that her weight is over the standard one and she looked awful, but Agness didn’t possess enough will to improve anything in her mind. Finally, at the age of thirty-three she was ill and fell into deep depression, so that one day the doctor offer Agness the recent change of conditions or long-lasting medical treatment in the specializing hospital.

So, young woman was in Greece – she knew that her illness was rather hard and sometimes such diagnosis leaded to death, but Agness was calm and delighted because of wonderful atmosphere around her. It was the third day of her staying in this sunny country and young woman was going towards the cafe, where the breakfast was held. This time there were too many people and Agness couldn’t find any spare place for her. Suddenly she saw him. It was middle-aged man, whom Agness had noticed on the day of her arrival and couldn’t forget since then. They crossed each other several times during these days, but she never dare to talk with him. He was very handsome and looked like a piece of sweet dark chocolate with a slight touch of spice. This was a tall muscular man with swarthy shining skin, cinnamon eyes and dark thick hair. He seemed to be friendly and kind person, because every his word or movement was polite and he often present other people one of his charming smiles. But Agness was very shy, because she was thirty-three and she didn’t even have a boyfriend, and she always thought that her face and figure were far from perfect models. So, all the tables were occupied and Agness decided to return to her room and try to find the place in the cafe later. Unexpectedly, the mysterious man, stood up, took off his sunglasses and looked at the young woman with great surprise.

“Excuse me” he told Agness “Do you speak English? I would only like to offer you my seat”.

“Oh, yes, I was born in England” she answered “You are so kind, thank you…But maybe I will disturb you?”

“Exactly not” he said “I’m hungry no more and by the way I’m having boxing lesson in ten minutes, so my table is totally vacant. Buon appetito!”

“Thank you so much” Agness smiled “Good luck!”

“Thanks!” he answered “See you soon”.

Then Agness took her place, or specifically – his place, and automatically began to eat a portion of scrambled eggs, which was brought by the waiter. Slowly chewing tasteless food, young woman was thinking about this strange accident and her heart started beating faster and faster with every second. Being immersed in her dreams, Agness couldn’t eat, so she just drunk a cup of coffee with a piece of chocolate, which seemed to be the most delicious thing today, except this middle-aged man. After short breakfast young woman went to the beach in the hope of finding him there, but the beach was full of other people and she didn’t saw him among them. She didn’t have any choice, so Agness put on her bathing suite and after half an hour swimming along the coast, sat down in her chaise-longue. She didn’t suspect anything, but he was keeping an eye on the young woman through the window of his room without her knowledge. The day quickly passed between the sea and the beach with several breaks for lunch and dinner.
Agness hadn’t seen him since morning and was a little bit nervous, so she couldn’t sleep for some time and decided to go for a walk. It was about midnight and all guests of the hotel were sleeping, and only she couldn’t stop thinking about this strange man. Going towards the sea coast, suddenly Agness saw a dark silhouette in the light of the moon. She uttered a cry and turned back, but the man looked at her and said:

“Don’t be afraid. There is only me” then he added quietly “I have known that you would come”.

“What?” Agness asked “Please, tell me at last, who you are? And why are you waiting for me here?”

“Well, it’s difficult to explain” he answered “But maybe you will sit down beside and we will talk?”

“Okay, I’m not in hurry” Agness agreed ad seat next to the man, feeling how his endless charm started to wrap her up “And maybe you will tell me your name?”

“Yes, of course” he smiled after a short hitch “I’m Frederic. I arrived here from Austria, but was born in Italy. And what about you?”

“Oh, that is interesting…And you can speak several languages I suppose” Agness was really surprised “My name is Agness. I was born in England. And there is nothing exciting in my destiny”.

“Are you sure, Agness?” he asked, looking in her eyes attentively “I think that every life is unrepeatable and beautiful by itself…And, talking about you, these words seem to be the most right in such situation. When I saw you for the first time, I couldn’t believe my eyes, because you looked like the ideal image that existed in my mind”.

“It’s pleasant to hear” Agness was embarrassed “But what kind of image you are talking about? Are you a painter?”

“No, I’m not a painter, but you are close to the truth” he said “I’m a musician. Several months ago I began to compose a new sonata and found the perfect image, but I couldn’t see it clearly. Now, with your help, I have got all missing fragments”.

“Everything is so unusual today” Agness noticed “I could only take your words on trust, but thank you very much for this nice midnight conversation, because I have never met such a wonderful man as you are and have never heard so graceful complements”.

“Beautiful night, isn’t it?” Frederic said “Clear dark sky, shining moon, smooth surface of the sea and two ideal people on the coast”.

“Sounds funny” Agness laughed “You don’t suffer from the low self-appraisal, I suppose”.

“Don’t perceive everything so literally” he advised “Don’t forget that you have just helped me to find the particular image and finish my composition. I have told you some good words and your depression is stepping back. Sometimes such unexpected meetings are necessary for the future life”.

“You are right” Agness was lost in thought for a moment “This meeting has influenced me greatly! But shall we meet tomorrow?”

“Its pity, but we shan’t” Frederic answered “I’m coming back to Austria early in the morning tomorrow. I’d like to stay for a longer time here, but I’ve got my wedding in two days”.

“You are going to marry?” Agness exclaimed “Such a surprise! But…it was really silly to think that such a fantastic man hadn’t been engaged”.

“It doesn’t depend on beauty or luck or anything else, like many people think” Frederic explained “I depends only on your own mode of thinking. And I’ll tell you more – Agness, don’t forget that you are the perfect image for me and for my new sonata, but only image. On the other hand – I’ve got the perfect lovely bride. It’s always the same – you are an ideal image for one person and an ideal bride or husband for another one. Don’t be said. I believe that you’ll find the right person soon”.

“Every your word is so exact and so encouraging” she said “I don’t know, who sent you on my way this night, but I’m thankful for this meeting”.

“Me too, Agness” Frederic added “But I think that’s enough for today – I must pack my luggage and you’d better sleep now. Hope, we’ll meet once again”.

“Do you really think that we will meet once more?” Agness was surprised “Well, you have shown me the excellent example of believing in strange things. So, wish you good flight and perfect wedding!”

“Thanks” he smiled “All the best you too. And don’t forget out conversation!”

“I promise you to keep it in mind!” she said “Bye, Frederic”.

“Goodbye, Agness!”

Next morning, when Agness woke up, she found a short letter under the door. There were only a few lines: “If you are reading these words, I’m already flying to Austria. Please, believe in yourself and your life would be happy and colorful. Hope, you know why two. Take care, Fr”. There were two tickets with the letter. “Frederic Buanturias. The Christmas concert in London” was written on the tickets. Again, the third time during this trip, Agness couldn’t believe her eyes. By the way Frederic’s surname seemed to be familiar to her, but she couldn’t understand, where she had heard it, until she turned on the TV. There were several TV programs about him and some broadcasts of his concerts. Frederic Buanturias was the most talented and famous violinist of the world…And she talked to him just last night…

When Agness returned to England, no one could recognize her. She started to attend dancing classes and became the loyal admirer of healthy nutrition. The only exception from the heap of fruits and vegetables was…chocolate that Agness could eat both at night and during the day. Every time she enjoyed the next piece of chocolate, she saw the picture of that night again and again and remembered the words that Frederic told her. Then, everything was just like he predicted – she found a perfect husband, who was her dancing coach. And when Christmas came they both were sitting in the large London hall, listening to the magic music of Frederic Buanturias…