Awaiting Othello
Act 2 Scene 1
The day was cool but the sun still announced its presence by peaking through the white clouds now and again. Sparse rays of sunlight shined against my skin when the clouds moved in the breeze, and I feared that I would become as tan as a peasant farmer. But Emilia accompanied me holding a parasol with Iago, her husband, on her right and Roderigo on Iago's left. We made our way down a sloping meadow to the beach where my dear Othello would soon be landing. My pulse quickened at the thought of seeing my love once again, to hold him in my arms and to kiss his sweet lips. We had never been apart for a long period of time and the separation made me anxious, so I quickened my pace and hurried to the beach making Emilia stumble after me.
When our little group saw the sea looming ahead we all sped up to join Montano and Cassio. I caught the last part of their conversation and I had to admit I was flattered, and the fact that a man as handsome as Cassio would think me attractive fed my ego slightly. But I would never think of anything happening between Cassio and me. Othello was a jealous man, but I also loved him too much to think of other men other than him in such a way.
I repeatedly smoothed out creases on my dress and patted my hair down for any stray curls. The wind blew my hair making my curls uncontrollable as I fidgeted trying to stay patient, but it was a lost cause so I engaged Emilia and Iago with conversation. I did not find the conversation very calming after a while because Iago started making suggestive comments about wives and women, but I did not let my displeasure show on my face. Instead I kept a serene smile on my face and pretended to be attentive, making small remarks here and there. It was not good breeding for a lady to dislike anyone, but I had never fully trusted Iago. But because Iago was my husband's ancient I did not dare speak my thoughts to Othello. Also, Cassio's increasing flattery and touches made me even more agitated for I was impatient to be touched and flattered but not by Cassio.
Just as I was thinking that Othello and his ship may have sunk on their way to Cyprus I heard trumpets announcing the arrival of my Moor. As his ship docked on the beach and Othello stepped out walking towards me, I finally felt at peace for he was safe and whole before me. I cried out to him and quickly strode towards him, and he took me in his arms whispering sweet nothings into my ear. This was what it felt like to be home, here in my dear husband's arms and feeling his passionate kisses. The sea crashed in the background and the wind whistled in the air and people gawked at our display of affection, but everything disappeared before my eyes and all I saw was the love of my life come home again to me and all I felt was his strong arms and the sheer love and affection he had for me. This was all I needed; Othello was all I needed for me to live.