A/N:Written for Danie's Song Inspiration Competition and Story beginnings challenge.
Wait for Me
Flurries of blinding snow fall to the ground; strands of red hair fall in front of her eyes as she tries to hold back her tears. You look at her with sympathy in your eyes and heart; she had been hurt again by yet another guy. You know that one of them had been you. She never trusted you after you left her for the war and when the war ended the two of you ended as friends. She had claimed she needed no more than that. But then came a string of guys, all of them claimed they loved her. But none did and at the end of each of them she returned home a martyr of love.
It always hurts you to see her with some guy but your mind knows that she is just trying to get over you. That doesn't ease the pain, though.
You take a step ahead but she beats you to it; it takes her only two minutes to compose herself. She stands up straight, exhales slowly and tucks the loose strands behind her ear. Her head held high she claims, "The last time. This is the last time. No man, no tears. This will be my motto."
You put a hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her because she can fake her expressions but not the emotions in her eyes. Her wide brown eyes, rimmed with tears look at you and she shakes your hand off.
"I am fine, Harry." She claims and walks off with a smile, a fake smile.
Days turn into weeks and weeks into months and she slowly comes out of her shell. Her fake smile turns into a real one. You can proudly say that you were the reason for most of them. You hope she would see that you would be there for her. But most of the times, anything you do is not enough. But you know that she just doesn't want to get hurt. Again your mind prompts you. And you smile; you are ready to wait because you are sure that if someone will love her truly, it will be you. You are sure that she will see that you are not going anywhere. And at the end of the day, if she will let someone love her, it will be you.
Christmas turns to Spring till she is completely herself and she sits beside you on a rickety park bench as you look at children playing on the swings.
"You love me, don't you?" She asks, not taking her eyes off the children.
"Yes." You say without skipping a beat.
She smiles at your promptness, "You know I love you, too, right?" She asks as a pink shade tinges her cheeks.
"I know." You say smugly and she rolls her eyes.
"Thank you for waiting for me." She says and looks at you, love, gratitude and compassion shining in her eyes.
"Always." You say and you know she knows you mean it.