Chapter 13: Words of liking…
How in the world had she got to her bed?
Anna woke with wonder and lack of remembrance of how she had ended up in her cabin? Embarrassed, that she must have fallen asleep, she sat up and rubbed her face with her hands. She still wore her dress of the previous evening, so did Kristoff bring her here? Oh no… But then, an odd feeling befell her, that she must be such a burden, while he was so patient and caring. Anna crawled out of her sheets to get refreshed in her bath cell and then get changed. The better she got out there to help with morning chores, the better!
The wind had lessened, and the clouds disappeared over the night. A wonderful day to spend in the sun, relishing and making up lost time with sunbathing, and swimming. Anna mentioned her idea of program to Kristoff during breakfast and asking in return about what he had in mind. He shrugged, continued covering his bagel with jam and then looked at her. As a matter of fact, he had thought to spend the day to relax and enjoy the sun, just as she had suggested. But! And with that, he pointed with his knife on her and crooked his head to emphasise the meaning, Anna was surely NOT allowed to go swimming on her own. He still felt uneasy of leaving her alone.
Anna stopped chewing on her pretzel, leaned forward and stared at Kristoff with eyes wide open.
"You must be kidding me!"
And when he slowly shook his head with a stern face, the young woman couldn´t restrain any longer and threw herself back into her banchrest, putting her hands to her head in disbelief, shaking her head just in return.
"Come on, Kristoff! Stop doing that! You had me going all obedient yesterday, and I AM grateful for your concern, honestly. But this is about to reach the edge of hysteria, don´t you think?"
Kristoff put down his bagel and knife, reaching for his cup of coffee, sighing and smirking lopsidedly.
"I know, and you´re right. I´m sorry. It´s just… "
"What?" Anna straightened back to have a nip of her coffee, too, awaiting his explanation.
"Nothing, forget it. You´re right. You know what, here´s my suggestion. We spend the day like any sane person does on a lovely summer day as this is. You´re going sunbathing, I will read. Then, there will be a lunch with sandwiches – and you can choose what you like them with – and then, I thought of taking you out this evening. What you think?"
Anna rested her elbows on the table, holding her cup and tilting her head in thought.
"Sounds great! But you´ve forgotten the swimming! I really would like to be a bit active and the water is so inviting today."
"Alright, swimming it is. But not alone! Let´s go before lunch, alright?"
"Great! Thanks, Dr. Bjorgman!"
"Stop making fun. I mean it."
"Alright, I´m sorry. Say, what was that about going out? I´m flattered, where will we go and what will we do? Please tell me! I can´t stand not being in the loop!"
Kristoff grinned, and leaned back in his chair, leaving the girl prancing on her seat, until she started sighing theatrically."
"Alright, I´ll tell you. But only, if you promise me to stop bullying me for being cautious on you!"
Anna raised her hand, and put the other to her chest, and promised solemnly. Kristoff nodded and smiled at her.
"I took a stroll through town the evening before, and I saw this advertise about ´ moonlight-music in the park ´. Seems to be a concert of various styles throughout the evening, and I thought you may like that. And then, there´s a cute little Italian restaurant in the old town. How about having dinner there before the concert. I mean, that´s safe, isn´t it?!"
Anna beamed with delight and nodded feverishly to the plan and clapped her hands in excitement.
"Glad you like the idea. Oh, and I thought, maybe if you like, that is, but you might want to wear that new dress of yours?"
Anna was thrilled and overly thrilled thinking of the evening to arrive. Going out would be fun, and all her vacation spirit was back on track. And then, she saw to it that she would be dutiful to her promise, as not to steer provocative at Kristoff´s nerves about her wellbeing. And then, he too was true to his word and before lunchtime, they strolled to then nearby lake promenade that hosted a lovely beach, to enjoy the refreshing swimming in peaceful companionship.
Kristoff was grateful for the time they were free to spend the way they enjoyed. No stress, no committed appointments or schedule to follow. And then still, he was stirred up inside, and he couldn´t concentrate on the book he never really had gotten far with reading in the first place… He didn´t know how to approach Anna, and it drove him crazy. Tonight, perhaps. He hoped to find the moment and the words… And when they returned from the swim which had helped to clear his mind a bit at least, he started tending to lunch prep right away.
Anna insisted on helping and so, they worked alongside again all comfortably, like they had become used to during their journey. She was chatting happily about Olaf´s news about the planned piece they will be rehearsing and how excited she was, because it was one of her favourite ballets of time. The young man listened to her recitation and smiled silently, her crystal voice singing with joviality in his ears. And she did him a great favour by talking, and so he didn´t need to.
Anna had gone back to her snooze on deck, after she had been told to go and rest. At that, she had playfully rolled her eyes, submitting with a tender laugh. But then, something was not the way it used to be previously.
Kristoff kept tiggering around the boat, apparently uncertain of what to do with himself. He sat to read, just to get up again after a little while to go and grab something to drink and asking her if she needed anything. When serving the beverage, he asked if she desired some sweets, just to back off and return with some chocolate. It was nerve taking, and Anna couldn´t take it any longer. She straightened and as soon as Kristoff showed up again, she slightly patted the spare spot next to her, inviting him to sit with her.
Kristoff gazed down on her nervously, before he sighed and plopped down at her right.
"What´s going on? I can tell something´s bothering you. Can´t you tell me?"
Anna had flung her arms around her pulled up legs and laid her cheek on her knees to look at him silently.
Kristoff sat with pulled up legs, too, and arms braced on his knees, staring down at his feet. What should he say to her? That he had been sick with worry and had only one thought on his mind, of telling her how much she had meant to him?
Yes, you idiot, just tell her THAT!
"I´ve almost lost you!" He said quietly.
Wait, what? Oh… Anna´s heart started racing, and her cheeks burning, but she urged herself to remain calm and asked with a timid and trembling voice.
"How do you mean that?"
He couldn´t answer, not even nod his head, feeling numb and weary. And Anna felt his tension, so she dared outing her notion with her voice more regained.
"Kristoff, could it be that you have suffered the greater shock than I did? I mean, I could imagine that watching something the like must be terrifying…"
Tell her! You dumb jerk, just tell her. You have nothing to lose. But you´ll lose if you don´t tell her!
Then, he turned his face to look at her, his almond eyes filled with warmth, and his lips quivered with the emotions flooding all his senses.
"The thing is, Anna… That I like you. I like you very much. I like you beyond much. And I´m at a loss when it comes to words of feelings, and I can´t keep up with you on this. But you need to know that I mean it with all I am. There´s nothing but the desire of you being sound and happy, and I can´t dare to hope that this is reciprocal."
He then turned his face to look back down at his feet, waiting for the world to crash down on him when she would discard his confession.
Anna had sat not moving an inch of her muscles. Had she heard right? Yes, she had. And the message that had reached her heart was so much more than this wonderful man had said out loud. Like when he had held her in his firm embrace to give her the very calming comfort that she had needed during that dreadful moment of despair.
He loves you!
So, there was only the only next right thing for her to do!
And so, Anna slowly and quietly moved behind this man and wrap her arms around his sturdy upper body the best she could manage. She held him tight, sensing his torso leaning into her in complete wonder. Anna was then pressing her lips to his temple and whispering softly, like he had done to her.
"And I love you, too!"