Autumn, Zurich 1933
It was a Friday, a day which everyone can finally go on crack, or sit back and relax. It was the day of the week which we all can take a break right after work.
It was 2 in the afternoon.
Anna was sitting at her desk, typing away with her typewriter. Click and clack it went, going on for eternity. The repetitive beat was rather hypnotising, making her eyes start drooping. Trying to finish her article so she can have the night to her own, she stretches open her eyes continuously, and forcefully. It was like trying to move your hand while laying on bed, it was weak, so weak that you cannot control it, or feel it.
Her head slowly advanced to the stage of spinning, which was absolutely unbearable. She knew it was due to the lack of sleep, as his boss, Sven, kept loading her with articles to write, especially after the events of the Dada killer. Though her articles were intriguing and getting more popular by day, she cannot stand the burden it gave her these days. Her demanding boss tried to keep up the amount of readers, so she was required to do better everytime.
She finally gave up on her recent coffee-free challenge to herself, as she always needed caffeine, which wasn't really a healthy habit.
She stood up, and went for the door. She opened it gently, as she tried not to waste any energy, and left a gap. Anna projected her voice, "Matt! Matt~ Matthew? Ma-the-eww!"
"Oh, what is it Anna?"
"Oh um please fetch me a cup of coffee!"
"Sure, but just asking, why can't you do it yourself?" Matt asked, at bit astonished the independent woman he knew needed a cup of coffee from the coffee maker just ten meters away from her office.
"Is that a question... or concern of yours?" Said Anna, annoyed due to the exhaustion. It was not usual for her, to be a little rude, but of course, it was her own business, and privacy.
Matt quickly made a cup of coffee for Anna, as he knew, she could get heated up when she's not in the mood, even if that was just a 25% chance. He carried the drink carefully to Anna's office, and upon arrival, he knocked with his knuckles, which was well, a bit painful.
*knock knock knock*
No answer.
*knock knock*
"May I come in?" He asked, while pushing the door open. There, lying on the wooden desk, was Anna, sound asleep.
Matt quietly stepped closer to Anna, and gently tapped her on the shoulder. "Hey, Anna..." he whispered.
Anna slowly woke up from her arms that were used as her pillow, she stretches her arms and blinked hard. She looked around, and spotted her colleague beside her desk. She was quite puzzled why he was here, but then she remembered. Her cup of caffeine.
"Oh uh, thanks Matt," she answered briefly. Matt set the coffee on the desk and went out of the room.
The coffee was like magic, as if it were enchanted. Anna soon regained energy and she had quite an acceleration in her articles. By 4 pm, she was done with all three of them.
"Ah," she sighed, rather relieved, "I guess I'm done for the day."
She got up, and went for Sven's office. After he gave his harsh comments, with a few mild compliments, Anna was free to go. She happily dismissed from the office, saying goodbye to Matt and Hilda for the weekend.
Despite gaining freedom again from her work, something was bothering her the whole day. What was it? She didn't want to fuss about it, even though it might be important, but she thought it might be one of other Sven's deadlines. She wiped the idea off, and entered her red car parked outside the office. She sat down, but it seemed the problem drifted back into her mind, making her suspicious if it was not Sven's deadlines. She wondered, was it Amy, the cat she bought for Judit but was passed to her as the owner died, wasn't given any milk in the bowl before she went for work? Or was it the blood donation? No, she can't do it twice in two months. Was it... a meeting? A hangout perhaps? Impossible... right?
She reached for her brown handbag for her schedule book. And my, was it filled with stickers and memos and notes. She carefully read line by line, memo by memo and...
"Oh my goodness, how could I forget?!" She exclaimed, turning the car key to switch on the engine.
She zoomed, well, she felt she did, the way back home. She was practically annoyed of the traffic lights which were in her way for even some seconds. You might wonder, what was going on at her home, that bothered her so much. Won't be broken pipes. Not Amy either.
About 30 minutes later, she reached her apartment. When she went up to her floor, Amy greeted her with a purr, but she didn't have time to pet the cat. She rushed to her bedroom, and started rummaging in her wardrobe.
"Where did I hang that damn blouse?"
She was so immersed in searching for it she forgot taking off her deep red coat, which was only used for formality at work. It was indeed making her start sweating from all the work.
"Found it!" She spoke under her breath, taking out the pink blouse with a knot around the neck which she wore 4 years ago, to Porto Ceso. But I don't exactly mean she hadn't worn it for 4 years.
She found the matching blue medium skirt resting on the makeup chair. She sort off chose the night before.
She changed into them, and looked herself in the mirror.
"This doesn't look right... And would it be too perpetual?" And it was a bit cold, as the blouse was obviously short-sleeved.
She glanced back at her working clothes, it was quite elegant, but too formal...
But why not? She thought. It looked formal, but that could just suit her image, her vibe right now.
She got back in her black turtle neck, beige brown long skirt, and the red coat. She looked in the mirror once more, agreeing in her own decision with a smile and a "hmm".
She turned to the vanity mirror, and looked into her face in detail.
"Hmm, this looks fine... Oh yes maybe a softer lipstick... And probably... and probably nothing else."
Before leaving her bedroom, she sprayed herself with the perfume. It was of a pleasant lavender smell, it was gracious, and didn't have a strong scent.
"Good, off I go."
She went out of her room, with Amy coming to her and nudging her legs with her soft, grey fur. She purred, making Anna melt. She picked Amy up in her arms, and cooed, "Aww, my sweetie, missing me from work? Do you want to come with me to meet, well... someone really special today?"
The cat buried its head into Anna's arms, and purred softly again.
"I suppose that's a yes."
Anna grabbed a large shoulder bag, and slipped Amy inside. It poked its head out from the bag, those saucer eyes wide with curiosity.
She sprinted down the building stairs, and headed for Zurich train station in her car.
"Please don't be late, Anna Myers!" She prayed, "No traffic, no traffic, NO TRAFFIC!"
Meanwhile, Amy sat quietly beside her, a seat belt wrapped around the bag. As a cat, she was quite the obedient, and very intelligent, as it knew what safety was.
45 minutes later, Anna finally arrived at her destination.
"Ah, just in time!" She exhaled, checking the her watch. It was 5:44, which she was, indeed really close to missing the train.
She ran out of her car carrying Amy, who, fortunately, wasn't too dizzy from its owner's jogging.
Upon reaching the platform, the train was halting to a stop with a loud screech. Anna held her bag closely, to brace Amy from the deafening noise.
"Which carriage was it...?" Anna mumbled to herself, "He definitely wrote it in the letter..."
Recalling the letter's content, she thought hard. It should be... - what?
She got a light tap on her shoulder, so she turned around. It was the person she was waiting for.
"Luigi, its you!"
"Yes, I'm so glad to see you too! Oh is that your cat in the bag?"
"Oh yes she's Amy, a sweetie, right?" Saying this, Anna stroked the cat's chin. It's purred in return.
"She's really adorable, Anna."
Stepping back, Anna looked at Luigi. He wasn't in his usual policeman suit, but in a white long turtle neck sweater and black trousers. It was simple, but it reflected his gentleness.
"You look so different, Luigi," Anna giggled.
"Uh yeah, Anna. You don't like it?" Luigi said, not taking the hint it was a joke.
"No, no, I'm just used to your blue policeman suit, it's just so special..."
"Oh," He answered, laughing, "Anna, I do wear other things besides that suit." Looking into Anna, he asked, "Where would you like to take me to? I'm really new to Zurich."
"Oh yes, I almost forgot, let's go to the station café. It's rather different from yours, but you will like it. I'll bring you."
They walked, arm in arm, towards the station café. The café was warm. It had wooden square tables with white cloths spread on top. There were four-seated tables in the middle rows, while tables for two in the aisle near the French windows.
They took a seat, and each ordered a simple cup of coffee. The atmosphere was rather cozy, with the light just comfortably adjusted, the quiet wooden furniture, and the thin soft cushion on each chair. The other customers were either reading their newspaper, or looking out the window while sipping the hot coffee.
"The sunset will be gorgeous today, look at the clear sky," said Anna, looking out to the sky.
"That's nice, Anna, we could watch the sunset, I'd love that."
"Whatever you'd like to do for the day," replied Anna, "Zurich has yet a lot for you to see."
Amy climbed out from her bag set on the floor. It put its paws on Anna's lap and pulled itself up to her.
"Oh hey, my dear, bored after a nice nap?" Anna said, stroking its forehead.
It didn't answer, but curled up in her lap.
Luigi was watching the adorable scene in front of him, and can't hold his comment back, "You two are such sweet pies, you remind me of my mom's baked pastries."
"Aw, are we really?"
"Sure."
"Luigi..." said Anna, her voice trailing off. She was undergoing a sugarrush. Her friend was, so cute.
They sat in peace for a while, finishing their drinks.
"Bottoms up! Where should we go for the sunset?" Asked Luigi.
No reply.
Anna was pretty absorbed by the slowly changing sky, and nothing could go in her way.
"Anna?"
"Oh!" She exclaimed, "Sorry Luigi, I was just so absorbed... In the sky."
"It's okay, Anna, but I think we should go... somewhere else. Any suggestions?"
"Oh sure, I usually go to the beach for sunsets, it's the top pick."
They paid the bill and left the café, to Anna's car.
"Oh you drove here, Anna?"
"Yes, Luigi, I know how to drive."
"May I drive?"
"Come on, I don't need any pleasantries. It's fine, I'll drive"
"My Signora, allow me to assist you in that, for I am a gentleman."
"Okay, Luigi, I can't fight over that," Anna laughed.
The two got in the car, with Amy in Anna's lap.
"I'll drive slowly, I don't want Amy getting dizzy."
"How gentleman you are," Anna complimented, "But you... you do remember that I should be in your area of consideration as well?" She continued, joking.
"Well of course, Anna, you're my friend, and... one of the best."
Blushing, she answered, "I... I was just joking Luigi, I know you are very exceptionally thoughtful."
Luigi smiled, and turned on the engine, while Anna directed him to the beach.
It took almost an hour, when they finally arrived near the pathway to the beach.
They got out of the car, while Anna searched the back of her car.
"What are you finding?"
"Oh, just my sunhat, aaand my sandals."
"Let me help."
Luigi took Anna's place and went through the heap of things laying there. There were extra pairs of shoes, some books, quite odd, a dress, a few large towels, and some shovels and beach toys.
When Luigi removed the green dress that covered the rest of the items, Anna cringed a little.
"Ah found them!"
"Thanks Luigi," she smiled in return, putting on her sunhat.
"You look gorgeous, Anna."
"Oh hehe."
"Maybe I should change into that dress? It's quite stiff in all this," Anna said, using her hands to gesture Luigi in what she was wearing.
"I'm sure you would feel better, Anna."
Amy was still in Anna's arms, so she said, "Amy, please be good kitty while I go change, alright? Mr Luigi will look after you for a while, don't be shy."
She looked at Luigi, and told him, "You too, Luigi, don't be too shy to interact with my dear." She gave Amy into Luigi's arms, and left for the changing rooms.
It wasn't long after, that Anna came back with her shoulder-strapped long green dress. She was wearing her red coat still, even though mismatched, Luigi thought it was very cute.
"Wow, Anna, you look so different from the side I have always known you for - a very formal woman," he said, amazed by her appearance.
"Aw, I'm flattered, thanks Luigi. Now, let's head for the beach."
They made their way through the sandy concrete path, and down the rocky stone steps.
The sand was very soft, and warm, under the sun's ray. Luigi took off his leather shoes and socks to feel the sand beneath him. Anna, who was walking beside him, felt the sand seep into her sandals and run off her toes on her every step. Amy was patting and playing with the sand.
"So, do you like the environment here?"
"Yes, Anna, its really nice and cool. I have not been to a city for a long time, except for some holidays outside town."
"Then please, enjoy your stay at Zurich. I have a lot to show you!"
"Thanks, Anna."
They kept pacing along the coast.
"Oh look, the sun is setting!" Exclaimed Anna, pointing at the golden, fiery sun.
Luigi turned his head to her finger's direction, and looked. It was remarkable. The sun had a really saturated gradient, in crimson, orange, and lemon. Its shape was of a semi-circle, sinking beneath the surface of the warm, silky ocean. The rays were like an endless emitting visible soundwave, giving off a soundless tune of peace, and happiness.
"Oh Anna... it's beautiful."
"Yes, it is."
As they finished, the sat down on the smooth, fine sand. Anna had the pose of letting her folded legs rest aside, with one hand supporting her body. Luigi sat on her right, his right leg folded up, hile the other extended. He rested his right arm on his leg.
"Achoo!"
"Anna, you're cold."
Luigi wrapped his other arm around Anna. It gave her an undescribable warmth. He might not have been as warm as a wooly jacket, but his action was enough to go through a chilly, lonely night.
Anna didn't say anything but smiled. She leaned in to Luigi.
Meanwhile, Amy, who had been sitting beside them gazing at the sunset, joined in and curled between the couple.
"Thanks, Luigi, you make this more like my holiday rather than yours," said Anna, softly.
"No, you are, Anna," Luigi whispered in her hair.
She felt a slight tingle with her hair, so she turned around to Luigi.
They both gazed into each others' eyes, full of joy, happiness, and hope. It was like gazing into the shimmering night sky, which was pinned with gold and silver stars, glittering.
They both let out a soft laugh, and leaned closer.
They kissed, like cotton, like a feather touching each others' lips. It was soft, and tender.
"I just wanted to say-" they both whispered in sync, "I love you."
"I love you more."
End.
