Behind The Scenes

44. Jo

"It was very good," I tell him, drinking the last drop of beer.
"Yes. Please take it all off? I'm exhausted..." he begs me.
I nod and tell him not to worry.
"I'll wait for you over there," and he goes to the bedroom.
I take the pan off the table, rinse it and put it in the dishwasher along with the plates and glasses. I fold the tablecloth and put it back in the drawer. Once all is done, I open the bedroom door and enter.
Hero wakes up suddenly and has a shocked face. He makes me laugh.
"Don't worry, it's me," I point out.
"I fell asleep, sorry," he smiles.
I take off my clothes and put on a pair of sweatpants and a random shirt as pajamas. I feel his eyes on me.
I look at him stealthily and that's it, his gaze observes every detail of my body.
"Are you smart enough to talk about your... birthday?" I tell him trying to make sure that he has at least the strength to speak and understand what I tell him.
He nods.
"Okay..." I reach out to my nightstand drawer.
I pull out two sheets of paper folded into rectangles and put them in his hands.
"What's this?" he looks at me perplexed.
"Look," I urge him.
He unfolds the sheets and widens his eyes, rubs them.
"I don't believe it," he whispers. "You did this... for me?"
I nod with a toothy smile, I'm very happy.
"I love, love, love you!" he says in my hair several times, hugging me.
I chuckle, his breath on my neck tickling me.
"Are you happy?" I ask him.
"And you ask me too? Obviously!" he exclaims.
"I know you went to London in September, but I thought we could go there together..." I explain.
What do you know about what I have arranged for you, Hero, I would like to tell him.
"Besides, I've never been there, so it will be a new experience."
"Well, it means I'll take you wherever I can, I promise," he says, moving a lock of hair behind my ear.
"Perfect then."
I kiss him and he lifts me up taking me by the hips and makes me straddle him.
As we kiss, I notice that it's started to rain.
"Hey," I gasp on his lips, "it's raining."
He gives me another kiss. "Really?"
"Yes, let's go out on the balcony, come on."
I get out of bed and pull Hero from the wrist.
"Oh, but why do we have to go out on the balcony while it's raining?" he complains.
"Because, come on," I keep pulling him and he finally gets up. "Thanks," I kiss him on the cheek and he snorts.
I take him by the hand and drag him out.
I open my arms and let me get wet from the rain.
"Jo, what are you doing!" Hero chuckles, who is attached to the wall so as not to get wet.
"Come here," I say laughing. I walk up to him and put his hands on my hips.
"No no! I wet everything, please!"
But by now he's in the rain and his hair is all wet, including the gray sweatshirt he's wearing.
I take his face in my hands and kiss him smiling on his lips.
"You're crazy," he shakes his head.
I laugh out loud and then he joins me.
Everything is so perfect: us, the kisses in the rain, the laughter, the happiness... everything.
"I love you," I say looking into his eyes, with my arms around his neck.
"Me too." He smiles and kisses me with transport, bringing my body closer to him.
When I turn to the next balcony, there is Mrs. Wilson with a lit cigarette leaning against the wall.
"Mrs. Wilson, hello!" I greet her, it's obvious that she's seen us and not doing it would be rude.
I hear Hero say in a very low voice: "No no, please..."
"Oh, guys! It really needed a little rain," she comments.
"I would say yes."
"You're having fun, I heard you laugh like crazy," she observes, chuckling.
Hero takes my arm and whispers, "Let's go inside."
"Yes, but I got cold. Good night!"
"Why did you greet her?" Hero says to me as he closes the window.
"What was I supposed to do? She had seen us," I shrug.
"I know, but I can't stand her."
"She's not that bad," bearable, at least.
"For you it's all 'not that bad'," he chuckles.
"That's fake, do we want to talk about your head-crazy songs?" I can't stand those, really.
"Shut up, do we want to talk about your Rolling Stones instead?" he says undressing, with a disgusted face.
He doesn't have to insult the Rolling Stones, I breakup, I swear.
"You know it's better if you don't talk about it..." I glare at him as I put the wet clothes in the washing machine with a little detergent.
"Okay, okay, sorry."
We get changed and go to bed.
Hero strokes my hair and I draw abstract figures with my fingers on his chest. He falls asleep long before I do, he was so tired. I'm not that tired, but his heartbeat lulls me into a peaceful sleep.