At dawn, after curious rays of sunshine had burst into their room, the two lovers woke up in unison and began to look at each other again. A glimmer of light stopped right on the girl's blue eyes, making them shine like precious stones. Colin stroked her pink cheek, and she did the same. They said nothing. Chiara got closer to kiss him anywhere, gently, but never reaching the mouth she loved so much. Slowly she passed from one side to the other, first on the forehead, then on the cheeks and so on; he closed his eyes, letting himself be carried away by that infinite tenderness. When the girl stopped, moved by a repressed but still existing passion, they began to kiss passionately, as they had never done before, holding each other and sometimes touching innocently. They thought of nothing but themselves, to be the property of the other. Colin knew he could not go beyond that, but it was enough for him and it was like making love to him. He held her tight to him, to feel her heart beating, and every inch of her skin to get mixed with his. She felt safe in his arms, made her feel protected, and for that moment, all her fears had disappeared, even the fear of losing him. She kissed his neck very often, loved to do it, and noticed that he liked it too. When after a long time they separated, looking at each other, they smiled and kissed each other's smiles. Being late, the girl got out of bed to get dressed. Colin looked at her from behind with love, like a father watching a daughter who grew up too fast. After getting ready, Chiara straightened his shirt because it was a little loose, a little messed up. "I do not want to lose you again," he said at some point as she put on his tie. "Neither do I. But we cannot do anything about it ..." She lowered her look and a tear dropped timidly down her cheek. He was crying too, but he tried not to let her notice so as not to make her feel sadder. "But I'm sure we'll meet again, better late than never." Colin said, gently taking her face into his hands and wiping away her tear. The girl smiled and then hugged him. Her fears began to circulate again in her head, her worries ruffling her thoughts. She really believed she would not be able to leave him again. Colin took her face, and after giving each other a last, tender kiss, they headed for the door."Just remember that I will think of you every day, it may seem stupid or childish, but I will do it, and even if you do not, it does not matter, as long as I have you always in my heart." He told her, taking her trembling hands into his. "Oh, Colin, how can I not think of you? You're a dream come true, the one I've always wanted to have.. I hope to see you again soon, I'll miss you too much." She could not stop herself and embraced him, crying. Even he did not stop himself and wept over her shoulder. Now the rays of the sun were gone, everything was gray and sad, the atmosphere more than the two lovers. Chiara took her suitcase and sent a kiss with her hand to her man ,then she left. Colin stayed in the room for a moment, remembering everything he had felt for that little girl while staying with her. He stretched out on the bed, not yet done, and thought, he thought of when he could see her again, when he could hug her again and feel her somehow inside of him.
Chiara spent the whole journey back crying inside. She certainly could not be noticed, and this made her feel worse; she tried to stay with her companions, but everything made her think of Colin, so she preferred to stay by herself. At about 12pm she was back home. Despite having been all the time on the bus, she was exhausted, both physically and psychologically. She said goodnight to her mom, trying to smile and then threw herself on the bed. She fell asleep immediately, but she had many nightmares. Colin here, Colin there, Colin everywhere, and herself, impaled that she could not have him all for her. Despite her dreams, she slept until late in the morning.
"Good morning Chiaretta!" Her mother exclaimed as soon as she saw her awake "So what about the trip? Everything okay?"
"Good morning mommy.. well yes! All good! And you? At home I mean.. Everything alright?" The girl answered, trying to look happy.
"Well.. there's something I did not tell you.. about your aunt.. she had an accident last night, I'm sorry if I did not call you but I was very busy, she's in the hospital now. We should go visit her. This afternoon." Mom answered, slightly embarrassed.
Chiara was shocked. She gasped and did not know what to say.
"A..Aunt..in.. hospital.. must be a joke! Ahah you're kidding!" she hoped it was a joke, but her mom immediately became more serious and confirmed that it was not so. Chiara then took the first jeans and the first shirt that came to hand and said, "Let's go now." She took a jacket and went out pulling her mother by the hand. "Ok ok, but let me at least take the keys .. and your brothers? To whom I leave them?"
"Take them with us or leave them at home, they are big enough to look after themselves. "she said hurriedly, getting into the car. Her mom drove as fast as she could, and they came to the hospital in no time. Chiara was trembling from head to toe. She ran to the room where her aunt was and entered.
"Aunt! Oh aunt, I did not know anything! How are you? What did they tell you?"
The aunt looked very white, her forehead was covered by a black bruise, a plastered arm, and her eyes closed. The girl shed a tear, took her hand and repeated what she had said earlier. Her aunt slowly opened her eyes, looked at her and smiled at her. "Good morning.. the trip?.. Colin..?" she said in a faint voice, almost without breath.
"All good aunt, thanks to you.. how are you..?" she tried to cut it short, she did not want to be seen pretending.
"Well, well.. it's the medicines.. the arm is broken but it will work out.. now I sleep a little.. come back when you want.." saying that, the aunt closed her eyes.
Chiara wept silently and then left the room. Outside there was her mother waiting for her, and she seemed worried.
"How are you?" She asked getting up from the chair
"She said she feels down a little because of the medicines, I hope she gets back on track, I really hope so.. Let's go away please, I can not stay here." And having said that, she wiped away her tears and came out hand in hand with her mother.
She spent the whole day and the next one thinking of both her aunt and Colin. The things that had made her happy were leaving her slowly. * But it may be that the bad luck always comes to me? Why?! Why me?! * Repeated every minute in the head.
She was alone at home and immersed in her innumerable thoughts, when a sudden and abrupt call made her "wake up" from the sleep of her mind.
"Yes?..."
