Ink and feather

         He followed her through winding streets, wondering who the strange girl was. She directed him through well-known streets, also ones he didn`t know about. He recognized some he had walked there before and some he had just heard of. They were going down the street slowly; the slope demanded a faster pace. Where were they going, and who was she? That were the only questions on his mind. He felt her gentle grasp on his wrist and saw how her hair was dancing in the wind that they defied. Her eyes were shining with the same glow as her smile. He saw how far they went when he removed his gaze from her face. They weren`t running either; in fact, they were strolling now. She had grabbed his hand in front of the entrance; he was looking at the shelves full of books with so much passion in his eyes. Until now, she hasn`t stopped, even though she wasn`t panting. She wore a calm smile on her lips. When he looked away, he found himself in the middle of the valley, surrounded by linden trees, but the center was clear with grass and some flowers. She removed her hand from his, but he didn`t notice it at first. While he was looking around him and absorbing this amazing picture, she was gone. He heard no steps, no voice from her, but her silent smile stayed in his memory.

Years passed, and the boy grew up; he became a young man, still remembered the girl, but only like a passenger and nothing more. Although her smile, he couldn`t forget, and now, after so many years, again, he was in front of the same entrance. Now just a few glances were spared while he was enjoying the company of his friends. Again like the first time, she was there. It happened again; she dragged him, surprising everyone else, so as him. It was the same path, and that smile would discern even in the dead of night. Of course, now, as a young woman, her smile was even more beautiful. Although it wasn`t silent anymore, and her voice charmed him. She laughed loud, it wasn`t a voice that sang nicely, but it was an honest and warm laugh. He recognized the same path immediately, and this time they dragged attention more than when they were kids. She laughed, and he caught himself smiling. There were various gazes around them, thoughts and feelings rushing through his mind and burning question – Who was she? He tried to ask, but only a laugh came out. In the end, his lips formed a wide smile line. She brought him to the same valley, which didn’t change much. There were so many questions on his mind, but none came out. Again, his gaze drifted, he heard no voice or footsteps, and she was gone. This time he was older; he would pay attention more and find her. He wanted to see her, but they didn`t see each other for the next few years. He wasn`t the only one who wanted to know who she was; his friends also wanted to. It wasn`t long before they stopped wondering about a mystery girl. This time, he couldn`t believe that she was imaginary and she was real. He heard her laugh, felt her touch again, and he was sure, absolutely sure, that she wasn`t just his imagination. Day after day, the question of who she was, was burning inside him, demanding the answer. He would often stay in front of the same entrance hoping that he would see her, but he was never brave enough to enter because he was afraid. He didn`t belong there, or so he thought. He loved books and writing; however, earlier, he had limited himself to books at home and school. Again, he was staying outside, reconsidering whether to enter or not. Bell on the door brought him to reality. She left the store, again older but the same age as him. Their gazes met.

How he never entered, how he never noticed that she was always in front of him? Although this was the first time that she showed herself to him like this. She bowed with a smile and presented herself. He tried to say something, his mouth formed words, but there was no voice. Suddenly she grabbed his hand, and he followed her again. The same path, the same streets, like the other times, and again they were in the same valley, but he didn`t remove his eyes from hers this time. Her hand slowly let go of his, but he grabbed her arm. He repeated her name and, in the end, asked if this was real. She gave him a smiling nod. He asked question after question, and she slowly answered them. She tried to distance his attention from her to the landscape around them, but he would always return his attention to her.

“Why have you never entered?” She asked him now seriously and without a smile.

With the same facial expression, he answered. “I`ve never thought that I belonged there.”

“Although you should have entered since your first look of longing. I know that, believe me.”

“How do you know?” He asked in disbelief.

She smiled. “Just know. Now look around yourself and see the source of all life.” She gestured with her free hand, and she smiled more widely. She offered him a feather but kept ink for herself.

He smiled, seeing the begging.

“Shall we?” She asked with a smirk that turned into an honest smile.

He accepted the feather but didn`t ask for the ink, leaving it in her hands.