Storm in a Cup of Coffee

by Keren Or

  “Someone very close to you has done you much harm, and has also deceived you... destroying your faith. From thinking that you have it all, you have come to feel that you have nothing... and that’s why you are here today... isn’t it?”

  Eli only nodded. Her eyes began to shine and her face to grow sad.

  “Can I tell you something, my child?” said Lena, putting the cup on the table. “I don’t really do coffee readings. I mean, my grandmother, may she rest in peace, had that gift... but I... I’m not as good as she was. The truth of the matter is that I hear voices... souls or teachers who come from the Great Beyond, wanting to help the person who asks for it and who is open and willing to listen.”

  Eli nodded again and Lena continued.

  “You’ve had three great loves in your life... The first one was intense, but he was just passing through...”

  “Alex...” thought Eli.

  “The second is a good man and your soul mate... but he shouldn’t become your husband, it’s not right for you.”

  “My Tomás...,” Eli smiled, revealing her feelings and that Lena, for the moment, knew what she was saying.

  “The third... is a very attractive man, but he lacks emotional intelligence and he has no spine. He’s like a pretty, perfumed envelope in which, upon opening it... you expect to find something good and wonderful, but instead you find... absolutely nothing...”

  Noticing that Eli’s face was beginning to become distorted, Lena paused, but then continued.

  “Eli,” she said in a soft, maternal voice, “that man did not deserve you. In fact, he saved your life by letting you go. I know that at this point in time you can’t see what I’m saying, but trust me... Everything will be okay...”

  “I thought he loved me,” said Eli, drying her tears.

  “In his own way he loved you, but you have to understand that he didn’t grow up in a united, functional family. You were his salvation and you taught him what it meant to be loved for the first time, but when he had to choose... his family won, and in truth... they did you a huge favor.”

  Eli calmed down, looked up, and Lena reconnected with the souls, the teachers or whoever it was surrounding her.

  “In another month, maximum two, you will find a new job. There, you’ll meet your future husband. He’ll be working in something related to sales and will have a facility with languages, having lived in different parts of the world. It won’t be long before you come together again in this life.”

  Eli could not hide her enthusiasm, thinking that if Lena could really see the future as she had managed to see her past, the days of her sorrows would be numbered...

  Back at home, the two friends shared their experience with Lena. Nicole was as stunned as Eli, although for her the good news would take longer to come. Both equally had a future that was worth waiting for.

  The next day, Eli started looking for a new job. Now she had a double reason, and there was no time to lose. At a time when the economy was unstable and many companies were laying off people, it was not an easy task. But Eli, as with her other objectives, took this one just as seriously.

  After two months of a few interviews and no acceptance, she finally received, on the same day and within the space of an hour, three calls from three different places. All giving her a final interview, the decisive one.

  Lena had not revealed to her what position she would find, so Eli simply allowed herself to be guided by her instincts and her desire to find a less demanding job than the previous one. Nonetheless, she was looking for a good, prestigious company run by people who were enterprising, but most importantly... young and pleasant.

  Leaving the interview, Eli felt that she had found her place. All that was left now was for them to also think the same about her.

  Right away, she felt an affinity with her new co-workers, more so with one in particular, named Fran. On that same first day she also met Gaby, who, despite being part of their group, for reasons of space was stationed in another office on the same floor.

  Eli felt welcomed and happy in her new job, putting into it all her hopes, illusions and dreams.

  After a week, and after having tried different restaurants at lunch time, Fran suggested going to a new place called Camelia, located just a few minutes’ walk away, which offered a variety of healthy dishes.

  The place was warm, cozy and crowded with people who worked in the area. Eli leaned forward, peering at the variety of salads presented in the display case, when suddenly... she found exactly what she was looking for...

  She found... Lucas...

  And there, in Camelia... standing in front of him... Eli began to feel life again...

  Under her skin.…

  PART THREE

  14

  Eyes that see… heart that feels

  In the days following Eli’s decision to not be concerned with Lucas, he began to feel a strange sense of absence, and although he could not understand what it was based on or what its origin was, at least he was sure that something... was missing in his day-to-day life. He was still keeping his wall of defense stable... but his autonomous subconscious had begun a silent and unnoticed destruction, and to the uninterested brave man, however much he refused, there wasn’t much time left to resist. He even got to the point of resuming a relationship he had started just before the trip. The divorced woman with two kids, with whom he had a couple of quite entertaining dates, still infatuated him and did not tie him down. Nevertheless, when he saw her again, for some inexplicable reason, he could not recreate the same enjoyment. Just three uncomfortable dates and Lucas broke up with the poor divorcee, leaving her disappointed... after having become hooked on him.

  “Fluffy,” he said to Gaby as he continued to type, “do you remember the young tourist I met on my last vacation?”

  “The beautiful volunteer who was staying at your neighbor’s house?”

  “The same one. She just wrote to me...”

  “And…?” asked Gaby, putting aside what she was doing to pay closer attention.

  “She’ll be back in two months, again for vacation, and she is proposing that we spend a weekend at the beach, alone...”

  “So what’s the problem? Wasn’t that your dream? For her to come back? Didn’t you tell me about the kiss that dazzled you... about her perfect breasts that you did not get the chance to touch... about her amazing body that you didn’t get to...?”

  “Yes, yes... Please don’t continue... Well, I just answered yes...,” replied Lucas somewhat disheartened. “I just hope I’m doing the right thing. I don’t know what’s happening to me lately...”

  “I don’t know what’s happening to you either, but you came back a little strange from the trip... Did something happen that you haven’t told me?”

  In fact, Gaby knew in graphic detail exactly how, when and what had happened, but being a loyal friend and a good woman... she pretended to not be up-to-date about anything.

  “I’ll tell you, but not now...,” replied Lucas to put off the moment of truth.

  “Okay, for the moment I’ll leave you in peace, but only... if you promise to accompany me to my appointment with the psychic.”

  “Weren’t you going with a friend?” Lucas asked, trying to get out of the commitment.

  “Yes, but she changed her mind, and I don’t feel like going alone. Perhaps you’re suddenly feeling up to it. What do you say?”

  “If you want, I’ll go with you, but as far as I’m concerned, I won’t participate. I don’t have extra money at the moment.”

  “Okay, relax. I’ll treat you... It will be your birthday present, since I still owe you one.”

  Knowing Gaby, Lucas was clear that there was no way to resist, and, taken by force, in the end he accompanied her.

  Later on, sitting in front of Norma, Lucas wanted to know exclusively about his job future. The rest was of no import
ance, or worse... seemed like nonsense to him. However, Norma ended up talking about his personal life anyway, as it was she who knew what was important.

  Lucas repeatedly, in vain, tried to take her back to what he was most interested in, but Norma, ignoring him... repeated the same thing over and over again.

  “In less than a year, you’ll be married.”

  “Zero possibility. I’ll never marry again... Now, can we talk about business?”

  “A year at most... but you’ll surely get married before that.”

  “Perhaps I didn’t explain myself well... I don’t plan to commit that act of madness for the second time... and much less in a year. Will I someday become a sales manager?”

  “Someday. But first, you’ll get married. It’s closer than you think. You already know her, and I could even guarantee that beneath that layer of denial... you really like her a lot. Her skin is white and silky... her green eyes... She completed a university degree, but she will not work in that field... and in less than a year you’ll be married to her.”

  “And you know that from my astral map? From the cards? From where?” asked Lucas, skeptical and weary of fighting against Norma.

  “A bit from everything... Call to tell me about your wedding, and don’t worry about your job future. You’ll be successful, but it will not be immediately.”

  Lucas came out more confused than he was when he went in. The idea of getting married again caused him discomfort. However, for the first time... a slight feeling of excitement ran through his veins...

  “Are you going to tell me what she said... or at least why you are so quiet and pensive?” asked Gaby while Lucas was driving away from Norma’s.

  “Things are happening to me with Eli...,” he finally blurted out.

  He had held it in since returning from the trip, so he felt great relief upon releasing it.

  “Lucas! I’ll kill you if you make her suffer! Until you are completely sure of what you feel for her, do not take a step... Do you hear me?”

  “I know, don’t worry. I won’t do anything for the moment... I have to sort out my thoughts first.”

  “Yes, please sort them out! But I am glad anyway. I hope it works out.”

  Scared because of her friend’s emotional imbalance, Gaby did not want to sow false illusions in her that could eventually hurt her, and, surprising herself, she managed to keep the secret. Eli never learned about the revealing conversation, and Lucas, for his part, still could not find the courage to shake off the dust from a poor heart that for so long... he had forgotten in the attic.

  However, other, more powerful, forces took charge of blowing a gentle breeze... bringing him closer to that moment...

  While waiting for Lena to prepare the coffee for Valeria, Eli decided to confront her alone...

  “As you can see, I keep sending you people, but when it comes to me... it didn’t work out. Lucas rejected me, and after that... I have no hope left... Since the trip I haven’t even seen him... intentionally. I’ve done everything in my power to avoid him and to hide, and he isn’t showing that he wants to find me.”

  “Maybe I was wrong about the timing, Eli, but what I said will happen...,” Lena answered with certainty and calm.

  “By my birthday... will there be any progress?” asked Eli, wary of the possible answer.

  “When is it?”

  “In exactly three more weeks I’ll be twenty-five...”

  “Then yes.”

  The days passed and the only thing coming closer... was her birthday. Lucas did not appear even by chance; Eli remained out of sight, and her confidence in Lena and her predictions... was in question.

  Three days before her big day, suddenly, without prior warning... Lucas appeared in her office and sat down on her desk. More than a month had passed without her seeing him at all, and his appearance completely surprised her... She really was not expecting it... despite having been “warned”.

  “Long time, no see!” said Lucas smiling after leaning over to give her a kiss that almost burned her cheek.

  “And what a surprise to see you here. How can I help you?” asked Eli, trying to be terse and slowing down her agitated heart.

  “Do you remember the movie that we talked about at length on the last night at the hotel?”

  “Of course,” said Eli, thinking, How could I have forgotten anything about what happened that night?

  “A group of friends is getting together tomorrow to see it. Would you be interested in going with me? As a friend!” he stressed.

  “Yes... why not?” she replied.

  With a smile, Lucas said good-bye, leaving Eli with her mouth open, while Fran, her only witness... kept her mouth shut.

  At seven o’clock sharp, Lucas was at the door. A surprising and unusual fact, coming from an extremely unpunctual man. That, his appearance and his recently washed car were signs of a not insignificant degree of effort, or at least... dedication. However, although Eli was excited to notice it, she preferred to not comment so as not to make Lucas uncomfortable. But as for whether or not she was right... she was right!

  That same afternoon, Lucas had left work early and this time... not because of Andy. What is more, he made sure that his son would go to sleep at a friend’s house, thus preventing him from having to be worried about him. Then he took his “pumpkin” to be cleaned, transforming it into a worthy carriage—bright, sweet-smelling and free of crumbs, cookie wrappings and sticky candy. And finally... he arrived at the agreed time, surprising himself and wondering what was the reason for so much preparation.

  Lucas was, however, still in complete denial. But Eli, as usual... was right.

  “You’re looking gorgeous,” he complimented her, opening the car door.

  Eli looked like a sweet, angelic maiden. Her slightly wavy hair was pulled up on both sides into a thin braid. Her radiant face was delicately made up, and her white dress fell perfectly over her sculpted waist. Lucas could not stop looking at her, and Eli... felt his gaze...

  With her fitting in easily, the evening passed with laughter and a sense of having always belonged. The “friendly” night turned out to be peaceful and entertaining.

  Eli had forgotten that powerful feeling of being exactly where she should be. But remembering it... was jeopardizing her ability to hold back her repressed expectations, as well as her promise to not mention ever again... the forbidden and previously raised subject...

  During the trip back to Eli’s home, they talked at length, exchanging views on spiritual matters. One did not have to be a clairvoyant to notice that they both thought the same way, that they shared interests and similar life experiences.

  When he parked the car, suddenly there was a strong involuntary silence. And Eli... could not hold back...

  “What a pity...,” she said, not being able to stop being herself.

  “What a pity about what?” asked Lucas.

  “That you are giving in to your fears and not your feelings...”

  “And what am I feeling, from your point of view?”

  “Something... for me... but you’re not allowing yourself to open your heart again... and I can’t understand the reason why.”

  “The reason why is very simple, Eli. I got burned once and I’m not looking to get burned again... It’s stronger than I... Besides, we work at the same place... and if we tried and it did not work, it would be very uncomfortable...,” Lucas tried to justify himself.

  “Those are excuses caused by your fear of admitting that at the end of the day... love does exist. Of discovering that someone in this world could really love you and that not everything is pain, disappointment or cruelty.”

  “I can’t, Eli... I apologize. I don’t think I’m good for this...”

  “But... you haven’t tried... at least, not with me.”

  “I can’t, Eli...”

&
nbsp; “Well, as I said... it’s a pity...,” she repeated and then stopped.

  Going up in the elevator, in silence... they took turns looking at each other, until the time... ran out.

  “It’s your last chance, Lucas...” Eli said before opening the door. “If I leave this elevator, you’ll never have me again. Even if you come on your knees,” she added.

  “I can’t, Eli...,” Lucas repeated his cowardly mantra once more.

  “Goodbye, Lucas... and thanks for the invitation,” she said as she took leave, giving him a tender kiss on the cheek.

  And turning around, she took a step forward pushing the door and probably leaving... the love of her life... behind.

  At that precise moment... fate intervened when a strong tug brought her back inside, straight... into Lucas’s arms. Pinning her against the mirror, Lucas started to kiss her passionately. A long, intense and above all liberating kiss... for both equally.

  And then... he let her leave.

  Eli entered her house on tiptoe to avoid waking anyone and thus preserve the magic still surrounding her. Lying on her bed, looking out the window at the black sky that was shining that night in particular, she was excitedly going over the moments of glory experienced with Lucas. Her body could still feel the gentle trembling, as she found refuge in his passionate kisses. The perfect combination in the union between the two... fire, tenderness, his arms.

  Lena... after all... had not been wrong.

  Waiting and waiting for the phone to ring, Eli was withering slowly.

  Lucas had promised to call her the next day, and the silence became more and more threatening as the hours passed. Eli imagined the worst: that Lucas, overwhelmed with fears... had regretted kissing her.