Tomorrow.
The clock marked 6am. He got up and dragged himself to the bathroom. Looked in the mirror and felt nothing. The wrinkles on his face were paths to a life of emptiness. A glass of scotch was his breakfast.
Michael!! A young woman screamed on the street. He opened the car window and saw it was Nena. Hi! How are you? I’m fine. How are you and the kids, Nena? We’re alright. I wanna ask you something… could you please go talk to Peter? He’s having some troubles in school and I don’t know how to handle it… Why? What’s going on? I think he’s being a victim of bullying… Her deep blue eyes were now an ocean. Ok. I will talk to him. Don’t worry! Thank you!
While Michael was driving, he looked through the rear view mirror and saw a woman in a bicycle. Anna. The beautiful Anna. The wind sang a lullaby with her dress while she was walking in circles on that meadow. Michael was no longer in the car. His hands were tied to Anna’s. The steering wheel was her waist and the seat was her naked body that he travelled endless times. He would give up his entire life to have a single minute with her lips again. In that moment, he was no longer Michael. He was Leelo. He was Anna’s Leelo. And that woman on the bicycle was no stranger. She was Layla. She was Michael’s Layla.
Michael forgot to keep his eyes open and on the road. And the road lead him to a huge truck of wood. It was the end and Michael knew it. He chose not to fight anymore, kept his eyes closed and embraced death. He was finally happy…kissing Layla’s lips again.
Yesterday.
STOP. Anna screamed from the other side of the meadow. Michael was laughing on the floor at her clumsiness. It was a simple task: they had to harvest the lemons for the summer lemonades. Everyone on the street was counting on them to make money out of the lemonade for the final year trip. But Anna just couldn’t climb the lemon tree without slipping, causing a huge laugh on Michael. Mostly, what Michael liked to see was her dress flying, obeying to the wind’s will.
When finally there were no more lemons to put on the basket, Michael helped Anna descend the tree and they sat with their legs crossed in front of each other. There were no awkward silence between them. They were talking in silence. Their eyes were seeing the same things.
Why were you laughing at me? Because your dress was telling me jokes. What was he saying? Isn’t it funny how this legs stay undaunted even when I’m making tickles on them? Really? My dress said that? You don’t believe me? I believe you, my sweet Leelo. What did you call me? Leelo. I don’t know why, it just came out of my mind right now… I don’t know, maybe it’s because I’m surrounded by lemons…le…le…Leelo. From now on you’re my Leelo. Thank the lemons. But you think I’m sour? No. That’s the twist. You’re my sweetest Leelo. Well, if you’re giving me a nickname, it only fair if you get one too. And what would that be? Layla. Why?! Because, the first time I kissed you, we were listening to the Eric Clapton’s song. From now on, I’m your Leelo, only if you were my Layla. Deal.
Leelo and Layla gave hands and danced. The meadow was theirs.
One week. Two weeks. Three weeks. Four weeks.
There’s no discussion here, Michael. Decision has been made and there’s nothing you can do about it. You belong with those people. Since you were born, you knew that that was your future. Michael was speechless. He was controlling the anger inside him. He knew he had to respect his parents’s decision, but how can they rip his heart from his chest with such easiness? Why can’t they see he was no longer the same Michael from the earlier school years? I love Anna! The next thing he felt was his father’s hand on his cheek. He slapped him so furiously that Michael fell on the floor. His mother moved her foot to help him, but stopped.
Michael was no longer Leelo. And Leelo had to leave Layla behind.
Today.
The young men were ready. They all had their cloths ironed. Jake was particularly nervous. He knew he was doing the right thing. His heart and soul were completely committed. The nervosity was because of his stuttering. He was afraid of not being able to say the words properly.
Michael was sitting on the corner. His eyes were on the floor. He looked at his ring finger and imagined a wedding ring. A ring that could bring Anna back to his arms.
While they were waiting, Michael remembered the words of Samuel: are you sure you want to do this? This is a commitment for life… I know. I want to do this. Being here, learning all that I learnt in all this years convinced me. Rest, Samuel. I’m sure of my decision.
The certainty of his decision, however, was not that noble. He had to have a purpose for his life, now that his reason to be alive was dead. Anna decided not to live anymore, when Leelo left the meadow. It didn’t matter if he’s going to be a mason, postman or a fireman. His education didn’t let him have the courage that Anna had, so he only had to drag his life until God calls.
Get ready. It’s time. One by one, the elegant men formed a line. The doors opened and the music started. Michael was the last one. His parents were on the front row.
Jake didn’t stutter and Michael smiled. The words of the oath came out of Michael’s mouth properly as well. As part of the ceremony, all of the men had to lay down on the floor. Michael asked God to make him useful to others, since he was no longer useful for himself. On his feet again, Michael donned the cassock and felt the weight of the world on his shoulders.
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