NO GREATER LOVE
“I love you, so I want you to be happy. Go find yourself a man whom could accompany you for the rest of your life and make you happy. Marry him please.”
They met on the bridge on the second day since the ship took off for England. Celina was absent-mindedly walking along the bridge when she collided into a body.
“I’m so sorry. Did I hut you?” the man asked Celina even though it was her who had bumped into him.
Anatole studied the young woman in front of him. She had skin the color of cream, and her purple eyes had captured his heart at first sight. Her blonde curls were like the playful waves, which made her nothing but more feminine.
“Hmm... I’m sorry, I guess I didn’t see where I am going.” Damn it! Why am I so careless and stupid! Why did I think of those unpleasant times again?! She thought.
The next day she knocked him over again. They just smiled at each other and continued their chores. The third time when she run into him, they both laughed at each other.
“I guess we are meant to be friends.” Anatole told her as he picked up the books that slipped his hand when Celina knocked him over for the third time.
“I can’t think of other reasons why should I run into you every day except that we should get together and have some tea.” Celina noticed Anatole’s husky voice as he laughed and his handsome face.
“Hi, I am Anatole. I’m heading towards Whales, where are you going?” Anatole extended his hand.
“Nice meeting you Anatole. I’m going to London and you could call me Celina.” Celina can’t help but noticed how big and firm his hand was when she took it and shook.
For the next few hours they sat in the cafeteria having tea and talked about themselves. Celina knew that Anatole is three years older than she is and was married. “Though, it is not a pleasant marriage.” He claimed.
“Then why don’t you just get a divorce?”
“I am a Catholic. I took my vows when I married her, and I would keep it for the rest of my life.” his blue eyes turned misty as he paused for a sip of tea, “When I met Julie, she was a gentle, caring and sweet girl. I fall in love with her and we got married a year later. After the birth of my son Andrew, she changed into a different person. She had been going to parties lately, and we had fights over small things very often. As years go by, we grew apart and now we both had no love for the other and the only point of keeping this broken marriage is because of our little angel, Andrew, and the vow we took.”
Celina put her hands on top of Anatole’s, in the hope of giving him some comfort. “Aww… I’m so sorry that I made you upset. Let’s talk about other things.”
“Sure, tell me about you then.”
“Me? There’s nothing to say about me. I’m just a young woman travelling to London for an assignment.” Celina lowered her eyes, as she did not want Anatole to see the sadness in her now dark-purple pupils.
“You are a very pretty young woman. Do you have a boyfriend or a husband?”
“Actually, I had a boyfriend and we were planning to get married. Before the wedding I caught him having a last fling with his ex before tying the knots of marriage. So, I canceled the wedding and abroad this ship.”
It was Anatole’s turn to put his hands on hers. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you and let you remember the bad times.”
The next day the stayed on the bridge and talked more. By sunset they both understood each other very well and knew a lot about the other. Anatole accompanied Celina back to her cabin and as she turned at the door to say “Goodnight”, he stopped her and said, “Celina, I know what I am about to do is wrong. I don’t want to hurt you or do anything like that, but I think I love you.” “No, let me finish,” he covered her mouth when she tried to speak, “you know that I am a married man, and no matter how much I love you, I would not get a divorce. We are to be separated when the ship stops at London. You could choose between remain friends or to have an affair with me, and I respect all your decisions.”
She kissed him, and the decision was made.
Fate brings two lovers together, but fate separates them too. The day when they first met each other, it was meant to be this for them.
One day as they sat on the deck and watching sunset, Anatole told Celina that if only they met a few years earlier, they could be together forever. “I love you, Celina, there would be no greater love than the one I have for you, but we can’t be together. I want you to be happy. I want you to enjoy your life after we separate, and you cant’ waste your time waiting for me to come back to you. So go find yourself a man whom could accompany you for the rest of your life and make you happy, and marry him. as for me, I would always love you, no matter where you are and who you are with, my love for you will never end.”
Time flies. The ship was about to reach London, it’s time to separate. Celina looked at Anatole, and she still did not want to lose him, she still wanted to be with him. before leaving, Anatole gave her a small pin with his initials carved on it, This is my gift to you, sweetheart. It represents the memories we have on this ship, and my love for you. Now remember what I said to you earlier, go marry a man who loves you and would make you happy, ok?”
Anatole watched Celina walking down the hallway in tears. He wanted to run to her and hold her; he wanted to kiss her and make her stay, but as he said, all they could have was the sweet memories of the time they were together, and the love for each other.
“Je t’ adore, Celina. Je t’ adore. Adieu.”
