Our eternal affairs

Anna sat surprised, as she stared at the man before her.

She revisited Doctor Stone, after her conversation with Mister Truce's personal assistant. But he was offering a rather alien and unfamiliar way to meet the supposedly mysterious CEO.

"Spiritually?" She repeated, cocking an eyebrow. This was becoming more than she bargained for.

"Yes," he continued. "Through meditation, we're more connected spiritually than you'd think. And we can connect to him on a spiritual level."

She scoffed internally, looking away. She couldn't believe a doctor would recommend spiritual help to a patient; whatever happened to science!

He smiled understandably. "It's worth the shot, considering your time constraints, Don't you agree?" He said, challenging her with a stern gaze, as he laced his fingers together on his desk.

Anna hesitated, intrigued. What did she have to lose anyway? "I've never tried meditation before."

He smiled, seemingly pleased with her response. "Well, now can be a perfect time to start. I'll just guide you through it."

She nodded. "Alright then. Close your eyes Anna." She looked alarmed for a second. Then relaxed. "Okay?" She agreed reluctantly.

Anna closed her eyes, awaiting his next words. 

 "Imagine yourself in a peaceful place." He whispered into her ear. He was beside her now. Immediately, her hand located her purse on her lap. Still there, This was getting creepy by the second. Eventually, she took a deep breath, calming her nerves before continuing.

He stifled a chuckle, and tried to be more professional. He didn't know why she always reminded him of his little sister, who died of cancer. A pained expression broke on his face.

He pushed the pain away, continuing. "Now, visualise mister Truce. See him clearly, feel his pres.."

Anna's eyes flung open, cutting him off instantly. "Doctor, this is absurd. I've never even seen the man before." She retorted confidently.

He smiled wryly. "Just… make him up Anna. This method will be highly effective, if you at least try."

She closed her eyes again, and tried to revert into a peaceful place. She let her mind conjure an image of mister Truce, with piercing eyes, and a crude smile, standing in the midst of an apple orchard. As she focused on him, she felt heat wash over her body, and her heart flutter in her chest.

Just when she was starting to love the strange sensation, Doctor Stone's voice emerged from behind her this time.

 "Keep your mind open, Anna." He encouraged her. Then he added, "Now, repeat these words after me."

Anna tilted her head, amused at what would come next.

 "I ask with a helpless heart,

I seek you with a curious soul. 

I will knock with a brave spirit, and your mysteries will be mine to behold."

She opened a wry eye at him. Both of them looked so surprised at themselves. How weird was this going to get? He gently nudged her to say them. She spat the words haughtily; it felt like an inside joke between lovers.

Doctor Stone settled back on his chair. Where did that come from? He wondered. Even himself couldn't think of such words. When he said nothing more, Anna opened her eyes.

An awkward silence filled the office, as they sat bewildered.

 Then Doctor Stone cleared his throat, and said. "You can continue practising at home. Try it for a couple of days, and get back to me okay?"

She nodded, unsure of how to react. She thanked him, before running out of his office.

Outside his office, she searched inside her purse to see if anything was missing. Everything was in place. She placed a hand on her chest, and breathed out heavily, before walking out of the building. She might as well believe she doesn't have anaemia, because What?!

Anna stepped down, at the bus station. The evening air was crisp, and cool, carrying the scent of fallen leaves and woodsmoke. She took a short route home, taking in the vibrant nightlife of the neighbourhood, as her drama in Doctor Stone's office faded to the back of her mind.

As she strolled down Washington Street, the sound of jazz, and laughter spilled out from the clubs and bars, and filled the air.

She also passed by a group of actors, performing a lively improv show. She smiled, feeling the night energy pulse through her veins. Most of the shops were closed: family men running to their wives for relief? She laughed at the thought.

As she approached her apartment building, she looked up and saw Cliff struggling to fix a light bulb in front of their door. She smiled, shaking her head. Cliff was always up to something.

She climbed the stairs, to her place on the second floor. When she drew closer, she saw Miss Patel, their elderly neighbour, chatting away with him, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

 "Anna dear. Come help this young man." Miss Patel called out, her voice was warm, and inviting.

Anna chuckled, and walked over where they stood. "Hi, Miss Patel." She greeted her politely.

"Evening dear. Poor thing, his hands are trembling." She pointed.

She nudged gently at Cliff, and said. "Let me take a look." He gave way, and she stepped on the wooden stool, tightening the light bulb until it shone brightly. She wondered if Cliff was scared of heights, and made a mental note to ask him later.

Cliff grinned in relief. "Ah, I guess I'm not exactly the next Edison."

Miss Patel laughed, patting Cliff's arm. "You're a dear boy, Cliff. But maybe next time, leave the electrical work to Anna, hmm?"

Anna smiled, as Cliff said almost sheepishly. "it's been registered officially." 

They bid Miss Patel goodnight, as they entered their apartment, while Miss Patel went on, to find the next available person, in the neighborhood to chat with.

 "How was your appointment?" Cliff asked as they settled on the couch in the living room. Anna sighed, remembering her day. She didn't know if she should tell him about her day with Doctor Stone.

 "Fine." She replied finally, deciding to wait a little, before she told him anything.

 "You didn't spend the whole day at the hospital did you?" He asked as if suspecting her.

 "Of course not. I hate the smell of hospitals. I visited a church today. How did she grab you into fixing the bulb?" 

Cliff grinned, and stood up, moving into the kitchen. 

 "I've marked her as a missile to passionately avoid. While you were out, I went grocery shopping today. What should we eat?" He asked, when Anna appeared at the kitchen counter, behind him.

 "Well, what did you buy?" Anna asked.

 "I got a bit of everything." He showed her the stocked fridge and cupboards.

 "Waw, my kitchen has been glorified for the first time in a while. Are you sure you don't want to live with me forever?" she said, with a snide smile on her lips. Cliff laughed, pointing at her. "Careful tiger."

After a while of thinking, Anna suggested. "How about spaghetti, and meatballs?"

 "Sounds fair." Cliff agreed.

 "I'll get the water boiling," Anna said, and they got to work.

After dinner that night, Anna laid on her bed. With nothing to do, she pondered about giving meditation a try. She took out her phone and browsed about the best meditation poses.

The next morning, at exactly six am, Anna rose from the bed with determination. Cliff left early for work, so she made sure she had no distractions, and locked her door, because Cliff would definitely want to stick his head in, to check on her when he arrived from work.

So she sat on her bed, her legs folded, and her eyes closed, with soft nature sounds playing in the background.

It didn't take long before she fell asleep. Awoke after an hour. She grumbled, moving from the bed, and sat on the cream, furry rugged floor. 

When she finally found peace, she walked into the apple orchard in her mind, searching for him, between the trees. When she found him, he was sitting under a giant tree. She stared at him, unsure of how to act, until she remembered Doctor Stone's words.

She repeated them, and he turned to look at her, looking very upset. That emboldened her, and she continued repeating the words, inching closer towards him. 

Just when he tilted his head, and opened his mouth to speak, a knock appeared at the door, shattering the brittle moment and wrenching her from her opportunity, immediately, into fury.