Walls, Angels, and Shiraz

The sea breeze made the curtains flail almost in a rhythmical wave... not frantically, like in a windy day, they just swayed softly. I walked to close the crystal sliding doors that opened to the terrace, but once I grabbed the wooden handle, I decided to go out and stand in the balcony.

It was a magnificent view. The warmth of the soft wind blowing from the Caribbean Sea brought with it the aromas of salt, sand and old brick and stone. I first closed my eyes to perceive better the smells and the sounds of the city. Coffee, roasted beef and garlic... The air was benevolent and carried the sweet smell of fresh watered gardenias and ilán-ilán.

A female voice singing in a nearby café irrupted fortunately amidst the chattering couples sitting in the tables by the sidewalk. She sang beautifully and I wished to be her.

'Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.

Escribir por ejemplo, la noche está estrellada

Y tiritan azules, los astros a lo lejos.

Y el viento de la noche, gira en el cielo y canta.'

The first stanza of the wonderful Poema XX, written by Pablo Neruda, lately turned brilliantly into one of the most precious songs ever heard, echoed softly in my mind. I opened my eyes and stared to the darkness of the ocean that seemed immense. It was a lovely summer night. Like the song said, the stars flickered blue in the sky and the wind gusts swirled in the sky and sang to me... Yes, I wanted to write the saddest verses that night.

The bright moon reflected in the black mirror of the Caribbean Sea. The dimness in the waters was only interrupted by the lights of the sailboats and the cruisers alongside by El Muelle de San Juan. 'It's a perfect time for a walk', I thought.

The colorful old colonial buildings flanked the narrow streets paved with blue cobblestones. The shops and bars were open. 'I'll drink a glass of Spanish wine tonight... maybe later. I want to have a walk first and purge with every given step my sadness.' My mind rumbled in a soliloquy. Yes it was better to give it some credit. Walking would suit well for me.

It had been a week since I met him. Seven days and seven nights counting this eve... Who the hell told me it was a good idea sleeping with him the very first night I met him in that bar? But I felt so lonely and I needed company so badly and after drinking two bottles of red wine, and Merciful Lord, he was so damned handsome that it didn't seem a bad idea after all. I'm single. I pay my bills and enjoy of a successful career as a Literature professor in the State University. I deserve to regal myself with those moments...

Why did I feel so bad the morning after? Why did I feel repentant and those remorseful and puritan thoughts? I was so stupid! The way I dismissed him out of my apartment; no wonder why he hasn't called me since that. Gabriel... He had the name of an angel, and certainly he looked like one.

The cooing sound the pigeons made as they perched in the eaves of the old houses along the La Capilla del Cristo alley made me stop. The ancient little chapel stood magnificently at the end of the narrow street. The rear side facing the ocean and the front... well, Jesus Christ never seemed this sad to me in the way his granite statue stared at me from the inside of the gothic sacred squared building. Poor Jesus locked behind those iron gates... more secluded than my soul.

I turned to the east and ventured down El Paseo La Princesa. The sea waves crashed rampantly against the city walls making a roaring sound... for me it was more like musical. Peeping over the thick stone hedges, I stared down to the violent interaction between the ocean and the stones. The water splashed making a hissing sound and the drops left caressed the walls rolling down to meet the water again.

I've neglected myself the soft caresses fate could bring me... and when finally they formed in my body in the shape of Gabriel's lingering fingers, I rejected him so unfairly. Somehow I was like this walled city of San Juan. I'd built a thick wall around me to repel the enemy attacks, known or foreign... Life had crashed on me violently like the ocean does to these ancient hedges, and I had decided it was better to seclude myself like some stupid architect had done to El Cristo in that chapel.

There was a bar in the corner. Its reddish iron doors opened side by side invited me to walk in. A band played soft rock music in English and it was fine. I needed music so badly... and a glass of wine.

I sat by the bar's counter. "A glass of your best 'tempranillo' please." I asked the bartender while I glanced over the menu. A fine variety of Spanish tapas made my mouth water.

The young female singer played the piano on the small stage. I knew very well the tune she was playing. My lips mimicked the lyrics of the beautiful song along with her.

'Like anyone would be

I am flattered by your fascination with me.

Like any hot-blooded woman,

I have simply wanted an object to crave...'

I sipped the delightful crimson red liquid and tasted it. It was glory for my palate. The woman kept singing... For me?

'But you, you're not alone

You're uninvited...

An unfortunate slight.'

"Can I have a seat?" A masculine voice asked. Goosebumps rose all over my skin. I knew that voice well. I looked up and Gabriel was standing in front of me. I just nodded, speechless... shocked, happy, embarrassed... it was a confusing mixture of emotions.

The handsome young man took his place in the stool next to me. "A bottle of Shiraz, please." He told the bartender and then turned to me and smiled...

Our eyes locked. I smiled back. The woman finished her song. "I don't think you unworthy... I need a moment to deliberate."

***July writing Challenge entry for the Nine Months Writing Challenge hosted by Karl O'Connor
Songs included: Poema XX Pablo Neruda and Uninvited by Alanis Morrisette
Setting, Old SanJuan
Word Count 1035 words