Cracker Heart

Cracker heart

Silvia was not enjoying herself. But she had to own up and take responsibility of sorts as it was her suggestion. Kristopher, looking at the rain clouds and shaking his head did not help her, in fact, she started to pack away the food and plates into the basket.

‘What shall I do with this cracker Silvia’ Kristopher feels useless and confused.  

‘Eat it, why don’t you?’  she snaps.

‘Hey babe, what's with the sudden mood?’ He voices concern and understanding which only makes Silvia feel guilty and bad. 

"Look Kris, I wanted today to feel special since we haven’t seen each other all week, but it’s raining and you are not into it, sorry, you’re right I’m moody today…’

‘Why don’t we go to ‘Coffee Creme’ and indulge in your favorite cappuccino?’ He gently nudges her, causing a surprised smile to appear. 

Large basket in hand, Kristopher leads the way and Silvia can’t help but admire his confident stride and then he grabs her hand and they walk faster as the rain pours down. 

The barista frowns.

‘I guess it’s raining cats and dogs out there…..’

‘You think’ mutters Silvia, then requests her drink.  Kris opts for a matcha drink.

‘Since when do you drink that stuff?  What’s happened to the usual cortado…?’ 

A woman enters the coffee shop and glancing at her, Silvia notices that Kristopher has turned a shade of pink. She remains silent while the woman nods at Kristopher briefly. 

‘I’m not in the mood for a cortado’ he eventually responds.

Seated at the window Silvia has a sunken heart and feels quite nervous wondering who this woman is.  She decides to ask just as Kristopher blurts out

‘That’s Regina from the office’ 

‘Oh, was she on the business trip too?’  Silvia feels deflated and worried.

‘In fact yes, she is the project manager over in Italy’ Kris says vaguely and quietly.

‘Why have you never mentioned her before, I mean I know Brian, Jess and Kate…..’ Silvia pushes down the green monster within. 

‘She was in my uni class, did I never mention her?’  Kris is now looking uncomfortable and agitated. He has memories of Regina in the Italian jewelers, her slender hands and delicate touch. He shakes it off.

Silvia is imploding.  What does this mean? Is he in love with another?  Has he been cheating? She sits with one swollen hand on her pregnant belly and knows she cannot break the news to him, not now. 

She can see Regina out of the corner of her eye.  She is on her phone, speaking quietly, almost whispering. Her bag is a designer one.  Silvia feels frumpy with her latest bag from a cheaper area of the department store. 

Kristopher knows he needs to act soon or this could be a disaster.  Regina assisted him with choosing the engagement ring for Silvia.  He knew Silvia was pregnant as he saw the test result at the top of the bin. Thinking fast, he cannot deny the electricity between him and Regina.  How they said goodnight in the hotel and went their separate ways somewhat reluctantly and she looked back flustered and waved modestly. 

Regina quietly responds to her friend on the phone trying not to look at the couple. She had fallen for Kris but he was getting engaged to Silvia, his long term girlfriend. He had surprised her on the trip - fluent in Italian and charming with the clients, he was quite a catch but not her catch. 

‘Kris’ Silvia has tears welling up. ‘...am I wrong to think there is something going on with Regina….? 

‘There is nothing but, but, I’m confused I guess….’ he stammers

‘You’re confused! Wait, you have feelings for her.  Am I right?’ 

‘Slightly, I’ve just realised but Silvia, wait, don’t go, I was going to propose…. I know about, about the baby’ 

‘You Kris, know nothing about this baby, and you never will, so are you telling me you have an engagement ring at the ready….or a pity symbol?’ 

Kris’ face breaks as he searches Silvia’s expression, hoping for an answer but what can he expect, his eyes have drifted and she knows it. 

She exits the coffee shop just as Brian walks in, he makes a bee line for Regina as if Kris is not even there. He watches as they embrace and laugh simultaneously.  He feels hate as he thinks of Brian's girlfriend Jane. Then he admits that he is no better….

Silvia, tears streaming, arrives home and starts to pack just as her stomach cramps and she feels what is coming next.  

Kristopher, walking home the long way, can hear a siren, a sea gull and the sharp beat of his own heart.