Drive

She wouldn’t expect a thing. It was a great plan. I knew she’d be tired and fall asleep in the car. It never fails. First, dinner. With wine. Never be picky about the wine. It invokes sleep during long car rides. I look at her, and see her leaning with her head against the window. She has her hand between her and the window, as if it was a small pillow. The road ahead is dusky and long. She’d love some of the buildings you can see here, but she’s not awake. But that’s alright. Because upon arrival, things will certainly look like a an unexpected dream. Yet, that’s for some later time. First, we drive, darling. We drive. I glance at her again. Her mouth is closed, and you can see her nostrils move slightly when she breathes. I spot what the wine did to her. It creates a warmth inside, obviously. She has the top buttons of her blue blouse open. Underneath that, I spot another, darker shade of bleu. Pale skin. I avert my eyes towards the road again, and smile. Drive. Drive with your darling, I tell myself. She hums a bit, as if dreaming. I hope she’s not waking up. That could spoil everything. If she noticed we’re not anywhere near her home, she might go question things. These open fields have not the slightest resemblance with her home area. She’s used to city concrete, not wooden farms. She’s used to city lights, and not the light she’ll be seeing later. But I don’t want her to question things, and spoil my fun in this. The wine is keeping her in dreams. Ah, how those dreams are nothing compared on what’s to come. Upon arrival. But first we drive. Drive through the dusk. I’ve turned off the radio a while ago. Not only because it might wake her up. The news was boring, and if she heard it, it could upset her. The recent murders in the area have been the main subject of this week’s news. Which is also the reason she was very happy about me bringing her home. As she said herself, it’s a lot safer to drive. So we’re driving. All for you, darling. All for you.
I can’t help staring to my right side a bit, and I have to hold myself back of not waking her. For about a mile to come, there’s a large field of roses. In the glance of the evening sun, they look very dark red and shaded. She’d love the sight, but I don’t want to spoil things. A humming sound again. I quickly look at her, and catch how she moved a bit. Both her hands are between the window and her head. Still asleep. I smile. I lung for a smoke, though. But she doesn’t like it when I smoke near her. I’m very sure it’d wake her up, so I don’t. But I can manage it. She’ll forgive me after we’ve arrived, and after the little surprise I’m having for her. She won’t be complaining then. She’ll let me have my little reward. The clock tells me we’ve been driving for about forty minutes now. The ride to her place is usually only half of that. I did that ride. Partially. Until she fell asleep after ten minutes. That’s when I changed directions, and turned off the news. I left the city roads, and headed for the highway. To drive with my darling. Drive for a destination unknown. Only to me.
I hear her mumbling again. “Are we home yet?” Quickly, I look at her. I think I feel a sweat drop on my forehead. Her eyes are still closed. Probably a light moment in her sleep. Maybe the wine didn’t do it’s work that well this time.
“Almost.” I whisper. Just a little bit more driving. I hold my breath. My hand is reaching out to her. I wanted to stroke her on the head to comfort her. Not good thinking there. Touching her might wake her. My hand slightly shakes. Patience. You can touch her soon, upon arrival. Drive first. Drive with your darling. A smile on her face. I wonder what her expression will be later tonight. She’s not expecting a thing. Still thinking we’re driving to her place. Lights up ahead. I take a look at the glove compartment. I know what’s in it, and what’s missing that should be in it.
Blessed with an eagle’s vision, I spot read and blue lights on top of cars. Two days ago, I have been checking the area. I knew this could be coming. Predictable as they are, they’ve taken the spots were I saw them then too. Grinningly I remember how the man with the hat asked what I was doing there. “Just sight seeing, officer. It’s a lovely area. I’m on my way to check out the cliffs at the coast.” He nodded and let me pass, after having checked my car with his flashlight fast. I hadn’t been lying to him. Few did he know, that I had been checking alternative roads towards those cliffs all day. The recent bloody events in town had made them anxious. That’s why I knew they’d be there again tonight. I didn’t want them to ruin my plans with her. Waking her up would spoil everything. Imagine, if they made us stop and woke her up. Then have her realizing we’re nowhere near home, and start asking me questions. With blue suited men at the doors. That’d be bad. I take the first road to the right. It’s even a shortcut, I found out. Red and blue lights far of my left. I smile and keep driving. Drive with my darling to our destiny.
I slowly stop at some old woods. The drive is over. Destination almost reached. Only a short walk left. The roads all dirt and dust, but luckily quite flat. She doesn’t notice a thing. Still asleep, with a smile. A pair of hands functioning as a pillow. Behind us, I can see some stars appearing in the sky. They always make me smile, when I think of how people used to pray towards them. In hopes of better days, and for not having misfortune. No need for that tonight. It won’t change a thing. I breath in deeply. The moment has come. I need her trust now. Thank god I have turned off the radio. She’d feel scared with what I’m about to ask her when she’s awake. Her knees are just underneath the glove compartment. I have to be careful. She’s been turning in her sleep, which made her skirt crawl up a bit. Her knees are pale too. Slowly, I reach for the button of the compartment. The silk scarf is waiting in it. A nice dark red one. Dark rose red. A colour of love. I hold my left hand at my door, so I don’t fall over on her. I have to keep my balance, and get the scarf out without waking her. The clicking sound could wake her. Just a slight turn, nothing more. Keep that balance. Sweaty palms on a plastic handle. This time I’m sure I feel a sweat drop on my head. Turn the button more. Careful. I must look like an idiot when the clicking sound comes. People always have this weird expression on their face when making noise. Her eyes stay closed. Her shirt distracts me. As slow as I can, I lower the panel. Red tissue inside. Nothing more. I made the compartment empty, so I wouldn’t accidentally drag anything out along, and wake her. Normally the car papers are in it, but they fall out so easily. With the scarf in my hand, I lean back into a normal position. Gently, I wipe the sweat of my hands on my pants. One more deep breath, and I take the scarf into both of my hands. This is the moment which is the most difficult. This is why I’ve been avoiding the news while being with her today. She’ll wake up when I blindfold her, for sure. If the news would be on her mind today, she’d freak out. The wine will help too now. She’ll accept things faster now. Softly I put the scarf around her head, starting with her eyes. Such pretty eyes, I feel sad for hiding them. She mumbles a bit. Her hands come lose. I start whispering.
“Shht, I have a surprise for you. But I want you to trust me.” She sighs shortly, inhaling. A soft kiss on her head. That always calmed her down. She nods, still sleepy.
“Stay put, I’m coming out to guide you.” She giggles a bit, and presses her hands between her knees. I step out of the car and walk around it, while I quickly glance. During my tests, I’ve estimated the walk to take only three minutes. I did it in one, but while guiding a blindfolded person, it should take longer. Especially with the wine effect. I could carry her, but if I tripped, the scarf could fall off, and spoil everything. There are more stars appearing. I wonder if there are people praying now, so that no bad things would happen tonight. What are they worrying about?
She startles softly as I open the door with a loud click. I take her hand from between her legs, and help her get out of the car. Her grasp if firm. I blame it on a nervous mind. I take both her hands, and walk backwards.
“Your hands are sweaty.”
“I’ve been driving a long while, darling.” I tell her to stop a second. There’s an old branch on the path. I kick the rotten wood aside. It’s useless. I’ve been cleaning this path two days ago. Don’t want to risk a trip with the cliffs so close. She could fall down on her own then, and leave me with nothing. I shake the thought away. I’m taking a huge risk here. Don’t think of that. Think of what’s to come.
“Your hands are really sweaty. Maybe you could use this scarf on my head to dry them up?” Typical her.
“Nice try, darling.” I smile while she giggles. It’s not the wine talking anymore, though. Which I find a good thing. I’d rather have her experience this while sober. This only happens once. If only she could feel my heartbeat now. We arrive at the open area. Over an hour it took, to clean it up a bit from old branches and sharp rocks. All thrown off the cliffs. Another hour to clean the huge rock that was covered in moss. I’ve surely been working hard for this. I ask her to sit down, and guide her to the rock.
“Keep your eyes closed while I take the scarf off.” She nods and smiles. Thank god I’ve been avoiding the news today. She’d really wouldn’t have come if she had heard that today. And I’d have a lot of explaining to do afterwards then, if I wouldn’t be able to catch her. I know how fast she can be. Slowly I take the scarf off. Her eyes are closed. She puts a lock of hair back behind her ear.
“Open your eyes.” She gasps. The evening sun lowering down in the ocean is a marvellous sight here. I knew she’d love that sight. I’m looking at her, not the sight. I know the sight, I’ve seen it two days ago. A calm sea, glowing red with the setting sun. A few birds in the sky. Couple of clouds that slowly glide by to their own destination. She’s always been keen on the sea, and has a thing with hidden spots. I guess it’s a female romantic thing. I’ve learned to appreciate that. She’s not looking at the sight, though. Her gasps is aimed at me. Sparkling stars are appearing above us. I’m sitting on my knees, but I’m not praying. The real sparkle that drew her attention, is a silver ring in my hands.