Diary 2

A casual day 

The first impression Lia got when she met Malen was that she was like the moon. Deep personality, unresolved trauma, dark thoughts but oh, so soft at the same time. So obsessed with the idea that she didn’t deserve to be loved. Never being able to forgive herself. Never seeing all her wonders, all the things that made her special. That’s why Malen was always saying that Lia was like the sun. Bright personality, seemingly unbothered by nothing, always cheerful and outgoing but hiding so much behind her smile. They complimented each other and it was one of the reasons why they worked so well. 

Now, years later and with life progressing in their little cottage Lia could confidently say that it had gotten better. They still had their gloomy days, Malen’s mind not letting her go of her spiraling thoughts, Lia getting caught up in her head too, not wanting to stop overthinking. But, a good rest, a lot of cuddles, and a warm tea usually did the trick pretty well.

Today, unfortunately, was one of those days. 

Malen had woken up feeling under the weather, her mood snappy and her frown put firmly in place. Lia had picked up on it instantly and after leaving a little kiss on her girl’s forehead she decided to get up and go make them both their breakfast as she normally did, leaving Malen to her thoughts for a bit. It was a Monday, one of their longest days. Malen had a full day at school with her classes and Lia had a deadline two days later that had her pretty stressed out. As she was finishing their beverages and was about to begin preparing Malen’s lunch for her to take to the school where she worked a pair of arms curled around her waist and hugged her tightly from behind. Lia smiled to herself because despite how bad Malen’s episodes had been in the past and counting the one or two she had occasionally after a nightmare or a really bad day she knew that they had one another to lean into and that there wasn’t any real need to face life alone anymore, as they once thought. Lia turned her head slightly so she could peck her girlfriend’s lips lightly, smile still in place which made it a little awkward but not less sweet. She resumed her task of making Malen’s lunch and packing it. Lia would normally stay at home to work but today she thought that it would be far more productive if she just sat herself down in her favourite cafeteria with a great view of the Edinburgh Castle, accompanied by a good cake slice and a warm tea. 

After eating in comfortable silence, both getting rid of the last traces of sleep, they went to get dressed and ready, not forgetting to give Sunny her morning walk. Once everything was packed and ready to go, Lia said goodbye to their three pets, locked the house and they walked down the street hand in hand. Malen’s school was only a few streets away, so Lia liked to drop her off even if her plan was to go home again after. They parted ways when they got to the school entrance, a goodbye kiss necessary to get them through their day. Everyone knew about their relationship, and they had the luck of living in a neighborhood where people lived and let others live in peace, not caring with whom you decided to spend their days. Also, the school had a strict policy of emotional education and an lgbtq+ program to teach kids from a very young age that all kinds of people and couples were normal and fine and that you never should judge anyone by a first impression. 

Lia watched her girlfriend enter the school while waving goodbye and she decided it was time for her to start her path towards her favorite cafeteria, tote bag on her shoulder, and laptop ready to be used. Once she got there she sat on her usual corner, just beside the window, opened her computer, and searched for her favorite playlist while the document she needed to finish opened. When the bartender came, she received her with a smile, she was a regular and they had known her for a couple of years now. 

“I guess if you’re here at this time of the month you need the most theine-induced tea that I have on the menu, am I right?” The bartender, Mia, asked with an amused smile. This was another reason why Lia liked the place so much; the workers were always so kind and always spot on in their recommendations. 

“You’re definitely right Mia, I have a deadline in two days and haven’t even reached the middle of the paper yet.” She held her head between her hands letting out a frustrated breath. Mia laughed softly behind her; this wasn’t the first time Lia had come with one of her work crises. 

“Okay then, a large hot black tea with a splash of milk and two sugar cubes for you then. Would you like any pastry with it?” 

“Anything not too sweet would be perfect, I trust you.” Lia focused her gaze on the computer when the waitress was off to prepare her order. She took her air pods and connected them pressing play to her playlist, made her fingers crack, an old habit, and began writing. The text to translate wasn’t even that difficult but, as always, she needed to wait until the last second to get on with it, instead of being like a normal person with work schedules. At some point, Mia had left on her table an extra-large cup of tea and a slice of carrot cake which she was grateful for as she began sipping on the cup, trying not to burn her lips too much. 

After what felt like days but turned out to be only a couple of hours, she decided that it was time for a quick break. Lia got up and went to the bathroom splashing her face with a bit of cold water and went to seat on her place again, stretching her legs in the meantime and checking to see if there were any new messages on her phone. Malen had messaged her during her break about how the kids were unusually hyper today, maybe because the Holidays were approaching, and she answered with a little amusement that she could do it and that when she got home a nice dinner and a foot massage would be waiting for her. She checked a couple of groups chats but left them on reading and took a bite of the carrot cake, one of her all-time favorites if she was being honest. When she felt that her mind was clear enough, she began translating again, the same routine as before, the music banging loudly through her headphones. After another three hours of intense concentration and work non-stop she finished her tea and cake and went to pay and say goodbye to Mia, ready to make her way back home. 

She was entering the front door at lunchtime so she gave Stella a quick walk around the neighborhood and went straight to the kitchen after to fix herself something light to eat, a sandwich would work. After that, she decided it was a good idea to rest for a while, watch some tv and keep her mind off everything. When the clock reached 5 PM she got up and went to the kitchen again to prepare that dinner that was promised to Malen. A salad with its garnish and some chicken with an almond and coconut sauce with a lemon cake for dessert accompanied by some white wine and a couple of candles on the table. It wasn’t a thing she did every day but today Lia felt productive and accomplished with her day, so she wanted to end it the best way. 

When she heard the keys, she knew Malen was about to open the door so she went to the lobby so she could receive her. Malen entered with a tired face, but it broke into a smile as soon as she saw her girlfriend standing in front of her. Even before she took off her coat, she wrapped Lia in her arms and pulled her in for a kiss. 

“Missed you.” She whispered when they broke the kiss which made Lia smile, eyes gleeful. 

“Missed you too honey. Hang your coat and come to the kitchen, dinner’s ready.” Lia kissed her lips once more before retreating to the kitchen to open the bottle of wine and serve it in the wine glasses. They ate talking about how their days had been, Malen complaining since it was a stressful one, with the kids being moody, unreasonable, and overhyped. When they finished, they put all their plates on the sink and went to lay down on the couch where they turned on the tv so it would create a background sound. Lia took Malen’s legs, who were laying opposite to her, and began massaging her tired feet through the socks. They stayed like that, talking about everything and anything until a yawn escaped Malen’s mouth and they decided it was time to go to sleep. 

They lay in bed with their pyjamas on and under the cosy duvet facing each other, matching grins on their lips. Malen reached out to put a hand on Lia’s cheek making her shiver a little from her cold fingers but getting closer, nonetheless. They stayed like that for several minutes, lost in each other’s eyes, little kisses being given here and there until they both slipped into the dream world, putting an end to yet another day. 

Liv✨