The Last Waltz

David wondered what would happen if he just walked out of the door that day without a single hesitation. Maybe, things would be different by now. But maybe he wouldn't get the chance to met Eleanor...

******
It was the 7th of December and Christmas is fast approaching. It was all party and fun.
David had been sitting there in the corner for more than an hour and bored to death. He had been debating himself if he should stay for a little bit longer and enjoy the party or leave now. He was contemplating on this thru a glass of wine when he saw something that got his interest. Or rather...someone.

Eleanor entered the room with a frown. Looking around her, she seem unhappy to be here, like she should be anywhere else but here. She's absent-mindlessly toying with her necklace while sitting demurely at the chair. She had a sad look on her face, a look that immediately caught David's wondering eyes.

"Ellie, will you please relax? You should be enjoying this moment!" her friend said while nudging her with her elbow.
"Excuse me ladies."
They both look up to see a handsome man with dark brown hair and deep blue eyes standing in front of them. His hand was stretched out to Eleanor with a smile.
"May I have this dance with you please?" his beautiful blue eyes are staring right at her with admiration.
Eleanor hesitated for a moment as she just sit there and look at his waiting hands. But her friend urges her. "Eleanor! What are you waiting for? Don't just sit here...go! Enjoy this night and don't fret here."
"But-"
"I'm fine here." Her friend cut her words of protest knowing she don't want to leave her alone.
Sighing, she take his hands and he lead her to the dance floor.

The music shifted from reggae to the rythm of waltz.
"A penny for your thoughts?" he asked her thru his amused eyes.
"I still didn't know your name," she said instead, looking uncomfortably at their feet.
He smiled that mischievous smile again.
"Just call me David. And you are?"
"I'm Eleanor," she said in her shy, quiet voice, looking at his dress now but still refusing to look at his eyes.
"Eleanor," he said like playing it in his tongue, "what a very unique and beautiful name. It suits you."
She then look up and their eyes met; she blushed. And it caresses his enamored heart even more.
Right then and there, he fell in-love with her.
"I love it when you blushed like that."
She laugh, her eyes twinkled with mirth. "Heart-breaker."
"That was before I met you."
"Liar." She teases him, while looking at his eyes.
"I am serious Eleanor," he said becoming serious now while looking right through her eyes. And she could glimpse his honesty in there. Her heart and soul believed...and she succumbed to their hearts' wishes.
They both got comfortable with each other, sharing funny jokes and talking about their selves.
The hours passed by and they continued dancing, engrossed with each other.
But still, there's a sadness in her eyes that didn't go away and it bothered him.
"Am I a lousy company or you are getting tired of me?" he asked her, looking a little bit troubled with this knowledge.
She look at him with that lonely brown eyes of her, and she shakes her head at him. Her bluish black hair swaying and framing her lovely face.
"It has nothing to do with you, David."
"Then pray tell me because it's breaking my heart...and forgive me for intruding. But I can't help myself to asked."
His look of concern is written all over his face.
She pondered on this for a moment before replying. "Thanks for your concern...but I guess, it's best that you shouldn't know. It won't matter anyway."
And before he could utter a word of protest or asked her why, she disengaged herself from his arms and quickly walk away. He was left there in the middle of the dance floor - unsure of what to do with a look of confusion on his handsome face; unable to understand and grasp the sudden turn of event.
When he already came to his senses - it was too late. She was nowhere in sight...and so was her friend. He rushed outdoors but didn't find them there.
Regret etches into his now lonely eyes. He just stood there for a few minutes, before shaking his head and walks toward his car looking torn and defeated.




****
Now, 10 years later, David still remembered it. Their first and last dance. God, how he wanted to do it again, dance with her again, look into those beautiful, soft brown eyes again and hear her voice.
But he couldn't believe that this is where his endless search had ended. If only it didn't took long for him to find her. If only he decided to look for her 10 years ago. Hadn't he'd been coward and lose himself in the comforting arms of the women who throw themselves at his feet.
But it's too late, as he stared at the mound of earth below him. The engravings on the cross read
Eleanor Cruz
Died December 8, 2007