daybreak | four

Cairo opens her eyes
the city in pale light is in focus
blurred before her is Auckland’s face
she looks at him
they face each-other lying on their sides
his expression is still
eyes closed
her arm is nestled between his neck and the bed
the other by her side, hand at her hip
through it Auckland’s arm is draped over her body
his hand resting on the bed by her shoulder-blade
fingers lightly touching her
she watches him sleep

an imeasurable amount of time passes
Cairo’s thoughts are filled with concerns and desires
but they drift about lazily in her mind
she acknowledges the gravity of the situation before them
but it can’t take anchor in her consciousness
more and more her thoughts of Auckland linger
reflecting on their past
words and actions that seem to have happened so long ago
she wonders now what his own thoughts are as he sleeps
if he dreams

eventually the sun lifts from the horizon and is swallowed by grey cloud
the pale light of an overcast morning gently brightens the room
Auckland’s body stirs in small movements
shifting his body weight
moving his legs, arms and hands slightly
then he stills
and Cairo knows he is awake
for a moment he remains motionless
then opens his eyes

they stare at each-other

slowly Auckland’s face changes
Cairo asks herself what that look is
fear?
of what?
as if he notices for the first time that his arms are around her body
he lifts them slightly
draws them back then stops
hesitating

fear of rejection

she moves closer to him
wraps her arms about his body
slowly presses herself against him in a tight embrace
she feels his lips part as he exhales against the skin of her shoulder
and his own embrace tighten in response to her
Cairo closes her eyes