(Dr. Shakira Nandini, Porto)
Five years later, the seed that sprouted from Andrea’s touch on those nights in Bangkok had become a living reality. Natasha, my daughter, was the dream of my life, nurtured by the emotions of love and desire. She was the center of my world, yet an unquenched thirst lingered within me, tied to the nights I had spent with my boss in Porto.
In Porto, I had moments with my boss that fulfilled my body's cravings and my soul's yearning. He was a seasoned romantic, his style so unique it could not be replicated, not even in movies. He would envelop me in his grasp, shake me to the core, and silently complete me with satisfaction. At times, it was unsettling, yet the gratification always outweighed the unease. Those moments made me feel as though I had become accustomed to him, especially when two glasses would set my desires ablaze.
During those nights, my body and heart opened a new chapter, impacting Natasha’s life as well. But as the days passed, I resolved that everything I did was for Natasha. One day, when Andrea’s message arrived, and I understood his love from a new perspective, another decision took root in my heart.
I took leave to travel to Italy to introduce Natasha to my boss, but my mind wove a different narrative. To soothe Natasha’s solitude, I envisioned another flower blooming—a sibling for her. And I knew the seed for that flower could only come from one place: my dreams, my soulmate, Andrea.
A new longing had awakened deep within me, and I decided it was essential to bring these thoughts to fruition. If I wanted to create a complete world for Natasha, only Andrea could turn this dream into reality. With him, another seed of life was forming, and I knew I had to return to Italy to plant it.
My ten-day journey to Italy was a dual endeavor—to fulfill Natasha’s needs and quench my inner thirst. I left behind my secrets in Porto and arrived in Italy to witness a different scene, one that heralded a fresh beginning for Natasha and a culmination of my own desires.
Italy’s cold winds and the ancient city, where I once tied my dreams, now served a new purpose. Andrea’s presence, the dream of him, drew closer, quickening my heartbeats. When I reached him, I realized those moments I hadn’t dared to dream were about to become reality.
Another flower needed to bloom in this garden, and I resolved to live those moments with Andrea, filling not only my own life but also Natasha’s with vibrant colors. As soon as I met him and decided Natasha’s loneliness would no longer persist, I spent those ten days trying to weave our dreams into reality.
Italy was a journey toward fulfillment for both my restless heart and my desires. And I knew Andrea was the one person who could bring new light to my life and Natasha’s.
Ten days later, when I returned to Porto, a new garden bloomed within me. A seed, ready to tell another story of life, would blossom as a sibling for Natasha, filling her world with fragrance. That seed, a blend of love and desire, now held a promise of new life and hope. I knew Natasha’s life would gain another hue once the flower bloomed.
As I write this today, Natasha is just fifteen days away from receiving the good news. She touches my belly every day and asks, “Mama, what’s inside?” I smile and tell her, “A dream is growing here, one that will transform our lives.”
This story isn’t just about Natasha and me but about all the souls that lose themselves in love, finding their paths amidst the chaos. When one love is fulfilled, it gives birth to new dreams, shaping new realities for generations to come. Like the dream growing within me, it will one day become a part of Natasha’s life, letting her paint her own story in vibrant colors.
It feels as if I’m a character in a story, slowly unraveling my own role and the backdrop of my existence.
Finally, a child’s poem encapsulates my emotions and ties together all the threads of my narrative:
“Love has no color,
It’s the shade of hearts,
What resides in the heart,
Finds its way to words,
And within every hue, there’s a story untold.”
These words, bearing hidden truths, have become a part of our story. And this tale, whether born of dreams or reality, will forever live in our hearts.