Faded Love by Daria Yakunina

His love was sparkling with all the colors of rainbow.
His feelings were definitely speechless because of their sincerity. Her shadow was always following him wherever he was. Two inseparable parts of something immensely huge. They said that this couple was impossibly perfect since none of them could «burn out».
All months they had spent together looked like an endless spring or a permanent blossom. Jack had done his best to make his flowery girl as he`d called Clara as happy as possible. Their flat was always full of sun rays and red tulips that were the most expected present for Clara after her exhausted ballet trainings. They could chat all nights long sharing all the various trifles with each other. Jack was like a charger for Clara whose love and care she could carry through the weekdays of her hard theatre life.
Jack was the owner of the small coffee shop «Clarinet» which was not far from the theatre. He was totally crazy about this place trying to put all his force and bankroll into an improvement of it. Frankly his beloved and the café had played the major role in the Jack`s life.
However there is nothing perfect in the real life and unfortunately this story is not an exception. After several months of the boundless love Jack had been broken down by money and power. He was suggested to become the co-owner of the Italian restaurant that has caused a really stirring life where there is no place for empathy and love.
That was a cold and dank day. The town was covered with a horrible fog and just some lonely people were slowly walking along the streets trying to find a place to warm up. Clara was going home.
Their flat had not been lighting up for the long period of time therefore the white wallpaper looked like a dark smoke. The bouquet of faded tulips that stood on the windowsill was listening to the silence which had become the couple`s neighbor.
What did you need? – Jack said at last.
I just miss your former tenderness.
Oh, come on! Put away your abstractness. Did you need more money? More jewelry?
I needed your love.
Don`t be silly.
I really needed your love. You know this youthful ease.
God, when will you grow up? We are not twenty anymore!
Why are these flowers still here?
What flowers? Oh, I haven`t noticed them at all. Wait, why are you talking about them?
Because they have always meant for me a lot.
Come on! Forget the tulips. What did you need?
I needed our all night long chatting and the morning coffee in «Clarinet».
I don`t understand. Do you want some coffee?
It`s not about coffee, my dear. Can`t you read between the lines?
Jack nervously opened the window leaf and took the cigarette. The silence came to the room.
You know, the audience has been applauding for a long time yesterday. – Clara whispered.
Yesterday? – said Jack. – How could I forget?! Please, tell me that «Carmen» didn`t take place yesterday!
There were so many red tulips. You just can`t imagine!
Forgive me, - he said shamefacedly.
I wanted to tell you that I needed you. Just you. – Clara answered with trembling voice.
A strong gust of wind broke into the room pushing away the vase with tulips from the windowsill. Jack nervously turned back to the window, when the doors were being opened. He was standing and hoping that it was just a drought.