Childless (4)

The surprisingly thick glasses cover almost half of her face. Her zoomed eyes are slightly squint, but still bright and curious. She is now showing something to her bigger brother out there from the window. You wonder what it is. They are both so excited. Next moment she is doing some acrobatic movements when the bus makes a sudden stop. She almost falls before her father catches her and asks her to sit straight. She is looking around, still having the naughty but innocent look on her face. For few seconds she seems to be staring at you. You smile, and feel out of breath. Her mother is now hugging her brother affectionately.

He presses his ears on her bumped stomach, caressing it, kissing it and making noises with his mouth on it, as if he is communicating with a deaf-blind, through a balloon. For how long have I been dreaming of this! Putting ears on your stomach, and listening to the tiny creature whose seed I've planted there. In the womb of my beloved woman shall grow the most beautiful creature, because we made love and pleaded to have it. Her hand petting his hair is enough to make him the happiest man on the entire planet.

The room is dark. It's a long time since the sun has set. You are sitting there alone, embracing your knees, gazing at the empty space.