Chapter 8

• Sarah was a little shaky. Again he was waiting for the blue train, but this time he was returning home. I couldn't wait to get to Mackerson Farm. I missed Lia so much. I wanted to hug her tight and shower her with kisses. It was so long away that she almost couldn't remember the face of the beloved nanny. And she wished that one day she could forgive her parents for taking her out of the house and sending her to boarding school, living completely alone for 4 years.
• Boarding school wasn't a bad place at all. But if I had a choice, I would never go back there. In addition to loneliness, it was a huge, damp, cold and dark place. A boarding school for women set in an old medieval castle. He had learned to read and write perfectly, even in French. He took frequent piano lessons. He could have chosen another instrument, but the piano suited him better. Cutting and sewing were also part of the daily apprenticeship. In addition to studying the Bible and the obligation of mass on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. The girls left there learning everything they needed to return home educated and ready for marriage and home life.
• When the train whistled in the distance, Sarah couldn't see it, but she felt a strong shiver run down her spine. There wasn't a day at boarding school when he didn't remember the boy he'd met on the train when he heard that sound. And now the blue train was there, in front of him... Just like the first time, but exactly 4 years later.
• Sarah boarded a little apprehensively. Some people in a hurry almost knocked her down.
• She thought about getting ready and looking in the mirror that morning. She had put on a dress of pure silk, pale yellow, with some details in white lace. The suit was long, but left the golden shoe on display. She had tied her hair in a tightly tied bun, leaving no strands loose. And finally, a beautiful hat that was only on top of the head, in beige and gold tones.
• Sarah was a slim girl, neither too tall nor too short. He had perfect teeth and long, slightly curly blond hair. Blue eyes framed pale, smooth skin.
• That outfit had been chosen especially for that moment. No... I wouldn't go to a party, or a meeting with high society women. She got dressed in hopes of meeting a certain boy... Who she might never see again in her life.
• She boarded and went directly to her cabin in first class. But staying here, alone, was certainly not her first option. He dropped his luggage and headed for one of the restaurants. Yes... Now he knew that there were two restaurants on the train, this in first class only.
• On the first trip, he hadn't even seen his cabin. The tables in this restaurant were bigger. She sat with a family of a mother, father and two small children. The children were crying and ordering everything at the same time, leaving the waiter confused. And she was dizzy with such a racket. He only ordered a tea, which took a while to arrive. I learned from the family that shared the table that the train was now making a stop between Deolinda and Tulipa, at a new station, and was also carrying loads, thus having more wagons.
• Sarah looked at the cityscape giving way to icy mountains. He knew that he no longer saw everything with the innocent eyes of a child. I had matured a lot in these 4 years. And he learned in part from the boy he met on the first train journey.
• Tristan must have been nineteen by now. He was probably already married. I could live in any city, state or country. It might even be dead. She felt her heart sink. It still hadn't crossed his mind. No... I wouldn't be dead. He was a boy who loved freedom and certainly today he was a man who didn't give up on that.
• Freedom... She knew where to find that feeling on the huge train. Excusing himself, he got up and walked slowly from carriage to carriage until he reached the last one, where he had met Tristan.
• In addition to the countless suitcases, there was a horse in a reserved space, trapped in a kind of box from which only its head could be seen. But she understood a little about horses and you could tell it was thoroughbred and expensive. She ran her hand over him fearlessly. It was tame and had soft fur .
• Tristan wasn't there and she had to accept that she would never see him again. So many days thinking about him, so many nights touching him in her dreams... An impossible dream.
• She walked slowly to the door that opened onto the street. I didn't want to make any noise. I was afraid of being surprised again by the train supervisor, like the other time. He took the handle slowly and took a step, half outside and half inside the train. His heart almost skipped a beat when he saw a man from behind, sitting on the railing, with his legs over the edge of the train. She knew that no one would be so bold except...
• “Tristan! - Sarah heard coming from her lips, even though she didn't mean to.
• The man turned quickly, unbalancing himself a little, returning to the train. The sun beat down on his disheveled black hair. The deepest green eyes she had ever seen in her entire life. Yes, that was Tristan, the boy who for 4 years couldn't get out of his head.
• - And you? she asked in disbelief, not containing her smile.
• - Who are you? he shot back.
• "I asked first, so you answer," she said playfully.
• “Sarah?
• - Yes it's me.
• He smiled and went to her, giving her a strong and affectionate hug.
• “Wow, Sarah, you've grown. So much has changed in these 4 years. Where is that little girl?
• "You've grown up too ... But you haven't changed much," he observed, smiling.
• - Remembered me!
• "And how can we forget the boy who threw himself off the moving train?"
• Tristan laughed and then looked at her seriously:
• “Sarah, I've waited four years to see you again.
• Sarah drew back her body and took a step back when he put his hand out to touch her. A lot of time had passed. It wasn't the same anymore. They were already grown up and everything was different between them.
• Four years ago there was no malice... They touched each other with no intention other than affection and friendship. She wanted so much to hold him tight, say everything that was on her confused mind ... But she knew she couldn't.
• "Are you afraid of me, Sarah?" - he asked.
• "No... Of course not," lied the girl.
• "Then let me touch you... Please," he pleaded.
• Her heart was beating wildly. Still undecided and afraid of not being able to control her feelings, she took a step forward, getting very close to him. Tristan ran his hand over her face, looking deep into the girl's blue eyes, then touching her nose, moving down to her mouth, trembling.
• The two hugged tightly. Sarah had missed him so much. I didn't know if I would see him again. In fact, I thought it was impossible. Yet Tristan was there, beside her. I wish I could stay there, holding him, forever.
• But he couldn't... What was he doing? That good smell that exhaled from him disturbed his senses. I was being carried away by emotions. He quickly disengaged.
• "Traveling clandestinely?" he asked, breaking the atmosphere of greater intimacy.
• - No. This time I bought a ticket,” he clarified. - Second class. But this is my favorite spot on this train. And you, first class, like last time?
• "Inevitable," he admitted, smiling.
• “You look like a typical high-society miss, Sarah Mackerson. The man looked her up and down.
• — You even remember my last name — the girl observed, blushing.
• "I remember so many details you wouldn't believe," he confessed. “The only difference is that I didn't expect to see you so different.
• "I couldn't help it," she said, in a teasing tone.
• — But this look is still the same as it was 4 years ago. I still see the same fragile, sensitive and kind girl in them.
• "Did you think about the possibility of this reunion, Tristan?"
• "If you knew how many times I've made this trip to try to find you again...
• "But I told you I was going to boarding school."
• “I remember this. But I still had hope. And I managed to find her, finally.
• — Yes... We met again.
• “I almost know every detail of the landscape on the way,” he revealed.
• “Did you… get married, Tristan?” - Sarah heard the question without believing that she had the courage for such daring.
• He gave a hearty laugh:
• “Of course not, Sarah. I was waiting for you.
• She laughed. I wish Tristan was speaking the truth and not just playing with her feelings. Marrying him was what she wanted most in life. I loved that man from the first moment I saw him, exactly 4 years ago, on that train, in that same carriage.
• "And how was boarding school?" - he asked.
• - All very well.
• — That day, after I jumped off the train, I was very sorry. If I could I would have come back to be with you. I shouldn't have left her alone.
• “I wasn't really alone. I stayed with the train employees. That supervisor who fought you got me to help him.
• “He couldn't have done that. You were in first class. Others should serve you, not you serving others.
• “I felt better that way, believe me. And you... Did you get a job?
• - Yes. I work on a farm in Tulipa.
• - Excellent!
• "I figured you'd like it." I will always be close to you. I will protect you, Sarah. I will never let anyone hurt her. I will not allow them to break their spell. You are the most special woman I have ever met.
• Sarah was embarrassed. Strong words that made her drunk with love and hope.
• She looked at the beautiful landscape that accompanied them. Everything was so perfect. And Sarah had 24 hours left with Tristan on that train. He would enjoy every minute, because he didn't know what would happen when they landed in Tulipa. Many years of waiting for that moment.
• "There's even a horse this time," she observed, looking into the carriage.
• "Better than the two dogs," he chuckled.
• - I also think. I love horses.
• - Me too.
• But that matter was of no importance to either of them. She had so many things to say to Tristan. But he couldn't because the words wouldn't leave his lips. It all seemed like a dream.