Don't let her go

I sat on a barstool at the kitchen island and watched my aunt, Annika organize everything. I felt like a kid again. It wasn't a good feeling on top of the chasm of loneliness in my chest.

"Your uncle told me, you haven't been at work this week", Annika's tone was neutral as she set the water to boil on the stove.

"I'm allowed to use my hard - earned vacation days, aren't I?", Instantly I cringed at the snip in my short words. Annika didn't deserve it. I was taking out my anger on her.

"Of course you are, Aleksander. Nikolai knows that too", She fiddled with the teabags on the counter before looking up to face me. "You know we just worried about you. I have never seen you like this before", She added

"Well, I have never felt like this before", My head fell into my hands, hearing myself say that aloud. A massive sigh escaped out of my mouth, and i wanted to sink on myself.

"Hmm", Anika hummed, taping her nails on the edge of the counter. "Why is love intensified by absence?", She spok