It has been four years. Four years since John watched the apple of his eyes get harvested from the tree and taken away for all eternity. He sat across his working table as he reminisced. The rays of the sunset split through his white silk curtains.
In the quaint town of Elmdale, where actual romances never existed, lived two souls destined for a dance with love. Jane, with her ever stubborn type 4c hair and alluring haze eyes, worked at the local bookstore. John, a barista who had so much passion for making coffee, was a regular visitor to the bookshop.
John was the definition of a perfect gentleman. He treated Jane with the love and respect she deserved. Jane on the other hand was submissive, compassionate and the apple of John's eyes. This duo went everywhere together, never letting go of each other's hands. The younglings in the community looked up to them and the oldies yearned for such mutualism.
As autumn hues painted Elmdale in warm tones, the chemistry between Jane and John ripened. One evening, with the fragrance of old books lingering in the air, John decided it was time to pop the question.
"Jane, do you believe in magic?" he asked, his eyes reflecting the vulnerability of a man about to bare his soul.
She chuckled,Her laughter resonated. "Magic? In this bookstore, surrounded by old dusty books? Absolutely not."
John took a deep breath before he went ahead to confess, " You may not believe in magic but I do and I've found my magic here. It's not in the pages of these old books but in your eyes. Jane, I'm in love with you. Will you be my wife? The woman I would spend the rest of my life with?"
For a moment, time hung suspended, as if the universe awaited Jane's response. A faint blush graced her cheeks, and her gaze softened. "John, your words are like beautiful poetry, but our love can only be a short-lived story. I cannot marry you because my heart belongs to another.
Confused, John re-echoed "Another? What do you meant by another"
Silence filled the air . Jane revealed a locket she always wore close to her heart. "This belonged to my childhood love, Mark. He left Elmdale when we were kids. I made a promise to wait for him and he made a promise to return to me. In the few months you've known me, you should recall that I never go back on my promises.
John's s eyes reflected the bittersweet symphony of love and loss. "Jane, I understand." He said with a cracked voice. "But you should have mentioned this from the start.
"I tried John, but we had something good going on and somewhere deep down, I really wondered if Mark would ever return to me".
"I know you are one to stay true to your promises and irrespective of what I do, you would still stand by jt. But know this, my love for you will last forever. This is my promise to you."
The seasons changed, and so did the dynamics between Jane and John. Though he continued to visit the bookstore, the conversations that were once full of joy had now become pensive.The heart that had once beat with hope now carried the weight of unfulfilled dreams.
Six months later, Jane received a letter. One she had been praying for all her adult life. The letter held great news for her but not for John. Either way, she had to tell him before it was too late. She gently raised her head from the letter and looked in John's direction. He was lost in the pages of his favourite novel.
"John, a word please" she called. He placed the novel upside down and walked over to where she was gracefully.
"How may I be of service to my lady?"
"John, I've received a letter from Mark. He's coming back," she confessed, a hint of sadness in her voice.
John smiled through the pain. He looked like he had a bone stuck in his throat. For a moment, he struggled to speak but he did it anyway "Jane, may your reunion with Mark be as magical as the stories you've shared with me." He said as he walked out of the bookstore.
Elmdale saw their love story end, and in the quiet shelves of the bookstore, you could hear the traces of a romance that blossomed but later faded into disappointment.
His phone rang, jolting John back to reality. It was work. Ever since he lost Jane, all he ever focused on was work. He wholeheartedly embraced his coffee making career and was finalising a cefe deal.
"Good day Mr. Rogers"
"Good day John. I'm calling to let you know that the paperwork which signifies that you are the rightful owner of the 'De Palé' cafe is ready. I would stop by your house early tomorrow morning"
A victorious smirk escaped his lips "Thank you very much Mr. Rogers. I will be expecting you tomorrow."
Immediately the call was terminated, John sprang up and threw his right arm in the air, celebrating his victory. "Yes!" This was all he ever wished for; to own his own Café but one significant detail was missing–Jane. It was supposed to be a shared partnership with her but sometimes, it's best to be the bigger person. Moreover, she was happily married with two kids; a boy and a girl.
Still feeling the tingle of victory, John walked over to his king-sized bed, ready to embrace the new revolution. How fast time travelled.
Love🤍
