Who is Dr. John? Dr. John was a psychiatrist, like many who kept on dealing with the same cases, never learning much until he followed his instinct to open up the portals to his fields of knowledge. He made it a priority to help out the general public by first helping businesses. Feeling that people generally became overwhelmed with boredom in their careers or even in good and enviable conditions; they just needed much more. Dr. John worked with technology and the AI of it. The first thing he wanted to establish was a connection between people and technology that will work as a companion to their intellect. He felt that senses needed to be evoked and remain as bouncy as they can get, seeing that the human mind could retain the ambition it was meant to have. One day, he looked at his office for the last time before filing the whole thing into his hi-tech cabinet to remain there until he completed his search while working on enough courage to knock on doors in order to sell his gizmos. Dr. John is a bachelor living alone with a housekeeper. At his age, sabbaticals were for losers however, it could reveal a year blooming with surprises except for the ability to speak French. Dr. John will think of something, rest assured. Who is Ted, the Chef? Ted the Chef is much opened and so talkative on just about any topic, turning a simple conversation into all its complexities. One of his dreams was to publish his recipe books after he landed a dream job at the television station. Ted was able to cook up magnificent dishes from the most common simple ones to the most elaborate, making sure to write them on his laptop. He would soon find out that he lacked self-management and needed to improve on his marketing, which was as essential as his continuous cooking. Ted considered himself a nervous wreck, a nervous-freak in the kitchen, tidy and overly absorbed as well as in a personal or intimate relationship. He is a hype of self-critique, believing that his many failed relationships had something to do with it, never ever imagining that another person would transform both their lives. THE PLEDGE John said to Ted: When we met, we were two people losing our direction only to please everyone around us. When we met for the very first time, we were different, but today, when we met again, we began living the difference. John and Ted reflecting on themselves: In their own character, they not only looked or seemed far apart while they were sharing one common ground that got them closer together started to reveal itself when they met; they both needed to talk about their existing emptiness. At that very first moment, both were self-absorbed, making nothing else matter. The second time around made them both wonder if this relationship would last? In this story, self-image, self-critique, self-management and marketing of the human mind come up as priorities that start when someone will get angry, the others will listen, says the doctor. Dr. John will teach the techniques to their mastery while getting angry along the way, if not more than others. Well, you need to read the story. I am an author and writer who tries to contour the mind of the unpredictable during innovation using technology at its best with timing filtering through circling around the unimaginable. I call myself, Anonyma, Lisa.
This is a story of meeting the girl I know as my sunflower, who grew and filled a hole in my heart I didn't think could be filled. At the time, I was still coming out of a relationship with my previous girlfriend of 3 years. Yeah. Big change and a lot of pain. I was depressed plain and simple. She sat in front of me in the wind ensemble I was a part of. I spent most of my days staring at the back of her head. The few times I saw her without her mask on in the room, I found her to be beautiful. She was so far beyond that to my eyes. Due to the fact I didn't know her, we didn't talk for the longest time. Some higher power must have interfered. That is my only explanation for the sudden failure of my friend's gall bladder that resulted in surgery. Don't worry, she's fine. Her surgery did however give away a crucial duet part that this lovely girl in front of me played with my friend. I had a similar enough instrument and ended up playing the part. Flute Girl, as most people do, actually had a name. Sabrina played the duet at the beginning of Solas Ane by Samuel Hazo. I joined her on a low saxophone transposition, and the music made together was beyond perfection. Our music intertwined, connected, and met in the air. The twisting chords were similar to two angelic beings flying in perfect synchronicity. The music was heartbreak, hope, love, and joy. Everything that made life worthwhile compressed into a form of sound you could reach up and touch in the air. Some people mention love at first sight. I experienced love at first note. Every practice session we had brought our souls closer and closer together. The time came for the concert and we were still uncertain how we felt about each other because we hadn't really spent all that much time together. Dear reader, that night at the concert? I have never, in my nine years of music education, felt more in tune with someone. The first notes of the duet began with us together. Every practice we held hadn't even come close to the sheer power I felt from our unity. We didn't just make music, I fell into her sound and she fell into mine. As we played, our notes held one another and rejoiced in the company of kindred souls. We kissed without ever touching and we held on tight to an auditory love that had never graced the ears of man. I knew at that moment that we had to be together.
A sudden global pandemic spirals out of control and then leads to lockdowns across major cities. What does that leave someone with? Nothing but a trail of disruption. For me the situation was a cocktail of activities and opportunities I had never dreamed about either doing or not doing. So here I was, this Nigerian lady of twenty-three trying to figure out my ‘new' life. Starting a relationship was never, ever part of my considerations. So how then did it eventually happen? Educational institutions had gone on break, most businesses and establishments asked to closed down or restrict opening hours and everyone ordered to stay indoors as much as possible to contain the spreading viral disease called COVID-19. But alone at home with little of my life the same as it was before the crisis, my world had transformed into something strange. I was at home doing nothing much except reading my books, catching up with old friends in town through social media and helping around with a little renovation with my siblings. Finding a traditional job that I could engage myself with around my neighborhood and beyond proved futile. It simply was a disaster. No one was hiring anyone new for a job. However, four months into my university break, I found something to do at home that I should say was fascinating: online freelance work. How I got into such a job sometimes makes me wonder but it all started with a friend of mine back from secondary school called Felix. He had sent me a Facebook message asking if I could help him out with some writing gigs. After my initial negative reply which was based on my little experience with creative writing, I agreed to help him. Back in secondary school, Felix was the most captivating of all the boys in my class and I considered him the most brilliant. Once in a while he would top the class but his periodic genius mind wasn't what started our friendship back then. Rather, it was his love for writing and drawing that got my attention. Some probing and demanding on my part made him finally take me as his apprentice. Weeks later, just as I was making some progress with these creative skills, I decided to quit. My love interest in art had gone and in its stead a close friendship had formed between me and Felix. I didn't feel I had it in me to be an artist of any sort or so I thought. Still I occasionally practiced when I needed a break from some stressful things. My first client was a lady, Felix's friend. She requested for a drawing of her boyfriend ahead of his birthday coming up in two weeks. A simple but unique piece of art was my first product in this new world of commerce and it was highly appreciated by many. I did many more interesting gigs after that but the most heartwarming was a love letter I wrote for a girl whose father had survived COVID-19. She cried after reading it stating it was the most love filled message she had read in a long time. Felix had told me about it in the happiest voice and for once in a long while I was moved by that knowledge. Many times I had to refer to the internet for tips on how to go about some projects. And like a mentor that he was, Felix was there to guide me through it all. He shared tips, experience, techniques with me that would help bring better results than the last projects. A year later since I started this new journey I found myself not so enthusiastic about it. It's like I had lost my love and interest for this phase and experience of my life that I felt so withdrawn. True, it was very demanding especially on my creative abilities but I sadly realized I was not in my most unique and comfortable zone. And so like years before, I decided to quit. I sent Felix a message in June, 2021, thanking him for everything: the teaching, support, advice and of course friendship. I told him in the nicest way that I wasn't ready to continue down this road of entrepreneurship, As a second-year nursing student my future career still obsessed me and I did not want to let that go. I did make a request to him that I wanted to be his official business partner in the art industry in future. More of a inactive one I reasoned. Sadly, he did not give a reply when I expected. I was hurt. I imagined he also had the same feeling of disappointment despite the confidence and encouragement he had given me and I still let him down. Some weeks later he responded. “I would gladly have you as my official business partner. Would you please accept my proposal to be my girlfriend?” he wrote back to me. Shock and surprise hit me as I digested the meaning of the message. I had a number of male friends but I had never dated or had a boyfriend before. This really was a first for me. I sent him an affirmative reply teasingly asking if he has had a girlfriend before. He said yes: me, in those days when we were in secondary school. And so that's how my love journey began with a guy called Felix. And till now, we are still going on strong in our relationship.
A sudden global pandemic spirals out of control and then leads to lockdowns across major cities. What does that leave someone with? Nothing but a trail of disruption. For me the situation was a cocktail of activities and opportunities I had never dreamed about either doing or not doing. So here I was, this Nigerian lady of twenty-three trying to figure out my ‘new' life. Starting a relationship was never, ever part of my considerations. So how then did it eventually happen? Educational institutions had gone on break, most businesses and establishments asked to closed down or restrict opening hours and everyone ordered to stay indoors as much as possible to contain the spreading viral disease called COVID-19. But alone at home with little of my life the same as it was before the crisis, my world had transformed into something strange. I was at home doing nothing much except reading my books, catching up with old friends in town through social media and helping around with a little renovation with my siblings. Finding a traditional job that I could engage myself with around my neighborhood and beyond proved futile. It simply was a disaster. No one was hiring anyone new for a job. However, four months into my university break, I found something to do at home that I should say was fascinating: online freelance work. How I got into such a job sometimes makes me wonder but it all started with a friend of mine back from secondary school called Felix. He had sent me a Facebook message asking if I could help him out with some writing gigs. After my initial negative reply which was based on my little experience with creative writing, I agreed to help him. Back in secondary school, Felix was the most captivating of all the boys in my class and I considered him the most brilliant. Once in a while he would top the class but his periodic genius mind wasn't what started our friendship back then. Rather, it was his love for writing and drawing that got my attention. Some probing and demanding on my part made him finally take me as his apprentice. Weeks later, just as I was making some progress with these creative skills, I decided to quit. My love interest in art had gone and in its stead a close friendship had formed between me and Felix. I didn't feel I had it in me to be an artist of any sort or so I thought. Still I occasionally practiced when I needed a break from some stressful things. My first client was a lady, Felix's friend. She requested for a drawing of her boyfriend ahead of his birthday coming up in two weeks. A simple but unique piece of art was my first product in this new world of commerce and it was highly appreciated by many. I did many more interesting gigs after that but the most heartwarming was a love letter I wrote for a girl whose father had survived COVID-19. She cried after reading it stating it was the most love filled message she had read in a long time. Felix had told me about it in the happiest voice and for once in a long while I was moved by that knowledge. Many times I had to refer to the internet for tips on how to go about some projects. And like a mentor that he was, Felix was there to guide me through it all. He shared tips, experience, techniques with me that would help bring better results than the last projects. A year later since I started this new journey I found myself not so enthusiastic about it. It's like I had lost my love and interest for this phase and experience of my life that I felt so withdrawn. True, it was very demanding especially on my creative abilities but I sadly realized I was not in my most unique and comfortable zone. And so like years before, I decided to quit. I sent Felix a message in June, 2021, thanking him for everything: the teaching, support, advice and of course friendship. I told him in the nicest way that I wasn't ready to continue down this road of entrepreneurship, As a second-year nursing student my future career still obsessed me and I did not want to let that go. I did make a request to him that I wanted to be his official business partner in the art industry in future. More of a inactive one I reasoned. Sadly, he did not give a reply when I expected. I was hurt. I imagined he also had the same feeling of disappointment despite the confidence and encouragement he had given me and I still let him down. Some weeks later he responded. “I would gladly have you as my official business partner. Would you please accept my proposal to be my girlfriend?” he wrote back to me. Shock and surprise hit me as I digested the meaning of the message. I had a number of male friends but I had never dated or had a boyfriend before. This really was a first for me. I sent him an affirmative reply teasingly asking if he has had a girlfriend before. He said yes: me, in those days when we were in secondary school. And so that's how my love journey began with a guy called Felix. And till now, we are still going on strong in our relationship.
"Holi Hain!!!" I stood there, shivering from head to toe, amid the wild jungle of human beings, who had suddenly come to life. I was scared....not because I hated socializing....but because....because that included colors. Slowly, I crept into the nearest bush I could find in my eyesight, not even stopping to think that someone else might have thought of taking the same refuge. "Hey!!" I yelped and jumped back in surprise, as the shadow of a boy arose from behind the bush. "Look..." he continued. "I know what you're here for, but I Don't like it. I Don't like splashing about in tubs of water and smearing each other with colours. I don-" He broke off. My insides had suddenly started to dance the conga on knowing that I was not alone, that someone else also had the same fear as I did. "Nor do I," I said quietly. His face lit up suddenly. It seemed as thousands of lamps had been lit up together by a single candle. He nodded excitedly, held my hand and pulled me into the bush, "Come on then, inside the bush. It's much safer here." My eyes stood searchingly into his green ones, as he plucked off a red Petunia, from the shrub and placed it on my auburn hair. Automatically, my hands raised up to the flower, and its magnificent white strips came into view. Nature's so simple, yet so extraordinary, isn't it?? It always has the habit of sending ornaments for the plants and flowers to adorn themselves. "I wish I was a flower," I said ruefully, making him look up. "Then I would not have to run about like this, hiding from others...as though I did a really serious crime." "You didn't," he said, and for the first time since we met, our eyes met. Blue on green. We had just met minutes ago, but it felt like we had known each other for months, years even. I was lost in an unknown trance when I suddenly felt something being rubbed against my cheek. My eyes looked at him in both horror and delight, as his warm hands smeared my cheek with yellow gulal. I was so overwhelmed with the bundle of mixed emotions swelling inside me, that I threw myself upon him, hugging him tightly as if we had been best friends for years, and decades... "Happy Holi," he whispered as my cheek brushed his lips. "Happy Holi."
That night, as Hamzeh entered their apartment and laid eye on Noor's big, round belly, his face did not show any expressions of surprise. He took off his shoes, mumbled his usual “Salam Noor jan.” and followed Saeed to their tiny living/bedroom. Noor went to the kitchen to boil up some water and bring them some tea. As the water was boiling, she stood near the door. All her ears could pick up was mumbling and “state”, “supervisor”, “drive”. The moment she entered the room with the tray, Hamzeh stood up. - I won't be disturbing you anymore. - Please stay baradar jan I just brought tea. He nodded his head no while mumbling a couple of “thank you”s. As soon as they were alone, Saeed took the tray from Noor and put it on table. “He said there is an open position for supervision.” He put a cup in front of her. “His close friend is also a supervisor. It doesn't seem like a scam.” He slid a couple of biscuits to the plate. “It's in the neighbor state.” He placed the plate in front of Noor. “It's a four-hour drive.” Since the beginning of this conversation, Saeed hadn't locked eyes with her even once. Finally, he rose his head. “We have to work it out Noor jan. I'm sorry.” She remained solid. Again a wall of silence appeared to be surrounding them. “I don't want to ask you to be strong beyond what you're going through right now.” Saeed was the first one to break it. “This seems like our best option for now.” “When will I be able to see you?” Noor's voice stopped the silence from building further. Saeed's eyes turned to her, his gaze was still anxious but Noor's question, or simply she addressing him at that point, made him feel less guilty for a second. “On weekends.” Noor had placed Saeed's sack on the bed, slowly packing some essentials for him. She had put one hand on her belly, stroking it gently over her maxi. Apparently Saeed had to share a room with a couple of other workers who supposed to commute on a weekly basis. She packed a box of masks and some cold medicine. They kept saying that what this new virus does to the body is similar to a cold, but worst. Saeed had to leave at 6 AM tomorrow morning. They both tried to go to sleep for at least a few hours, but it did not felt like an option at that moment. Saeed was running his fingers through her locks and brushing them against her cheeks from time to time. Her belly was pressing right next to his, as if the baby had already found its spot to sleep between them, while they'd be protecting it like two human shields. He closed his eyes, his hand still resting in her hair. “I'll make the life that I promised you to have with me.” Noor wrapped her arm tighter around his waist. “I know.” - Her doctor had predicted that she'd go through labor around the second week of Saeed's absence. Her chest started to feel heavy the moment Saeed got into Hamzeh's car. It was the first time that she had to be left alone after they'd moved to this country. Both of them. There were plenty of nights they both had to stay late at work, but there was always the other person to come home to. But not this time. Nothing felt or looked promising. Not for them. And apparently, not for the world that surrounded them. Every time she'd turn on their tiny TV, there was death news because of a deadly virus that could enters one's body by doing something as necessary and simple as breathing. There was a baby growing inside her. They were already on a financial strain. Saeed wasn't supposed to leave her side. People were dying because they were breathing. She did not want to keep her hopes up one them just to have them being torn down again. - Hamzeh's wife, Suraya, checked up on her twice a week. She had only seen her once before this whole situation happened. It was literally their first week in U.S. when they invited them over to their house to spend a day together. She remembered having a whole conversation with her about many things, from the stores back in Afghanistan they both used to shop at, to how cold are the winters here. “It's OK if you cry yourself to sleep every night. Just don't let him see your tears. He might play strong in front of you but he is as scared as you are. Saeed is just like Hamzeh.” This sentence never left Noor's head.
Her mind kept repeating all the glorious things her mother and grandmas have told her about their own pregnancy experiences. But the more she tried to convince herself that things are normal or eventually will turn out to be, the more it felt unreal. She had seen in movies that when someone tells their partners about their pregnancy, it's often a happy moment of shedding tears of joy and holding one another in the sweetest embrace ever. But this news kept making her more and more anxious. She felt guilty. Was God punishing her for wanting things more than she should? All she could think of was how their heated moments now only agitated her. All he did was to grab his pack of cigarettes from the front pocket of his uniform and lit one. He sat by the window, staring at the empty street, holding the smoke in longer than usual. He tossed the pack in his hands a couple of times, his gaze completely zoned out. “I shouldn't be smoking. It's bad for you.” - Noor spent most of her time in bed after work and Saeed didn't pushed her otherwise. In fact, the lingering silence between them appeared to be the peacekeeper for now. Noor's body was going through daily changes and nobody could handle none of it on her behalf. They haven't had talked anything through since three days ago, when she announced that she was pregnant. “I'm leaving.”, “I'm home.”, “Do you want dinner?” were the most spoken words between them. And also the sound of Noor breathing as she drifted into sleep every night. Saeed had never fallen asleep before her. He needed to know that she has entered the safe zone of disconnection first before following her into the same dimension. Noor finally decided to call home. She didn't want anyone else to know yet. She couldn't "fake smile" her way out of the congratulations and the questions she herself did not have any answers to. She needed a way to hush her constant anxiety for at least a couple of minutes. And she needed guidance more than anything else. Her mother picked up after three rings. “Noor jan is that you?” Her voice seemed to be the only thing that hadn't changed around her. “Maman jan…” She covered her mouth with her palm as tears immediately started to roll down her cheeks. She wasn't going to play strong. She wasn't going to lie when every thought in her mind ended up to be a cry for help. “I'm pregnant.” These words dug their way out from between chokes of air and subs. “Does Saeed know?” She managed to spit out a syllable equivalent to “Yes”. Her mom was silent. It felt good that she didn't try to stop her from crying. Her quietness was comforting her. Facts wouldn't at the moment. She cried and cried till her eyes felt dry and her eye lids felt too heavy to stay open. “What should I do?” A new grip formed in her throat right after she spoke these words. “Do you have a pen and some paper nearby?” Her mother didn't ask if she wanted to keep this baby or not. It really didn't feel like an option to her. She was going through enough suffocating guilt already and constantly blaming herself for not being careful. Handling something that was so distant from whatever she had learned to believe and handling two burdens instead of one was far from her current state. That night when Saeed came back home, she showed him the paper. Her mother had asked her to note down some key precautions she should be taking. They were both sitting on the edge of the bed, Noor's gaze was slightly switching between her own entwined hands resting on her lap and Saeed's fingers, holding the paper. “Noor jan.” He reached for her hands and squeeze them with his usual, familiar, warmth. “We will work it out.” Her morning sickness was almost gone as she entered her second trimester. However, moving around was becoming a new challenge. Saeed would drop by the store every evening so they could walk home together. That night, as he was helping Noor to put on her coat, he said:” Have you heard that the virus has entered U.S. now? They said that we should wear masks from tomorrow all day long.” - Saeed's step-brother, Hamzeh, who lived in another suburb located in a two-hour drive, payed them a surprise visit on a Sunday evening. Noor had a feeling that Saeed had already told him what was going on. When they first came here, Hamzeh was in fact the first person who sat both of them down in his house and talked them through on how financial dynamics really work here. Him reappearing at their door like this had only one meaning. He already knew they were in trouble.
“To Noor-e jaan-e man hasti[1].” She could still hear him whispering these words into her ear, holding her tight to his chest, running his fingers through her dark brown locks. Earlier that night, as the Imam had finally announced them husband and wife, the loudest echo in her head was the sound of her own heart, beating so wild that any cheering or loud Afghan folk songs seemed almost faded. But now, as she was laying in his embrace, the only sound she could hear was the beating of his heart. In her mind, she silently prayed to Allah, asking Him to always bring them back to each other, no matter what comes up their way. They've been growing up together as playmates, classmates, family friends, and each other's “almost” secret, unspoken love. When Noor graduated from high school and got accepted into Kabul university, it was harder than ever for Saeed to hide his feelings for her. She was the light of his life, not any of those boys cruising around the university in their fancy cars. That night, when Noor heard Saeed's dad talking to her dad about them getting married, her thoughts and heart beat were all over the place for the next couple of days. That was always the risky part of trusting her heart: fairy tales like this might be the fine line between possibility and reality. Noor wasn't usually a pessimist. She had figured out a long time ago that she lets her heart decide for her instead of her head most of the time. She had also seen the fair share of pain that these decisions could bring her. Falling in love with Saeed was one of these decisions. It started from her heart and before she knew it, spread out through her whole body. Keeping her feelings in her secretive comfort felt relaxing but she wasn't sure if she can hold on like this for any longer. Saeed knew that Noor didn't want to start a family in Afghanistan. That was what they'd both agreed on. Getting married back home and officially starting their lives in the U.S., where Saeed's step- brother, Hamzeh, was sponsoring them. Everything seemed to be working out in the most magnificent way possible: marrying the only person they'd gladly gave their hearts to, the tiniest details about their wedding ceremony working in their favor, and having all they needed for entering the land of opportunities and starting a new chapter in their passports. Things working out this easily felt too good to be true. - Financial challenges were the first ugly side of moving to a different country. Saeed was working full time in a factory and Noor had picked up a couple of shifts in their local supermarket. They'd both wake up in the dark, and come back home in the dark. Everyone had told them that this was something they'll go through. The only thing that mattered was to survive it. There was no turning back. Or it's better to say that none of them even wanted it. - Three days of morning sickness in a row. She had managed to pull herself together and carry out the first two days. But today, pain and stiffness was glistening down her arms and legs like never before. Saeed had already covered her body with three woolen blankets but she couldn't stop shivering. The room kept spinning around her head and the thought of getting up and going to work sounded like a crushing tower. Her body felt drained, as if none of her physical resources were enough. [1] Translation from Farsi to English: You are the light of my life.
I remember the first time I saw him. I was in his apartment. I was somewhat dating his roommate, and it was my first time at his place. I was sitting on the couch, when he came from behind me. “My girlfriend gets me flowers, and all I have a is a beer bottle to put it in” he joked. He had thick black kinky hair, sharp facial features, scrawny. I instantly fell for his loud objectionable laugh. It's a funky phenomenon, isn't it? Love at first sight. But I felt it. I felt it with him. He was wearing a Cosby like sweater, and baggy jeans. It was the year 1999, and we were dumb but didn't know it. I was 16. He was 24. I had met his friend through work. I was a caterer through a company in town. We mostly did low budget weddings. The food was simple - baked chicken, roast beef, sometimes fish. I was lucky enough to work with a few good friends. We would spend our breaks, flirting with the kitchen crew, and smoking cigarettes in the back of the box truck. We would hike up our skirts in hopes to gain some under the table tips from drunk old party goers. We would sometimes sneak a glass of champagne. The guy I was dating at the time, worked in the kitchen. We only dated very briefly and the only date I remember was a trip to the movies, and to Wendys for a frosty, which was my request - I was a cheap date. He truly was a very nice guy. A nice guy who was much older than me, a little rough around the edges, and had a child and an ex wife. Our relationship - or lack there of - quickly fizzled out. Which was fine by me, because remember- I was in madly love with his roommate. Luckily, even though things didn't work out with us, I was able to keep in touch with his roommate via mutual friends. And come to find out, he felt the same about me as I did him, and maybe even more. We spent hours chatting online, through chat messaging. He was all I ever thought about, day in and day out. He convinced me that no one on this planet could love me more than he did. I believed it to be true, because at that time - it absolutely was. But remember, I was only 16. He was 8 years older than me. As much as I wanted him, as much as I craved him - I was too practical. What would my parents say? What would my friends say? No one would would imagine that a 24 year old could genuinely love a 16 year old. So, years went by and I continued to keep myself away. I didn't let myself do what I wanted - I didn't let him do what he wanted. We dated other people. We maybe even loved other people. But we always came back to each other. Years later, I found myself in college. I had a rough night - had too much to drink. I was in the city - he was home, about 30 min away. I called him, I told him to come get me - that I needed him. He said, “listen, you're drunk. You don't know what you are saying. Go home, call me when you get there” I didn't let him hang up. I convinced him to come get me. And he did. He picked me up and drove me to his place. Everything was foggy. I had drank too much - but I knew exactly what I was doing, and I knew exactly where I was. We got back to his place, and I crawled into his bed. He got in next to me, laying down by my side. I could smell him. I wanted to feel him. I loved this man with all my heart - with all my everything. I wanted to show him how much I treasured him, and treasured all our years together. We had never been together like this. And then we made love. We didn't have sex, we didn't fuck, no - we made love. We melted into each other. I told him I loved him over and over, and he told me the same. I had never felt that way before, and I haven't since. Ours is a story that never turned into a story. A relationship never fully realized, always from a distance. But it was ours. He was my secret - a special treasure I wanted to keep to myself. He was all mine. He was sacred to me. Unfortunately by the time I was smart enough to realize this, he had moved on. And though I do not blame him now - I did then. Many years of pursuing a love that wont take the chance proved exhausting. There were times in those first few years, that I would think of him, and my chest would get so heavy, and the tears would swell up. I would find myself feeling like I had lost something that would never be found again. Those ugly words, “the one that got away” would ring in my head. But life moves on, and I have as well. I no longer hear a song and think of him. I am no longer swimming in regret, there are no more what ifs. But I will always hold a place in my heart, body and soul for him, and I hope he is doing the same for me.
You say you want to find Love; you say you want to have romance What does really love mean for you? It's a non-cliché question Don't give a cliché definition, its worn out Don't be a stereotype, it's boring Imagine love like you really want it to be, like a gift you have not yet unwrapped. What a surprise to come! Is Love the gift of another person? Is love a magic potion with 12 roses and fresh petals? Could you give love without expectation? Love could be a delicate feather, ready to fly away If you don't pay attention to it Love is freedom of expression, freedom to be yourself No limits No regrets No second thoughts What is Romance to you? Romance is the child of Love When all is open and free and sincere Love is a cup of coffee with fresh cream on top Drink your cup of love and enjoy. The answer to love question Love is like a chocolate Again No limits No regrets No second thoughts A chocolate with nuts and almonds Don't give a cliché definition, its worn out Don't be a stereotype, it's boring Imagine love like you really want it to be You are the best companion when I feel down Maybe you are confused To whom I am referring A chocolate bar is ready to be eaten Like Love, sweet and tender
Prudence trembled with fear. When the clock stroked 10 she knew she couldn't wait any longer. She put on her cloak and walked out into the night. Shouting men and crying women ran raged with fear and anger around her. She kept her head down and kept forward. She had only a few more blocks to go. "Prudence! She heard a familiar female voice calling her name. It was her dear friend Beatrice. Beatrice, who had red curly hair and had been her friend since childhood. "Beatrice, oh am I so glad to see you!" She embraced her friend in a long and loving hug. "Prudence, where are you going at this hour? I thought you were leaving with Roger tonight?" A look of concern crossed her face. "He has not yet returned from Bob's Tavern. I'm headed there now to see what happened to him.... " She looked at her friend now with concern. "What are you doing out so late?" "I went to check on my mother, and found myself staying out later then usual." Beatrice was married to a man named Alonzo and her mother lived alone. "You should really have her move in with you and Alonzo." Prudence had been telling her to do this, but for some reason she would not. "I know. I know. I just haven't been able to convince him yet." "Okay," Prudence said with her hand on Beatrice's arm. "I'm sure it is for the best." Beatrice looked up and smiled. There was a moment of pause between them, and Prudence blushed. She quickly removed her hand. "Oh, I really must go now!" "Of course!" Beatrice kissed her friend on the cheek and hurried off in the other direction. Prudence steadily walked on until she finally made it to the tavern. All the lights were off inside except for a few candles burning. "Hello, is anyone here?" No one replied. She heard some commotion coming from upstairs. She walked up the long dark staircase where she heard noises coming from inside one of the rooms. She got closer only to hear the laughing and sounds of pleasure coming from the inside. She quickly opened the door. There on the bed inside a very naked Roger and woman were sprawled out. "Roger!" Prudence exclaimed. "Oh my god, Prudence!" He replied when he saw her. He pulled himself out of the woman he was with. Prudence walked closer to the bed. "What are you doing? I thought we were supposed to be leaving town tonight." Prudence was very confused. "I know. I'm so sorry. It's just I had to say goodbye to Helga one more time." Helga waved. "Want to join?" She asked. "Helga!" Roger exclaimed. He turned to Prudence. "I'm so sorry Prudence." He started to gather his clothes. We can go now if you want. "No, no, no," That's okay. She looked over Helga's body. She had very large breasts and her legs spread open seemed very inviting to Prudence. She then walked over to Helga and kissed her lips. Helga then began undressing Prudence. Once she was undressed she got on the bed. She began to slip her tongue in and out of Helga. Roger joined them and together they enjoyed each others company. The next day Prudence stood in the kitchen making breakfast for Roger. She stood over the hot stove and sweat dripped down her next and small little droplets fell between her breasts. "Something smells good." He said walking into the kitchen. He walked up behind Prudence and lifted her skirt. He then knelt down and stuck his head between her thighs. As she scrambled the eggs he tickled her inside and rubbed all of her sensitive parts giving her ultimate pleasure. Afterward, they sat together at the table enjoying breakfast and playing footsie. "I have to go see Beatrice today. She thought we were going to leave town last night, and I want to let her know were staying." Prudence stated sitting up and starting to clear off the table. Roger sat up to and wrapped his arms around Prudence's body. "We can still go if you want to," he said kissing her cheek. She pushed him away. "No. I want to stay now. If it gets any worse by weeks end then we will leave." "Alright, whatever you say my love." He went into his room. Prudence knew he would be sleeping the rest of the day. She got on her cloak and a basket full of muffins for Beatrice. "Prudence!" Beatrice exclaimed when she opened the door and saw her friend. She gave her a giant hug and then they went to sit in the parlor. "I brought you some muffins." She handed then to Beatrice. "I don't want your muffins!" Beatrice exclaimed throwing the basket out of the way she hurled herself onto Prudence. "Oh, I've always wanted you!" Beatrice shouted and then began kissing Prudence. Prudence couldn't help, but feel a turned on by this. She kissed Beatrice back. "What about Alonzo?" "He wont be back till night." She then lifted Prudence's skirt and began licking between her thighs. Prudence laid back and felt all the thrusts of her dear friends tongue make her wetter and wetter. The End
As stated in the title, book 5 of my current urban/dark fantasy and paranormal romance series have its own cover reveal, so here it is...let me know what you think! Thanks everyone and I hope you're continuing staying safe and smart during these difficult times. Happy reading!
👤 Sorry I missed out on my Actor/Book Character post yesterday for #writerswednesday but it was a busy day at the Doc's office so, I'm making up for it today 👤 Actor/Book Character No. 3 and 4 are brother/sister 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐲𝐞 👩🏼 Sarah has a bubbly personality at first upon meeting her but her moods change quickly due to the possible lycan gene despite being human 👩🏼 She's not a feminine character but not masculine either, but prefers the tomboy vibe with more than usual buckles/chains of the steampunk attire 👩🏼 She's heterosexual; getting involved with the Australian vampire, Jonathan Saxon and is an excellent archer; learning the skill from fellow warriors/archers and uncle Leonard Brye, but she is NOT a physical fighter 👨🏼 Nathan is the oldest sibling of 2 years, carrying the lycan gene from his father's side; transitioning for the first time at 18 years of age 👨🏼 He's an addict; his vices are heavy alcohol consumption, smoking cigarettes/Marijuana and strong sexual appetite 👨🏼 He prefers showing interest in young girls/women 16 years or older; those who haven't engaged in sexual activity yet. Meaning virgins, plain/simple 👨🏼 However, Nathan shows an unnatural fixation on Sarah; a sickness he's acted upon with her consent 👨🏼 He's a duel weaponed swordsman and despite his efforts to hide it, he's not a natural blonde, prefers clean/perfectly manicured nails/plucked eyebrows 👨🏼 You can't help but wonder if he's bisexual but 𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 👨🏼 He's cute/charming with bright blue eyes and speaks with a suave/charismatic demeanor but does spew verbal vulgarities, making that a big turn off 👨🏼 The actor/actress that represent my character(s) are 95% 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐎𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 and 80% 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧 👤 Imagine their faces while reading/imagining the character(s) 👤
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