Prelude

Meet Ceciline and Sanjesh, two lovers separated by about 90 miles, going through heartbreak, but still living their everyday lives.

'Ceciline Delavonta'
“I don’t know, Lisa. I’m just not sure where I wanna go to next, or if I even want to. New York has been my home.” Lisa never wanted me to move, but I always told her, I’d be gone if there was a chance at something better. “Yes, I know New York is home, but what if there are plans for me out in the world?” “No, you’re not going anywhere, at least not without me.” Lisa was never happy about me going anywhere without her, and l wouldn’t want it any other way. She was my best friend since high school, I took an art major in college while she picked up modeling, she helped ace a bunch of projects, and with the help of my photography got her a lot of success. We always said we’d be the dynamic duo taking The Big Apple by storm, and a year out of college, we’ve been building the ultimate fan base.

It wasn’t easy getting here. It was easy starting, but with all the madness in the world, we pulled through. I grew up in Brooklyn, with both mom and dad, though he was always working and mom had her drinking problems. It was really me, my sister and three nuckleheaded brothers. Me being the second oldest behind Mike was hard. Velona was after me, then Steven and Pete, who were caught up with the so called cool kids in the streets They didn’t understand why mom had to leave them so young. Mike, being the oldest, was the adult when Dad wasn’t around, and sometimes, watching the boys fight got too out of hand, I believe that’s what turned them to the streets. I’m glad they’ve grown wise from the younger days. Velona was quiet, never ventured into the trouble, but she looked up to Mike and I because we made sure she was aware of what the trouble that took our mom. Steve and Pete never fully understood, being the youngest. “I gotta go, Lisa. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

As the sun began to set, the summer breeze came with the nightfall. I thought of what might be on tonight, what I’m in the mood to eat, if there was an event in the city tonight, but a night of peace and quiet might be all I need. The knock on the door had proven me wrong. Opening the door to a pleasant surprise, my sister came by. She’s been so tied up with college, she doesn’t visit often, but she loved coming over to my apartment on weekends after school. Girls night, slumber parties with Lisa, ordering pizza to see the cute delivery boy. I loved the relationship with my sister, it was one that every pair of sisters should have. “Cec, how do live in this house by yourself? It’s three stories, four beds, three baths, your rent must be ridiculously high. You’re only a year out of college.” One thing my dad didn’t tell her, was that the first kid out of college gets grandma’s place. Mike dropped out, but went back, and finished a year behind me. Fortunately for me, mortgage was paid off, and most of my utilities were taken care of thanks to dad. “Lon, dad never told you?” I asked. “No, what didn’t he tell me? Is this where him and mom use to live?” “Something like that.” I told her, I couldn’t help but have a little fun. She’s so smart, going for her business management degree. I knew she’d have a beautiful house somewhere that made this old place look like a the projects. “It’s NaNa’s home, before she passed, she signed it over to dad, and dad signed it over to me when I finished college.” “No way. I wish I could’ve had this place.” She said.


“So what brings you around, Lon? How’s school?” 
“School’s great, no complaints. I actually came over because there’s a problem with our dorm room, and Steve and his fiancé are…well trying.”
 “So you need a place to stay for a little. No problem, lil sis.” I’m actually surprised she picked Steve first. She doesn’t usually. Now she hides something from me, how ironic. “The second floor, third floor?” I asked. “How lovely would it be to be on the third floor. There isn’t a bathroom up there, is it?” Answering with a question of her own. “Nope, first, second and basement. What’s the matter, bladder’s not holding up? That’s not good.” “No, just wanna know if I have to use stairs or not.” She did fall down the stairs a couple times growing up, but with steep stairs, we all had trouble. “Don’t worry, the stairs aren’t steep here.”

Another knock on the door came. I opened the door and another surprise came about. This time it was Richie from the pizzeria down the street. “Hey Cec, I seen Velona’s car parked.” Richie had the biggest crush on Lon, he worked at the pizzeria since he was a boy, with his dad and uncle. We’d always get a free pizza when she was here, and even without her, he'd hook me up, sometimes. “Hey Lon.” “What’s up?” She said walking to the door. “Hey Richie!” It also helped that she kinda liked him too. “Have you been to the Manhattan festival, Rich?” I asked him, hoping he would say no, it’s about time they got together, though Lon’s in school, she always was a juggler of things. “Isn’t that tomorrow?” “Actually, it started tonight, and it ends Monday. They tacked on an extra day.” I told him, with my eyes jolting to my sister. “I was gonna check it out, since I’m off tomorrow. Hey Lon, you wanna come with?” Lon’s face couldn’t be more red. It was like all the blood rushed to her head, as if she was upside down. She couldn’t hold her excitement, “Yes, I’d love to.” “Awesome, I’ll pick you up at six.” Finally, that took long enough. “I gotta get back to the shop, I’ll see ya tomorrow, ladies. Enjoy the grub, it’s your favorite.” “Bye Richie!” Verlonia nearly made me ldrop the food, pulling me inside and closing the door. “OH MY GOSH! CEC, HE ASKED ME OUT! I don’t have the clothes for this” she said. “Some jeans and cute top, or sweater. You don’t have that?” I replied. “No, it’s all sweatpants and hoodies. I didn’t have class this weekend, and I wasn’t expecting that.” Oh great, the juggler has fumbled. What are sisters for if we didn’t have each other’s back? “You have til six, I’ll be off early tomorrow, I’ll stop by somewhere and pick up something.” Sadly being 5'8" and Lon being 5'3" meant she wouldn’t be fitting my clothes. Otherwise, I’d be having a nice outfit for her laid out and ready to go. “Hey, now I got a date, time to get you out and mingling.” Velona said. I honestly wasn’t ready for that, but I was expecting it to be bought up. After him, I couldn’t be more damaged. An accident that couldn’t of been avoided. “I don’t know Lon, I wanna focus on my career.” “Bull crap, you need a man in your life, and we’re gonna find you one. Just not tomorrow, no third wheels…” “On the first date, I know.” Damn sister rules we come up with. “Can we talk about this later? That Hawiian Pie is getting cold.” “Almost forgot about that. I hope he put…YES! Extra ham and pineapple.” Velona gets a date and extras, I just have extras. Well this night ended surprisingly great, but my sister has me reminiscent of when the days were perfect, and now I’m going to find it hard to sleep tonight.

'Sanjesh Henrique'
“Call this a prelude…to a lifetime of you. It’s not that I hang out every word, I hang myself on what you repeat…” The song played on, as I tried to remain unharmed by the sounds of heartbreak, and short-lived romance. “Save me from myself. HELP ME! Save me from myself.” How I wish someone would. “Things are gonna change now, for the better and…” On the Sunday morning, my last goodbye came with so much inner emotions. So much love poured through my veins. When she pulled off, I knew nothing would be the same.

“One last glance from a taxi cab…images scar my mind. Four weeks felt like years, since your full attention was all mine.” The song started over for the eighth time, the clock read 9:34. I wasn’t phased to move from where I lay. Alone, in this bed, she made feel safe, the room she gave life to, and the house she made a home. Four once, a song actually spoke to me. Word for word, I was dismantled by the love of someone pure and true. “Hands like secrets are the hardest thing to keep from you. Lines and phrases like knives your words can cut right through. Dismantle me down, Repair. You dismantle me, you dismantle me.” I tried to convince her she shouldn’t go, but she had to continue on her endeavor. Throughout the night, I’d could only wonder if she had told me, she won’t forget me, or that she’d be back, it would hold me over. The hours will go by and it will be morning sun that awakes me. After the 9th replay. I closed my music app, along with my eyes.

Morning came. I stumbled out of bed, observant of the day ahead. A typical apartment, much cleaner than usual. She did love that when she first walked in, she said it was a first to see from a guy. What made this pad rock was the furniture, silk couch set, 50" flat screen, blue ray, with all DVD’s to stay up all night and watch. From 90’s cartoon series, to the scariest of horror movies, it was there to keep me or a guest entertained for the visit. If that didn’t work, Pandora rocked the surround system. I couldn’t help but get ready for the day. I put on the Bob Marley radio, and hit the shower. What would await me? What kind of people would I encounter. What would be the purpose of getting out bed, where I would stay if I didn’t have to work, get groceries and gas. This is just another day, regardless, but it’s the first, in what felt like forever, without her.

Author's Note

Prelude of the two main characters.
Excuse the grammar.
Feedback wanted.