Then & Now [OMB || Cesar Diaz]

now...the end.

Death plagued our lives.
It's just what happens when you live on our block.

Cesar and I️ stood side by side as we watched Oscar's casket be lowered into the ground. I️ looked over and saw his girlfriend, now no longer pregnant and holding a newborn, damn near collapse in tears.

Cesar was trying to be strong but I️ knew he loved his brother so much. The tears would come later, in private.

But for now, he knew Oscar would want him to be strong in front of everyone.
So that's what he did.

* * * * * * *

I️ was never a weed smoker.

And yet here I️ was, sparking up in honor of Ruby's abuelita.

Cesar and I️ leaned against each other and laughed goofily before looking at each other once more. "I have a surprise for you," he tells me as he reaches into his back pocket. There, he pulls out a crumpled letter and hands it to me. I️ take in my hands and unfold it, shocked to see the UC Berkeley emblem at the corner.

"Dear Mr. Diaz, we are happy to announce that you've been...accepted?!" I️ could hardly contain my excitement. "Cesar!" I️ tackle him into the couch we were currently sitting on. "You didn't even tell me you were applying!" I️ realized.

"I️ wasn't even sure I️ was going to get in," he says from under me. He slowly sits up to face me. "This is what I️ want Layla," he tells me. "For so long...I️ thought being a Santos was my destiny. That dying at 20 was all that was in store for me. And that we could never have a life together because you were meant for something better than what I️ had to offer," he admits.

"I️ don't understand. Wouldn't you have to get jumped out? What if you don't survive?" I️ now worried.

"Before Oscar died, he told me that the reason he almost died that night getting jumped out was because he jumped out for me too. Layla...I've always had the option to get out. I️ just didn't know because me and Oscar were on bad terms and he never had the chance to tell me until it was too late," he explained to me. "But I'm free now."

I️ cried in relief, pulling him in for a hug and a kiss. "I️ love you so much Cesar," I️ whispered.

"I️ love you too Layla," he kisses me back. "You and me, para siempre. You hear me?" He tells me, making me giggle in delight as he presses a kiss to my forehead. "Forever."

"Forever," I️ nod.

The end.