Beyond Music

Surprise! Surprise!

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the clock, the seconds ticking by with agonizing slowness. My stomach churned with anxiety as I realized I had been waiting for over half an hour. Had my friend forgotten about our meeting? I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that was creeping into my mind. Just as I was about to give up hope, a familiar figure caught my attention.

My heart skipped a beat as I saw David walking towards me, his confident stride drawing the attention of everyone in the bustling restaurant. His presence alone commanded attention, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at being his friend.

"Damn, little sis! Look at you," David's voice boomed across the room, full of admiration and excitement.

I could feel his eyes burning into me, taking in every detail of my appearance. I stood up, feeling his hand envelop mine and pull me towards him.

"Stand up, baby girl," David requested, his voice dripping with charm and warmth.

I couldn't resist his charm and gave him a twirl, feeling a rush of excitement and nervousness coursing through me.

"I see ya, girl," David exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine admiration as he pulled me in for a hug. His cologne surrounded me, bringing back memories of our childhood and solidifying our bond as friends.

As David kissed my cheek, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of something more. He was like a brother to me, but there was always a deeper, more intense connection between us. It was a feeling that I couldn't quite put into words, but it was always there, simmering just beneath the surface.

As I looked into his warm, grayish eyes, I couldn't help but notice the changes. The once bright and carefree eyes now held a hint of sadness, and there were lines on his face that hadn't been there before. He was still handsome, but there was something different, something deeper and more complex about him. The David I remembered was a force to be reckoned with. Standing at just five foot six inches, he commanded attention with his dark complexion, natural gray eyes, and beautiful soft hair.

His mixed heritage of Haitian and Cuban gave him a unique and striking appearance that had the girls chasing him in school. And then there was his beard – a dark, unruly mass that seemed to have a life of its own. But his most striking feature was that single gold tooth, glinting mischievously whenever he smiled. He was a man of substance, both in size and personality, and I always felt safe in his presence back then.

But now, as I looked at my friend, I couldn't believe my eyes. The once imposing figure had become a shadow of his former self. His frame, once solid and sturdy, now appeared delicate and frail. It was as if he had shrunk in size, weighing no more than 150 pounds. And his once powerful presence had been replaced with a fragility that was almost heartbreaking to witness.

As I took in all of these changes, my heart ached with a mix of emotions – love, concern, and a hint of longing. I realized that my friend was going through something, something that he hadn't told me about. But no matter what, he would always be my David – the strong, charismatic, and complex man that I had known and loved all these years.

It was a jarring sight, seeing the once vibrant and lively David reduced to a mere shadow of his former self. My heart ached as I took in his haggard appearance, a stark contrast to the David I remembered. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over me, a mix of sadness for his loss and curiosity about the new man before me. What had caused this transformation? And who was he now?

As I listened to him speak, I couldn't help but notice the change in his voice. It still held its pitchy and full tone, but now there was a vulnerability and depth to it that I had never heard before. It was as if his voice itself had gone through a metamorphosis along with his physical appearance.