Starry Nights Tales

Long Lost Spring

It was one of the springs after her wedding but Orabelle remembers this one very vividly till this day. It was the spring she realized that she had lost everything & it had been too late. She thought that she organized her life perfectly as if her life had been a bookshelf. Orabelle is known for being organized & she loved to be in charge.She seemed perfect to everyone. She was married at 26 & she had a job  she thrived in.She worked in fashion. She was a stylist.Most of the people may have it but she had something special. She had a partner she could share all this with.Everyone thought that she had her life figured out. She was fool enough to believe it too. She loved her husband Daniel. Besides her biggest love was being called Mrs Johnson. She could not wait to start a new life with her husband in their ideal little home. 

Somewhere during spring ,It felt like any other friday to Orabelle.Every Friday after work, she preferred to have some time to herself.She was wearing her green summer dress with a beige transparent pashmina wrapped around her.To her that scarf represented her style.Her sparkly shoes made her feel like a star. Orabelle loved to buy shoes. She was making herself happy that day.It was her ritual on every friday. After buying shoes from Manolo Blahnik , she decided to satisfy the reader in her. So,she went to a bookstore.She was going through book after book to find a one to read. She thought she was a bit overdressed for the bookstore but she did not really care.She was feeling happy & she had not felt this way for a long time. Because  she was feeling confident. 

Just when everything felt content & perfect Orabelle felt everything shattering in front of her, everything she had built; her confidence, her persona & her heart. She wanted to hide. She did not know if she would fall apart. She could not feel the ground for a second. It was James . The one guy she loved with all her heart . She got her heart broken.When they were together James was not prepared for a serious relationship as he was financially unstable. They loved each other with their everything & it still was not enough. Eventually she had to leave. She felt like she was hit by a thunder.Before she knew it he had seen her.James wanted to say something but it seemed like he could not spit it out."So there is no escape." she thought to herself.It felt awkward. So, she said , "hello ! how's it going?" He had a poker face but he felt the awkwardness too.He not only felt awkward but also felt his love for her coming back to him.He replied,"I am good. What about you?" She said, "fine!" before he could say something, he noticed that ring in her left hand. He stopped himself.He looked at her & said,"Congratulations!". It had become more awkward by then. Orabelle wanted to dig a hole & hide in it. She laughed in an awkward voice & said,"Uh, Thanks!"She added,"I really have to go ! It was nice seeing you !"She could not wait to get out of there.

As she was leaving, James stopped her outside the bookstore. Her brown curly hair & the bangs were flowing in the slow spring breeze which reminded James of one of their memories. He used to say,"You remind me of a beautiful coast, Orabelle!" and she would laugh because Orabelle means "Beautiful coast". James said, "I am finally opening my own jazz bar.It's next Friday & I would really appreciate it if you came !" Orabelle looked at his eyes & she saw the person she had loved.She did not have the heart to say no to him.She replied,"I will think about it!" Saying it she left.

James felt heartbroken all over again.His feelings for her had never left him.It was always there.It had been 5 years since their relationship had ended. He wanted her to be happy but he could not make her happy. His hands were tied.He thought to himself, " Well she finally married a man who can give her everything she wants ! She is happy !" He was too poor to give her anything when they were together.His love for jazz overpowered their love in a way. She wanted his time & he wanted to become a musician.She loved him for himself.James thought,"but she is the one !"

Going home, Orabelle could not stop thinking about him.He looked better & different than before !For a time being she used to think that James was the love of her life, the one. It was all messed up again !

The following week Orabelle thought about the invitation.5 years ago, when they were kids they used to talk about this. This jazz club used to be their dream & they used to talk about starting it together.It was too much for her to take in.

Though she was puzzled, at the end Orabelle decided to accept the invitation.

Orabelle wore a royal blue halter party dress with a pink transparent pashmina wrapping her.She wore her new silver shoes. She had worn her diamond tops in her ears & a bracelet to pair with her outfit.She told her husband that she was going to an opening of a jazz bar with her friends.She hid the fact that it had been her ex lover's Jazz bar.  

As Orabelle entered the bar. Everything seemed so beautiful to her.It was everything they had ever talked about.The theme of the bar was exactly how she imagined it would be From the furniture to the huge pendulum everything seemed marvelous.The lighting was intoxicating. She was surprised & impressed at the same time. Many memories flashed before her eyes.She looked for James but could not find him, "He must be busy !" , she thought to herself. Little did she know that James was looking at her from a distance with fascination. Orabelle looked at the unusually big pendulum & looked at the time. Her face looked discontent. She put her hands on her cheeks.Her cheeks were flushing in pink.Her doll like eyes looked so innocent.her small lips were red.she bit her lower lip & contemplated her decision to accept this invitation.As she was deep in her thoughts she almost had not noticed that James was sitting beside her. Her face lit up after seeing him. She smiled & said,"This place looks beautiful !" James smiled.He said, "I'll play the piano now ! & hey ! Thanks for coming ! It means a lot !" Orabelle got lost into his eyes & she caught herself wishing to be in his arms.

James played an iconic number. It was sleep away by Bob Acri. He knew that Orabelle used to love it. Orabelle listened to it the whole time with bewitchment.She was in love with him all over again ! 

After playing James came off the stage.He came to Orabelle & asked,"Would you like to have a  dance with me ?" She smiled & took his hand. James's band was playing "The star crossed lovers" by Duke Ellington.It was an old one but a classic one. It was enchanting . They got lost into their eyes.In that moment nothing else mattered  to them & it felt like nothing was around them. To them it felt like only they were in that room & that felt divine.They danced which  felt like forever to them & It still was not enough. It was beautiful. 

After dancing, James went to talk to the band. Orabelle sat on the bar & looked at him, She thought to herself ,"Are we star crossed lovers?" 

 It felt like a dream to James.He never thought she would come. Seeing her sitting there even with a sad face made him happier than ever. He thought,"She looks so beautiful !" He wanted to play in front of her. She was not anyone else. She was very special.At one point in his life she was his only spectator. After dancing with her he felt like he was flying in the sky. He knew that he did not need anything else right then. He was the happiest man alive for he had the most beautiful woman in his arms.   

After coming back from the talk with the band James found Orabelle intoxicated & having the time of her life. He asked her companions politely ," Would you mind if I take away this wonderful belle for a few moments?" Orabelle was flattered.They danced again & again ! The could not get enough of it !It was at the very late of the night when they stopped. Daniel had called Orabelle multiple times.Seeing his calls made her realize that it had all been just a dream.It was not her forever ! She had left her forever at home who was unaware of this situation. She remembered everything ; her home, her husband & her perfect life. 

As Orabelle was leaving,James escorted her. She did not want to leave and he did not want to let her . She wanted to stay in his arms forever. A million things were running through her mind. She was thinking of her life & James in it.James was mesmerized at her beauty .Suddenly,James took her hand & leaned in for a kiss. As much as she wanted this , she realized that it was very wrong. She pulled herself away. Her eyes became watery, She said,"I can't do this ! I'm sorry !" She ran down the stairs & did not once look back ! 

Under his breath James said, "I still love you !"

They never saw each other after that day. It was truly a dream , a beautiful dream !