Red Strings: Love Comes Unexpected

1.2. La Vie en Rose

Charles de Leusse, a French writer once wrote, "L'eau ne brille que par le soleil. - Et c'est toi qui es mon soleil." which translate to'the water shines only by the sun. And it is you who are my sun.'

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How long has it been since I last saw him? Oh yes, it was that day when he left me with those three dreadful words -- "let's break up." I never understood how he could say it without an expression to his face and turn to walk away before I could give him a reaction reply. He left, never once did he turn back to see how I stood alone in the crowds and severely broken from within.

In the last three years, I never heard from him. Never once did I stop to drop a voicemail to be greeted with the words 'the mail box is full'.... and here and now, Lucas stands before me...

.... and in my shop....

I can describe a ghost in numerous ways but Lucas, he is as handsome as he is as the wispy, translucent being at my front door!

"Ms. Andrea...?"

Ava's broken voice breaks through my thoughts and turning to her, I exclaim gently, "Oh! My apologies! Did something just happen...?" I try to quickly distract her from the empty space at the door. From the corner of the eye, I can tell that Lucas knows I can see. He had once laughed at me when I said I can see spirits. Alas, it's a bit too late to undo the past.

"My fiance.... The hospital just called...!"

I move my chair closer to her as she begins to cry even harder than before. As I rub her shoulder so as to calm her down, a quiet yet chilling whisper breathes behind me.

"Av..a...! ... No!..."

*****

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
3 years ago

Rhea is sitting in the library scheming through her notes. Her entire desk is in a disarray with handwritten notes and textbooks scattered around her. Completely engrossed in her readings and writings, she is unaware of the person who had quietly crept behind her. Slowly, he covers her eyes and whispers into her ears, "Guess who...!"

Laughingly, she turns around to give the man a hug with a quick peck to the cheek. "Lucas! Lunch now!!! Hungers!"

"You forgot to eat lunch again....?" Lucas asks. With raised eyebrows while looking at the questioning look on Rhea's face, he continues, "It's nearing 6 pm now.

Rhea stares at his face while coming to the realisation that she had been working for the longest time in the library. Lucas giggles softly as he helps her back her bag.

"Let's grab some supper and then get you rested. I hope you have not forgotten our date tomorrow," Lucas says while side glancing her to watch her reaction.

"Nah uh sir! I did not forget it this time!" exclaimed Rhea. "You owe me a good cup of coffee! Hehe!"

*****

"And what happened the next day?" Asked Ava.

"Well, we did meet up but he seemed distant throughout our date. Little did I know he was going to..."

Ava suddenly lit up. I knew what she was expecting and with a sad smile after the short pause, "... break up with me."

She gasped, and quickly covering her mouth, Ava apologized softly. Inside, I was glad that my story had somewhat calmed her for a bit. But it gave me a new problem now... Lukas and his mysterious connection to Ava. Slowly as I excuse myself from the table to get Ava another cup of coffee, I feel a gust pass me by and in a failed attempt to block my path.

In a low calm voice, I ask him, "How can I help you Lucas?" As I stare the man who abandoned me straight into his ghostly eyes. I know my purpose and I can never turn a departed away. He slowly bows his head in sorrow and regret. I continue on to say, "It's funny, how things have changed in the last few years, hasn't it?"

Once again, I get no reply. He is as quiet as a church mouse, however, this time he slowly lifts his arm to point at Ava. Looking back at me and with a raspy voice, he finally speaks, "... no..t.... tr..ust..."

I stare at him quizzically. Even while the words are broken as he spoke them, I still could make up what he was trying to say. I then look to Ava's direction and muse to myself, "Do not trust Ava? What is going on?" Sigh.

Just then, a crashing sound alerts me and I see Ava making a dash to me with a broken shard of ceramic. I guess it must have been a stroke of luck for in that very moment, someone dashed in front of me and tackled her to the ground while she continually screamed maniacally. Right above her, stands Lucas with his again sad eyes. It was then, I began to piece the puzzle that the possibility of Lucas being her fiancé. But now.... I am confused as to why this frail woman would just in a short while turn on me aggressively. Why?