The Last Standing

Chapter 1.

Cecil

.*.

"Some people are meant to fall in love with each other, but not meant to be together." ~ Scott Neustadter

"Sometimes life is a zero-sum game between the people you love."― K.D. Elizabeth, Monster

It's a little late in December and I already find myself accustomed to the new cold. I step out of the bathroom and close the door behind me as I make way into my room in haste. My bedroom's temperature is a little warm though. Mother must have been here before. I had a long shower before and now I have to dry myself off quickly. I have to get ready soon. I walk inside clutching the towel tighter around myself. The clothes which Mother must have selected rests on the corner of my bed near the bedpost. The Clemments are invited for dinner today. Clemments this, Clemments that is all you find here every household member talking about. But this goes ultra vires for me. No, I don't hold anything bad for them, no grudge but you may find people outside the very gates of this fort for whom this becomes intra vires. I appreciate the efforts my family puts up. You see my family's belief rests on the motto' each man for himself 'but on occasions such as this dinner with Clemments the motto gets masked with a layer of lovely 'together we stand' family. This craziness has been goin' on for a decade now. I see no need for all this false facade of chivalry on my father's part. The Clemments come here every year for one thing and one only. They want everyone to know what belongs to them. They come to mark their territory.

All this had to come because of one promise. One promise that brought with it a crack struck so deep into our lives that still after a long decade remains beyond repair. I have become afraid of promises. Because I have for long since bathing in them. It's really suffocating at times. One promise was what my family had yielded to, one was what they wanted me to yield to and now what remains is what both he and I would have to yield to that's that no more. The last one can drown me. I don't know what to do about him. What to do with you, Xavier Cyril Clemment?

That's it no more monologue from me.

I must dress or Mother will start spitting fire if I am late. I start with my undies first. Then I reach for the clothes kept near my bedpost one by one. Let's see a simple long white A-line dress that speaks elegance, hmm, and a navy blue scarf on which little pink and peach flowers are embroidered at the corners and the middle - oh this is cute. But what's really striking is the golden carvings at the sides which take the credit for making the scarf look breathtakingly beautiful and to top it all a new pair of cashmere gloves.

An Unhurried knock comes from the door, then followed by a series of hurried knocks.

"Pea open up the door, it is me, Nashville ", 'knock', " Pea, what's taking you so long? do you want me to be caught red-handed by your father doing only the Devil knows-what in front of his only daughter's room"." Or worse do you want me to be found by your in-laws" 

This boy and his dramatics. " Wait up I getting dressed ".

Once dressed, I went and opened the door. "Nashville you imbecile if anyone finds you, do you know what will happen, they will kill you first, and then think why ", I angrily huffed. To which he smirked. 

"I am here to save you, love, for I know that spawn of satan's here for a little engagement," said Nashville puckering his lips and charging towards me.

 Stopping his puckered lips from landing on me my face I enquired,

"Stop it, Nash, focus Nash, are you sure? Has there been any commotion in Vice Count's council of late". "Ouch, Pea, you break my heart by ignoring me. Your knight in shining armor has to now do with only sighing," he heaved far too dramatically to be real. 

I gave him a knowing glance as I took a seat on the stool and looked a little closer at myself in the mirror. Dark blue eyes adorning a pretty face with an upturned nose met back with my gaze. I look like her. My great grand Aunt. Even our hair color matches, I am a breathing image of her, that's why they want me. But perhaps she was paler than me. Or it can be that I have turned a little red, probably, an after-effect from the before wrestling with Nash. Brushing my hair with my fingers I lament just how dreadful can a day go on to become. I shut my eyes close briefly thinking it would shut my mind too, but to only find no avail. 

"I love your golden hair', Nashville whispered. And a shiver runs down my spine of which as a result I start to regret the very moment I let him in. I give a little shake of my head to him before once again resuming with my former chore. I can feel my eyes beginning to moisten. 

Nashville stands stealthily behind me. And he sighs looking at us in the mirror. "Oh,  Pea if only I could have whisked you away with me, I would have done it but it's far too much than just whisking you away", he reminded. His fingers brushed my hair. His fingers mischievously tangle my hair before making their way from the roots to the ends of my waist-length golden hair. His fingers slide slowly through my thick hair, playing.

I give him a small smile.

"That boy got too lucky," Nash whispered as if reminding himself.

Shaking his head for once and then bringing his face down near mine, close, focusing toward us in the mirror he starts," If he ever breaks your heart, I am burying him alive ".

Facing ourselves in the mirror we remain close for some time, together. Alone.

Until he was gone.

As if on queue my mother's adorable but ear-piercing voice booms " Pearl Cecil Raith you are coming downstairs and explaining this or should I bring this boy in front of your father ."

My heart came into my mouth as I ran for my dear life. And his.

Nashville Basil, I will sue you.

.*.

'love is easy to begin but hard to stop'

The Author 

I had published the prologue yesterday but to my utter dismay, there was not a single view.

I can do sans comment, sans vote but no views 

oh please be so kind 

and ask me not,

no,

not of this.

okay theatrics aside, please guys where are you?

I need you.

Let's connect

here's my mail - shivisingh495gmail.com

 bye