Butterfly
Andrew strolled through the park, his slow walk leading him to appreciate the trees painted in autumn color, the grayish clouds, and a subtle icy breeze that was the prelude to the harsh winter.
Children frolicked in the little piles of leaves, and older people sat on the dark brown benches, reading newspapers and books. Out of all these people, a sultry redhead caught Andrew's eye.
He couldn't take his brown eyes off the statuesque woman. She was wearing a flowered dress in shades of green, with a slit that revealed the charm of her beautifully turned leg. She had lovely blue eyes and a face symmetrically sculpted by the gods. The girl seemed to have bewitched him with her charms alone without moving a muscle.
The woman was attentively reading a book called 'Love in Times of War'. He could read the title at very close range. Andrew's agile mind thought about how to get to that maid, who, sitting on the bench, seemed to be waiting for her beloved soldier from the book.
“I don't know how one can love amidst so much death and sadness.” Andrew let out a comment into the autumn breeze.
The woman seemed to disconnect from her world of loves and tragedies. “Love just exists, no matter where or when or how.”
“Interesting reflection. So, at this time, can there be love?” asked Andrew shrewdly.
“For a skinny little man, you've got a lot of spunk.” The woman smiled coquettishly. “I'm Juliet. Nice to meet you.” She extended her hand toward Andrew.
“I'll take that as a compliment, haha.” Andrew gently squeezed Juliet's hand. “My name is Andrew.”
“Andrew, that's a nice name, very manly.” Juliet subtly bit her lips. “Tell me, Andrew, would you like to go for coffee and talk more about love and war?”
“Are you a mind reader? Haha. That's what I was going to ask you.” Andrew was fascinated to the brink of excitement.
The couple headed to a small cafe near the park. The wooden chairs and tables created a convivial atmosphere in the dim yellowish lights. Andrew and Juliet sat down and ordered a black coffee for her and a cappuccino for him. Conversation flowed amidst soft jazz notes that flooded the place.
Andrew was fascinated with Juliet. They started dating to get to know each other better. After a few months, they began a loving and passionate relationship. He was happy. He was lucky to find such a beautiful and great woman.
Andrew thought he was ready to commit and formalize his relationship with Juliet, so he decided to surprise her and propose to her in the most special way possible. He had arranged a small gathering with his closest friends at an exclusive restaurant in town.
“Andrew, buddy, long time no see.” A friend of years greeted the host effusively.
“Duncan, I'm glad to see you. I haven't seen you in a while.” Andrew hugged his friend.
“I don't forget friends. Despite the work schedule, I made time to accompany you on this big day.” Duncan smiled.
At that moment, Andrew's cell phone rang, and with his index finger in his mouth, he asked everyone to be quiet. Then he spoke, “Love. Love, I'll meet you at the Majestic Restaurant for dinner. Do you think so?”
“No problem, I'm just leaving the house. See you, sweetheart.” Juliet hung up, and Andrew kept waving people over.
“Andrew, my friend, what did the lucky lady say?” Duncan asked in surprise.
“She's on her way as soon as I get here. We'll turn on the lights.” Andrew's eyes sparkled at the thought of the future that awaited him with his beloved.
“You are very lucky, my friend and I am very happy for you. All my good wishes to you.” Duncan gave his friend a thumbs up.
“Thank you, my friend. I was lucky to find this great woman.” Andrew sighed into the air.
“I'm so happy for you. I hope you are happy.” Duncan said.
“And you, did you get any girls? Rascal.” Andrew elbowed his friend.
“Yeah, I'm with someone, but we're going through a bad...” Duncan was being interrupted.
The waiters were running to let Andrew know the girl had arrived. They turned off the lights, and darkness and silence took over the place. They listened to Julieta, and then they understood the lights.
“Surprise!” shouted everyone present.
“Soraya!” Duncan shouted.
Everyone looked at Duncan, who was running towards Juliet, while Andrew tried to recover from the shock that scene had caused him. Juliet ran off, and Duncan went after her. The whole atmosphere became sad and melancholic. One by one Andrew's friends were saying goodbye and leaving the restaurant.
Andrew was holding a bottle of wine and drinking it sloppily. After a moment, he was alone in the place, without a tie and with his shirt outside his pants. After a long while, Duncan arrived and saw his friend's deplorable state.
“I'm sorry about all this, Andrew.”
“No worries, mate. I'm glad to know now and not later. Juliet is a love player.” Andrew took his head. “I shouldn't have gotten so excited about that girl, whatever her name is. I'm a fool.”
“Soraya is special, and that made us fall in love with her, but she's a woman who likes to tempt anyone regardless of their feelings.” Duncan hugged his friend. “It's better to let her go. She won't do us any good.”
The two friends continued to drink and sing sad, lovelorn tunes. Down the street and in the winter moonlight, they raised the bottle of wine and sang. “She was a butterfly who liked to go from flower to flower, spread her wings to anyone, and then flew to perdition. Hip, hip.”
The end
Mariposa
Andrew paseaba por el parque, su caminar lento lo llevaba a apreciar los árboles, pintados de color otoño, los nubarrones grisáceos y una sutil brisa gélida que era la antesala al crudo invierno.
Los niños jugueteaban por las pequeñas montañas de hojas y la gente mayor sentada en las bancas cafés oscuras, leían periódicos y libros. De entre toda esa gente, una pelirroja sensual llamó la atención de Andrew.
Él no podía despegar sus ojos color café de aquella escultural mujer. Tenía puesto un vestido floreado de tonalidades verdes, con una abertura que dejaba ver el encanto de su pierna bellamente torneada. Ella tenía unos encantadores ojos azules y un rostro simétricamente esculpido por los dioses. La chica parecía haberlo hechizado solo con sus encantos sin siquiera mover un músculo.
La mujer leía atentamente un libro, el amor en tiempos de guerra, él pudo leer el título a muy corta distancia. La mente ágil de Andrew pensó en cómo llegar hasta aquella doncella, que sentada en la banca parecía esperar a su soldado amado del libro.
«No se cómo se puede amar entre tanta muerte y tristeza». Andrew soltaba el comentario a la brisa otoñal.
La mujer pareció desconectarse de su mundo de amores y tragedias. «El amor solo existe, no importa dónde ni cuándo ni cómo».
«Interesante reflexión. Así que, ¿en este momento puede haber amor?», preguntaba sagazmente Andrew.
«Para ser un hombrecito delgado, tienes mucho coraje». La mujer sonreía coquetamente. «Soy Juliet, mucho gusto». Extendía la mano hacia Andrew.
«Lo tomaré como un cumplido, jaja». Andrew apretaba suavemente la mano de Juliet. «Me llamo Andrew».
«Andrew, es un bonito nombre, muy varonil». Juliet se mordía sutilmente los labios. «Dime, Andrew, ¿te gustaría ir a tomar un café y platicar más sobre el amor y la guerra?».
«Acaso lees la mente, jaja. Era lo que te iba a pedir». Andrew estaba fascinado al borde de la excitación.
La pareja se dirigió hasta un pequeño local de café a las afueras del parque. Las sillas y mesas de madera creaban un ambiente cordial a la luz de las tenues luces amarillentas. Andrew y Juliet se sentaron y ordenaron. Un café negro para ella y un capuchino para él. La conversación fluía entre suaves notas de jazz que inundaban el lugar.
Andrew quedó fascinado con Juliet así que empezaron a salir para conocerse mejor. Luego de unos meses iniciaron una relación, muy amorosa y apasionada. Él estaba muy feliz, sintiéndose muy afortunado por encontrar tan bella y especial mujer.
Andrew pensó que estaba listo para comprometerse y formalizar la relación con Juliet, así que decidió darle una sorpresa y proponerle matrimonio de la forma más especial posible. Había organizado una pequeña reunión con los amigos más cercanos, en un restaurante exclusivo de la ciudad.
«Andrew, amigo, tiempo sin verte». Un amigo de años, saludaba efusivamente a anfitrión.
«Duncan, que alegría verte. Te has perdido mucho». Andrew abrazaba a su amigo.
«No me olvido de los amigos, a pesar del trabajo saqué un tiempo para acompañarte en este gran día». Una sonrisa esbozaba Duncan.
En ese instante el celular de Andrew sonaba y con el índice en la boca pedía a todos que hicieran silencio. Luego habló, «Amor, amor, te espero en el restaurante Majestic para cenar. ¿Te parece?».
«No hay problema, estoy saliendo de la casa. Nos vemos, cariño». Juliet colgaba y Andrew seguía saludando a la gente.
«Andrew, mi amigo, ¿qué dijo la afortunada?», Duncan preguntaba con curiosidad.
«Ya viene en camino, en cuanto llegue prendemos las luces». Los ojos de Andrew brillaban al pensar en el futuro que le esperaba junto a su amada.
«Eres muy afortunado, amigo y me alegro mucho por ti. Todos mis buenos deseos para ustedes». Duncan daba un espaldarazo a su amigo.
«Gracias, amigo. Fui muy afortunado de encontrar a esta gran mujer». Un suspiro de amor dejaba escapar Andrew.
«Me alegro mucho por ti. Espero que seas muy feliz». Decía Duncan.
«Y tú, ¿has conseguido alguna chica?, pillo». Andrew codeaba a su amigo.
«Sí, estoy con alguien, pero estamos pasando por un mal...». Duncan era interrumpido.
Los meseros corrían a avisarle a Andrew que la chica había llegado. Apagaron las luces, la oscuridad y el silencio se apoderó del lugar. Se oía la voz de Juliet y luego entendieron las luces.
«¡Sorpresa!». Gritaron todos los presentes.
«¡Soraya!». Gritó Duncan.
Todos miraron a Duncan, quien corría hacia Juliet mientras tanto Andrew trataba de salir del shock que le había provocado aquella escena. Juliet salió corriendo y Duncan tras de ella. Todo el ambiente se volvió triste y melancólico. Los amigos de Andrew uno a uno se despedían y salían del restaurante.
Andrew sostenía una botella de vino y la tomaba desprolijamente, luego de un instante quedó solo en el lugar, sin corbata y con la camisa por fuera del pantalón. Después de un largo rato llegó Duncan y vio el estado deplorable de su amigo.
«Siento mucho todo esto, Andrew».
«No te preocupes, amigo. Me alegro saberlo ahora y no después. Juliet es una jugadora del amor». Andrew se tomaba la cabeza. «No debí emocionarme tanto de esa chica, como quiera que se llame. Soy un tonto».
«Soraya es muy especial y eso nos hizo enamorarnos de ella, pero es una mujer que le gusta tentar a cualquiera sin importar sus sentimientos». Duncan abrazaba a su amigo. «Es mejor dejarla ir. Ella no nos hará bien».
Los dos amigos siguieron bebiendo y cantaban melodías tristes y de desamor. Por la calle y a la luz de la luna invernal alzaban la botella de vino y cantaban. «Ella era una mariposa, que le gustaba ir de flor en flor, abría sus alas a cualquiera y luego volaba hacia la perdición. Hip, hip».
Fin
This is my submission to the Inleo prompt suggestion for January. The topic is "Have you even been disappointed by someone?"
Day 18
januaryinleo
Source 2
Source 3
Edited by Rincón Poético
The text of this post was originally translated from Spanish to English with the translator DeepL
Original content
¡Thanks for you reading!
@rinconpoetico7
Posted Using INLEO
The dramatic twist at the end of this story is unexpected and changed my thoughts about Juliet and Andrew. I was rooting for them! Alas, it was not to be. She's indeed a butterfly!
A fine and well-written fiction. Thank you for posting your piece in the Scholar N Scribe community. ✨
!PIZZA
$PIZZA slices delivered:
(2/5) @kemmyb tipped @rinconpoetico7