As I get on stage I notice Sandra giving me a reassuring smile. “I can do this” I say to myself. “But should I really be doing this?” I think. As I reach the mic I begin to speak. I couldn’t control it.
“Love, isn’t it so sweet, once played so tenderly,
Yet in its harmonious chords, lies a discordant strain
I yearned for her My love for her was like an endless waterfall
Pouring forth my heart, only to find hallow echos
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All I wanted was her affection
Yet she offered empty words, devoid truth
She played me like a guitar until my strings wore out
She desired more, a craving I could not satisfy
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I poured out my soul, hoping for reciprocation
But she remained blind to my devotion
Instead, she turned to another
Leaving me to drown in the echoes of her betrayal
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Although I know the outcome, I stand here pouring my heart out again
Hoping she’d finally see me as a man who was really in love with her…
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But who am I kidding…
She’ll just turn her back on me and go meet up with the man that’s on her phone
The man that isn’t me
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I watch as the audience applauds. I looked down and noticed Sandra’s expression change. She seemed to be lost in her thoughts. I begin to walk down the stage and sit next to her. At that moment I knew that everything was going to change.
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“3 months earlier”
We see Lukas at a cafe. There's two cups of coffee on the table. He seems to be patiently waiting for someone. Seconds seem to turn into minutes, Minutes turn into Hours. Lukas begins to look out the window, hoping to see the person that he’s waiting on. Lukas takes his phone out and begins to text someone. “Hey, Is everything ok? We talked about meeting up after you were done with work. Did something happen?” After sending the message he begins to check his phone constantly, hoping for a text back but nothing appears on his phone. 2 more hours pass and he finally decides to leave. He takes the two cups of coffee and throws them into the trash before walking out of the cafe. “Maybe she stayed after work, but if she didn’t she wouldn't have texted me.” Lukas thought to himself. It seems to be very dark outside. The only thing lighting up the streets are the lampposts, And the stars in the sky. The streets are empty, Not many people are out during this time. Barely any cars pass by. Stores are now shutting for the night. Lukas continues to walk, finally reaching home.
I step inside my house. I lock the door behind me and plop myself on the empty couch. As I was about to shut my eyes my phone lit up. I picked my phone up and noticed it was a message from Sandra. “I’m sorry I couldn’t show up today, I was super busy today because of work. I’ll make it up to you when I get home. ” I sighed, relieved that she’s safe. “It’s alright, I’m just glad that you’re safe. Hopefully work isn’t too hard for you, If so just text me when you’re almost home so I can run a hot bath for you. ” I sent the message, Patiently waiting for a reply. “Work is work, Stressful as per usual, But you don’t have to run a hot bath for me. By the time I come home you’ll pretty much be asleep. Just know that I love you and I’ll be coming home very late.” As I read the text I felt a bit disappointed. “I love you too. Be safe.” As I sent the last message I turned off my phone and shut my eyes. Unintentionally falling asleep.
The next morning I woke up noticing a Sandra jacket hanging near the door. I was relieved that she got home safely. I got up from the couch and got myself ready for the day. Once I was done I walked into the bedroom and gave Sandra a kiss on the forehead like I always did.
Before I was about to leave I noticed her phone was buzzing incessantly with notifications. “Must be her boss,” I thought to myself. I decided to send her Boss a text, telling him that she’s asleep and that she’ll return the call when she wakes up. As I opened their text messages I realized that it wasn’t really her “Boss.” “I hope you got home safely. I had an amazing time with you last night. I hope we can do it again next week. If you aren’t busy that is.” I continued scrolling through the messages. I knew I should’ve stopped, but I couldn’t. Everything she said and everything he said felt like a dagger into my heart. I didn’t want to believe that she was seeing another man behind my back but the evidence was right in front of my face. I turned and looked over at Sandra. She was sleeping peacefully. My mind began to fill up with so many thoughts “I couldn’t believe it. How could she? No, How could I? How could I believe that she really loved me?” I let out a heavy sigh before placing her phone back on the desk.
When I arrived at work I couldn’t seem to focus on anything but what had happened. “I thought she was happy. Happy to say the least. Why didn’t she just tell me I wasn’t what she wanted? Was this relationship just a joke to her? What did I ever do to deserve this? I know we weren’t perfect and we had our ups and downs but that gives her no right to cheat.” “Lukas, Lukas, Lukas!” My boss yelled. I finally snapped out of my daze. I turn and look at my boss. “What's going on with you Lukas? You’ve been doing nothing the past 20 minutes. You’re normally not like this so i’ll excuse you this once, Just don’t let me catch you doing nothing again. Got it?” He said Irritatedly, “Yes boss.” I watched as my boss walked away from me. I took a deep breath and finally got to work.
I continued to work until it was time for me to leave. I didn’t take my break because I knew I'd get lost in my thoughts again. The only way for me to stop was by keeping myself busy. As I got home I sat on the couch thinking to myself again. My feelings finally got to me. Tears fell from my eyes. “Was I just not enough?” I said out loud. I watched as my phone began to ring. Sandra was calling. I just stared at my phone and let it ring. I couldn’t pick it up. I didn’t want to talk to her. I didn’t want to hear her. I didn’t want anything to do with her at that moment. I got up from the couch and left my phone on the table, I walked into the bedroom and laid down, falling asleep.
As days passed Sandra continued to say those Three words. The three words that I knew had no meaning behind them. I wanted to yell at her, Tell her what I found out. I wanted to hurt her like she hurt me, But all I really wanted from her was the truth. I wanted her to look me in my eyes and tell me everything from the start till now. I wanted her to tell me why she did what she did. Why did she cheat? But who am I kidding? She'd never do that.
“Lukas?” I watched as Sandra came out wearing a beautiful floral dress. Her hair was up in a beautiful ponytail. She looked perfect. But I knew she wasn't looking good for me. It was just for that other guy. ‘Lukas?” She told me days before that her job was having a mini party. “Lukas?” Deep down I knew it was a lie, She was going to see that man. The man that isn’t me. “Lukas!” I finally was back to my senses. “Yes?” Sandra looked at me, “Are you ok? You’ve been acting weird lately. Did something happen at work?” I stared at her. I wanted to finally confront her. But I knew I couldn’t do it now. “I’m ok, I’ve just been stressed because of work. I’m sure you would understand.” She walked over to me and sat on the couch. She placed her hands on mine. I glance down at her hands ``I'm sure her hands have touched other places than his hands.” I thought to myself. “I understand Love, But don’t let it ruin you or your days. You should hang out with your friends, Or after the mini party we can go on a walk in the park, Like we used to.” If I'm being honest I didn’t hear a single word that came out of her mouth. I just nodded my head as I thought of her with that other man. I felt her lips on my cheek “I have to get going now. I love you.” I watched as she left. “I loved you too, '' I said quietly.
I stared at the door blankly. The words “I love you” replayed in my head. I finally got up and walked into the bedroom, I picked up my journal and began to write. I wrote how I felt, How I could Confront her, And when I could do it. I continued to write until my fingers hurt. I placed my journal on the desk and laid in bed. Staring up at the ceiling. The messages replayed in my mind.
February 13th The day before the Open Mic
“Babe, I was wondering if you wanted to go to watch me do an Open Mic?” I looked at Sandra. “Isn’t Tomorrow valentines day?” “Yeah, But I wrote the poem about you and I wanted you to come. I have surprises for you before the Open Mic. So it’ll be an adventurous date. Sorta.” I smiled at her. She seemed to look excited. “Yeah, I’d love to go.” My smile got bigger. “You won’t regret it.” I placed a kiss on her lips. “I’ll look for an outfit for tomorrow.” As she got up and turned her back towards me I wiped my lips. She walked into the bedroom. The thoughts came back again. It was finally going to be over.
Once the 14th came we went to the movies to watch “Anyone But You.” I wasn't paying attention, I just wanted to get this day over with as soon as possible. After the movies we went to The Highlawn Restaurant. It was the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Its had an elegant ambiance with carefully designed decor, soft lighting, and luxurious furnishings.
“This place is amazing” Sandra said as I watched her eat with a smile on my face. “I know that's why I brought you here, I thought maybe you’d like it.” Sandra smiled ‘I love it.” She looked so happy, so beautiful. At Least one of us was having a good time. “You’re not going to eat.” She tilted her head asking. “I’m not hungry, plus I don’t like eating before my Open mics, I like to eat after.” “Can you at least take a bite of the food, Please?” Sandra pouted her lips. How could i say no to that face. I just nodded my head. I picked up my fork and took a piece of steak off of her plate and ate it. ‘Happy?” Sandra nodded. “Happy.”
Once we left the restaurant it was finally time to go to the Open Mic. I was nervous, Because I knew what I was going to do would change everything, Forever. Once we arrived I looked at her one last time. “I love you.” She smiled at me, It looked genuine. ‘I loved you too.” We finally walked in. Everyone's Poems and Songs were truly beautiful. It made me think of my relationship. How things used to be. “Lukas Denario.” I took a deep breath. “It was finally happening.” I thought to myself. I felt Sandra squeeze my hands softly. “You got this, I know you do.” She mouthed. I walked up the stage and looked at the audience. I watched as Sandra gave me a reassuring smile, I got to the Mic and finally spoke.
Present
She looked confused and lost in her thoughts, After the Open Mic was over we both walked out. “When did you find out?” Sandra asked quietly, Her eyes glistening in the dim lights. “The day after you stood me up at the cafe. I took a deep breath and continued. “I went into our bedroom to give you a kiss goodbye, But I saw your phone ringing. I thought It was your boss., so I texted him. But it wasn’t your boss, was it? I turned around hoping for an answer. I saw Sandra gaze fall to the ground. Tears streaming down her cheek. “I was going to tell you Lukas, I swear.” She pleaded, "Her voice cracking, I just needed the right time.” I stare at her coldly. I felt a rush of frustration “And when would that have been?” I started to raise my voice. I didn’t care anymore. “When were you going to tell me? I waited months, Sandra. Months!” My heart begins to ache. She looked up at me finally. “I know.” she whispered “I should have told you sooner. I should have been honest with you.” I shook my head. My eyes burn in anguish “You said those words “I love you” every day. But they meant nothing, didn’t they? They were just empty echoes of lies.” She began to reach out to me. Her hands were trembling. “Please, Lukas.” she began to beg, tears shimmering in her eyes “I’m sorry. I know I hurt you. I know I broke your trust. But I can’t control how I feel.” I begin to step away. My heart was aching. “I don’t want to see you” I looked into her eyes “I don’t want to hear you. I want nothing to do with you.” As Sandra tried to reach out to me one last time I turned away walking towards my car. I got into my car. As I began to shut the door I noticed that she left her bag in the passenger seat.
I was irritated that I had to go back to her. I grabbed her bag and stepped out of the car.
As Sandra reached out for the bag I noticed a speeding truck hurtling towards her. I panicked and screamed out “Sandra. Run!” But it was too late. I watched as the truck collided with Sandra. Her body tumbling to the ground with a sickening thud. I rushed over to her side. My heart begins to pound out of my chest. “Sandra, stay with me.” I begin to plead. I cradled her into my arms. Blood began to stain my hands and clothes. “Please, don’t leave me.” I begin to scan the street desperate to find help. “Someone, call an ambulance” I begin to break down into tears “Please, Anyone!” I looked back at Sandra and noticed her eyes were closing, her breathing was becoming shallow. “Sandra, please” I whispered. “I forgive you, I don’t hate you, Please, don't leave me.” I watched as her lips moved, Barely even able to form words. “Lukas, it’s not your fault. She murmured, her voice barely audible. “It’s just karma.” And then with one final breath, Sandra's eyes closed, and her hand went limp in Lukas grasp.
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2 months after
Life wasn’t the same after that. Each day felt like an endless procession of numbness. I was haunted by the memories of Sandra and the tumultuous unraveling of their relationship. I tried to find solace in my normal routine, but everything felt hollow and empty. Visiting Sandra's grave was a bittersweet ritual. I felt regret, sorrow, and a profound sense of longing for what could have been. One day as I stood by her grave, I noticed a young man kneeling beside the headstone, Tears streaming down his face. I walked away from the grave. Haunted by the guilt and remorse, I couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that I held responsibility for what had happened to Sandra. As days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, I began to find a fragile semblance of peace. I began to accept what had happened. Slowly moving on.
The End.
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