Maria My Juliet
When they were kids, she was cute, strong, and a risk-taker. Years went by, and then in what appeared to be a blur, she became beyond adorable. Now, Maria was gorgeous; a rose in the desert, a tiara gem, a dove among ravens.
Being older, she was now beautiful, independent, and fearless. How he longed to make her his. Often, he dreamt of waltzing with her in his arms underneath the glistening moon beams.
But Joaquin...what about him? He hated fighting his best friend, but if that's what it took, then let it be so. Joaquin may be the hero of San Angel, but he was also an annoying kid who loved himself more than anybody.
He didn't truly love Maria, he loved her beauty, and stopped there. But not Manolo, he cherished her beauty and personality.
Whenever he saw her walk away, to catch up with Joaquin, his heart screamed in agony, because he feared that if a wedding was to be planned, he'd end up being he best man...not the groom.
But, his fears were soon proven false. Maria chose him.
On warm days, they'd have a picnic on a small hill. Even though the same events happened every time, the two treated it like a new story to add in their scrapbook. The picnic began at 5:00, they finished at 6:00, and not long after cleaning up the wrappers and trash, Manolo'd doze off.
Thirty minutes later, he'd wake to realize his head was being pillowed by Maria's lap, while she leaned against the tree that habored them from the over-powerful evening winds.
She looked into the distance as if something profound had her thinking. To get her attention, Manolo'd drowsily yawn, and stretch out his arms.
With a smile, his wife looked down at him.
"Welcome to the Land of the Living." she joked.
He laughed and reached up to stroke her hair.
Then, he stood up, and bowed with his hand out towards her.
"May I?"
"Certainly."
Hand in hand, they waltzed under the glistening moon beams.
When they swayed, their duet made it all the more better.
"My heart will go on, and on..."