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victorblues · 7 months ago

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A story to my love….

The air in Little Italy was thick with the scent of fresh zeppole’s, cannoli’s and arancini carrying a beautifully sweet aroma, like a breeze throughout the city.. The San Gennaro Festival had taken over the streets, and Isabella was lost in the vibrant chaos, bright lights, the clatter of carnival games, and the constant hum of voices, some in Italian, some in English. It was late September, her favorite time of year, when the neighborhood felt alive with history and celebration. But this year, something was different. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

She was standing near the Ferris wheel when she saw him. Edward. Tall, with straight brown hair and the kind of smile that made her heart skip a beat. He was leaning against a lamppost, enjoying the last few drags of his american spirit cigarette and watching the crowd, but his eyes found hers across the way, as if drawn by an invisible thread, they locked onto each other for a moment which felt to them like an eternity. Edward returned to working amongst the chaotic crowd, but with an unexplainable feeling, feeling that he was in true love at first sight. He simply could not focus on cooking for the flocking festival goers.

She stood there nervous, and love struck, trying to come up with the right approach. Isabella also had an instant connection with Edward and feeling an unfamiliar rush of courage, she daringly walked up to the food stand which he was working at, but now busy and tending to the rush of customers that flooded the Manhattan streets, Isabella was out of Edwards sight. Nervous and timid she paced away from the food stand without being able to project the words she had wished. She rejoined her friends who were not too far ahead, as they continued to laugh and eat zeppole’s they walked ahead.

Isabella didn’t reach the end of the street before she felt someone tap her shoulder from behind, she looked back and there stood Edward.

Edward chuckled, his voice warm and easy. "I was hoping you'd make the first move, I would have searched throughout this entire crowd to speak to you”

Isabella smiled as she said. "Thankfully I didn’t get too far."

He laughed again, and it was the kind of sound that made her smile without meaning to. "I guess I’m just shy."

“Well, that’s okay," Isabella said, her grin widening. "I'm also shy. “

He stepped closer, his nervous energy suddenly palpable. “I’m Edward.”

“Isabella,” she said, extending her hand. Their handshake was gentle and soft, there was something in the touch, an unspoken warmth between the two.

Isabella remarked with wonder “After I saw you back there, I was hoping that you would somehow find me and you did."

Edward’s eyes held hers with a quiet intensity as he said “I wouldn’t have stopped looking for you, even if I didn’t find you tonight.”

Isabella smiled back at him enamored by his charm.

“You’re work here, right?” she asked timidly, trying to mask her overwhelming emotions with small talk.

He nodded and replied “Is this your time at the festival?”

“It is, my Father always told me I had to come for the zeppole’s, he used to get them when he was a boy.” Isabella said endearingly.

Edward laughed. "You’re in luck then. This is the best place for them. Come on, I’ll show you where to get the best ones."

She separated from her friends and he wandered off from work as they walked through the crowded streets, Edward led her to a small stand adorned with old and faded Italian flags. He ordered them zeppole’s, expertly throwing extra powdered sugar into the bag before handing one to her.

"This," he said, watching her face as she took a bite, "is how you know you're alive. I promise nothing tastes better than a fresh zeppole.”

She savored the bite, nodding in agreement. "You weren’t kidding. This is incredible."

"Just wait till we hit the games," he teased. "I’m unbeatable."

They spent the rest of the evening wandering through the festival, playing games, laughing over failed attempts to win stuffed animals, and getting lost in the neon glow of the lights. Time seemed to slow, as if the world outside their little bubble didn’t exist. There was a quietness between them, a comfortable kind of silence that only comes with people who are meant to be in each other’s company.

Eventually, they found themselves in front of the stage, where a band was playing traditional Italian music. A couple stood dancing, their movements effortless and graceful.

“Have you ever danced like that?” Edward asked, watching them with a kind of awe.

Isabella shrugged, a little shy now. "Not really. I don’t think I have the rhythm for it."

He smiled, that same playful look in his eyes. “I’ll teach you.”

“Are you sure you can handle it?” she challenged, giving him a teasing look.

“I can handle it,” he said confidently, taking her hand.

She hesitated for only a moment before allowing him to pull her into the crowd. The music swirled around them, the sounds of violins and accordions mixing with the laughter of the festival-goers. They were a little clumsy at first, their steps out of sync, but as the music went on, they found their rhythm. The world around them faded, the lights dimming to the soft glow of their connection. In that moment, it felt as though they were the only two people in the entire world.

Edward’s hand rested lightly on her waist, and Isabella could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her fingertips. They moved closer, the crowd disappearing into the background, leaving only the two of them under the soft glow of the festival lights.

As the song ended, he leaned in, his breath warm against her cheek. “You were right,” he whispered. “You *do* have rhythm.”

Isabella laughed softly, her heart racing. “Maybe I just needed the right partner.”

He smiled and kissed her cheek, the moment so tender and natural that it felt as though they had been dancing together for years, not just a few minutes. When they pulled away, their eyes locked again, and there was no need for words.

The festival continued around them, people cheering, music playing, lights twinkling, but for Isabella and Edward, it felt as though everything had come to a perfect, quiet stop. And in that moment, neither of them could imagine being anywhere else but right there, together, under the lights of the San Gennaro Festival.

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