Mario and Juliet (Part 2)

Part 2: Paradise

In a brief moment, a light dispelled the shadows. Mario was sitting gleefully besides Princess Peach on a large and long carriage. They were engaged in a lively conversation, with their eyes locked in a loving gaze. He talked about his life. She laughed. The world and its cares faded away as they dived deep into a sea of bliss.

He had no doubt that Princess Peach was an angel sent from the heavens - the most radiant of them all. Tall and ravishing, she stood out among other roses. Her face was set with glistening eyes, perfectly crowned with alluring eyelashes. When she smiled, her cheeks popped out in cheerful agreement, revealing twin dimples that he had grown to adore.

She was kindness manifest; none was tenderer than her, save his own mother. When he spoke, she listened with unbelievable attention. Most wonderfully, she loved him for who he was. She hopped through life with a childlike innocence, a virtue that matched her divine beauty.

How he longed to hold her hand! She too made no effort to hide her desire to be with him. Yet he did not ask her out on a date. He had vowed to remain single until his duties were finished. Besides, he would only have to wait for half a year. Nonetheless, time would test his love for her; a test in which he would soon falter.

Mario and Juliet (Part 1)

Part 1: Fool For Love

Princess Daisy did not love Mario. He knew that. Yet he tried to gain her love anyway. He lived on the hope that one day, she would change her mind.

He was ever ready to help her. At her call, he would run. In her need, he would be there. He would not mind being made use of by her, although she had not done so. He would do anything to please her, anything to be with her.

Conversing two sentences with her was a god-given gift; he thanked the heavens every time she spoke with him. Her words to him were like warm rays of the rising sun. So were her rejections like the chilling winds of winter.

He was a fool, he knew he was. But he was willing to be a fool for Princess Daisy. In his quest to gain her love, he lost himself. He lost who he was, he lost his first love. Darkness engulfed him and his life fell apart.

Why was he tormenting himself? He knew he should move on, but it was easier said than done. He wrestled the darkness within himself. At times, he valiantly fought for the truth. At darker times, deception prevailed. Nevertheless, no matter the state of his struggle, he would always recall Princess Peach.

My Greatest Fear

My greatest fear is me. Like the opening of Pandora's box, the past year has revealed much of the evils buried in my heart, evils that I never thought I was capable of. The virtues that I crowned myself with, such as unflinching love, has fallen off my bowed head.

Though I have arisen from defeated knees, I find myself weak, fighting a losing battle against the deceptions of attraction. Standing before the crossroads, the path leading to regret seems so enticing. That searing wound inflicted by Regret was healing, but it had severely weakened me. I wanted to fill the gap that Rejection has sundered. 

She looked at me with those eyes, those that had belonged to the Princess.

The Princess was a flawless ruby; pure of heart and sublime in beauty. She saw me through those eyes of longing, reflecting the same passion that sparkled in mine. However, in a moment of utter foolishness, I took her for granted. An honourable knight took her away upon a fine steed, and rode towards a magnificent future - a future I could not give.

But now a stranger stands on the left path, her eyes reminiscent of the Princess. My steadfastness wavers, and my heart sways with frightening ease. You should not take her for granted, as you did with the Princess. Go; hold her hand. The darkness convincingly tempts, and I fear that I would be taken in. However, the voice of my King beckons me to the path on the right.

My King has prepared another of His daughters at the long end of the road, an undeserving gift for one who has treated His other daughter so casually. Where else could I go?

Nevertheless, I cannot believe my fickleness. More than that, I am disgusted at how I solicited the stranger's feelings, only to cruelly cast them aside. But she would not the first victim of the Heartbreaker. There were others, not to mention the first Princess. The hate and fear of me grows, for I had become the very thing I had sworn against.

My only hope is in the King, who had borne my wicked actions, and had declared me a free man. May the Light of my hope dispel the darkness that troubles my soul.

The Forbidden Fruit

What is your name? I am most curious.
Your eyes, rich as ripen grapes.
Your smile, fresh as the yield of spring.

But to call this love is ludicrous.
Your name, it eludes my tracings;
Your heart, it remains a mystery.

Nagging conscience harps me,
"Remember Adam, attraction deceives
For love's sake, this fruit, forbid."

Tragic or joyful, I cannot tell.
Maybe we were never meant to be.
Maybe you are reserved for the more worthy.