/ United Kingdom – Richmond /
I woke up early in the morning to birds chirping on my windowsill. The autumn zephyr had swept off the browning leaves off the trees along my street. This time of the year had brought about massive changes in the color scheme of the whole city. Everything seemingly had been drained off its color and painted over with a sepia hue. The morning sun streamed in beyond my floral curtains and welcomed me to a brand-new day.
I stayed in a room on the second story of a terrace house neighborhood. I shared the whole floor with a ginger cat named Jalebi. I named him that after my favorite childhood sweet. I started my day by tying my long curly hair into a messy bun and proceeded to do my morning routine. I dressed myself in a white cotton collared shirt, deep brown and yellow plaid short skirt with a small slit on the side, black leggings, a light skin-toned long overcoat, and my signature black boots. I made my way downstairs with my school bag as little chubby Jalebi throttled behind me.
My sweet elderly landlady had been waiting for me on the dining table with two plates of English Breakfast and two cups of Earl Grey tea. I plopped my bag next to my foot as I sat on the chair opposite to Mariel. Jalebi jumped unto my lap and purred for some bread.
"You spoiled him too much, dear," Mariel sipped on her tea.
"But he's so sweet and well-behaved," I reasoned as I took a bite of my rye bread.
"I hope you are fond of bangers," she started her meal.
"Yeah, I love these sausages. But what's with the complete breakfast?" I cut into a sausage.
"It's your big presentation day isn't it? I saw it on your calendar."
"I told you not to clean my room! You need to rest those legs. I'll print you a bundle of cross-word puzzles and made sure I stock up the fridge."
"Oh, you're so kind."
"Learned it from the best," I winked.
She gave a sweet giggle, "I found a letter for you in the mail. Who writes letter anymore these days? Not even an old crow like me."
I glanced at the chestnut-colored envelope on the table and instantly recognized the loopy handwriting of its author. I set my plate aside and snagged it from its place. The envelope bore the address and name of its sender. "Sebastian" was written in cursive. I carefully opened the letter and revealed a thin vintage paper and few fresh red rose petals. The letter was written with a fountain pen in the most beautiful and elegant cursive.
'Butterflies were not meant to be caught,
But this matters not.
For your breath-taking charms,
Shall fall right into my arms.
O, lady dear,
Please do not fear.
Ghosts may scare and bother you,
But no one will interfere in this dinner for two.
Love and kisses,
Sir Sebastian of Richmond'
My heart fluttered and my cheeks felt warmer. It was the sweetest and quirkiest thing he had ever done since we got together. He had been such a gentleman and picked me up to go to school every day. We would have lunches and dinners together sometimes before he drove me home. And other times we would go to small coffee shops or parks to do our assignments. He was an English literature major and I, a history major.