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Charlita and Nester by Queen Of The Pen
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Rated "G" by the Author.
When unconditional love just isn't enough to win the heart of a man.
A handsome and young Cuban musician named Nester fell in love with a beautiful boom-shell girl named Maria. Nester couldn't eat, sleep or drink because his thoughts were invaded by the thoughts of Maria. Maria adored Nester but she didn't love Nester like he loved her. She had great times with him and shared many nights with him, but their love for each other wasn't equal.
One day Maria went to Nester's big brother, Armand, and told him that she was leaving. She told Armand that she didn't love Nester but she didn't have the heart to tell him face-to-face. Armand loved his baby brother dearly and didn't want to see him hurt, so he decided that he would immigrate to the U.S. and take Nester with him telling him that they would become big musical stars but only if they went to America. He would also tell Nester that Maria had to leave because of unknown family reasons.
Off to America these handsome Cuban brothers went. They began playing around town in well known Cabana clubs introducing their romantic music. While sitting in a cafe' Nester met this girl named Charlita. Charlita was soft, sweet and beautiful. She had the most inviting, friendliest smile. She saw Nester sitting in the both alone staring out the window and asked him if all was well. He just looked up at her and smiled without saying a word. As she began to walk away he asked her to sit and have a cup of coffee with him.
After formal introductions he began to share bits and pieces of his musical dreams with Charlita. He told her about a song her wrote called "Maria" and how he was in love with this beautiful woman who left without notice. Charlita just listened with that soft smile and caring gleam in her eyes. She was truly his friend.
As time passed they began to meet at his favorite spot in the part under a Sycamore tree. Nester would climb upon one of the branches (as he always did) and talk about his dreams of one day owning his own Cabana club. Charlita would encourage him to "just do it" and stop dreaming about it. This particular day was different. He climbed down from the tree, looked her in the eyes and asked her if she really believed he could do anything he set his mind to. She softly smiled and told him of course she believed he could do anything he set him mind to. With all the talent he had, why not? Nester put his nose to hers and looked deeply into her eyes. At that moment he forgot about Maria and saw the love for him in Charlita's eyes. He kissed her, took her hand and they walked to his apartment and made love.
As time passed, Nester began to share more of himself with Charlita and one day, without a hint to her, he asked Charlita to marry him. She had her reservations but she loved Nester so that nothing mattered. After a great performance at a Cabana club Nester asked to make a toast. He pulled his big brother, Armand close and proposed a toast to announce his engagement to Charlita. Armand was shocked because he knew Nester really didn't love Charlita the way Charlita deserved. He pulled Nester aside and asked him what was he thinking. Nester told Armand that he would eventually get over Maria and that Charlita was the best thing that could have happened to him. He pleaded for Armand's blessing. Armand turned and looked at Charlita. He knew she deserved true love and Nester wasn't capable of giving that to her, but Armand didn't have the heart to tell her. So, he raised his glass in salute to the future bride and groom.
Years went by and Nester and Charlita had a son, yet Charlita knew that wasn't enough to make Nester love her and stop loving Maria. He would cry in his sleep while calling Maria's name. Charlita would just climb out of bed and go into the living room to weep alone. She felt so alone and helpless loving a man whom she would never have and who wasn't capable of loving her.
During a gig at the Cuban club a famous Cuban musician was in the audience listening to the beautiful music Armand and Nester were playing. He offered them a spot on his nightly, live show. This was what these brothers had dreamed of all their lives. Their family and friends gathered at Nester's home. On the T.V. screen there was the orchestra and Armand and Nester began playing. It was a familiar song to Charlita. It was "Maria." Friends and family were so happy and excited but tears welled in Charlita's eyes as she knew there was a man whom she loved with all her being who loved another woman whom he would never have. That was the turning point in her life and heart.
After returning from their concert, Nester arrived home to find Charlita and their son gone. On their bed laid a simple note saying:
"Nester, love is such a fickle thing. We think we can control it, but it always controls us. We think we can choose who will love us, but love won't let us. I knew when we first met that you would never recover from Maria and that any woman in your life after that would been destined to fail at getting you to love her completely. That silly woman was me. I bore you a son believing he would trigger something in you to get you to love me, but that would never be the case. So, I've decided to leave you with your hopes and dreams of Maria.
I cannot compete with her. I love you deeply, but I cannot live like this anymore. I deserve a man who will love me more than I love him. I deserve to be happy in love. I don't want to ever work this hard again loving a man. That's not necessary when two people adore and cherish one another. When I get settled and get over my emotions, I'll contact you and maybe we can arrange visitations for you with Nino. Until then, I have to stay away because it's too painful to hear your voice, see your face or feel your touch.
I'm not doing this to hurt you. I'm hurting and I need time to heal. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you, so if I have please find forgiveness in your heart for me. -- Love, Charlita."
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Reviewed by cinquetta allen
1/28/2009
Wow that was sad...hell it made me sad. Unrequired love is the most painful love. To love someone so much and knowing the other person don't love you. At least Clarissa had the strong and the courage to leave. Maybe if Nester's brother Armand told him about Marie. He might have gotten over Marie and love another.
Reviewed by Veloria James
1/26/2009
Wow! what an interesting, but sad story...and an all too often, true occurence, with women falling in love with the wrong man, thinking we can change him, or his feelings. The story leaves us to our own devices, as to what happens when Nester finds Charlita's note...but in the great scheme of things...it really doesn't matter...what truly matters is that Charlita woke up, and took charge of her life, realizing that she deserves to be with the man whose heart is filled as completely with her, as hers is with him. Good lesson...Good story.
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