The Last Mango

Every Friday night, Moonlight Market shone like a jewellery box full of fruit. Milo Mango stood beneath the lanterns with a small red box hidden in his pocket. He had planned to ask Ruby Strawberry an important question after her concert. But before the music began, Milo saw Ruby arrive with Bruno Banana. Bruno wore a lavender jacket, and Ruby was holding his arm. Near the flower stall, Violet Grape quietly lifted her tiny camera. The flash lasted only a second, but the photograph travelled across the market in minutes. By the time Milo reached the juice bar, everyone was whispering about Ruby and Bruno. A message on his phone said, 'Moonlight Market has a new golden couple.' Milo knew that a photograph could not explain an entire evening. Still, jealousy grew inside him like a seed in warm soil. He closed the ring box and ordered the most bitter drink on the menu. Ruby waved to him from across the hall, but Milo pretended not to see her. Violet appeared beside him and asked whether he wanted to hear the full story. Instead of answering, Milo looked again at the photograph and noticed something strange in the corner. Behind Ruby and Bruno was a rolled piece of paper tied with a silver ribbon.