Our December Love

Chapter 1 I always thought that life is unfair. Yes, it is. I met someone who also thinks the same but doesn't act the same as I am. The first thought was because of our social status, but he made me realize even someone's status is above than anyone they still facing their own problem. He acts differently because he wants people around him to be happy. He says Life in comparison will always be a failure. Facts. He made me realize a lot of things. He loved me as no one can. Since Our December Love happens... In my heart, I always saved the VIP place for him. And I always made sure that no one will ever replace him there. Because he is the first one who made me feel loved in a very romantic way. And all the things he said, I never forget. He's the reason why I never walk on my hometown street again. Because everywhere I looked I remember him, the memories we made starting to flash like a beautiful movie that never release. No one know that it existed. So I want to write it and let everyone read it. _____ Chrismas is only for the rich. Because for paupers like us it's just another day to survive. With too much cold in a thin, tiny, and dirty house. With stomach that growling for hunger. Wearing some useless rugs of wealthy. And I can say life is unfair. I'm walking on a busy street, looking at the beautiful lights around me. Houses smell like food. I also wish that. But I know I won't never have that kind of thing even I die working hard. This life never gives us privilege. We need to live like a machine that wakes up early and goes to work for a very small salary and goes home tired and hungry. "Mom, I'm home!" I said to my mother that laying on her bed. She gets sick because of the cold weather. "I bought 2 pcs of chicken and buns. I'm going to make soup out of the left seasoning yesterday." "My dear Rose. Rest first I know you are tired working." "No, mother. I know that you are hungry already, I'm fine." My mom gets up on the bed and walk toward me and held my hand. "I'm so thankful that I have a child-like you. *cough* I promise to find a job as soon as I get well." She said. "Let me tie your hair." "Don't think about that for a while. Just do your best to be fine." I said while smiling. "Yes ma'am. *cough*" My mom said while laughing. After I finished cooking we ate together. _______ "What are you doing Rose. Just sleep here on the mattress." My mom asked when I put my pillow on the long bamboo chair. "No. I'm comfortable sleeping here." I said with a smile. "Lately your back hurts a lot." A rich person can afford to have more than one mattress while us, we only have one and it came from the dumpster. If I don't have my mother I will just choose to die because what is the essence of living, if every day is predictable? ______ It's 3 am and I'm moping the whole floor of his big mall. I wake up early and boil water for coffee and eat a piece of buns. That is my everyday breakfast. After I finished moping I sit on on the storage room catching my breath. "I still need to clean the bathroom." After I finished my shift I started to leave the mall. I was walking in the parking lot when I heard something. *slap* I stop for a moment and hide. "How many times do I have to tell you. Treat her right because we need her!" I heard an old man's voice so I sneak a peek. The old man slaps the young man again. "Think for it! You insane brat." The old man said and left. The man stays silent and lifts his head. "You saw all, don't you?" He ask aloud. I look around me but there's no one, but me. "Yes, you the girl behind that red car." The red car? I'm hiding in the red car does it mean? "Is it me?" I asked and came out. He nodded. "Don't mind me, I don't care." "Do you want to have lunch with me?" My jaw drop. "Huh?" "Let me treat you lunch. You look like a skeleton." "No, I don't like it." "But I insist." "Why?" "I don't know why." ____________ I don't know how, but right now I'm sitting in front of him inside the restaurant. "Buy everything you want my treat." He said. Food's here is alien to me. I don't even know how to pronounce it. After a few minutes, he already finished his food while I'm still eating. He is looking at me but I don't care. Let me fill my tank because I don't know if we can avail food tomorrow. After I finished my meal I look at him. "I have a request," I said. "What is it?" "Can you also buy food for my mom?" I asked hesitantly. "Of course." "Thank you." ______________ I got home safe so that guy is not bad? I don't know! "Mom, I'm home!" I said and look for my mother. "Oh, there you are. You're feeding the stray cats again." I said sweetly. "I found an old can of food so I thought I can give it to her." She said while petting the cat. "What a kindhearted you are. I have some food." I lift the paper bags full of food. "Let me prepare your plate." "It all looks delicious." "Yeah, It is." "Why don't you sit with me?" "Nah, I'm done." She sat down but before she even have the first bite she looked at me with suspicion. "It looks fancy. Did you spend all the money you have for this single meal?" "No, I'm not. A guy treats me." "A guy?! Are you selling your body for this? Oh, My dear!" She asks with a high voice. "You know that I won't enjoy this kind of food when I know that.." I cut her right there. "No, I'm not. How come would I do that? It's just, It's just...." "What?" "I don't know how to explain this. I saw that someone slap him and he ask me if he can treat me. And I said yes." "My Rose, your story is so unusual." "Believe me, mom, I swear I did nothing bad." "Okay fine. But you know that everyone is asking for an exchange." "I don't think that things will ever happen. Maybe he just has a good soul." ______________ I don't know what happen but I fell asleep thinking about him. And I woke up remembering his stare. God! I just shrugged off the thought and prepare eggs and rice for breakfast. After I arrive at the mall I started my work until Break. I stayed outside the mall sitting on the bench where I can see people walking with their families and friend. I was about to eat when I saw a beggar child asking for money. I don't have money but I have food. I stood up and give it to the child. She look at me and smiled. "Thank you so much." "You're welcome," I said and walk away. My eyes pop when I see the man sitting on the bench where I'm sitting earlier. "What are you doing here? Are you stalking me or something?" "What? Am I prohibited here?" "No? But, uhm." I don't know what to say, so I just sit beside him. "It's just a bit strange." "I'm still wondering why did you treat me last time even you don't know who Am I. Because If you will ask for anything in exchange I can't give it to you because I don't have anything." "Why did you give your bread to the child?" He asks softly. "Maybe, because I think she needs it more than me?" "Maybe my answer is close to yours." "Does it? So you won't ask anything as an exchange, don't you? I just want it to be clear." "Nothing. I swear. By the way, I'm Ben. It's my pleasure to meet you." Do I need to say my name? "You don't need to say your name if you don't want to. "I won't tell my name." *awkward silence.* "Ahm, so, I have to go. I still have many things to do." I said. "Do you want to have lunch with me again?" I was stunned by what he said. "Are you planning to kill me right? By adding poison to food? Are you a hitman? Did I bump with the big person and now they want me to be...." "No, I'm not a hitman." He said while laughing. "I just want to make friends." "Why?" "I don't have one... So what's your answer? Yes or Yes?" "I don't know? Promise me first that you won't kill me or do anything bad?" I said, giving him my pinky. "Swear." He accept it. "Okay, then it's a pinky promise. Don't break it." "Sure. Thanks. See you later" "Okay, see you later?" ______ "So you mean, you live in a slum?" He asks. "Yes," I said while chewing. We are in a fancy restaurant but not as fancy as the other day. He looks like, wealthy person. Just by looking at him, I don't think he can survive in our environment. "Did you ever feel the hunger?" I ask. "No." "Sleep with no blanket and feel the cold striking straight to your bone?" "No." "Did you ever wear old clothes of others?" "No?" "Have you ever lived in a tiny, thin house?" "Nope." "Have you ever cried because you lost your job and thought about how to survive with no money?" "Not really." "Have you ever experienced people looking down at you and cursing you, not because you've done bad things but because they just want it to do?" "Not yet? Why are asking this things?" "I'm just making sure that this life is unfair. My mom always says that it's a bad thing to say that but... Sometimes truth is bad." Bitterness is visible in every word. I clenched my fist because of the pain and anger mixing inside me. "Have you ever felt love?" He asked. I look into his eye and I saw sadness. "I do. My mom loves me." "Did someone care for your feeling?" "My mom." "Did you ever feel happy while eating with your mom?" "I do. So why are you asking questions?" "I just want to agree with you. That life is unfair. Not by saying I have more things than you but by saying, we both longing for the things we don't have. Maybe life is unfair if you keep on comparing with others." He said while a diamond in his eyes keeps on sparkling when hit by the lights. _______________ I got home safe. My mom opens the door for me. "How are you My Rose?" "I'm fine, how are you." "I feel better now. Maybe tomorrow I can work already. Sit there I'll make a cup of coffee for you." "Thank you," I said. "By the way mom, The guy from yesterday treat me again." She looked at me and pause her actions. "Say thank you to him." "Are you not mad?" "Maybe I have trust in you. I know you won't make bad things. You are old enough." She said sweetly. "Maybe that guy is just so good but don't a***e it. It's not a nice thing. You might fill your hunger but soon you will lose your appetite." "Yes! Noted!" I said softly. "Does everything go fin today?" She asks. "Everything went fine." She put the cup of tea in front of me. "Rose, how many times do I have to tell you. Tie your hair." She said and tied my hair. "Look you're so gorgeous." "I appreciate it." I said cheerfully "Come on, let's eat." ______________ After my work, I saw Ben outside. Looks like he's waiting for someone. "Hey." He greeted me with a smile. "Oh, It's you again." He nodded. "You tied your hair?" He pointed to my hair. I touch it because I'm embarrassed. "Yeah...." "You became more beautiful." He compliment. "Thank you," I said shyly. "Want to have lunch with me?" He asked. "No...." "Oh, that sad. I want to bond with my new friend." I laugh hard. "Friend? Since when?" "Secrete." "I already had my lunch but we can waste time in the park. Wanna go with me?" "Sure, sounds good." _______________ We were looking at the blue sky and the icy wind keep on touching us. "Isn't crazy if I envy a dead person?" "Yes. Why?" He looks at me but I'm still looking at the sky. "Maybe because they can't feel anything, anymore. I want to be like them. To rest in peace. But because of my mother, I'm still fighting. I want to rebel, to get waisted, to beat people's asses. To live like I have nothing to think. But I can't." Teardrops. "Did you ever think that way?" "No. I never wish that. I still want to see every day's sunset and sunrise. I do believe that life is unfair but I never wish myself dead. Even my life loses its worth or meaning I won't wish that. Maybe you are just insecure. Try not to compare too much. Life in comparison is a failure. Remember that." "Oh, I forgot you're one of the angel." I chuckled. "I'm just saying don't be too harsh to yourself. You are still young and maybe one day, in one blink your life will turn better. More beautiful. More meaning full. There's still a lot of doors that is close because they are waiting for the right time to finally open." "Whatever." ________________ "Why did you bring me here?" I asked him. "Isn't it beautiful here? The air is fresh. You can see the houses like an ant and the light that twinkle in the dark." I laugh. "You know what's funny?" I asked him. "What?" "It's the way to our house." "But I've been here too many times. No one walk here." "Yeah, since they constructed a shortcut no one passed here. Because everyone loves easy way. It's a waste of time if people will still use this road." I look around and walk toward the bus stop bench. The bench is now covered with rust and plants chilled on its surface. "When I was younger I stayed here every time my mom is angry with me." I sit on the bench. "What is the reason why she's angry with you?" He sits beside me. "You know the new road they've constructed? Before it was full of trees and I love playing there. I climb the tree and pick some fruit. No one owns those trees. So the fruit I've just collected, I will sell it door to door. And after selling everything, I'll buy me and my mom some bread." "I don't see anything wrong about that." "Yes, she appreciates that... But I'm the type of person who always falls while doing something. A little bit clumsy So every time I go home I have a ton of bruises and wounds. She always says that she doesn't want me to be in an accident. Because she doesn't have money for the treatment." "Ahh, now I see. At least you have a story to tell. But that is actually sweet." "Why? You didn't do silly things when you were younger?" "Nope. When I was younger I'm always inside the room with nannies or tutors. Doing some painting. Reading some books. Playing instruments and following their command. I never really had a chance to do what I want." "Why? What do you want to do?" "I want to do sport but every time they see me playing they get mad at me. they burn all the things I love or throw them away. One time I try out in basketball but when they found it out they punish me." "What? That's horrible. Why?" "My dad is a great basketball player. His team always wins because of him. One day his team betrayed him and kick him out. Spread some fake news about him to destroy his reputation. He got depressed. And maybe that is the reason why he doesn't want me to get involved in sports. And as his child I understand it." "You never get angry with them?" "I get mad but not angry." "What? Really? When I was young, I say swore words inside my head when I get angry with my mom even it's just a little argument of ours. And sometimes I wish her to be dead. That was before I don't wish that anymore. You never did that?" I said with amusement. "Nope." "My god. I feel so bad right now." I said but he just laugh. He grabbed something inside his pocket. A pen. He grabbed my hand and started to write something. "What is this?" I ask, looking at some random numbers. "It's my number if you need something, just call that number and a hero will come to save your day." "Corny," I said and he laugh. I love it when he loses his eyes everytime he smile and his cat dimples are so cute. "But, no kidding, I'm serious." "Okay, I'll save it." "Thanks." "Can I borrow your pen?" Questions are visible on his face but he says nothing and handed me his pen. I grab his hand and write my number and name. "It's my number save." He smiles. "Rose. So your name is Rose?" I nodded. "It's beautiful." "Do you want to see our house?" I asked him. "Is that okay with you? Like, I'm still a stranger." "Are you going to do something bad to me?" I asked him and he shake his head. "Let's go then," I said and we walk. "Thank you." He said while we're walking. "For what." "For this kind of little things, It means so much for me to." When we finally arrived I saw my mom, feeding the stray cat again. "My Rose." She said. "Oh, who is this man." She asks pointing at Ben. "He's Ben...My friend." "That man?" She asks if he is the man I'm talking about. I just nodded. "What's your name, young man?" My mom asked. "Ben, Madam." He politely replieses. "Okay, You want to eat with us?" She asked. "Can I?" "Of course, but we can't offer you those fancy food. We only have cheap here in our tiny house." She said jokingly "No, it doesn't matter. I'm glad that you ask me." He said thankfully. "If that so. Come on in." My mom served white rice tofu and boiled egg with soy sauce. "This is all we can offer." She said. "It looks tasty." He said. We ate together and I saw him enjoy dishes my mom prepare for us. "Thank you, madam. I enjoy it."He said with a smile. "Okay, get home safe." "Thank you." He said goodbye. __________________ Day after day. We became closer together. It became a hobby of him to Fetch me after my work, do a little talk and go to my house. I became comfortable being with him and his company. He fetch me, stops his car in our little place. We sit on the bench and just talk. I don't know but I love it this way. "How are you?" He asks and rest his head on my shoulder. "I'm good. How about you." "Good, coz your on my side." "It's corny but I'll accept it," I said with a smile that made him chuckle. "I'm curious. What do you want to do in the future." "I don't know. Even I dream It will never happen." "Hey! that's mean." "What about you?" I ask. "Sport. And you?" "I want to be a writer. I want to publish stories of mine." "Really?" "Yeah. Sometimes I daydream about it. Like I'm one of the most loved writers or there's a crowd loving my work. There's a line of people waiting to meet me and get some sign of mine. Hay! It feels good to dream." "Yeah." "But sometimes I get tired." "Maybe one day. Our dreams will come true." "Hope so." After some talk, we headed to my house. And there's my mom. "It's you again Ben. You enjoy our house. Don't you?" "Yeah. It feels home." He said with a smile. "I bought fried chicken for us." "You don't have to." "It's like a pay, because you always treat me a tasty lunch." "Really? Then I'll accept it. Thank you." We spend a lot of days just doing the same thing we love. We got to know each other more. Collecting information from those little talks. And every night I recall it in my sleep.