Echoes of Fall's Farewell

Prologue

Echoes Of Fall's Farewell

Prologue

"The world has two sides... like every person you encounter in life," my Papa used to say.

One side's all darkness. Truth gets twisted, lies slip through like silk. Stars lose their shimmer, and oceans turn into a dark abyss. Even the cheapest makeup feels like a slap, and the tastiest wine turns into something bitter. Justice? Forget about it. It's all about who's got the upper hand, who's holding the cards. The innocent - they're the ones who pay the toll.

But then, there's the other side - all light and possibilities. Life bursts from every corner. Stars sparkle together like a cosmic dance, oceans shimmer with shades of turquoise, and smiles light up the world like the sun itself. Justice? Well, don't get me started. Here, people don't seek justice; it's delivered to their table like a perfectly cooked steak with chimichurri. Justice is about having the money to make things happen. Ironically, it's a place where anyone can choose the level of doneness.

"Anak," he'd tell me with a smile, "you get to choose how you wanna live. You can open your eyes to the gloom or open your heart to the beauty."

He instilled in me the belief that the experience of a lifetime is a matter of choice. If you choose to see the good, that's what you get. So, I learned to perceive everything as if the grayest shade were not ash but silver, and the darkest hour of the night was not enveloped in darkness, but rather vivid and vibrant. I took his words to heart and held onto hope like it was my lifeline.

But then life played its wild card; it snatched away my innocence way too soon. Papa was gone, and suddenly, I couldn't just close my eyes and believe anymore. I stood before his grave, arguing that what he'd taught me when I was just a tot was nothing but a fairytale. The world indeed had two faces, I still believed, but the choice of where to belong was never mine to make. Truth be told, the world had already drawn my map before I was even born. Unfortunate as it may be, I was fated to dwell in the realm of darkness and endure its unforgiving wrath.

The other side, where the brightness danced, was a party for the chosen few - a club I'd never get invited to.

"Freesia!"

I instinctively closed my eyes upon hearing Acre's thunderous voice. In other instances, I would tremble in fear, but not this time.

I gasped for air, my grip on the handle of the trolley bag tightening. I had spent the past two weeks trying to avoid him. His presence inflicted such unbearable pain upon me.

"Where're you off to this time?" I involuntarily let go of the bag as he yanked it away. I clenched my jaw, suppressing my anger. "What's wrong with you, huh? I waited two weeks for you to come back home, and now you're telling me you're moving out? Go back!"

Without any warning, tears streamed down my face. I wiped my cheeks before turning to face him.

"Home?" I echoed, unable to conceal the sarcasm in my voice. His expression turned to one of surprise as tears welled up in my eyes. "Since when did it become home?" I whispered to myself.

"What are you talking about?"

I forced a smile. "I'm just supposed to be your maid, after all-a charity case for your mother. I don't understand why we have to complicate things like this."

"Freesia-"

"Remember what you told me when we first met?" I didn't even let him get a word in. "Know your boundaries. It didn't hit me until now that I've been getting too caught up and forgot where I belong. My bad. I've been thinking about it and realized... I need to get things back on track... back to how they were supposed to be."

He shut his eyes tightly and swallowed a lump in his throat. "Are you out of your mind?"

"If I had done that, maybe... I wouldn't have gotten too attached; my mother wouldn't have died; we wouldn't be in this much pain; everything wouldn't be such a mess. I should have realized it a long time ago."

"Freesia, come on... go back inside and let's talk! How can we resolve this if you keep running away? If you need time, fine, I'll give you time. I'll give you space. I'll give you everything you need to heal! Please... I'm begging you. Can't you just stay?"

"If you really want to help me heal, stop trying to make me stay!" I struggled to hold back my outburst, but I couldn't contain it any longer. Pain immediately flickered in his eyes. "Don't even show your face - that's how you can help. Because the last thing I need right now is to see you. God, I don't even want to hear your voice!"

He locked his teary gaze onto mine. "Freesia..."

"Can't you get it, Acre?" I took a step closer, anger coursing through my veins. "My mother died because of you! Isn't it funny how you want to help me heal when you're the very reason I'm hurting? I can't even bear to look at you right now!" His jaw dropped for a moment. When the weight of my words sank in, he squeezed his eyes shut and pressed the bridge of his nose. "Every time I lay eyes on you... Every time I hear your name, all I can see is... all I can see..." I could not even finish my sentence. "All I see is her lifeless body in my arms..." I said between my sobs. "Can you even imagine that?"

Tears began to stream down his cheeks as soon as he opened his eyes. "I never wanted her to die... I didn't intend for that to happen-"

"But it did!" I interjected, a tear rolling down my own cheek. "I don't care if you meant it or not, it's done! And damn you, Acre! It hurts so much!" I sobbed. The image of my mother's face, when she passed away, was too agonizing, and I couldn't bear the pain anymore. I just wanted to join her.

Stepping back, Acre sank to his knees. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Freesia. Please... I'm begging you..." He clung to my legs. "If you can't stand to see me, I'll leave. I'll wait until you're okay, no matter how long. Just please... don't leave."

I clenched my fists tightly. "Do I have to kneel down too for you to let me go?"

He slowly released his grip on my legs. Tears continued to flow down his face without ceasing. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed a lump in his throat. Despite his weakness, he made an effort to stand. I fought the urge to assist him as he nearly stumbled.

"Do you hate me that much?" His voice was filled with anguish.

I was taken aback. The harsh words I had thrown at him suddenly flooded my thoughts.

I averted my gaze from him and silently wished for him to stop. Despite my anger towards him for what he had done, I didn't want to inflict more pain. But how could I not?

I had been so consumed by anger that I hadn't realized my words were like bullets being fired.

"Freesia?" It was Addison's voice. "What the hell is going on here!" She slammed the car door shut and rushed towards me. "Free..." She looked at me with concerned eyes before turning her glare toward her brother. "You... What have you done now!"

I ignored her presence beside me and shifted my gaze to Acre. His eyes were filled with sadness. "I don't hate you," I said in a monotone voice. "I just hate the fact that it's you I fell for."

Addi took a step back from me, clearly taken aback by what she heard. Another wave of tears escaped from Acre's eyes. I couldn't bear to witness it any longer. I averted my gaze from him and picked up my suitcase. After wiping my face once more, I turned around.

"Freesia..."

Before I could even take a step, I felt Acre's arms around my waist. "Acre, please-"

"For the last time," he whispered in a soft tone, tightening his embrace. "I won't hold you back any longer. If this is what you need, fine. I'll let you go."

I bit my lip to stifle my sobs, not wanting him to hear my anguish. That was what I wanted to hear, but I couldn't understand why it... hurt.

"I just have one last favor to ask," he said, gently letting me go and turning me to face him. His tears fell, one by one, like knives stabbing my heart. "This is all I've ever asked for since the day I realized I love you, and it's the only thing I'll ask before you go." He forced a sad smile onto his face. "I know you're mad, and you might not be able to forgive me right now, but I hope... I hope you'll never regret meeting me. We've shared so many memories together... Please don't toss them all away..."

My mouth hung open in disbelief. He gently reached for my face and wiped away the lingering tears on my cheeks.

"Feel free to get angry at me, curse me, ignore me... Just don't regret having me in your life."

The anger that had consumed me slowly dissipated, replaced by a sense of warmth. How could I ever regret the moments we had shared?

No matter how many tears were shed, they could never erase the beautiful memories we had created together.

With my eyes closed, I felt his soft lips press against my forehead. "You're the strongest person I've ever met, and I'm so proud of you," he whispered. He gently pinched my cheek one last time before he turned away and walked off into the distance.

Addi remained frozen in disbelief. She didn't even blink as tears continued to stream down her neck. My heart ached once again. I didn't want to break down in front of her, so I hastily gathered my belongings and began walking away.

Away from the house that had been my shelter for three years.

I hadn't even made it far from the mansion when I found myself sitting on the sidewalk. I knew I should be angry with him, but I couldn't ignore the pain in my chest every time his tears flashed through my mind. I had loved him, there was no denying that, but admitting that I had once fallen in love with him was the least I could do. I couldn't push it any further. I couldn't force something that wasn't meant for me.

As tears continued to flow, I clutched the necklace hanging around my neck.

Papa...

I know you wouldn't want to see me in such pain, but I hope you're not angry with him. Despite all the heartaches I endured from loving him, I am grateful. For once in my life, I experienced what it was like to live on the brighter side of the world. I owe that to him. Acre didn't just let me catch a glimpse of his world; he also embraced me and made me feel at home.

I followed your advice, Papa.

I opened my heart and embraced the beauty of the world. But then fate intervened; it forced me to open my eyes and realize that no matter how comfortable it felt to be there, there would always be a certain part of the world I could only encounter but never truly belong to.