When our story first began...

~15~

At the entrance of the house, I could smell such a beautiful odor. It seemed so familiar to me. It felt just like home. My own home. As the saying goes: "home is wherever your beloved ones are..."

-Is that the smell of pumpkin candles? I politely asked.

-Oh! Yeah. It’s Ruby, as always. She loves aromatized candles and she always keeps lighting them up every time and place. I’m sorry if the smell disturbs you. I can shut them off for you and I’ll just open the windows so it all would go out. And it will disappear as if never existed again. He excused himself.

-No, no. I didn’t mean that. I don’t mind it at all… It actually reminds me of someone close to my heart…I stayed silent for a second before saying…I love it.

And inside my body, my heart murmured “and her…”

-Oh! Well then, I’m sure that person is pretty special and sorry to say that, but I think they might be a bit weird too. ‘cause not many people like pumpkin candles. Even “I” thought it was a strange idea at first, and I still do. Hehe. But as time passes by, I started getting used to it. C’mon, sit here. Ruby will come in a minute too. He added. HONEY! The guests are here! He said with a loud voice.

Why does every little thing reminds me of her?… Pumpkin candles had always been your favorite. Remember Megan? When we used to argue about which one smelled better; your favorite or lavender candles? I still remember the day after I knew that you loved pumpkins from all of your heart. When I went to the plant nursery the next day, looking for some seeds for you. It was indeed hard to get them, because it was nottheir planting time. And on the next morning, when I entered the bus, and saw you sitting there smiling at me. How amazing your smile was when I handed you the seeds... Oh Megan! How beautiful you was!

“Damn it! why are you thinking about her again? You stupid!” I whispered to myself.

Arcus noticed what I said, and he started mocking me:

-Is it that mysterious girl who made you upset last time? Cry baby?

-Eh?!

-You’re thinking about her again? Right?

-Eh… not really. Just random thoughts going through my mind. I explained.

-Ah! Yeah! Random, huh? Same answer as always. Hehe. Wanna talk a bit about it? You know I can listen.

-It’s nothing serious actually. My eyes now are more important.

-The smell reminded you of her. Right?

-Yeah, kind of.

-Can you talk to me about her more. I wanna know who took your heart and ran away.

-Eh… I don’t think you wanna hear me talking about her… I mean like, many things has happened and I think it’s time for me to move on…

Silence has remained for a tick. Then he said:

-Did you try fighting for her?

His question took my breath away. “Did I try fighting for her?” repeated inside my head many times.

“No! I did not fight for her!

No! I did not fight for me!

No! I did not fight for our love!

But why didn’t I? Why?!”

Mark’s steps started getting closer. He is in the living room now, I guess he’s sitting next to Arcus. And some other person sat next to me. 

-Hey beauty! Said a joyful female’s voice.

I guess it’s Ruby.

-Ow! Look at that amazing brown wavy hair! And that gorgeous smile! Oww! You’re just so beautiful! I can’t!

I could feel blood raising to reach my face. I am pretty sure my cheeks are red just like a fresh tomato now.

-Thank you, I’m sure you’re beautiful too. I replied.

-Oh, and you have such sweet mouth.

-C’mooon Ruby! You gonna freak the girl out! We all know that’s not who you are! Said Mark.

-Yo! She stood up and completed. Can’t you keep your mouth a bit shut! I’m trying to look cute right over here! I just want someone to see me cute just like how Celine did! Ekh! You mean men!

Laughs were taking place in this tiny room where we all were sitting.

-But I’m sure, we all have a cute side in our souls. At the end we’re all beautiful creatures. Isn’t it?

-YAY! See! That’s what I’m talking about! Look how nice she is! Not like you, old men! Anyways, it’s only because we’ve been knowing each other for so long that I’ll forgive you this time. Okay?!

-Yes Ma’am! Said Arcus and Mark at the same exact time, as if it was not their first time responding this way to her.

She went out of the room for a while, and the two gentlemen started talking and chatting about random things. Ruby came back again and putted something on the table. Something that smells familiar again. My beloved Tea.

-Would you like some iced tea? It’s a green tea and lemon slices? Well it may be not that much tasty but it’s refreshing in this hot weather. Honestly, it wasn’t me who made it. My husband did.

-Well I’m a good chef and husband at the end. Right?! Said Mark.

-For the first one, that is true! But… the second one… I kind of doubt that. She giggled. Okay, okay. Just kidding! Don’t take it serious.

-I know I’m a good husband even if you don’t admit it now.

-Oh! Look at you! Where did you get all that confidence all of a sudden?

Ruby and Mark’s love life was pretty fun, they seemed to be in so much harmony. Who would have thought that a silly shy man like him would fall in love with a masculine strong woman like her? Their life was indeed lovely.

-So what do you do Jade other than working in the food stall? She asked me.

-Eh! Well honestly, nothing much. I usually draw and have been searching to be an art teacher or something like that. But the opportunity has never appeared.

-Yah! That’s such a cool thing! Just to tell you, don’t block yourself at only being a worker for this oldy right over here. Okay?! You’re worth way much more than that. I’m sure you’re such a great talent.

I know Ruby was right, and that is what I actually was doing. And I hope that I would again… I hope I will have the chance to get my beloved normal life back again…