ONE : Where Roses Grow
1061 Words
"Good morning!" I greeted cheerfully.
The heat of the sun kissed my skin. It's not giving me pain. It's greeting me back. I walked out of my room and danced towards the balcony.
Hmmm... The smell of freshness from the garden filled with roses welcomed my nose.
"Oh I would never find a scent so sweet and loving!" I whispered to myself.
"Rose!" Someone shouted from below.
"Just woke up? It's noon!" The familiar voice made me get closer to the rails and sneak of the person's face.
I smirked. As fast as I can, I went down to hit him in the head. This guy know nothing but to greet me that way first in the morning.
"Yah!" I hit him softly. "Oh! What time did you woke up?"
Without letting him answer, I asked "Where are the rest? Are they still sleeping?"
Pouting my lips as I see no one with him near.
"Find them!" Again?
He ran straight without looking back. Without asking my agreement, he ran so fast.
They're always starting this game with me as the seeker. Why is life so unfair? Why are they so unfair?
"She's here!" He shouted.
"Bring it on!" I yelled. I folded my neck and made it sound. Stretching my fingers and my hips.
"Where are you? I'm coming!" Making a creepy halloween-ish sound. "Wahahhahaha!"
Slowly walking to the right, a sweet and sour scent mesmerized me. The bunch of green mangoes hanging on the tree are lovely. Could they be picked and eaten already?
"Ha!" Posing like Chun Li in street fighter. No one Is here.
I moved back to my left, hmmm... The wind here is cold. Opened my eyes and saw large round coconuts on the palm trees. I would love to break those in two. Sip the soup and eat its meat.
"Ha!" Empty! Where could they be hiding?
I moved forward and found myself near the fountain. Birds are playing in it. They are chirping, smiling, laughing and playing. They did not flee even with my presence.
"Enjoy birdies!" I waved as I made my way out of the garden.
Oh wait. Is it ... Yes! Third of May. Today is third of May! How could I forget it.
I brisk walked through the hot cemented paths to the dry lands of the field without anything on my feet. Tall and itchy yellowish crops are pointing my legs. I'm starting to want to touch my legs but I did not. I should hurry up. Rough stones are tickling the palms of my feet.
Here I am!
"Hey!" I screamed at the tip of my lungs. No one answered.
"Hey!"
"Hey!" I smiled but it turned out to be an echo of myself.
Could they be there inside the tree house? Ugh I think I'll find it hard to climb because I just woke up. Let's see.
I tiptoed my way to the tree. Stretched my arms as far as I can to grab the not-so-well-carpented ladder. Pulled myself up and slowly stepped my feet at each horizontal logs until the last one up. Slowly Rose, it might crack.
Finally!
I stick my ears in the bamboo wall to listen if they're there.
"Isn't she around?"
"She's not shouting."
"Did she went to the hills?"
"She forgot?"
"How can she?"
"Look for her."
I got all of you now!
I giggled to let them know they're screwed. I peek and had an eye to eye with them.
"Open it now." I knocked on the door.
Dale opened it. They welcomed me with lazy eyes. They laid , stretching their hands and feet on opposite sides. Look at these lazy kids. Bet they have not take a bath as I too. They smell like fish.
"Hey, so where are the foods?" I asked only to be answered by the sound of leaves hitting the trunk.
"I'm hungry." I said.
"Nana is coming." Nana Hilda?
Nana Hilda is really our hero! She's so supportive and secretive of my foolishness from Momma. She takes care of me and she's never angry of me being foolish, dumb, lazy and naughty. She's the best Nana.
"Oh look, she's here." Manuel pointed outside the door.
"Go help here with the pots." I said. Pushing and pulling them to get up.
I stretched my arms to offer it to Nana. She grabbed it and I pulled really hard to help her inside. She smiled and pat me on the head.
"Hmm! You smell have. Have you not took a bath darling?" She furrowed her brows. "You smell like the fish that I brought."
I made face. She laughed, guess she knew already.
She made face and whispered to me "Me too darling. We all are."
She giggled like she's out of air. She looks so loving. She smells good, actually. She just don't want to be out of place.
"Here's the food!" Juan yelled.
Ohhhh the steam from the lid pf the pot is inviting. The smell of the fermented anchovies. It must be so sour and salty The bananas looked like in between of ripe and not. This will be a great pair!
"Grab each one of you a banana leaf." Nana offered a pile of banana leaves as plates.
Here's sweet potatoes and bananas, freshly boiled. They're so fresh.
"Get a ladle and scoop the rice." Nana Hilda pointed the plastic beside Manuel.
"Give me the bottom part, the burned rice. Give it all to me." Maria pleaded.
"No, we have to share it equally. Everyone of us loves burned rice!" Sepha grabbed the pot of rice and divided it equally.
We pig out until even a crumb of rice is seen in the banana leaves.
"I'm thirsty." Juan broke the silence.
"Go and crack coconuts in Mr. Dimataga's backyard." Manuel joked.
"Sure thing Manuel!" Juan giggled. Her laugh is filled with evil plans.
"Uh no, Juan. I have here water from the well. It's clean and fresh. Mr. Dimataga just sold his coconuts this morning. You can't steal any. Wait for the next months." Nana made fun of the guys.
It made the guys itch their scalp though free from dandruff or allergies.
I got a coconut shell and poured myself a water.
"For more years together!" I rose my cup which made them get theirs.
"For more years together!"
- Writer
