-Ahh! What the hell.....
I scream in panic as someone covers my eyes.
For a moment I thought I were in heaven. The sound of the waves and the tender sunlight on my skin. Laying prone on the beach, early summer felt heavenly.
I hear the local food vender selling watermelons, hoping to get some I rise from where I lay a moment ago.
-Guess whooo!!!....
[Ahh! It's that annoying girl....what was her name again...]
-Mari get off me dummy....
I shoo the girl who's been covering my eyes. Most would find it fun. but to me, it's nothing more than an annoyance.
-Aunty was looking for you sleepyhead. Don't go dozing off wherever you feel like.
-Quit calling me that.
I try to get a better look at Mari. My eyes still hazy from sleep.
Mari in terms of looks was anything but average. Golden hair with a few streaks of red. A side of the face covered by white bangs ,the visible half could show her ocean blue eyes and cheeks littered with freckles.
[Her hair always looked so unnatural....where did she even get the red from]
-Come on hurry up! our aunty Nico will be mad.
She tries to drag you but there is no visible force behind it.
[She's kinda weak....now that I think about it.
Has she always been that pale looking...]
-Hey Mari! Where did you go?!
On our way we walk through the streets of
Temukus village, Mari seemingly bending into the surrounding fields of flowers.
After we jog for what felt like 35 minutes ,
We finally reach home.
-Phew! that took a while didn't it adalia.
Mari says while catching her breath.
A little shabby. The home had been passed down by my great grandparents to my father.
It had not seen much repairs in years.
Still, it was a cozy home. It lies on the outskirts of the village and the city. Not to near , not to far from anything.
-Mom I'm home.
- I'm back too aunty Nico.
Mari chimes in.
Nico had always been a wonderful mother and an even kinder human. When she first held Adalia, it was the brightest day in her life.
Even after her husband moved away for work, she kept shining.
-Oh! just in time adalia. Sweetheart, how did you know it was time for lunch?
-I was just about to come look for you too.
When Mari's father passed away due to an illness. Nico welcomed Mari and her mother
Into their house with open arms and took care of Mari while her mother worked.
-Well I had a hunch it was time to eat...
Says adalia sheepishly.
-Oh really?!.....
Mari chimes in while grinning.
-Anyway set the dishes on the table honey, I'll be right there in a moment.
Says Nico while praying infront of someone's picture, next to lit incense sticks. I try to get a better look ,but Mari blocks my path.
-Hey idiot, we've got a job to do.
At the time of lunch.
Nico starts to serve some vegetable gravy with white rice.
When she get to Mari's plate. She hesitates before looking at me sadly and pouring the vegetable gravy on the white rice on Mari's plate.
-So.... Adalia, sweety you know there's a man in the neighborhood holding tuition classes.
I was wondering if.....
-No! *Cough* *cough* I don't wanna.
You wine adamantly, after choking on your food.
-awww...come on sweetheart. It's going to be fun. I promise.
Mari smiles watching adalia and Nico Bickering.
After lunch.
Mari walks over to me, asking me to join her in picking flowers for her mother.
I couldn't refuse her. While heading off I notice Mari's meal looks almost uneaten.
[That's why she's always so thin. I wish she'd care for herself better]
Deciding to not comment on it, I walk along with Mari to the fields.
-Soo.... Adalia what flowers do you think we should get mom.
-I think aunty April would like Marigolds.
I reply to Mari without missing a beat.
-why's that?
-Because it reminds me of you Mari.
[Also it's kind off like the only flower grown in a mile]
After walking an hour by the long route to not get seen by farmers. Adalia and Mari rest by a tree near the roadside of the village road.
-Gosh if it weren't for those villagers, we would have got here sooner...huh?! Mari where are you?
Mari smacks adalia's head lightly.
-Im right infront of you dummy.
-Oh! right ,sorry I couldn't see you there.
I'll remember where you were next time.
[I swear she was not there a moment ago]
I look around to find my surroundings filled with Marigolds. Maybe Mari blended in with them.
-Promise me you won't forget me.....
ever again?.
Mari raises her pinky finger.
-Alright...pinky promise. I won't ever forget you.
The promise done Mari smiles....and starts to tear up.
-Then I atleast have you to remember me.
Rain starts to fall....the raindrops in tune with her tears.
Mari sobs holding onto adalia.
My vision grows foggy as a few drops hit my eyes. But I swear,..... I can't feel her holding me.
And then it comes crashing down like a tsunami....The figure of Mari starts to dissapate away.
-No....No!...no no no no no.....please don't go!
I scream in agony.....agony carried on by a scream of bitterness as I curse this world.
[Please!.....let me forget....]
I sob all alone in the rain. The surrounding meadows seem to have died down. The Marigolds now closed.
-Why can't I forget like the others.....why should I be the only one to suffer...*sobs*
I curse at the foul memories as I remember Mari on the hospital bed....
[If only I never met her.....if only I never made that promise]
*Sobs*
The worlds colours fade away, as so does the lies put forth by my mind, to keep me sane.
-Mari!.....*sobs*...why did you....
...why did you have to die ...