Sunflower | C.M

XIV

The clock striked 6 in the morning, chickens crowing and birds chirping were heard outside. Francesca had already taken a bath and dressed up, and her she was, sitting at the edge of her bed and stare at the sunflower hair tie in her palms. Many thoughts came into her mind, like asking herself if this hair tie was used or not, and that made her gag.

No way this is used! I mean, yes, he is an idiot but he’s NOT THAT idiot who gave someone a used hair tie!

A knock from her bedroom door disrupted her thoughts. “Breakfast is ready!” Pablo’s voice was heard outside, the aroma of her brother's cookings filles in her nose. Francesca sighed before putting the hair tie in the pocket of her usual dark blue skirt. She grabs the sling bag (made by Juana) and stylized her wavy hair before heading downstairs.

After finishing breakfast and visiting her flower garden, Francesca went upstairs to checked herself in the small oval-shaped mirror, surrounded by baby pictures of Francesca and Pablo and was placed between the Castro siblings’ room. She adjusted the hat and was good to go, when some strands fell in front of her eyes. Sighing, she tucked it behind her ears and checked herself in the mirror again.

Déjà vu hit her like a truck, as her mind replayed the event yesterday. Shooking her head and ignoring the familiar soothing feeling, she went downstairs while clutching her sling bag. Karlos was standing beside the doorway, bringing a bag of whatever carpenters brought when working and wearing a sombrero. “Mija! I have been waiting for you!” her father said once he noticed her. “Waiting for me? What do you mean?” Francesca asked him in confusion. Karlos chuckled. “Some carpenters were called to make a fence around the vegetable garden, mija.,” he smiled before noticing her daughter’s sling bag. “What’s that sling bag for?” “I brought extra towels and stuffs, papa, in case I get sweaty or whatnot.”

Karlos’ features soften as he looked at his daughter, nostalgia hitting him. “You’ve grown so much, mija.” A few tears streamed down to his cheeks. “I remember preparing your stuffs every time you and I go for a walk in the town, just to make sure you are not sweaty when we go home. And look at you now….,” he did not continue his sentence as he walked towards his daughter and gave her a hug. Karlos was strict when it comes to work, but a softie when it comes to his family. Seeing his children grow made him wish they never grow up and be little babies instead.

Francesca only patted her father’s back before he released the hug. Seeing his face made her chuckled. “Papa, we should go now.” she smiled. “Si, mija." he said, but his voice cracked, making both laughed. They waved Juana and Pablo a goodbye before leaving the house and heading to the vegetable garden.

As soon they arrived the garden, Karlos gave Francesca a forehead kiss before heading towards where co-carpenters were. She observed that only around 8 people were already in the garden, including Isabela. As the Madrigal noticed her, they both waved at each other before Isabela resumed her talking to an adult women.

Francesca put her sling bag beside the bags under the shade of the tree and get her apron and gloves, the flower seeds that Isabela gave her yesterday, and a few gardening tools.   "Buenos noches, Francesca!" Francesca turned around and saw Gracie, who was already on her apron and gloves. "I see you bring your own tools!" "Buenos dias, Gracie! Yes, I bring them." Both girls started walking after Francesca wore the apron and gloves.

"By the way, are you almost done planting the flower seeds?"

"Only a few left, why?"

Gracie gasped and shook Francesca's shoulders. "Can you plant with me with the remaining vegetable seeds? Please, please, please??" Gracie pleaded with her puppy eyes, which made Francesca chuckled. "Don't worry, it's like only a few left or something— por favor?" She removed her hands from her shoulders. "That's what I'm actually planning after my job." "Wha-REALLY??" This time, Gracie gasped loudly and Francesca rolled her eyes. "No, not actually." She said sarcastically and left Gracie. The poor girl just stood there, before following her behind.