People Change

Chapter 2

// Jerome //

It was the day that Jerome had bought her those yellow daisies, to celebrate on their anniversary eve. On the speeding train back from work, Jerome sat on one of the seats, pondering about whether Mina was in a stable state. She was reaching the stage vulnerable enough to devour her into the blackness of death. Going from station to station, his thoughts became deeper and deeper. Jerome also had something that the citizens of Redrindalle didn't.

Overthinking.

He swiped the worst possible alternatives out of his mind. It was their anniversary eve after all. He didn't want to make things harder than it already was on such a special occasion.

As the train came to a stop, Jerome's thought wondered off back into his mind. Jerome walked up to his house, as he substituted the pessimistic thoughts with optimistic thoughts. He opened the door, wide smile on his face, as he gleamed to see his house.

"Mina?" Jerome called.
"Up here," Mina replied.

Jerome walked up the stairs, finding his wife, Mina, in a gorgeous yellow sundress. Mina beamed at the sight of her husband. Jerome stared at Mina, speechless. Her beauty was a gaze to behold, and it shined through Jerome like the sun itself. Mina realised that Jerome was staring and cleared her throat.

"We've been married for about 10 years now, and yet you still stare at me like that?" Mina joked.

"Well, I just can't help it, and you know that." Jerome answered.

"What do you have behind your back?"

Jerome glanced towards the daisies hidden behind him.

"Just a little something for the occasion."

"Well, I can't wait to see it." Mina walked out the door.

Jerome made his move. He threw his arms around Mina, daisies cupped in his hands around her waist. Mina cried in shock, as she saw the daisies. She spun around facing Jerome, as she hugged him back tightly. Before Mina could say anything, Jerome let a kiss on Mina's lips. In Jerome's mind, he could only think of how lucky he was to be married to such a girl. Jerome pulled away as he laced his hands with Mina's.

"Check your daisies," Jerome indicated towards the flowers in Mina's delicate hands.

Mina's eyes shifted towards the daisies as she pulled out a small box from inside. Mina opened the box, discovering a diamond necklace.

Jerome walked over, picked up the necklace, and chained it around Mina's neck.

"It's beautiful, Jerome." Mina beamed.

"Not as beautiful as you." Jerome kissed Mina on the cheek.

"I know I forgot some anniversaries in the past years..."

"Most of the anniversaries, really."

"Okay, most. But I thought I could finally make it up to you. Therefore, I bought you this necklace."

"Thank you. I really like it, one of the best presents you've ever gave me. Or perhaps the very first present."

"Well, it's the least I can do. No one lives forever, right?"

Jerome said it sarcastically, but Mina grimaced at the sentence. She turned around distastefully, unable to face Jerome. She seemed like she was choking back tears.

"What's wrong, don't you like it, Mina?"

"I absolutely love it."

"Then why are you crying? Is something bothering you?"