The Eyes Of 'Rah

Under The Orange Tree

A nostalgic feeling overwhelmed Seraphine as she gazed at the imposing orange tree that stood tall, its branches reaching out like loving arms. The air was filled with the subtle fragrance of blossoms. Recalling the fondly memories it brought, how her father loved oranges and how he always persuaded her to drink.

Glad that she had thought of planting the orange seed back then, nurturing it as it grows whenever she visits his grave. The connection she felt with the tree was wholesome and her father would perceived the sweet fragrance of the fruit.

Leaning against the tree which provided a shade for her father, she hummed as she closed her eyes, breathing in the sweet scent of the fruit before she returned to the shop.

She pondered over the past year, she couldn't have been more grateful that Mr. Pawn had given her a chance to stay with him. The old man as she always call him had turned out to be a good man, even if he hardly ever showed it.

Seraphine was taken aback one day when he came back from one of his evening strolls with a dark spectacle in hand.

"See what I stumbled upon" Mr. Pawn held it up, "I knew right there that it will be useful. Try it" he ordered.

Seraphine had seen people wearing spectacles around, for most reasons which are to see or read clearly or to conceal visually impaired eyes and she knew she didn't fall in any of the category, "why? My eyesight is excellent and I can read clearly without squinting my eyes"

Mr. Pawn scoffed, "whenever I want to compliment you for your sharp brain, you always spoil the moment by saying something dumb, do you think I don't know why you've been stumbling into people and objects whenever you go on errands. Or does your clumsiness only happens when you're outside?"

Seraphine was used to his comments which may sound mean but hold little or no iota of meaness. He is just a straightforward and temperamental old man who speaks his mind without caring how it makes other feel, even though he meant well. It seemed the grumpy old man knew she didn't want people to see her eyes whenever she passed by them which is why she always lowered her head resulting in her bumping into things or people.

Ever since she started staying with the old man, she had seen how people hesitate before coming in to get their things pawn except when they were really desperate. Some had stopped coming because of her,she hadn't known they were losing customers, not until she overheard Mrs Mosey one time telling a woman that the reason the pawnshop was not doing well was because people were afraid of her.

"Are you going to put it on or not?"

Seraphine sighed as she reluctantly put it on, "everything looks dark"

"What were you expecting? Brightness?" Checking her face, "now you can walk peacefully with your head high. I wouldn't want Mrs Nosy to report your misfortune of falling into the hot coal to me. You know she's a bearer of bad news" he spoke with irritation.

Seraphine giggle, walking around the shop in her new spectacle, as she jumped happily, "are you sure you don't have an affection for Mrs Mosey?" She teased while putting her head out the window to see how it looked under the sunlight.

Mr. Pawn snorted, "god forbids evil!"

"Because you seem to look for a way to include her in your conversation almost every time "

"That's because she always looks for a way to involve herself in all conversations happening in the town!" He kicked the table in anger.

"If you say so"

"Now, take a walk to Mr. Allan shop to check if my goods are ready"

Marveled at how no one spared her a second glance with her head up high. Grinning foolishly as she walked slower than how she used to. She didn't have to sprint to her destination anymore, now she had the time to admire things in the market.

People don't have to feel uncomfortable when talking to her, she was happy with the colour of the spectacle which concealed the eyes, only those who recognise her will know the eye colour behind the dark spectacle.

Her eyes flew opened with the rustling leaves of the orange trees, checking the watch she always carry in her pinafore pocket, "time to go, see you next time old man" putting on the spectacle she had earlier removed back on and set for home.

As Seraphine walked along the path which led to the shop, she waved at her one and only friend, Felicity Mosey, who came running to meet her, "you're quite late today, was the discussion that much?"

She swatted her friend's hand whom she knew was teasing her, "I got carried away"

"Your old man has been grunting and restless since, muttering something about you making him late for his evening stroll"

Felicity Mosey is Mrs. Mosey's daughter, they had become fast friends even though her mother had done everything possible to break them up. They sometimes joked about being soulmate and lovers in their past life, the topic of who the male was between them had always been a funny one.

Seraphine quickly tore herself away from Felicity, dashing off as she shouted, "see you later" she knew she won't hear the end of the old man's complaint if he didn't go for his stroll. Recalling how he had nagged for a whole week the first time she had been late.

"Took you long enough, I almost thought you had decided to start living there"

Here we go again, she thought.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know time had ticked that fast"

Flapping his overcoat loudly to show his irritation instead of responding to her apology, Seraphine breathed a sigh of relief when the door clicked.

Carefully, she moved to the counter to record the items pawned for the day since the shop was closed. Writing what belongs to whom and their description, she didn't notice time had gone till she heard the door opened again. She raised her head to see that it had become dark and the old man was back.

"Still on recording?"

She nodded. Mr. Pawn knew how obsessed she was with arranging items and taking note of everything. Since he had taught her how to read and write, she had adopted the habit of writing down each item, their description and whatever story that comes along with an item.

"I still don't understand why you feel the need to write down everything" shaking his head as he watched hers buried between the large book.

"And I still don't understand why you don't want me to"

"Because they always come back for it in no time, there's no point in jotting down an item that will be retrieved by their owner as soon as they pay back."

Shrugging because she knew there was no way she would win an argument with the stubborn man, "perhaps I just like writing then"

"Perhaps I shouldn't have taught you how to write"

Changing the subject before the petty old man prolong it further, "when are you going to allow me access the back room?"

"When you earn it!"

Seraphine had recently learned that the back room is full of unclaimed items. For years, Mr. Pawn had used it as a store to keep valuables no one had come to collect. Since she developed the hobby of learning the story behind each item which appeared interesting to her, she had been overwhelmed with curiousity to know more about the item.

She had been dying to peek at the room but had always been denied entry. Mr. Pawn had always reply whenever she asked when she would be allowed by saying the clause, "when you earn it"

Tired of asking for permission, she continued her task with a plan to sneak in during one of his evening stroll.

Mr. Pawn narrowed her his eyes, trying to see what she could be planning. He knew she must be up to something for her to have kept her mouth shut. It was unlike her to keep quiet whenever he denied her entry.

He smiled, looking forward to seeing her face when she made an attempt to enter the back room.