Karma Side of the Roses

◇ Karma Side of Soda Cans ◇

"They say secrets can't stay hidden, but what if they stay hidden just to get revealed? "

Please, do it. I beg you.

No I can't.

Do it! It's killing me!

I can't!

DO IT!

Rose woke up, drenched in sweat. Her heart throbbing violently in her chest. Sitting up in bed, she looked out the window. Apparently, the Sun had already risen.

The dream, was it related to the flashback? she asked herself. Then she felt a knot of pain in her stomach. Knowing what it was, she rushed to the toilet which was already occupied.

"Open up!" she pounded at the door.

"Go away!" It was Kevin. "Why are you up so early anyways?" He yelled from inside the bathroom.

" I had a nightmare," said Rose, more to herself.

"And I had soup " said Kevin, sarcasm evident in his voice.

"We had soup," Rose reminded him as she entered the bathroom and pushed him out.

◇◆◇◆◇◆

Rose looked at the stomach pills resting in her palm and then at Kevin, who was sitting on a shelf.

"You know it's not wise to have these on an empty stomach." said Rose.

"Well, we still have soup." laughed Kevin, pointing at the fridge.

"Oh shut up." said Rose. She went to the fruits basket and picked up two bananas. She saw Kevin laughing harder as she shoved a banana in his hand. She had the "Don't " look evident on her face which was enough to shut him up.

Peeling her banana she jumped up to sit on the shelf beside Kevin.

"Where's Gramma?" asked Rose, taking a bite.

"She went to buy some fertilizer and gardening tools." Kevin said while chewing.

Garden. Rose suddenly remembered the dream from previous night.

Both of them had finished eating, when Rose discarded the peels and poured water into two cups. Then she popped a pill, gulping it down with water.

"Say...Kev?" she said, handing him the cup of water along with the pill.

"Yeah?" He asked, taking the pill and drinking from the cup.

"Do you remember Uncle Ardere ?" she asked slowly.

"Who?" He clenched his jaw, as he slowly parted the cup from his lips.

"Uncle Ar-" Rose spoke again only to get interrupted.

"Why are you asking this? Kevin asked through gritted teeth. Anger evident in his tone.

"Why don't you get over the past? Grow up!" He shook her firmly by the shoulders. "He is gone for good, get it?" Banging the glass on the shelf beside Rose, he barged out of the house angrily.

Rose sat there with her lips parted in disbelief as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"I don't believe it! I don't. I can't!" she yelled. Her lungs felt heavy as a feeling of helplessness settled in her chest.

She threw the plates off the shelf, smashed the glass against the wall. Screaming at the top of her lungs, she slipped. Pieces of glass and porcelain cut into her arm. Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to get up but failed. Everything blacked out.