White Rose

Dating with Sage

Naven's mouth was slightly opened as if a fly could wander inside it. Sage who was behind him just a moment ago, slightly tapped his shoulder. "What are you looking at?" Then, she noticed the brand new controller that was just released last month was being displayed at their local coffee shop. Sage looked at Naven who haven't notice her presence, looking like a bear that found a pot of golden honey. She said with a loud voice, "Come on. We're going to be late. Earth to Naven!"

Naven covered his left ear with his eyebrows knitted. "What?! You know your voice is very high pitched. Do you want to turn me into deaf?" Sage giggled and said, "at this point, yeah. Let's go or we're going to be late to the event." She meant a home expo that was held around the block. Naven sighed and said "alright, alright. It's you who want to see the expo, not me." Sage rolled her eyeballs and replied, "so what? You're the one that asked me." Naven smirked before he said, "because I know you're going to love it." Sage walked away with a frown and a chuckled from Naven. He just love to tease Sage because of her reaction.

Sage was so excited when they arrived at the event. It was humongous, maze-like place. There were so many interior design that can be explored. Sage turned to Naven and said, "okay, you go over there first. I'll meet you at the kitchen space." Naven hold her wrist, "okay but, where are you going?" Sage said that she needed tp use the toilet with a gleeful smile. Then, Naven let her go.

They spent hours - exploring the whole area. The guest room, living room, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and many more. It was just endless until Naven cried for a break. Sage finally agreed and they both had some dinner before leaving the expo.

"You know what... Today, you looks..." Naven said in the car. Sage, who was chomping on some bagels looked at him with sparkling eyes. Naven looked at Sage up and down. She was looking fine with her pinned with a flower hair grip. Sage was wearing a pinkish, plain dress that really popped up her skin. It made er looked so lively. "Nothing, this dress make you look a bit dull. You know that?" Naven said.

Sage grunted and said, "yes, I know. Thank you sir, for your appreciated comment." Her eyelids were twitching as she tried to hold her cool. Naven chuckled when he noticed a new bracelet hidden under Sage's sleeve. "Hey, nice bracelet." He said as he tried to touch it. "Don't!" Sage suddenly brushed his hand away. Naven was taken aback. Sage's face changed when she realized her action. "I... I'm sorry. I need to go." Fortunately, the car arrived at her placed in time. Sage flee out of the car as fast as possible. Naven shrugged his shoulders and start relaxing at the back of the car before arriving at his house.

The next day, Naven went to Sage's house when she was on her way to go out. "Hey, where are you going?" He asked. "The usual." She meant the local coffee shop. As per usual, Sage always brought a single stalk of black rose, sticked out from her bag. "You really loves black roses, do you?" Sage smiled and said, "I do. It reminds me of myself. To keep growing beautifully." Naven burst into laughter and said, "ha! Yes. Keep growing as you're desperately need it. You know what I mean." He meant by her height. But, nothing is wrong by being 150 centimeters.

They sat at a table of two. After ordering some coffees and bites, Sage excused herself to the toilet. At the meantime, Naven looked at her black rose and suddenly had a thought, "it's nice but, it looks..." He jolted when someone stomped their foot. "What are you doing with my flower?!" Naven was just realized that he touched the rose unconsciously. He smiled blandly as he was caught red-handed.

They both sit together and talked about other upcoming events that they want to visit. The time passed by quickly that they lost the track of it. "It's almost dark. I should get going now." Sage got up and they both left. They were at the end of a road that separates their way. "Okay, thank you for sending me here." Sage smiled. Naven coughed jokingly and said, "no, I'm not. I just went here because my house is that way." He said while pointing at the other side of the road. Suddenly, he could see Sage's smile became bitter. She quickly turned away and walked away from him. "Wa.. wait. Sage!" He ran towards her when she suddenly collapsed to the ground. Naven's blood ran cold as his heart palpitating madly.

Naven brought Sage to the emergency center. They put her into a room for a checkup. Only then, Naven learnt the truth. "She has been suspected with a silent depression for a long time. Her sudden collapse was caused by overwhelming emotions. Hope you'll be more careful to what you're saying to her."

Naven looked up the symptoms of silent depression - no energy, trouble sleeping and faking emotions? His eyes caught at Sage's arms that covered by long sleeves. She always hated when anyone been near to her arms. Naven's hand was trembling as he slowly uncovered her sleeves. That was when his tears prickled down to his cheeks.

Her arms was filled with small bruises and a lot of cuts, wounds as if she has been abusing herself by piercing some needles into her flesh. It was a terrifying view that even Naven did not have the heart to keep looking at her arms. "How... Why this happening, Sage?" He could not believe his eyes and ears. Naven could not accept the fact that he is the cause of all that.