GARDEN OF MEMORY

CHAPTER 04

KHALIL

The air in the airport lounge felt thick with a mix of anticipation and exhaustion. I sat beside my father, watching the stream of travelers hurrying past, their faces a mix of excitement and worry. My own heart pounded in my chest, a mix of emotions swirling within me. I was leaving the Philippines, leaving behind the life I had built, the friends I had made, and the girl who had captured my heart.

My father, a man of few words, sat beside me, his face etched with a quiet sadness. I knew he was struggling with this decision as well. We had both come to the Philippines with a sense of hope, a desire to build a new life, a life free from the pressures and expectations of our old world. We had found solace in the warmth of the Filipino people, the vibrant culture, and the beauty of the islands. We had built a business, a home, a community.

But life had a way of throwing curveballs, and now, we were being forced to return to the States, to face a reality we had tried to escape. A family emergency, a sudden illness, a business deal gone sour - the details were irrelevant. The bottom line was that we had to go back.

"Are you sure about this, Dad?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to leave Rose. I didn't want to leave the life we had built. But I knew I couldn't defy my father. I had always been the dutiful son, the one who followed his lead.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and regret. "It's for the best, Khalil. We have to go back. There's no other choice."

I nodded, though a part of me still protested. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was leaving something behind, something important, something I couldn't quite put my finger on. I was leaving a piece of myself in the Philippines, a piece that belonged to Rose.

I sighed, pushing away the thoughts of Rose and the life I was leaving behind. I knew I had to be strong. I had to focus on the future, on the life that awaited me back home. But a part of me couldn't help but wonder if I was making the right decision.

As we boarded the plane, I looked back at the bustling airport, a bittersweet feeling settling in my stomach. I knew I would never forget the Philippines, the people I had met, and the girl who had stolen my heart. I hoped that one day, I would be able to return, to pick up where I had left off. But for now, I had to focus on the journey ahead, on the unknown that awaited me back in the States.

I closed my eyes, trying to block out the noise of the plane taking off. I thought of Rose, her fiery spirit, her quick wit, her stubborn refusal to be intimidated. I thought of her smile, her laughter, the way she could make me feel like I could conquer the world.

I knew I would never forget her. I just hoped that one day, we would be together again.

ROSE

The familiar scent of roses, sweet and heady, filled the air as I pulled up to the entrance of Harden de Memoria. "Grabe, ang tagal ko na palang hindi nakapunta dito," I muttered to myself, a wave of nostalgia washing over me.
Manong park the car paid Manong driver before stepping out, the cool evening air a welcome contrast to the stifling heat of the day. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the garden, but the roses, bathed in the warm glow of the lampposts, remained breathtakingly beautiful.

My eyes drifted towards the spot where Khalil and I had spent countless hours, sharing stories, laughter, and dreams. It was a small clearing in front of a bed of crimson roses, where we had laid out a blanket and talked until the stars came out. I could almost see him sitting there, his eyes sparkling with mischief, his smile as warm as the summer sun.

A large stone, the one he had sat on during our last visit, caught my eye. It was a bit out of place, almost like a sentinel guarding the roses. A sudden memory flashed in my mind, the scene of him abruptly standing up, his face etched with a mix of sadness and urgency, before he turned and ran, leaving me confused and bewildered.