Mini-Contest Entries Compilation

Entry No. 2 - Colors of Autumn

I was staring outside the window. Yellow and red are dominant over green, seems like you've come again. I feel the soothing brush strokes in my hair. I tuned in to my favorite radio station and listened to a song.

"...Taxi cabs and busy streets,
That never bring you back to me,
I can't help but wish you took me with you..."

I used to sing it for my best friend. I somehow remembered the best days I have with her. Marshmallow eating fight, funniest face fight. I smiled at the thought.

"I don't wanna miss you like this. Come back... be here."

Suddenly the woman in white called my name. She said that my man have come for me. I followed her wearing my sweetest smile.

I'm so excited to see him. I would tell him stories about how the woman in white slip on the wet floor. I can't wait to see his laugh again!

And there he stands, in jeans and polo shirt. I waved my hands to show that I see him.

As I walked towards him, I see those who have their family today.

Several flashbacks crossed my mind. The consecutive years when I loss my friends, my family, and myself. Remember that? You're always here when something like that happens.
"Hi."
"Hello babe!"

It's been months when we have talked. I really missed him.
Nothing has changed in his appearance. He's still the man I fell in love with.
"How's your day going?"
"It's great. Especially when I heard that you came to see me. Can I hug you?"
But then, I noticed the lady behind his back. No she's not his sister.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"Ahm, Dianne this is Krizzia. My fiancé."
"Your fiancé?"

For a second I thought he was joking.
"Yes."
"What about us?"

He didn't answer. But just gave me a sad smile in return.
I hugged him. As tight as I can.
Why? Why babe?
"We're moving to new York this coming weekend."
"You would leave me?"
"I'm sorry."

I don't know what to feel. My tears fall simultaneously as the shedding of the leaves.
I want to kiss him. For him to be reminded that I'm the one who's been with him the whole time.
The whole time? I was aback with my thoughts.
I'm not on his side the whole time. I'm stuck here. With persons I don't personally knew.
I looked at him. He's also crying. This might also be painful to him. To see me hurting and leave me.
I held his hand and smiled at him.

"It's okay babe. I'll be happy for the both of you. Don't cry. Dianne wants to see Travis happy"

I gave him our picture.

"If you have children someday, and if they point to the picture, promise me you'll tell them my name."

He nods.

And by that, I see his face brightened up a little.
I hugged him for the last time.
Then I watched him turn his back to me.
No more person to visit me here. I haven't tell him the story of the woman in white.
"I love you Travis, I maybe a psycho, but I still knew what's best for you"

I loss another treasure. How comes that when you're here, everything begins to fall apart, pieces by pieces? First, you took my friends. It's your month when they decided to move somewhere far from here. The following year, my parents died. I still remember how their car crash in front of our house. Then, last year you took me out of my mind. Afraid that something would be taken away from me again. Are we really meant this bad?

I returned to my room and watched as my butterfly flutters its wings.
I took my medicines and take a nap.

Things come so fast.

Then a year passed.

I'm sitting here at the bench watching as the leaves start to fall. It's not that I'm not afraid of you anymore. I just know what you're going to get this time. Something I also wish to be vanished.

"Hi."
A little boy sits beside me.
"Hello. Where's your parents?"
"They buy foods for me. I think I know you"
"Haha. I'm Snow White" I whispered to his ears.
"Naa. You're not Snow White. Your hair is not short. You don't wear princess gowns. And you don't have the seven dwarfs with you."

How could a boy know Snow White more than I know her? Haha.

His eyes. It reminds me of someone.
"Aha. Your name is Dianne, right?"
He knows me?
"Yes. Why do you know my name?"
"Here."

He shows me a Polaroid picture.
It's the same picture I gave to Travis.
This boy. Is Travis son?
I hug him as tight as I hugged her father before.

"My daddy always tell me stories about you."
"Really? That's so refreshing to hear! You know what? Why don't we play while waiting for your parents?"
"Okay!"

We play hide and seek and other games. In this way, I can thank Travis for not breaking his promise. Minutes have passed and his parents called his name.

"Paris!"
"Your name is Paris?"
"Yes"

I chuckled. Our name both represents a place in Europe.
He run towards his parents. And wave goodbye.
I watch them walk together as family.

I return to the bench and sit. I look at my wristwatch.
"It's time I guess?"
I then rest. Happily, thinking that I don't have to be afraid of your presence anymore.

My last you.

My last autumn.