Withered Rose (Short Story)

Withered Rose

It’s dark and dingy. Rain pours heavily outside my window while lightning strikes and thunder roars. It seems that the heavens condole with my grief and misery.  It’s been long that I’ve been in my solitude inside this shabby secluded haven. Yes, my haven where I have found my soul’s retreat. Its walls are the silent witnesses of my sufferings. But who could find a refuge inside this scruffy room? Tears flow down my pale cheeks as I recall where I was before…

Door chimes rang out, a lady went inside my little old rustic shop. She looked around and smiled the sweetest smile when her hazel eyes spotted the blue roses. She walked towards the flowers and gently bowed to smell the blue roses. She gently closed her eyes while she felt the aroma of the roses into her soul. And there I was, enchanted with her every move that I became incapable of moving for a moment. There I was, standing in awe behind the counter while holding a bouquet of fresh pink roses which beauty cannot surpass the beauty she possessed. She stood straight and turned to walk towards me while holding a bundle of the blue roses. I didn’t know what to do or what to say. She looked at me and flashed her very sweet smile while walking gracefully. I was captivated. “I will take these. Could you please wrap them for me?” finally she said. Her voice, oh, how melodious to my ears! She looked at me in confusion and said, “Are you alright, Sire?” I was awoken from my daydreaming. “Oh, forgive me, Madam. Are you taking these flowers?” She handed me the flowers and I wrapped them beautifully using the finest paper I have. She pulled out some coins from her purse and smiled again. “Would this be enough, Sire?” She held the coins on her palms. Oh, that smile again! “Don’t worry, Madam, these pretty flowers are yours at no cost. Consider this a gift to someone as enchanting as you.” I handed her the bouquet of blue roses wrapped in fine paper. She blushed and took the bouquet after putting back the coins inside her small purple silk purse. “Thank you so much, Sire! I’m sure Mother would love these should she still be alive. I will repay you in time. I’ll go ahead then. Have a good day, Sire!” I just smiled at her unable to know what to say and then she turned her back from me and walked towards the door with the bouquet in her arms. She was about to open the door when she stopped and turned back, smiled and waved her hand. She took my breath away. She then finally opened the door while my eyes watched her fade behind the door. She’s gone. I felt so much loneliness and emptiness within me and I know only her can fill in that hole inside me. I laughed silently at myself knowing what a fool I was to fall for someone whose name I don't know. Few moments have already passed but I’m still astonished by her beauty and grace. She was the most beautiful my eyes have seen.

Three days have passed but it seems like eternity. I was longing to see her but what can I do? It’s funny but I miss her a lot. That short magical and enchanting moment haunts me tirelessly. To keep her off my mind, which was somewhat impossible to do, I cleaned my little old rustic flower shop. I was almost done cleaning when I spotted a little piece of white cloth on floor near the spot where the blue roses were. I knelt down to pick it up and inspected the piece of cloth and noticed a name embroidered on it—Laura. I realized it could be the hankie of that beautiful lady. Feeling like a fool, I held the hankie close to my heart and smiled at the thought that I have something that belongs to her…to Laura, my enchanting Laura. I kept the hankie inside my pocket and continued with my daily tasks. That day was filled with whistles and smiles. I looked crazy, but I could care less. I retired from the day happily and had beautiful picture of Laura before I drifted into dream land.

More days passed and the fool man is still longing. I kept her hankie inside my pocket and once in a while I would take it out to hold it in my heart then go on with my day. But one morning, my fervent prayers were finally answered. I was outside the shop arranging the flowers displayed by the window, I heard the door chimes’ sound—someone entered the shop. I went inside the shop and was surprised to see a lady dressed in purple looking around. My heart throbbed in excitement. I approached her when she turned to face me. Laura! I knew it was her! “Good morning, Sire,” she greeted me with a smile. “Do you still remember me? I was here about three weeks ago and bought some blue roses. You even gave them to me for free,” she said. I could not say anything for I was too happy to finally see her again. “Sire?” she asked worriedly. “Oh, I’m sorry! Yes, Madam, I remember you,” and smiled back to her. She’s Laura, I finally confirmed. Laura, the enchanting seamstress. She went there because she wants to give me something in exchange for the blue roses. It was a box of baked cookies and they looked delectable. I invited Laura for tea and we shared the cookies. She bid goodbye after an hour but promised to be back. I was pleased to know that there is a possibility for friendship to bloom between us.