Yesterday's You |18+|

Chapter 10

The time flies so fast, it's already the weekend. I turned off my alarm on the table beside my bed and I unlocked my phone. It's 8.30 a.m. I got up from my bed and took the towel that was hanging on the door and went straight to the bathroom.

Today, 13th March, marked as 5 years of my parents' death. I planned to go to the flower shop and then I would go to the cemetery with Diane at 5 p.m.

After taking a bath, drying my hair and putting on my skincare product, I took a white blouse with minimal blue embroideries and a pair of jeans. I decided to let my hair free and I put my bracelet and watch on my left wrist.

After dressing up, I climbed down the stairs to have breakfast. I took out a bottle of milk from the refrigerator, a box of strawberries and a cookie from the container. Several minutes later, Diane showed up at the kitchen.

"You late," I said jokingly. She was still half-asleep.

"I'm sorry I binged watching Netflix last night, it was superb!" She said. "You went to Ken's Florist today?" she asked and I nodded. "Use my car," she demanded.

"No, I have already ordered myself an uber which will arrive in few minutes," I insisted.

"No, cancel it!" She instructed.

Suddenly, a notification popped out on my screen. "Joke on you! The driver has arrived," I stuck out my tongue to taunt Diane and I rushed to the car.

When I entered, I said Hello and he reconfirmed my name and my destination. When he drove, I gazed through the window. There were people who were having their breakfast, working out and having a conversation.

It's been 5 years since my parents left me. They are years of growing, suffocation and learning. Although, I did question why they went so fast, that I couldn't have the chance to grow old with them, achieve success to make them proud and make them happy.

15 minutes later, I arrived at Ken's florist shop and I could see Ken the owner already arranged the flowers in front of his shop. I paid the money to the driver and I exited his car after saying thank you.

"Good morning, Ken!" I said to him mirthfully. He turned to look at me after he put a pile of fresh roses on the shelf.

"Good morning, Katherine. Have you had your breakfast?" He asked in his British accent. I nodded. "I have a new collection of flowers in my garden, you can have a look, just in case you are interested."

My eyes went wide. "Are you serious?" I asked and he nodded. "Thanks," I rushed to the back of his shop. I opened the gate that leads to his garden and I was so amazed by all the flowers there. I touched the petals of the flower, sensed its odour and enjoyed the chrome. It was so amazing.

I approached the site where all the roses were planted. I touched its petal, closed the gap of my nose with it and inhaled the scent. So nice! I do love daisy but not a fan of its smell.

And then, I felt a tap on my right shoulder and I turned to my right there's no one. I turned to look at my left, it's Chris.

"Oh," I smiled as soon as I saw him.

"Hi," he smiled at me too.

"How do you know I am here?" I asked as I continued to stroll through the garden and he followed me.

"I searched for you at your house and Diane said you are here," he explained. I nodded. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Um... searching for flowers," I answered.

"For what?" He asked.

I looked at him but I felt heavy to tell him about my parent. I pulled away from our eye contact and I continued to walk, leaving him alone. I heard his footsteps approaching and then, he stopped me by holding my shoulders with both his hands.

"You can always tell me, what's going on, okay?" he uttered.

I nodded. He let go of my shoulders and we walked by each other's side.

"Actually, today is my parent's death anniversary," I said but I didn't look at him.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"It's fine," I exclaimed with a slow voice. "They involved in a car crash five years ago," I said.

"So, who is Diane actually?" he asked.

"Um... Diane is my aunt. My dad's sister," I explained and he nodded again. "Actually, why do you want to meet me? Supposedly, we will meet each other tomorrow, right?" I asked.

He pulled out something in his pocket and then, he put his arm around my shoulder. There was a tiny box on his hand.

"What is this?" I asked.

"Have a look," he told me and I did as instructed. I opened the box slowly and I could see a shimmering silver necklace. I was frozen and I could see from the corner of my eye, that Chris was waiting for my reaction.

"Chris, there's something I need to tell you," I said and when I tried to leave, he held my wrist and look at me in my eyes.

"Why? You don't like me?" His voice came out deep and slow.

I looked down on the ground. "Everything's going so fast, Chris," I put my head up and I met him in his eyes. "When I said I really didn't want to involve with any guys during my senior year, I do mean it," I stressed on every single of my word that I uttered. I didn't break our eye contact.

I took his hand and we continued to walk. "Why don't you want to involve with anyone?" He asked. "Oh my God, are you a lesbian?" he opened his eyes widely.

I chuckled. "No!" I answered while tapping his chest gently. "I felt unfair for a person to be bonded or tied with me especially if that guy was you. You're going to college sooner, right?" He nodded. "Further your study and makes your parent proud," I said.

"And you?" He asked.

"I have a lot of commitments during my senior year, Chris," I insisted and then he put his head down. "I promise you, if I finished school later, you can put that necklace at my neck."

He looked at me in my eyes and then, he pulled away from his gaze. "Okay, I will fulfil your request," he said. I smiled after hearing his reply.

-

"Thanks, Chris, for driving us to the cemetery," Diane said as we arrived at our house. He decided to join us to go to the cemetery after accompanying me to buy flower without me asking.

Diane walked towards the door and I wiped my tears away afterwards because I still felt the sadness and sorrow maybe I was affected by everything that happened. Actually I was waiting for Chris to get my back when I cried but turned out he didn't.

"Why you look at me like that?" I asked.

"I waited for you to cry until you satisfy, I won't bother you until you feel relief,"  he said.

I carved a smile and chuckled. "Thank you by the way, for today. It's really worth having you and Diane," I turned my head to look at him.

"Anytime, Grace," he smiled and he reached for my hand.

I took out a piece of tissue from my pocket and I gave it to Chris.

"What is it?" He frowned. "I am not crying, you are," he gave me a weird face.

"Have a look," I said as I took my bag and I stepped out of the car. I stopped beside his car to sneak a peek at the window to observe his reaction.

When he turned over the tissue, his eyes went wide and he looked at me. "You're kidding, this isn't your phone number," he said.

"It is," I nodded.

"Oh my God! Woohoo!!!" He cheered and he started the engine. I waved at him when he started to drive away.