Snow Blooms The Perfect Rose

A soft breeze

Soft wind made me shiver all through the way. I was closing the gate when Lisa called. Her house was near mine. Compared to ours, it was smaller. But was built with cement and have painted recently. Our house was made with dark stones, which was inherited to dad from his wealthy old master, John Immanuel, who was French descendent and had a big tea estate.

He was unmarried and later adopted my dad, who was twelve then. His friends had an eye on his properties. Whenever they visited, he transformed my dad into a cook, gardener or a waiter. When he was grown, John made him his driver. He gave my dad food, a room to sleep, and a father's affection, when no one is around.

After his death, his friends claimed the wealth and left dad, his master's house as a token for not creating troubles for them. Finally, dad became the master of this house. Dad told us that the garden was splendid that time and John had a couple of dogs which were later claimed by his wealthy friends.

Now the garden is more to the flowers than the thick bushes, the wealthy houses adored. Sandra's birdhouses occupied the sides of the garden. She never caged the birds. The birds are free to roam through the garden. They never went out. At first, I mocked Sandra for this. But Sandra was so sure and to our delight none of them left the garden. Winter is not a good time for birds. Many of them died and the others went sick. Sandra spends extra time with birds in winter.

"Anna, make sure Lisa gets the tablets." It was Maria, our neighbor and Lisa's mom.

"Mom, she is always in her dream world. You know, I never forget grandpa's medicines." Lisa mocked.

Lisa is my best friend from childhood. Her grandpa Daniel Issac, another French descendent, was the first one to establish a school in our village. Our place was used to be a French colony, the whites ruled here and many people descended from there and settled here. They brought tea estates and made good fortune. After independence some of them left and some stayed here. My mom's dad was French too.

Lisa's Grandpa settled here. He was born into a wealthy family in France, he came here with his son, and settled in a town called Everland, which is 5 hours far from here. His son Gerald was dad's friend. After a major set back in business, he moved to this town' with family. After death of Gerald, grandpa went paralyzed. Maria works as a teacher in grandpa's elementary school.

Lisa checked my fever as we crossed the first bend. "Lisa, I am not sick". I get angry, when people do this.

"That's why you look pale, weak and a little more arrogant today." Lisa mocked me again.

"How's Steve?" Her brother Steve, elder than Sandra is working in Everland and visits home on weekends.

"He's busy. He won't be coming in the next weekend." I can feel the sorrow in Lisa's voice. They have not seen Steve for two months. He is working in a luxury hotel and has promoted recently.

A soft breeze caressed us as we crossed the first bend. A group of boys with their motor bikes passed. They were whistling and howling. One of them nearly hit Lisa. She turned to shout at him. But he accelerated and vanished.

Our place, Rosevalley is a famous tourist spot. Famous for its green mountains, grasslands and a cool climate, which made it the perfect picnic spot for city dwellers. Our place was near a reserved forest, It is very far from the main town and only few tourists visited here. We are devoid of any kind of communication. Only a few houses have a telephone connection. Our people never heard about the internet.

Only explorers and adventurers visited our town and forest. Visitors, mainly bikers are creating trouble in our town. They rush through the roads, hits poultry and farm animals, sometimes stole them. Littered our streets and river. They often hid themselves in heavy jackets and helmets. Once one of them nearly hit dad's car, and he really hates them.

"Leave it Lisa, you cannot catch him". I consoled Lisa all the way to Sara's home.

Sara lived in the colony of estate workers. All the houses looked same there. They were small concrete buildings, so close to each other. With the roof made of plastic sheet. Her parents went early to the estate, we rarely saw them. She locked her house and placed the key in the slot besides the window and joined us. We were about to pass, when Lucy ran towards us. She was sweating, her untidy hair flying all over. Her skirt had a fresh oil stain.

Lisa scolded her. "Lucy, it's Monday, Ms Andrea will check our uniforms. Today you will be out for sure".

Ignoring Lisa, she took out a small notebook. "Not for that, for this". She showed us her unfinished essay.

Suddenly it occurred to me, I forgot my essay, I always get confused between Sandra's music notes and my notebooks. Today is the deadline. Without much talk I caught hold of Lisa's hand and ran back.

Three bends we passed, Lisa was shouting, which went indistinct through the wind. As we reached the second bend, we found Sandra standing there with the book.

"I know you will come back, you were writing this the whole weekend". I snatched the book before Sandra can finish. I thanked her quickly and ran away with Lisa.

A group of bikers passed us. "Lisa we will be late today".

"It was your fault".

"Let us cross this estate. It's easy".

"No, Anna it is prohibited".

"But nobody is here. I can't run in this climate. It's Monday and Ms Andrea...".

Lisa decided to pass the bend as I took the easy route.

The estate was above the level of the road. I ran through the sloppy estate. The soil was loose and dry and I almost slipped at some points. As I was passing the last row, my feet lost control and I slipped, my hand suddenly grasped a tuft of thick tea plant which was torn through my grip. I fell towards the road. I heard the sound of a truck. I know what is going to happen, but I was helpless. I closed my eyes. The truck was near, I couldn't rise. Suddenly someone held my hands and pulled me up.

I felt the rush of vehicle passing us. I thought I would fall again. But those hands were holding me tight. First I thought it was Liza, but it was a boy. It was a biker. I could only see his deep blue eyes. His face was hidden inside his black Helmet. For a moment I thought he was looking at me with passion. I have seen his eyes somewhere. I wanted to see his face. I felt a soft breeze rustling through my body.

"Are you okay girl?" A long brown haired boy ran towards us. He also wore rider's costume without helmet. My arm was aching. The skin of my right arm was torn. My rescuer was still looking at me.

With his rough voice, he asked. "Does it hurt?" I nodded.

"Take it as a token for your negligence. You are living here and you know the danger of this route. Such a fool you are. What happened if that truck has gone through you? You never know the pain. Your whole life will be in bed, which hurts a million times more than that tiny scratch in your arm". I could feel the anger in his words. His eyes said something different.

The words hit me hard. I know I am careless, but I never got scolded by a stranger. I rarely talked with them. He turned back and left. His friend followed him. I watched him till he crossed the bend.

Lisa rushed to me. "Anna what happened? You have fallen? I told you."

"Did you see him?" I was shaking with anger, sadness and fear.

Lisa was confused. "Whom?"

"Someone saved my life".

"What?"

"That truck has almost hit me"

"What? I knew it! You and your carelessness! This bend is dangerous! How many times they told us to be careful at the bends." Now it was Lisa's turn.

I was not listening. I was not even paying attention to my scratch. I was thinking about those eyes. They look strangely familiar. I was foolish then. I could have said something. At least I should have thanked him. Lisa snatched my bag. I looked back once more. That spot was deserted. I silently walked with a Liza.