I chanced upon him one sunny morning. I was walking on the field packed with wild flowers when I saw a figure near the tree. I was curious. "Who could that be?" I told myself. As I drew closer, I saw a boy. He is slightly older than me. I approached him and asked him what is he doing there. He just looked at me and smiled. No answer. He brushed his eyes into the heavens. I wondered what he is looking at so I sat beside him and looked at the sky. There was nothing special with that day. I didn’t see any shooting star or something extraordinary. The sky was plain blue with white clouds that looked like a million of cotton candies. I looked at him and asked him once again, "what are you doing here?" He smiled once again and he said, "I’m just enjoying this day." My face crumpled. I don’t understand. I thought that he is just wasting his time. "Enjoying?" I retorted. "yes," I’m even more confused. "how?" I asked him. He offered no answer to my inquisitive mind. He just smiled.
The next morning I returned to the field. I was admiring the wild flowers. Then I saw a single red rose. I wondered. How did that rose landed in the field of wild flowers. I opted not to think anymore. I was admiring it so much that I picked the flower and went to the tree and rest. "I want more of these," I said. I dug a hole and planted the flower. "It will not grow." It was a voice from behind. I looked behind me and I saw the boy that I talked to yesterday. I glared at him to my dismay. I saw him on crutches. I dared not to ask. He sat beside me. "let it dry first then get the seeds," he said. "Seeds? Can’t the flower grow by itself?" I asked shyly. "No, my dear. Let the flower dry first then get the seeds." he answered.
Patiently I waited for the flower to dry. Days passed and it seems forever. I want those roses already.
After a week I went back to the tree. I started digging a hole and planted the seeds. Surprisingly, the boy approached me. "Its been a week since I last saw you." I looked at him with much enthusiasm and said "I waited till the rose dried up." He smiled.
The next couple of days I forgot to water the seeds. I was worried sick that it might not live so I hurriedly went to the tree. I was surprised when I saw the boy watering my seeds. I was touched. I thanked him for the wonderful gesture. "I appreciate it, thanks," I said. "your welcome," the boy answered.
Months had passed and I can see that my seeds are growing. I was so happy. I thought that I’ll be able to have lots of roses when the plants bloom.
One afternoon I decided to visit my rose plants. I chanced upon him once again. But he was crying. I walked towards him, "what is the matter? Why are you crying?" He lifted his sad face and wiped his tears away. I know there is something bothering him but I guess he doesn’t want to tell me. It puzzles me why he is in crutches and why he is crying. I don’t know how to help him. I just sat beside him and offered him a hug. He looked at me and asked me to walk around the field. I enthusiastically stood and helped him to get up. We slowly walked together. "where do you live?" I asked. "In a place far away." I looked at him and saw tears coming from his eyes. "I’m lost," he said. "well, I could help you find your way back." "I don’t know if you could help me. I’m from a place far away from this town and I doubt it if you have traveled that far." He is right. The only place I know is my town. "If you find your way, can you take me with you? I want to go to your town too. Are there roses in your town?" I queried. "oh yes, there are a lot of roses in my town. There are tons of colors to choose from." My eyes grew bigger. I was excited to hear that. I love roses. "if ever you find your way home, will you get some seeds for me?" "Well, of course, I will do that," he replied. It was getting dark. We watched as the sun sets. I bid him goodbye.
The next day I went back to the tree and water my rose plants. Its getting taller everyday. The branches are starting to grow and the leaves were multiplying fast. The boy appeared again. "how’s your plants?" I smiled and told him that its getting taller. I was excited for it to bloom. He was happy for me. We walked again and when we rested he offered me a bread. It was so delicious that I almost finished the whole loaf. I was embarrassed when he looked at me with amazement as I swallowed. More than the bread, I enjoyed his company. Well, the bread is just a bonus.
Every morning we would meet up near the tree. We would water the plants and have a little talk. It was a rainy day when I noticed that there were already small rose buds at the tip of the branches. I was ecstatic, so does he. Finally, it bloomed into beautiful roses. No words could describe how happy I was. He felt it too. He was happy just the same. Amid it all, I still cannot understand his pain.
Days had passed and the sight of him was hopeless. I wanted to share with him the beauty of my roses. I wanted to tell him a lot of things. I want to hear his stories. Unfortunately, my waiting became futile.
It has been weeks since I last saw him. Just as the leaves began to fall and my roses started to wither- he appeared. I was happy to see him but I can no longer share with him my rose. It already dried up. "just as your roses, I, too, must go," he said. I was puzzled. "why?" I asked. "I must search for my way home," he answered. With a sad look on my face I hugged him. "Don’t you enjoy my company?" "Oh yes I do my sweet angel, but I have to go now. I cannot stay here forever." I retorted, "well, if you enjoy my company why do you have to go? Why do you have to leave me?" "There are some things that are best unsaid. I must go now. It was indeed a pleasure to know someone like you." A tear rolled down my check. "Rest your weary eyes. Don’t be sad. I will always be around. Just as the rose plant became a part of my life, you, too, became a big part of mine. I enjoyed taking care of you and your plants but, I must leave. I have a long road to travel." I was overwhelmed with what was happening. I’m saddened by the withering of my roses. I’m saddened by his departure.
The next morning I hurriedly went back to the fields. I ran toward the tree. I was hoping to catch him there. I waited for hours to no avail. There were no signs that he was coming. A tear rolled down my cheek. As the moon sets its light, I thought about him and hoped that he will be able to find his way home.
-THE END-
