Rose

Loneliness is a curse to say

Something from which we walk away…

“Move faster!”

I flinched at Jules' harsh tone. Only lords know about the grudge she holds against me.

“Sorry.”

I replied weakly.

Pathetic!

One of the voices in my head mocked me. Please, not now. I took a deep breath as I focused on the task at hand. What was it again…? Yes, collecting the dirty cutlery from table 2. I moved quickly. As I scooped all the cutlery with practiced precision.

But jitters of the cutlery were enough to distract me, but still, it all felt…

Empty

How ironic it was that the silence was eating me alive in a cafe which was brimming with customers. It wasn’t their fault. The more I listened, the more distanced I felt. This used to be me, but Rose is dead. Wilted, crushed, and discarded.

"Table number 5, Rose."

I looked back leisurely to meet the smiling face of my employer, Martha. She was expectantly looking at my face to see a smile, but all she received from me was a nod.

How much I wanted to return that smile to her, I couldn't, as I have long forgotten how to smile. Nothing brought it back. It felt too draining for a little fake act.

Martha is a great woman, my savior. That night, when I lay on that cold floor with blood all over and around me, she took me to a hospital and afterwards even gave me this job.

I made my way towards table 5 when I heard her jolly voice again.

"This is going to be the last table for you today."

She knows it so well that I never stay out after sunset. Everything changed that day. She knows I need to reach my home before sunset. I am too terrified to be out alone after dusk.

I made my way to table 5, where two men in business suits were seated

“May I take your orders?”

"I will have a black coffee with two shots of espresso.", the taller one said, and to my surpris,e his tone was polite. I looked towards the other man at the table.

"And for you, sir?"

“Same but cold-brewed.”

He said in a dismissive tone as I nodded my head before handing the orders to the barista. I patiently waited for the order, overseeing the people entering and exiting the cafe. They seem so full of life, and if not, then at least humane.

Love is the essence of humanity

The quote framed on the wooden block mocked me as a fleeting memory escaped its cage. 

My past, my happiness.

"Please let's go back home, love. You are going to catch a cold." Hades pleaded for the thousandth time. It was always amusing to see such a ruthless man begging for something that shouldn’t even concern him.

"No!"

I shouted as I continued to dance in the rain.

“Please, my flower. You won’t even let me hold you, in case you catch a cold.”

Hades grumbled. A soft laugh escaped my lips. Though, indeed, I don't let Hades hold me when I am sick, as I fear him catching my cold. But it isn’t like he doesn't use his sneaky tactics, once I fall asleep.

 The soft pitter-patter of rain and the earthy scent make me take a twirl. I know I will most likely catch a cold after it. But who cares? Oh, yes, my husband!

"Rose, please."

I looked back to see my husband standing below the umbrella. I rolled my eyes.

"Hades, live a little!"

It was my turn to plead, but that stubborn man shook his head. Hades never found getting wet in the rain an enjoyable idea.

"It's time for plan B."

I said to myself as I collected some drops of water in my hand to throw them at Hades.

"Do you think it is the smartest idea, Mrs. Rose Knight? Your hands are too tiny.", Hades asked in a teasing tone to which I just nodded my head.

Soon I threw that water in his direction, but he brought his umbrella in the front to protect himself, completely forgetting the part; that - it - was - pouring and soon he was drenched.

As the realisation hit him, I started giggling.

"See, my plan worked."

I said while laughing.

"You!"

Hades pointed a finger in my direction with a look in his eyes, saying 'You will regret it.’

Soon, I was running barefoot in the rain with him following me. Within three minutes, he caught me, but I couldn't stop laughing.

He looked down at me and started laughing at himself.

"Guess I am not that smart, huh…"

Hades said before he pressed a cold kiss on my wet and cold forehead.

“Here.”

Alan stated as he handed me two cups of coffee. I quickly moved back to the table to serve the order. Not caring about any bills or tips they were to leave, I walked towards the staff room. Some bills weren’t more important than reaching my crumbling sanctuary on time, before sunset…

"Rose."

I looked back to find my co-worker, Alan, looking at me hopefully.

"Umm, you remember I ..."

Before he could complete it, I took out a piece of paper from my bag and handed it to him.

As soon as I gave him that paper, he started grinning from ear to ear.

"Thank you so much, Rose. Now you wait and watch. I will make the best cupcake for Isabelle. The look on her face will be worth my efforts.", Alan said in a dreamy tone

I awed Alan at that moment. Isabelle, his girlfriend, loves my blueberry cupcake recipe. Thus, he wanted to surprise her on her birthday by making those cupcakes with his hand, along with some other baked goods.

"Isabelle is lucky to have a boyfriend like you."

I said to Alan, but he shook his head.

“Both of us are equally lucky.”

Hearing his parting words, I started my walk to my apartment. To others, neither my locality nor my apartment was good. But to me, it was at least something I could call mine. 

Suddenly, I could hear someone close by. But before I could either pace up or turn around…

"Bo!"

Feeling someone's touch, I flinched, shrinking my form to appear smaller, or rather invisible. Taking some steps back, I closed my eyes and waited for a miracle to happen and the person who touched me to vanish.

"Rosie, it's me, Asher."

The man's voice was deep yet soft. But still it was a man, a predator.

“Be a good girl for us.”

“Please, not again!”

“Rosie, Rose… Please breathe. You can do it. First for strength, second for luck, and third for the charm!”

These words seem familiar.

“Rosie, please come back.”

Rosie? The concern, the softness…

I fearfully opened my eyes only to find it was Asher, who was now intently staring at me. As if I were a ticking bomb. And maybe I am one.

I took a breath of relief and drank my unshed tears. 

Asher took small steps towards me and hugged me.

"It's okay, Rosie. I am here, and I won't let anyone hurt you."

Asher said sweetly as I nodded my head. His voice was convincing. Yet a small piece of my heart refused to even believe him.

He is the only person who knows everything about my past.

If Martha saw me bare by skin, then Asher saw me bare by soul.

"What brings you here?" I asked Asher after I broke free of his hug.

"Your medicines.” 

He said while putting a small packet in my hands.

I looked down at the packet, and my chest tightened with guilt thinking about the money he spent on my medicines.

"You didn't need to do that for me. I should have managed."

I said in a low voice.

But in the back of my mind, I knew, I couldn't have managed. It is so difficult.

"Hush, puppy. Just take these medicines." " he said playfully.

"Puppy?" I asked, amused.

"Well, yeah, you are as tiny as a puppy. Now I need to go, otherwise my dearest mother will kill me.", Asher said as he rushed down the street, not before kissing my cheek.

“See ya later!”

He shouted as I looked at his retreating figure and then continued down the street. 

Soon, tiny crystals from heaven started falling over me. The pouring soon became heavy, but I continued on my way, not bothering to stop; the sky was gloomy with the gray clouds, yet there was still a subtle orange-tinted horizon. But it was fading quickly.

Soon, my broken flat came into view with liquor bottles lying at various places on the street. I quickened my pace, wanting to escape the eyes of my shady neighbors, some already drunk.

My apartment was on the second floor as I weakly climbed up the staircase, counting the stairs like every time. 48 Stairs to be exact…

But something about the air felt odd as I neared my apartment. Something so familiar yet so out of place. I frowned as I walked towards my apartment door, fetching the key from the pocket of my now-wet coat. Suddenly, a nasty thunder roared across as I blocked my ears.

Only for my eyes to clash with the worst kind of storm.

“My Flower…”