CHAPTER 3

Black Rose

I woke up at about 5:30 with a lot of questions in my mind and my stomach was getting a little bloated. I don't know how I got to bed making without remembering that I came home last night. The only thing I remember is the one I was cycling in the middle of the road back to our house but suddenly darkness absorbed the road.

Maybe that was just a dream! So I just decided to get up because we still have work today. Today is Friday and this is the last day of our class. So yesterday, those in the 12th grade were busy passing the requirements because on Monday we had graduation.

When I finished bathing, getting dressed or whatever other daily routine I had in the morning I decided to go out and come down from my room.

When I got down I went to the kitchen and saw my grandmother preparing breakfast at the table.

"Good morning La!" I greeted my grandmother and hugged her from behind.

Grandma stopped what I was doing so she slowly removed my arm that was hugging her. "Oh hey! Sit down and have breakfast so you don't get caught in class. You haven't had dinner last night!" Grandma said sternly. But even though grandma is strict, she also has tenderness but only once. His aura is always cold so I will not be surprised that I am like that sometimes because I inherited it from him.

While I was eating bread dipped in coffee something came to my mind.

"Grandma? I just wanted to ask you something." The question in mind was last night.

"What is that, Rosa?" Grandma said seriously but her attention was on the food.

"A-ah .. How did I get home last night?" I scratched my head even though no one was itching.

"Why are you asking me, Rosa? Of course I got home on your bike last night you didn't even have dinner and went straight to your room because you were drowsy." And I already have his attention. I can’t read what’s on my grandmother’s mind right now. I feel like something went wrong with what happened last night.

"A-ah h-I can't remember how I got home grandma eh. Maybe because I was so tired and thinking about the requirements yesterday so my mind floated. I can't remember how I got home." That's why I had a stomach ache earlier when I woke up because I couldn't have dinner.

"That's why I told you a few times that you won't be home at night because of what you think in the morning because you can't remember how you got home. Eat now. Let's not talk about it. You'll be late for class."

I sighed. This is not the first time I have been late coming home. But what I always wonder is if I do not remember how I got home. Then I dream of things or events that are unusual. Hays! I really have to follow my grandmother's advice that I will not spend the night at home.

After eating and brushing I hurried into my room to tidy up a bit and leave the house. I no longer wore my uniform because it was the last day of school. So I just wore a plain gray T-shirt, denim jeans and sneakers that I bought a few days ago.

"Grandma! I'm leaving!" I promised loudly so grandma watered the plants in our yard. Grandma just nodded. It just didn’t turn to me.

Carrying my small backpack I headed to our small hut near the house to pick up my bike. Suddenly a cold wind blew behind me so I turned around for no reason. I didn't see anything behind me so I just shook myself. Praning na ata ako.

When I got to the hut I immediately approached my bike. But I was stopped by a piece of flower placed in the basket of my bike. I watched it. It is a rose and surprisingly it is not red. But black. Only now have I seen this pink color, the leaf into is brown. I took the rose from the basket and examined it. Its leaves are not dry. So instead of worrying about why there is this rose, I just threw it on the lawn.

But as I threw it in, I suddenly felt like something had pierced my finger. When I looked my finger was bleeding. Not only did a small amount of blood come out because a few drops of blood fell on the lawn. So I quickly put my finger in my mouth to stop the blood from dripping. It hurts a bit.

Suddenly the wind blew again but it was strong so I closed my eyes. As I closed my eyes my hair just stood up when I felt something hold my elbow and aura of a creature behind me so I quickly opened my eyes and turned my back but I did not see anyone or whatever.

Maybe that's just my hallucination! I promise in my mind. Tsk! Why do I hallucinate when I'm not on drugs ?! Tsk! I just stomped and hurriedly took the bike out of our yard.

When I got to school I parked my bike in the parking lot near the gate of our school. I would have left my bike to go to the classroom when my eye hit the rose.

"W-Why is this here?" I asked myself. Maybe our rose is not a ghost? My hair stood on end at my thought. Diosko naman ano ba to! I just shook my head and went straight to my room.

******

As the days went by I had a lot of wisdom in my mind but when I asked it to my grandmother I knew if there was nothing sensible to answer. I feel like something is hiding it from me. But what is that? Why didn't he tell me?

Ever since I reached the age of seventeen I have always dreamed that I was wearing a black gown and then a man was waiting for me at the altar. But I could not see the fullness of his face but I felt that he was handsome. Based on its physique. One handsome and tall man. But its complexion is pale in color. It comes from a cold place with no blood on the body. There are also scenarios in my dream where many people are wearing black clothes and the cloth is covered with rice on their face they surround me.

And there is also a scenario I run into the forest and full moon a man calls me by the name I do not want to be called that. Ever since I was a child I have dreamed of unusual scenarios. Like the full moon, people in black, blood and what else I can not explain why I always dream like that.

I was an idiot while riding Mang Isko's tricycle home next to my Grandmother. Graduation is over. Holding my diploma and medal I smiled. But I also lost the memory of my parents. 'Mom, Dad, I graduated from high school. I have a diploma and a medal. If you were just here, my day would be happier.

As my tears flowed, I felt my Grandmother's simple hug.

"I know your parents are very proud and happy with what you have achieved, grandson. Don't be sad, I'm just here, grandson." Grandma kissed my forehead at the same time.

When we got home I immediately went to my room. I was about to get dressed when I stopped at the wide mirror in my closet. I see a sad woman looking at me. She was wearing a tuga and on her neck and had medals hanging on her. I sigh. Instead of looking at myself for a long time, I decided to get dressed at home.

When I finished dressing I took my diploma and medals to my bed and opened the cabinet I had not opened in a long time. I saw the black box I took it and opened it. I was exposed to the photos and gifts my parents gave me.

My tears flowed again as I looked at the photo of the three of us. This is our last photo before they disappear from me. It was eight years ago but it still hurts. If I had not insisted then, I would have been with them now. My eyes caught the necklace my father and mother gave me on my ninth birthday. It has a moon pendant. Full moon. My Grandma hasn't worn it since I got out of the hospital because every time I see it I always cry so Grandma put all the things my parents gave me in this box.

But now I want to wear it again. So I opened its lock and put it on my neck. I put my diploma and medal in the box along with a small letter stating that the award I received was for mama and papa.

When I entered the box, I stood up straight and looked at the necklace in the mirror. Until now, the beauty of the necklace has not faded. Probably during the time it was hidden in the box so until now it is still beautiful. While looking at myself in the mirror, my grandmother suddenly came in with a pink dress.

"Rosa, we will go to your parents' grave tomorrow. Wear this dress I bought you know I don't like it but still wear it." At once it lay on my bed and came out of my room.

I gasped and approached the bed. I took the dress and measured it in the mirror. It's been a long time since I wore a dress. Ever since my parents disappeared, this kind of dress reminded me of mama. It likes to buy me clothes because it suits me. I look like a princess. I smiled at that memory but my heart suddenly pounded.

Tomorrow is my birthday and the day my parents are gone forever.