A Singular White Rose
Chiara had always had a thing for white roses; well maybe not always, but it started when she was 13 years old. She had been invited to go to a school dance by Joshua, who was her boyfriend at that time. Even after so many years, that day seemed to have been imprinted on her. It was nothing too special but she did remember, oh so clearly, the bouquet of pristine white roses that Joshua bought for her. He had said that it was a symbol of love, commitment and new beginnings and standing there, holding the roses in her hand, she had believed him. She had thought he would be her forever. That was until he died.
A traffic accident, they said. But all Chiara could think about on the day of his funeral were those white roses. They hadn’t even had time to wither away. But he was already gone.
The sound of her alarm going off, made Chiara snap out of her thoughts. She shook her head. Joshua had been a nice boy and he sometimes crossed her mind even after all this time. It had been 10 years. 10 years ago on this exact day, she had lost him. It brought back so many childhood memories to the surface of her mind. But she pushed them away and headed out of the door. She was already running late.
The local coffee parlor was her first stop.
“Good morning Chiara dear!” Greeted Mrs.May at the counter. She was a lady in her 60s with the spirit of a teenager. Chiara had known her for the past 5 years, ever since she had moved to this quaint little neighbourhood and there had never been a day that Mrs.May had closed her coffee shop. She greeted all her guests with the same enthusiastic smile and Chiara couldn’t help but smile back.
“Good morning Mrs.May! I’ll have the usual of course. Oh yes…um…I wonder if you have any white roses up for sale. I’ve seen you sell them sometimes. I’m hoping to buy a few.”
“Oh my sweetheart! That’s quite unfortunate indeed. Well I do have white roses but only one. Seems like those rose bushes in my garden have refused to grow white ones these days.” Chiara laughed. “No worries. I’ll take it. Thank you!”
After finishing her meal and coffee, she made her way to church with a singular white rose in hand. She did not intend to stay too long. There was an urgent meeting scheduled with her agency and truth be told, she wasn’t really all that religious. “It’s to remember Josh” She said to herself. Josh had been a religious person so Chiara felt obliged to go.
It was a simple prayer. She placed the rose next to her as she sat down and she closed her eyes, drifting back to 10 years ago, when everything was better. When she didn’t feel the gnawing feeling of loneliness haunting her wherever she went. Her life at home had been so chaotic but at least she had been oblivious to the storm that had been brewing. At least she had escaped alive. At least she had made a name for herself.
She felt a single tear drip down her face. But she didn’t let it fall. All her life, she had taught herself to be strong and she would continue to do the same until the day that she died.
