The Flower We Saw That Summer

A hole in my heart was made during july.

It was a clear day, I was lazing around the whole day.

The clicking of the clock was enough to satisfy my boredom.

The heat of the summer sun filled the room.

I opened my mouth trying to sing my boredom away.

The sound coming out from my mouth made me imagine a crowd in front of me, thousands of people wanting to hear what else I had to sing.

My singing is mediocre but it's alright.

I went to check my phone and it said 86%.

I thought maybe I'll go to that cafe nearby, more specifically only 5km away from home.

I prepared things I needed and walked.

Before I could get out I glanced over to the bike my dad gave me, I never really got to use it because I don't really go outside.

I walked over the bridge and stopped in the middle.

There laid a clear gushing water.

The fishes makes a popping and splashing sound, I look at it emotionless.

While staring I thought that I am no one special, I also have no goals in life.

I wondered if someday that would change.

Suddenly the wind broke the silence as it made the bamboo tree sway.

I moved as did the wind.

Few blocks away from my destination, I saw the construction of a new cafe.

I let out a little sigh.

The cafe I'm going to is gonna close in a few weeks.

Though I'm a little sad about it, I can't really complain as I don't really know the reason for its closing.

It might be because the owners are old, I'm not sure.

Going in, the clink of the bell filled the almost empty cafe.

It was a little bell that let the people working know that a person had entered.

I was still standing by the entrance as the old barista called me over.

"come in and sit, drinks are free today"

He said in a brittle voice.

"Next month we are gonna celebrate the summer festival, are you going to join?"

He asked.

"Yes sir"

I answered, stopping my fingers tapping on the table.

"I'm just sad that this cafe would not exist by then"

He said, while cleaning some type of machine.

"Uhh Sir-"

I was gonna ask why they're gonna close when the door opened followed by a cling— sound.

A girl in a summer dress walked in the store.

Her dress is that of the color of emerald green.

She looked like she was the same age as me.

With her was an acoustic guitar case.

She sat one seat away from me.

She looked at me looking at her and smiled.

"So what is it gonna be son?"

Asked the old barista.

"Expresso sir"

I answered.

"Are you sure son?"

He asked most likely knowing that I am just trying it for the first time.

"Yes, my intention for going was trying out your espresso sir"

I answered honestly.

He nodded, smiling.

He was making my coffee as he asked the girl.

"What about you girlie?'

"Cappuccino."

The girl answered in an off accent.

That moment I knew she was not from this country.

Her skin color of white, her hair blonde.

Her accent was not that of a native speaker.

"Here you go!"

Said the old man.

The old man smirked as I sip the strong and rich espresso.

"Woah, woah!."

I panicked.

The espresso definitely woke me up.

The girl beside me laughed.

Looking at her, her expression looks like she was tired.

I look at her with a pout on my face, looking away a few seconds later.

Few minutes pass.

We did not talk at all, there was only weirdness.

Until

"Old man, what's the reason for the closing of the place?"

Asked the girl beside me.

The old man explained.

To summarize it was because of old age, their kids didn't want the job, and profit went down day by day.

It was nice to imagine that he maintained the place by himself.

The flowers outside were blooming.

The wind suddenly got strong but it calmed down afterwards.

Saying my goodbye to the owner I left and headed straight to the bridge I mentioned earlier.

The bridge was colorful.

It was painted for the summer festival.

It was still unfinished.

Beside the bridge was a long road.

It's a nice place to be alone.

The floor was bricks, and beside it was a grove.

There were fences of metal.

I sat down on the nearest bench I could find.

I sat down and opened my phone to play my favorite song.

I have my earphones with me.

There I sang along to my favorite song.

Then after I finished the song I heard a gentle clap.

Weirded out, I looked from left to right and saw no one.

"Nice singing!"

was what I heard from behind me.

To my surprise, I saw a familiar face.

It was the girl from the cafe.

Flustered I asked;

"W-why are you here!?"

She sat beside me with few spaces in between us.

"I had nowhere to go after I finished my cappuccino, and saw u outside"

"I could definitely go home but even then I have nothing to do too!"

She answered.

"O-okay?, Uhhh are you here for the festival?."

I asked

"Yes very much so, I would like to experience your country's culture."

She answered full of passion.

We sat there silent for a while.

I have no reply after what she said, mostly because I'm not really a good talker.

The wind suddenly blew and her.

And the ribbon from her head was hitting my face.

"Ow"

I reacted.

"Sorry about that"

She said, putting her hand together and bowing.

"No worries"

I replied.

Few moments of silence later, the guitar she put beside the bench fell to the ground.

Panicking, she quickly stood up and checked the guitar.

"Oh no, I'm not careful enough with my stuff, I hope I can be more careful in the future."

She said while checking the guitar.

The wind blew again making a sound of scattering paper.

I look over curious as to what happened.

She assured me it's okay by replying;

"Don't worry the guitar is fine."

"Sorry to ask but can you help me pick up these pieces of paper?"

She said focusing on getting all the papers.

I tried to help by picking up the paper scattered across the floor.

I read one as I was picking it up.

It was a lyric to a song.

The lyric was written in a descriptive and poetic manner, making the words written vivid to the mind.

I was sucked into the words standing there looking at the paper.

"Oh please don't read that, It's quite embarrassing!"

She said while flustered.

I snapped back to reality hearing her voice almost shouting.

I quickly apologized and returned the papers I had in hand to her.