The Rarest Flower
ARDENESSI D' FIORE SERIES 1
written by Samantha Alexandra Sabilala
s3vensandy
Copyright © s3vensandy 2020
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, songs places, events, and incidents are either product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
This is the first one of the four stories that ARDENESSI D' FIORE SERIES includes.
Read at your own risk. I am not and I will never force you to read my story.
PROLOGUE
“Hey, Riri.” my sister gave me a small smile while tapping my shoulders in the way that can make my heart warm. “Are you okay?” she asked.
Sinuklian ko siya ng tipid na ngiti saka hinawakan ang kamay na nanatili sa balikat ko, marahang itong hinaplos. “I’m fine, Ate. Atleast that’s what I think,” I let out a soft chuckle.
“Are you really coming back to work?”
I nodded. Sa tingin ko ay maayos naman na ako para bumalik na sa trabaho. It’s been a long time since I stepped my feet inside my own restaurant and I am feeling a bit anxious about it. “I have to,” I replied shortly. I looked around the house. “Nasaan si Helga?”
“At her classmate’s house, may project daw sila.” she sighed and walked towards the kitchen.
I stood up and went to the balcony while holding a cup of chamomile tea. I placed it on the table and let out a heavy sigh as the cold wind blew around the whole balcony. I smiled as I remember the memories. It’s funny how I went through all of those with my old friends, but they’re now living their own lives while I was starting from the beginning…… again.
Nagtataka ako kung, ganoon ba talaga ang nakatadhanang mangyari sa atin? Can we know our purpose in this world sooner, so we can adjust to all of the hardships that may come?
I just found myself wiping my own tears that were falling unstoppably from my eyes down to my cheeks. I bit my lower lip and I almost tasted the tears. I tried hard not to make a sound, but I realized that it would be harder that way. It was indeed harder than I thought it could be. More painful than I thought. Almost deadly.
Nanatili ako doon hanggang sa hindi na namumugto ang mga mata ko. I don’t want to face my sister with this kind of look. I want to praise myself and get awarded for being the best in concealing the emotions. Nakakaloko kong tinawanan ang sarili ko habang ang mga luha ay nagbabadya nanamang tumulo mula sa mga mata ko. Agad ko itong pinalis saka pinilit ang sarili na ipikit ang mata at nang makatulog na ako.
Hindi ko alam kung ilang tutubi na ang nabilang ko hanggang sa tuluyan na akong lunukin ng dilim ng gabi. Maaga akong nagising para mag-ayos na para pumunta sa trabaho. Hindi ko maiiwasang kabahan sa hindi malamng dahilan habang tinitignan ko ang kabuuan sa salamin. Siguro dahil sa tinagal-tagal ng panahon ay ngayon lang ulit ako babalik kaya ganoon na lang ang nararamdaman ko.
I drove my car and parked it right in front of the restaurant. I went out and stared at it for a long time. I walked towards the glass door and sighed heavily as I pushed it forward. The crew and some of the customers diverted their gaze to me as I entered the restaurant with shaking hands. They were all looking at me like they are not expecting to finally come to the restaurant after long years of being caged.
I saw some familiar faces from the crew and the rest were all new. I was surprised when I saw the teary-eyed and grown-up Gia, wearing a Chef’s uniform, walking towards me with arms widely spread. She’s stayed like what the hell. She slammed herself in my chest as I hear her sobs in between. I caressed her back as my tears started to pool.
“Why did you stay, Gia?” I managed to ask even with a shaking voice.
“Nanatili ako kasi alam kong babalik at babalik ka dito,” she replied.
Kumalas siya sa yakap saka pinalis ang mga luha sa pisngi at mata niya. Nang kumalma ay dumiretso kami sa kitchen. Hindi na ako nag-abalang magpalit ng uniform. Hinarap ko si Gia na namumugto pa rin ang mga mata. Naagaw ng atensiyon ko ang nameplate niya sa parte ng kaliwang dibdib. “You really became a Chef.” saad ko ng may ngiti sa labi.
“Gusto kong maging kagaya mo, Chef.”
“Well, hindi mo gustong mak—”
“Hindi iyon kasama sa gusto ko, Chef.” she cut me off.
I shook my head and let out a chuckle. We then went to start our work. It feels so good to hold the spatula again with my own hands. I know almost all of the old crews were still confused of me, unexpectedly showing up in front of them after not communicating wirh each other since the tragedy happened. Gia was now the Head Chef. I did not get to know how she had been this past years, but I don’t think she’s better than before.
The work ended at almost 11 pm. I was massaging my neck here outside the restaurant when I saw a familiar face, walking with another familiar face, both in their police uniforms. “Levye!” I shouted to get his attention.
Both of them looked at me and the other man’s eyes widened after he saw me. “Oh, Irisse?” Jervy asked, my friend from college.
They walked towards my direction. Levye faced me with a wide smile. Damn. “Bumalik ka na sa trabaho?” he asked naturally.
I nodded. “Mm. Kanina lang.”
Jervy looked at us with confused eyes. “Magkakilala kayo?” tanong niya saka tinuro kaming dalawa.
Levye was the first to answer. “Yeah. We have known each other for almost a decade. We were in a relationship for a year.” he said in a low voice and looked at me. “And I was assigned to her case 8 years ago.”
“Case?” Jervye asked in confusion.
I looked at Levye with questioning eyes because of the last sentence he just said. I can’t believe his confidence. My lips tried to form a smile then I looked at Jervy. “I was released not long ago.” I said, making him more puzzled.
Jevye’s forehead creased after hearing what I just said. “R-Released?”
I gave him a small smile before speaking, “I-I killed the person who brought me to life.”
