The Rose That Waits

Rose!

On seeing Asher; Rose rushed into his arms.

Rose couldn't help but cry as she melted into Asher's arms. She hadn't even looked at his face completely.

What happened to you, Asher? Why would you leave me? Did you really think you had to spend all this time alone? Fighting with a disease, when you knew that I was all your cure?

Rose, Rose! Look at me...

Rose shook her head and refused to leave his arms.

Asher couldn't resist pulling her close, resting her head gently on his shoulder as his hand softly patted her hair.

Listen to me very carefully; Rose.

Whatever Misty Rose told you was the truth, but it is the half part you know.

I knew you'd have applied the treatment to my disease on your lips. That shows the purity of your love and the tenderness of your heart. I never really wanted to see any proof to determine the level of Love you've always had for me. I know your love for me is infinite.

And, Rose, I've always loved you equally, or maybe sometimes a little bit more than you.

At this, both of them swallowed a bitter-sweet chuckle. The one that's hard and spiky to gulp.

Rose now wiped her tears and was looking at the fireplace right in front of her eyes while still resting her head on his shoulder and listening affectionately to his words.

I love you, Rose. I've always had. And I'll love you after I die, too.

I love you too, Asher. Since the day we played tag when I was 5. And til the day I die.

It was the perfect moment. A moment when the hardest cliffs could turn into cotton candy. Both of them wanted to cherish that moment forever. For, of course, There's no a better sight to see than two lovers being together.

But, Rose... I not gonna let your lips meet mine.

Suddenly, Rose felt a strange despair in his voice...

She finally lifted her head from the resting position and her eyes met his for the first time after so long.

Why? What are you talking about, Asher?

He held her by her shoulders and stood up, making her stand too.

Rose, Look into my eyes.

While Rose was already swimming in the depths of his eyes.

I really wanted to live with you. I wanted for us to live a life that's filled with passion and love. No wonder you deserve more than 'princess treatment', but I hoped to give you love that would make you whole.

But, I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Rose.

Before Rose could ask him questions and interrogate him for his love-despair answers, he gave her a profound and tender kiss of love on her forehead; pushed her out of the house in a second or so, and locked the door from inside.

Rose felt like a soul in disbelief. She was unsure of what Asher had just done.

She began thudding the door with loud bangs...

Asher? Asher? What's going on? What are you doing? Locking yourself? It's raining outside. I can't protect my lips much longer... Asher, answer me. What are you doing with me?

A voice from inside came:

I'm sorry, Rose. But the truth is that; As much as I wanna live with you, I can't see you die in front of me.

... A silence...

What Misty Rose told you was the half-truth, the full truth is that if you kiss me, I'll survive with the 'true-love's-kiss' but, that'll make you dead!

Misty did that because she wanted to see me alive. Isn't that what a mother would do to protect her son? She's my mother, I feel her pain too.

But I can't see you die... I'm sorry. Our togetherness was only meant to be for a short time.

As Asher spoke; his words sounded heavier, crumpled, and teary.

The smile and the spark, Rose was carrying in her eyes from the time she met Misty Rose, till seeing Asher—disappeared with a single jerk. She felt the ground beneath her feet sliding through. All those profound and romantic conversations she had with him; moments she'd been thinking of spending with Asher dissolved in a moment.

She collapsed helplessly to the ground as the rain poured down in torrents. She felt like her destiny stabbed her; right in the middle of her heart.

She felt like she failed to be a 'Protector'. She couldn't even return his debts.

This was a betrayal; one by herself.

She was sitting with her back touching the door's exterior.

Suddenly, the chirp of a bird broke through the storm of her thoughts.

She woke up.

Drenched in sweat, fear clinging to her chest, she realized it had all been a dream. She was resting under a tree, her horse Mona still tied beside her.

A bird swooped down, dropping a letter wrapped with a single rose. In the distance, an old woman approached. She realized what would happen next!

Rose whispered to herself, “What did I do to deserve dying twice? I was already dead—and now this is real?”

.

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Author's Note:

To be continued...

Next part—coming soon by:

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