Under The Pear Tree

© COPYRIGHT 2021 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The written contents in this short story are from the author’s imagination, including names, places, incidents and tragedies. Any real-life, similar events that relates to this short story are purely coincidental.

NOTE: The cover photo of this book is not mine.

CREDIT: Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

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Under The Pear Tree

Time has flown by and we grew older, and still she was always there. As if unconsciously attached to that certain tree, uncertain. She would often read her book or bath under the sunlight in the grassy part under that tree. The breeze were nice today. And she’s even more breathtaking as she brushed the strand of chocolate brown hair off her face the wind blows in her delicate skin.

I can still recall the last time we have spoken. When we were children, barely young adults. The time us childhood friends picked the first fruit off of that tree. That certain individual pear tree. That day I said my farewell to leave the country with my mother. With the promise that one day at the age of 20, that no matter where we are or what we do in life we will meet in this place again as we burried letters to our future selves while we cried our young hearts out.

If I hadn’t left, if I stayed with my father instead. Would it have changed anything? Could we have stayed the same. I have wondered if the happy frienship that we had could’ve been saved. I can’t help but somehow blame myself. But it’s too late. Those happy memories and our bittersweet goodbyes were all lost but only I remember.

It was early this year when I found out of the tragedy that happened. Though that tragedy happened two years before that. Worry engulfed me but not much information was told. As busy as my schedule was, I managed to booked a flight back to my home country wanting to know more of what happened, but what welcomed me was news even harder for me to swallow.

Almost three years ago, the year the majority of us turned 20. With everyone doing their own things, living in different cities. Some stayed connected. Our small group of supposedly four which should have included me decided to meet up to keep the promise. The three of them met up at a near by city and together, they went back to our hometown to where the pear tree was rooted.

Though, they never made it there…

On their way back home, a massive accident involving them happened. Their car was run over by a truck whose driver lost control and was under the influence of alcohol. It happened at dawn. Their car was slammed and pushed by a cliff shallow enough to be able to climb back up to. Two survived and one was lost. While the other suffered grave injuries and great trauma; She suffered amnesia.

I was warned not to reach up to her as it would alert her if a stranger were to approach her. It has been three months since I came back to our hometown.

And there she would always be.

I’d often take my morning walk and will always see her there.

Today was unexpected.

She looked up at me from the path where I walk near the tree and waved hello. I felt my heart skipped a beat as I was startled. Flashbacks of our past friendship came rushing in and I thought to myself “How I’ve missed you.”

She was my bestfriend.

The closest one I’ve ever had. The times we’ve had were memories I’ll always treasure.

And there she was.

After long years of longing for her, a small wave of her hand and a slight smile from her lips have made my time stop once more. I smiled back and made a greeting. She stood up and slowly came up to me.

“You seem familiar… did I perhaps know you?” She cautiously asked. I was startled once again.

Thoughts flooded me. By some lucky chance does she remember me? Even a minuscule of possibility would give me hope.

“Yes…” I replied with a hint of sadness in my voice. Unsure if I should tell more.

“If you don’t mind, could you tell me more.” She replied, curiosity obvious in her light brown eyes.

“Ofcourse.” I tried not to sound as eager as I feel.

“Please.” She gestured towards the pear tree where she left the books she was reading.

As we approach the tree I realized one of the book was infact, a photo album. I slowly picked it up and she watched me with curiosity.

I looked at her and asked as I gestured on the photo album, “May I?”

“Yes, go ahead.” She exclaimed.

“Thank you.” I replied.

We both sat down under the pear tree, as if it was the most natural thing to do.

I opened the photo album and to my surprise, our photos from our childhood to teens I didn’t know even existed were there. Nostalgia surged through me as I went through all the photos.

I stopped at a picture of two teens grinning widely at each other. As If they were laughing at the funniest joke.

And because they were.

We were.

The two of us.

I don’t remember this photo being taken but the memory of it is as clear as day in my mind. We were indeed, laughing at an inside joke the two of us shared.

I smiled as I carefully caressed the photo with my finger tips. How young and innocent we were. How clueless of the future that was yet to come.

“You…” she said, uncertainty obvious in her tone of voice.

I looked up at her.

“That boy, in that photo you are looking at… Is it you?” Her voice shook slightly as she asked the question.

I stared at her. With the gentlest smile I said.

“If I were to tell you each story of every photo where this boy is in. Would you believe that he’s me?”

She gasped, tears peeking from her eyes. Her hands slowly covering her mouth, trying to hide her surprise.

“Oh… how you’ve grown.” She cried and hugged me.

I was frozen.

Overwhelming feelings I have been holding back came rushing out and before I knew it I was hugging her back.

And we cried our hearts out.

Time has passed and we had our moments of talks. I asked how she remembered and she told me she has been slowly but surely, was starting to put bits and pieces of her memories back together. And that being around that certain pear tree had helped her.

Since the day we had our first talk after the accident, we started going for walks together and hanged out under or nearby the pear tree. Retelling her stories of our childhood and how my life was abroad. Our days has been full of cries and laughter. But during those peaceful days there were difficult times when we would always attempt a visit on our childhood friend who was still in trauma. His parents still would not let us in to see him or would always apologetically shoo us out.

And time has passed some more and I once again have to say my goodbye, I’ve extended my stay far too long and I’m probably about to lose my job from overseas.

I promised her I will be back as soon as I can and surely. And that when she gets her memories fully, I promised to be there.

It’s been almost over a year since I’m back overseas, and we’re still in full contact.

Calling each other every day when my times were free. Getting know know each other once again as if we started of as strangers and not as childhood friends.

Slowly, I started to realise the feelings I have for her were no longer just the feelings you can have for a friend. And soon I realized, I love her.

As soon a I realized that, I rushed towards my laptop, determination filled me as I typed in my registration letter and booked a flight. Not giving anyone else any notice. I flew back home to my home country the next day right after sending my resignation letter.

Anxiety engulfed me as my plane landed. I shook my head and I decided I needed a bit of time to calm down because I don’t want to mess things up and ruin things for us. As soon as I got out of the plane I got myself a room at a nearby hotel, it was midnight and I thought it was best staying the night than rushing home.

The next day I walked around the shopping district and searched for a special item I can give only for her. And after a few hours of search, I finally found the perfect one that would suit her specifically.

When I returned to my hometown it was the afternoon. My father and his family side and some neighbours were very suprised to see me but there was one face I have not seen just yet.

Before I could even asked around, my dad pointed at the path were it leads towards the pear tree.

And so I went.

And still she was always there. As if unconciously attached to that certain tree, but now certain. She would still read her book or bath under the sunlight in the grassy part under that tree. The breeze were specially nice today. And she’s even more breathtaking. Her eyes widened and her smile broadened. And before she could approach me I kneeled down my right knee and presented her the special item I bought just for her.

Especially for her.

And I asked, with all the confidence I could muster .

“Will you marry me?”

She happily said Yes.

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