"Falling in love with a beauty is dangerous. You will only be a competitor in a marathon of lovers." - Raghad. 

***

I stopped sensing time as it passed like a shadow, a ghost. I don't know what was happening, I remember listening to familiar and foreign voices flow inside my ears, but I couldn't understand a word they said.

I didn't hear her voice, and it kept cutting-shredding-my heart every time I think hours would pass. I counted, well at least I tried to, but I'm not sure of what time it is right then. Day or night, if the month had passed or not.

If Rose has someone else right now or not.

If she'd make my life better as she promised.

Light after the darkness was pain. When I finally collected my entire might and opened my eyes, it felt different. Like I was reformed again, born again without a mother—already an orphan. My friends didn't rush to me when I adjusted myself on the mattress of the bed, the mattress which felt like a part of my body now.

No one greeted me with a smile. Rose wasn't there for me. No one was there in that matter.

No one except a young lady and I'd say she's Rose's age, or younger.

She was smiling at me, a bright lively smile that tugged at a small piece of solemn inside my chest, over my lungs. I looked over to her and she strolled inside the room, shutting the door on her way.

I remained quiet.

"Tulip," she said suddenly and I blinked several times before uttering a muffled, incomprehensible 'what?'

"My name," she laughed a beautiful innocent laugh. "It's Tulip."

Tulip, a flower, Rose, a gorgeous one.

"My sister is a nurse here," she started. "And I was interested in your story. The people who visited you were massive, and you were irresponsive for all of them—"

Even Rose?

"—I tried to figure out your case. I thought of trillions of scenarios you've went through. A lot of things linked together, except this."

She held out a ring. Your ring, Rose.

"No visitor claimed that she's with you."

You didn't come, Rose.

"Rose?" Tulip asked and I turned my head to look at her. "Is she your lover?"

"Was," I ran my fingers through my hair, the feeling unrecognizable. "I don't know where she went."

My throat hurts, Rose.

"If you have a picture, I'd tell you if she came," she offered, her cheeks blushing.

"I lost my phone in the accident."

She nodded, an understanding look covering her face. "I'll call them for you again, you probably weren't aware of everything that happened, or that you were awake for the past two hours."

"How long was I...?"

"Three months," she answered and I couldn't start to explain how those two words affected me, Rose.

Three months? You know what could happen in three months, Rose? I would have fallen in love with you again and again and again. We would have shared a lot, but maybe you're still there, and maybe you're still waiting for me.

Maybe you want me to put that ring on your finger again and tell you that I love you over and over and over until you'd be sick of hearing it leaving my lips.

I would have done so many things, Rose, but I don't if you'd still accept my offers.

"Here," she placed a small piece of paper in my hand. "Call me when you need me, I'll be there."

"Why?"

"Why what?" she rested her hands on her lap, a confused expression covering her face.

She almost looks like you, Rose.

"Why would you help me?"

"There's good people in this world," she stood up. "I'm not claiming to be one of them, but I'm diligently trying to be one."

Her short breath after that was slow, and quiet.

"So when your Rose is confusing, you can have a free female perspective on the issue," her smile was beautiful, undeniably innocent. "And if someone else has her heart now, don't worry. There will be someone who'd truly love you no matter what."

●●●

The feel of fresh air inside my lungs felt different, so different. I walked pass the same buildings I used to visit, I went to the small coffee shop in the corner. I greeted people I didn't know with a smile, but I couldn't remove her image from my head.

It was stuck there, immovable yet pleasant.

It wasn't hard to see couples holding hands and walking in front of me when I leaned against the wall of a busy street. It wasn't difficult when I saw people happy.

I wasn't insane. I didn't turn mad.

Everything was fine.

I weaved my way from in between people, making my way to the nearest train station because the only place that I'd feel peace in, was my home, but I didn't expect you to be there in of the small shops before the station.

I couldn't breathe when I saw you, you were prettier, even more perfect than before. Your eyes had a lit to them, a spark and your smile beamed. I think I fell in love with you again at that moment.

Your eyes didn't meet mine and it was only a sign of a lost connection. You didn't feel my presence as much as yours affected me.

It was like you were the only one I could keep an eye on.

I stepped forward to glance at you more from the opened window on the side, but you weren't sitting alone. Your laughter was echoing inside my head like a thunderstorm. You eyes didn't meet mine because you were too focused on him.

He held you hand and you allowed it. He kissed it and you smiled.

You had that bubbly atmosphere around you and almost forgot that I was standing a few feet away from you.

It was like watching a scene from the movies, only now, I personally know you and him. I thought you'd be with Isaac, or someone new. I thought you needed a fresh start, a start where my name couldn't be found.

Zed is my assistant, Rose, and you should've gone further for a bright beginning.

I felt happy for you, Rosabella, too happy that I strolled inside the shop to congratulate you myself, a large grin plastered on my face.

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