Memory of a Promise

As soon as I opened the door, I noticed something shiny in the dark just a little bit further from the door step.

I turned on the lights and found that the shiny thing was a golden necklace with a garnet-colored rose design on the gem of the pendant.

Wait! This WAS my necklace. And I thought this was destroyed that night of the fire and my father– my father... gone.

The sadness crept up on me once again. I remember. Today is exactly a year since he'd been gone. I held the necklace close to my chest, looking up the ceiling to control my tears.

Then something hit me. I was so sure this necklace was not one of the things I brought with me. And in a few seconds, my pulse raise up.

Someone came to my house.

Carefully, I inspected the main room and the kitchen area both with entrance to the house. None of the usual detectors by the door I placed have been touched.

Hmm... could I have been careless for once that I left one window open by the other rooms?

I checked the bathroom and no sign of an entry. No point in checking the storage since it has no windows. Which leaves... the bedroom.

In a hushed manner I turned the knob to open my bedroom. As soon as I opened the door, I caught a whiff of a rosy smell.

I immediately turn on the lights but there was no one in sight. Everything inside the room is in the right place. None other than the smell seemed peculiar.

What in the world?

This does not make sense. Everything is in order but I can't shrug off the feeling that someone was in my house.

And just when I was about to finish contemplating, pain pierced through my lower belly.

Argh! Darn it. Does this day get any more unpleasant?

I scrambled to get my self to bed before the dizziness I felt get worse. Then laying upon that bed, the whole house turned upside down. As I break into cold sweats and weak by seconds, my vision blurs. All in that while, I saw a glimpse of a man looking worriedly at me. He seemed to be yelling at me but I couldn't make out the words. And then everything went black.

"Aria... If a time comes when I am no longer at your side, you must trust not only your knowledge but also your heart to choose the company you would want to keep by your side", my father speaks in a gentle voice uncharacteristically.

I remember. These were his last words of wisdom before he had gone missing.

"That will happen in an aweful long time from now, father. I don't need anyone else to be with me. I can manage alone by that time."

I say this to him while pouring him a cup of tea while his face is buried in a thick, old book.

"Why are you asking this now? And in a serious tone at that too." said this as I looked at him in a straight face.

He ignored my question as he reached for his cup of tea.

"Is there something I should know?"

I asked him with one eyebrow raised.

A minute of silence went by while I wait for him to respond.

He eyed me quick and replied.

"Goodness child. You are stressing an old man with your questions. However, I am pleased to see that I've taught you well."

He said this with a sigh and eyes still completely locked to the book.

"I am telling you this as part of your lesson. What with me not getting younger and you in a sad situation of being stuck in this house with no real adventure could have me more worried about your future."

I sat beside him looking at his face quizzically.

"Well that was a mouthful of explanation." I took his empty cup of tea and pour him another one.

"Is my company boring you so?"

I asked in a bit shaky tone.

In just a few, I heard him laugh a bit. Soon he placed a hand on top of mine and he replied.

"Aria, child... you have no idea how wonderful the things are out there. You have all these bits of knowledge of the world but not seeing beyond what my guidance and the book covers. While the world is not solely composed of all butterflies and flowers– "

He paused a bit... looking at me now before continuing to speak.

"Matter of fact, wars are brewing all around making this almost impossible to be true but... There are wonders out there and things you would want to be witness to."

He held my hand tighter and began to speak again.

"No one can survive this world alone. Many times in your life, you would have to rely on people. What I am asking you is to simply pick them carefully but with no prejudice."

He looked more sincere by the minute and I nodded with a smile.

"I understand father. And I will do good in remembering them by heart"

My father smiled slightly.

"That is a promise then."

These are the words that brought me towards Harold. Sadly though, I don't think I am as good of a company to him as he is to me.

In the midst of my thinking the vivid scene began to warp.

Music starts to play. It grew louder and louder ringing inside my head.

This music. It's the music that night. The night I saw my father for the first time.

The Queen of the Night aria.

Suddenly I feel my vision flooded with red.

Blood. Blood all over.

No... why does my body feel sudden pain.