I am nothing and everything
but never in between
the green buds or the dead leaves
but never the cherry blossom.
And that's okay.
She is the whole bright bloom
the cherry blossom incarnate,
consistent and whole
even in moments
when her joy is fleeting.
I am whole too.
Home among the petals
and spring breezes.
This isn't in between,
it doesn't have to be.
She does not follow
does not lead
let's her heart go where it must
there is no choice,
and that's okay.
We're born fractured sometimes
coming together eventually
even after the longest life.
We can be whole
even if just for a little while.
~Ren Williams
***
Evie placed her bag on the carpeted floor of her deluxe suite the very moment she entered.
"I so hate traveling," she murmured to herself while eyeing the whole room which her Uncle paid for.
A large four-poster bed carved of a single massive piece of wood dominated the space. In a corner, she saw wooden chairs near by a fireplace with woods and logs stashed in a tinsel bin. The carpeted floor was soft against her pallid toes. She gazed skyward and saw the painted and gilded wood ceiling bedecked with multiple hanging incandescent lamps that looked like stars studded in the night sky.
Ever glowing.
Gleaming like diamonds.
Paul along with his staffs and coworkers agreed on staying at a nearby Victorian Hotel. That explains the whole 19th century inspired intricate design going on with the whole place.
Since it was almost the month of October, the leaves were beginning to blaze an orange-red hue similar to a maple treacle. The cold wind slowly seeping through the whole environment.
She walked slowly towards the balcony and opened the sliding door that stood in between her and the damp air flowing freely outside. As she peered towards the breathtaking view, she noticed several of her Uncle's crew that were setting up the equipments for the shoot near the Japanese cherry blossoms.
The Branch Brook Park was overlooking from where the hotel was. She saw the copse of cherry blossoms that stretched all the way to the horizon; their leaves paraded similar to the row of clouds above them.
According to a brochure she had read earlier, there were around 2,700 Japanese Cherry Blossoms in the park and over 5,000 Cherry Blossoms in total. There were also several lakes and fountains scattered over the area that were accessible to tourists.
Although not known to many, Evie was actually fond of nature despite her hatred towards any means of traveling. She already planned to visit the nearest lake some time that day.
After fixing her slightly tousled hair, she went downstairs and crossed the street leading to the infamous park. By the time she arrived there, everyone was done setting up the place for the shoot. A canopy stood high at one place, shading her Uncle along with his companion from the blinding beams of sunlight. A monitor was already set up to view the shots later.
After a few moments, the models arrived with their grandeur fall-inspired outfits to match the theme. The shoot then began.
The last thing Evie saw was her Uncle bringing his camera towards a huge bifurcate tree. She moved to the other direction and started striding towards a white angel fountain.
As she passed the different trees, she saw dozens of children running around the park with their parents at their tail. There were several vendors that sold cotton candy in different colors, ice cream in different flavors and balloons in different sizes and shapes. It was a total heaven for kids! She even saw a movable stall that displayed souvenirs that would surely entice tourists like her. Evie wanted to buy a deep red scarf from the stall but she oafishly left her purse at the room. She was several walks farther from the hotel so it would be tiresome to return.
"I'll just come back for you later then." She said while holding the scarf. The vendor must have heard her. "I'll reserve it for you miss."
Her eyes bulged a little from the surprise. "Really? Why thank you sir," said Evie.
"I can see that you really like it and you must be cold considering that you're merely wearing a dress," the old man said with a tinge of concern in his voice.
"The cold is not bugging me so far, but I'll wear the scarf later. Thank you again." Evie said and bid goodbye. She was so happy. It was the last remaining deep red-colored scarf. She could buy the other colors but deep red complements her slightly tanned skin.
The park was quite big so if she wants to tour all around the place, she must keep her feet moving.
She passed by a pond, crowded with people: kids and adults who were feeding the fishes with utmost enthusiasm. There were kids running cheerfully around a Cupid fountain. Pure happiness plastered on their cute round faces.
Several steps more. She continued walking without stopping. The place was so beautiful. Trees and flowers everywhere. Smiles and laughter at every corner.
She was quite surprised to see a wedding performed in the middle of two cherry blossoms. The bride wore a flowing white gown embellished with crystal studs and a beautiful flower crown laid atop her head. She was stunning. The groom was equally handsome and dashing on his white coat and tie.
Evie stopped walking for a while and observed the event. The crowd were in tears by the time the couple said their vows. Even Evie felt herself tear up a bit. She laughed at her ridiculous reaction. She did not even know the couple.
After the couple kissed, Evie continued walking until she saw a cute little tree standing between two giant trees. Behind it was a huge lake filled with various aquatic plants on its surface. Stones in different sizes awash on its edges. A white wooden bridge was built over the glistening clear waters, calling out to her. There were different species of butterfly flying above the luminous and multi-colored flower paths; leading towards the bridge.
She stopped on her track and went near it. Amazed by the view; she took out her phone and tried to take a selfie. Evie struggled so much in taking a half decent picture. She was all by herself while everyone in the park had at least a single companion to take their pictures for them. Stupid of her to forget her selfie-stick.
Since she was too shy to ask a stranger for help, she gave up and scrolled through her slightly decent pictures.
"This one's not that bad," she rumbled, trying to appease her crestfallen self. She continued scrolling while deleting the ones who were taken at a bad angle while laughing at some ludicrous shots when she heard multiple sounds of shutter. It sounded like someone taking pictures. Evie looked at her surrounding and spotted a tall man with a lean figure, wearing a red flannel beneath his duffel coat.
He was angling his camera at her and continued taking pictures even though Evie already spotted him.
"Hey you! Stop that!" She said, quite irritated by his shameless and vulgar move.
Evie thought the man was going to stop at her warning but the man continued. She felt disrespected and livid. She half ran towards him, hoping he would stop.
"Aren't you aware that taking pictures without the owner's permission is against the law?! I can sue you Sir, for your information," Evie said through gritted teeth.
'How dare this man take my pictures! Is he some kind of pervert or stalker?' Evie thought, still furious over what he did.
The man did not stop taking pictures. He angled his camera towards the right side of Evie; ignoring her completely.
She felt herself turned blood red from the anger and humiliation. "That's it! I'm calling the police. Sue you!" She fidgeted her phone. She never meant to actually dial the police. It was just to frighten the man; hoping he would apologize and not do it again to other people.
Just as she was about to dial the police's number, the man spoke in a gruff voice.
"I wasn't taking your picture. You were blocking the view." The camera still on his face. Ignoring her as if she was just a bloody gnat.
Evie literally dropped her mouth at his baleful and unwarranted remark. She felt all her blood boil and her blood pressure rise. Her stomach recoiled with anger.
"The nerve of you Mister bigot! You should at least have the decency to tell other people to step aside. And now you're putting the blame on me?" She was almost screaming. Some people even looked at them. Curious about the scene that Evie was making. She never wanted to attract attention. That wasn't like her but the man in front of her was naturally talented in awaking her scandalous facet.
"Hey! Why can't you take your eyes off that camera? Look at me when I'm talking to you, you rude, perverted, creepy guy!" She had never been that loud before. Like ever. She was always timid and reserved. But there she was, making a scene in the middle of a park which was swarmed with hundreds of people.
'I need to stand up to my rights! That's what a good citizen does.' She mentally said to herself, justifying her sudden outburst.
Evie's recent outburst did it for him. The man slowly moved his camera away from his face.
A set of deep emerald green eyes met her blue ones. Staring at her languidly.
Slowly, realization dawned on her. Her eyes went wide as she recognized the man.
"It was you!" Evie said, filled with surprise.