Mr. Esteban, that's how they called him. A tall and gallant man, every woman swoon when they sees him. The man is gentle from the heart, polite in every way and lovely to talk to. Sadly, every single woman knows that the room in his heart is already filled as he wear his wedding ring anywhere anytime. But no one ever sees his wife, neither his child. Everyone knows already what happened to them even when he never said anything about it.
"A bouquet of pink and white carnations, please."
The shopkeeper turn his head. When he sees the man, his eyes widen.
"Mr. Esteban! Long time no see! Where have you been?" said him as he hugs the man.
"Just a business trip to neighbouring town, Mr. Gregor. I apologized for coming this late."
"Oh c'mon, Esteban! Don't treat me like a stranger! We've known each other already, don't be so formal with me."
"And yes, I still have carnations. Truth is I saved it for you 'cause I know you'll come today."
"Thank you, Mr. Gregor. I'll repay your kindness one day."
"No need for that, you've already help me much! Consider this a gift from a friend."
"No, I'll pay for it."
"Just take it. I insist."
"But..."
"If you won't take it then I will not accept any order from you in the future and you know since I'm the only florist in this town..."
"Alright, alright. Thank you Mr. Gregor."
Mr. Gregor take a look at Esteban's face. He looks exhausted. A little sadness shown on his eyes as the man looked into the flowers in his hand.
"Poor man."said Mr. Gregor as Esteban walked away from his flower shop. "To lose his wife in a young age. I wonder why the world so cruel to him."
Esteban was well known for this habit of him. On Spring 27th, he would go to the florist, buy a pink and white carnations bouquet and walk straight to home. Carnations, flowers that means remembrance of the dead. That's why no one ever asked about his wife and children.
Esteban, already in his room, looked at the bouquet in front of him for a long time. "I see that you've failed again, my lord."said a man from the shadow. "I know. And I still couldn't find the reason."said Esteban without looked away.
"Do you have an urge to buy certain flowers at certain times without any reasons, Gotoh?"
"Some people buy flowers without any reasons, my lord."
"But buying the same exact flowers at the same time every year even though the person didn't like flowers, that's new, my lord."
"This is the seventh time since we've arrived at this town and I still couldn't resist the urge."
"Combined with previous town, it's been 17th time you've done it, my lord."
And it's been the 997th time after I lost my memory. After all, why should i think about this kind of things? Maybe this is just a habit from past life or whatever it is they said.
"You're dismissed, Gotoh. And please bring me a cup of coffee and letters for today."
"Understood, my lord."
"And while I prepare the coffee, please don't do anything that could harm yourself, my lord."
"That's no concern of yours, now get out."
Night in this town will always accompanied by rain. This is the only reason for Esteban to live here. After living for god-knows-how many years, rain is the only thing he never bored with. The reason was still unknown.
He's looking out the window, trying to enjoy the sound of rain and petrichor that seeps between the window. His peace was interrupted by noises from the outside. There were people shouting and sounds of crashing from a nearby alley. Under the street lamp, two people were hitting on something, or maybe someone to be exact.
"Excuse me, my lord. I bring your coffee. May I enter the room?"
There's no response. Esteban lost in what he's seen.
"Their voices couldn't be heard. What is it? It's moving. A cat? A dog?"
"My lord?"
"You may enter, Gotoh."
"Place my coffee on the table and pass me my coat and umbrella. There's something wrong outside."
"May I know where are you going, my lord?"
"To the alley, stay here and prepare a hot bath. We've got guest tonight."
"Understood, my lord. Please be careful on your way."
"My gun?"
"Inside your coat, my lord."
"Thank you. I'm off."
Those brats what they've done? Did they have no brains? From what I've seen, it's a living being, since it's moving. I swear if what i see was right...
"Dirty!"
"Witch!"
"Go away! You're not allowed to be here!"
"Orphan! Your mom and dad leave you because you're smell!"
It's two kids ganging on a girl? Did their parents didn't teach them any manners?
"Kids, what happened here?"
"Mr. Esteban!"
"She...she stole our food!"
The girl shakes her head.
"Yes! And she kicks us too!"
The girl shakes her head again.
There was bread on her hands. She hide it under her clothes and looked away.
"Young lady, do you steal that bread?"
"They have many."
"That doesn't justify your action."
"And you, two man ganging upon a woman?"
"Could you even said that you're a man?"
The two boy look down and says nothing.
"Apologize all of you, then go back to your homes."
They all looked away.
"Now!"
Esteban never shouted in front of anyone. The kids, upon hearing his first shout, apologize while trembling and ran away to their home.
"Why are you still here?"
"No home."
"Mom? Dad?"
"No one."
Esteban didn't even know if she's lying or not. But one thing he knows is he's not going to leave the girl alone in the rain. Not to mention, she's bruised, shivering and wet.
"Hah, leave your bread."
The girl hesitated.
"It's wet and you should not eat that on the first place. It's dirty, you will have stomachache from eating that kind of thing."
The girl seems not understand.
"Follow me."
Esteban walk away without looking back. He already gave her his umbrella and thought she followed him. Little does he know, she left the umbrella and go away in the dark of night.