IT was just amazing how colorful trees and plant in this world were made. Like how did the great creator know that roses would be so perfect if those were painted in red? How the sunflower would be so breathtaking in yellow? And how tulips can be so attractive in white and pink?
Every single day, while I walk my way to the store I'm working with, I get to see these different kinds of flowers on the the familiar street I usually pass by. There are a lot of flower shop in there that sell beautiful flowers. I couldn’t help but smile as I scanned the beauty of them. I have been working in the flower shop for a few months but I still can't stop admiring the flowers I get to pass by every moment.
“Elle! You're so early!”
“Good morning, aunt Jen!” I greeted the lady who owns the flower shop where I work.
Just outside the shop, aunt Jen was busy filling out some papers on her hand while the two men in front of her were loading large vases of Aubretia in a truck.
“Looks like we have a lot to deliver today,” I commented as I turned my gaze to the Aubretia flowers.
“Yes, sweetheart! Our mayor needs those for the opening of their new clinic in the city hall.”
“Oh! It's great that our Mayor came to our store then. He bought a lot of Aubretia!”
Aunt Jen nodded happily, “You're right! We made a lot of money today.”
I smiled. Aunt Jen's face was full of satisfaction. For the past couple of days, the store's sales have slowed down as there are so many flower shops in this place, giving customers so many options on where to buy flowers from. She pays me well and that is enough to satisfy my younger sister's daily needs but most of the time, I feel like she's already paying me using her personal savings because there are days when we don't really get a sale.
I went inside the shop. I immediately smelled the fragrance of flowers that we have in there. Like what I normally do every morning, I observed every flower displayed on the counters. I made sure there was nothing withered or broken.
I also checked a couple of bouquets. Sometimes, I also make some of it. Aunt Jen let me do that work too because she likes how I create and design ones. I then watered the sunflowers and roses pots carefully while humming my favorite local song.
“Oh, I think it will rain heavily later...” Aunt Jen said as she entered the shop, looking above the glass window where we could see the dark sky.
I glanced at the sky too. "Is there a storm coming?”
The lady nodded. She tied up her curly hair and adjusted her apron.
“According to the news, the storm coming in will be the strongest. Fortunately, we have sold a lot today. That's enough in case no one visits our shop to purchase some flowers because of the storm in the next coming days.“
I sighed and stopped what I was doing. I was shocked by what Aunt Jen said. I hope the storm would not come any moment. Our family only lives with the help of our farm. The harvest season is getting near. I am worried it would be a problem if a storm hits our rice field.
"I hope that won't happen..." I whispered nervously.
I can't help but feel scared of this storm coming in. For a few months, mom and dad took care of our rice field so that all of it could be imported to the market when the harvest season begins.
It takes four months or more before the grains could be harvested. For months, my parents often prayed that no pests, rats, or any other storm would come because if any does, our family's livelihood would be ruined.
I prayed a few times, asking God to stop the storm as I believe that our rice field isn't ready for this. We are not ready for this... Our rice field will be in big trouble and I don't want that to happen, not until my father and his men were done harvesting.
I prayed that if the storm comes in, it would not be that severe up to the point that it will destroy everything my father worked hard for. He put a lot of effort to make sure that our rice grains will be harvested. I don't want his effort to be put into waste.
°°°
IT was around afternoon when we received some more customers. There was a man who bought a bouquet of red roses and then a couple who bought a basket of white roses which I guess was for their deceased loved one.
“Wow! We've sold too much today!" said aunt Jen happily while fanning herself. She was sitting at the counter and watching television.
I smiled. I arranged the bouquets of sunflowers that our male customer had checked earlier.
"The college enrollment will happen soon, Elle. Do you have no plans to enroll yet? I am concerned that you are getting older and it's going to be a waste of time if you don't continue your studies," she added.
I turned to her and met her gaze. I took a deep breath and put my hands on my back.
"It's going to be difficult if Lyka and I will enroll for this school year together, aunt. As much as I want to enroll in college, I'm afraid our family wouldn't be able to afford it. I will let Lyka finishes senior high school first and then that would be my turn to enroll in college."
"Oh, goodness! It's saddening, sweetheart! You are twenty-five years old already. I just thought that if you prioritize yourself first and finish your studies, then you will be able to find a better job in Manila." She explained.
I smiled at the last thing she said. Whenever I think of leaving this province and my family to work in Manila, I can't help but be sad at all. Just the mere thought of it makes me so discouraged. I would rather work here in Sta. Barbara than stay away and work my ass off in Manila.
"Why are you saying that, aunt Jen? You're still paying me enough though!" I joked and chuckled.
"Whatever you say!" She only laughed and just shook her head.
We both looked on the glass window when we suddenly heard a loud thunder. Unlike earlier, the sky is darker now and I can almost see the successive lightning from it.
"Oh, good Lord... It's going to be severe storm!" Aunt Jen worried voice echoed in my ears.
I felt so nervous. I was just worried earlier but now I could almost feel the fear creeping over my body. I swallowed the lump inside my throat and tried to calm my chest as much as possible.
There's nothing to be worried about, Elle. Put your trust in the Lord. He will not let this storm destroy the farm your father had been taken cared of for months...
I prayed and clung to my faith but something opposite happened...
On that very same day, a flood brought by the heavy storm came in Sta. Barbara. The heavy down pour of rain accompanied by chunks of ice have made a scary noise. The lightning and loud thunder... the violent wind that almost created a whirlwind... trees falling on the road... flowers scattered everywhere along with the floods, and several houses that collapsed all because of the disastrous storm...
I just found myself crying while running under the rain, not minding the chunks of ice falling from the darkest sky and the wind that almost beat me. I heard a lot of screams from the people who need help and wherever I look, it's just so heartbreaking...
What's happening?
Why in the world is this happening?
