HE SMILING OLD LADY AND THE ROSE GARDEN

By Asqarini Born 1981, F, from Jakarta/Indonesia, Indonesia

THE SMILING OLD LADY AND THE ROSE GARDEN By: Asqarini It was a cold dark September. No one was outside the house. The rain began to fall. I saw it all from my room. Across the street there was another house. I didnt really know who lived in that wooden old house. But the tree nearby looked as old as the house. I took a little peak, getting a glimpse of the garden. It was beautiful. It was my first time coming to this little town. I decided to move to the new neighborhood because I was really tired of the hectic city life. I graduated from a famous State University, Harvard, majoring in Law, three years ago. Now I work as a lawyer. But strangely, my career wasnt really bright, and I never felt happy with all the cases I took. Perhaps, deep down inside, it was just not the kind of lifestyle I had ever dreamt of. My mind wandered to the time I stayed in my old home, my problems, my parents rejection of my career, my fianc who had always forced me to do what he wanted. He even insisted we get married as soon as possible, because we were already engaged. As a lawyer I didnt really give any objections to his whims. Perhaps because I had b een pursuing my career, our relationship become worse. He took his own path and me, mine. I finally moved into my new life, here in this little town. I baked delicious cookies in the kitchen. I dedicated this to my new neighbors. My new warm kitchen just felt like what I had ever dreamt of. I was really eager to see my new neighbors. Perhaps these cookies would help me to get to know them. I took a plate and put them there. I dressed up and was looking ready to pay my neighbors a visit. I went to their house. I looked around and it seemed like the place was empty. I took at a glance at the rose garden in front of the house. There were all types of flowers with their beautiful colors like a painting on the wall. I rang the bell. Then this old lady came out. Yes? a smile emerged on the old ladys face. "Oh.... Hello Madam! I'm Sarah, your new neighbor. I live across the street in that little house there. I brought you some cookies, perhaps we could get to know one another? I smiled and showed her the plate and gave her the cookies. Oh, Yes dear, please come in she asked me. I entered the house. It was small but very well ordered and neat. I liked it there. Thank you. Youve been really nice, making these delicious cookies she said. Oh, its nothing I replied. Well, Im not being polite, please have a seat dear. By the way, my name is Razen Madam Razen is as old as my mother. Though she had wrinkles on her face, I could see clearly that when she was young, she must have been very beautiful.

Madam Razen, I repeated her name. I looked around her living room. There were lots of pictures, of her marriage to this handsome young guy. She saw me looking at her picture. "Oh, its Steven my late husband. He left seventeen years ago, she explained w hile carrying two cups of tea, for both of us. Im sorry to hear it, Madam. Oh..its okay dearI still have him in my heart. He is safe in heaven now. Hhh" she sighed, "must the ones we love go so quickly? Madam Razen took the picture and looked at her husbands with a face full of love. I see my mind flew back to James. Well my dear Sarah, what brought you here?" she changed the topic. I just moved here two days ago. I bought the house here and I want to stay here Well, I presume you work here too? she continued. Yes, I am a lawyer I replied. What a good job! This town has never had a beautiful lawyer like you, she smiled again at me. I smiled back at her. No one had ever called me beautiful, only my ex fiance, James. I saw your rose garden, It was beautiful. Do you take care of it yourself? I inquired. Thank you. Sometimes I do it myself. Well I have someone to help too, but not regularly, she explained. Here, have some tea, she told me to drink the tea. Thank you, Madam" Well, I saw on the photo that you have children. Do they not live here anymore? I asked. Yes. They have left the house. My first son married an artist, but they are gone because of a car accident four years ago. My second daughter married a pilot, and the third.. she pursues her dreams as an artist, just like her sister-in-law So, you live here alone.?" I added. Well, you can say that. But Adam likes to help me Adam? I asked back. Yup, he is the boy that helps me take care of my rose garden, my dear. If you have the chance to meet him, I think youll like him. He is very nice and kind. Any of your grandchildren ever visit? No, I have no grandchildren, yet she said. ***

The first encounter seemed good: I left the house with lots of questions in my head. Madame Razen must feel very lonely. Because she lived in that house alone and doing her gardening with only help from a boy. I looked at my room. My mind flew back again to my old times with my fianc, James William. Though I didnt agree with his idea to get married soon, I still loved him. Besides James was the first man I had ever been in love with. I couldnt tell, but if he were still alive perhaps we would already be married and have children, and I would be taking care of my children. I didnt know, there were too many things in my head, though I know the reality, that I live alone now, and that my ex fianc had died. I felt the same bitterness as Madam Razen. Madam Razen was very nice. Our friendship become stronger. Sometimes she went to my house and sometimes I helped her doing her gardening. I learned a few tips for gardening from her. We liked to spend time together. I felt that I had someone who really cared for me. She became like a family and a mother to me. One Sunday afternoon at her porch I told her about my life. My problems with my parents who insisted I become a doctor rather than being happy with my achievement of being accepted to Harvard, and studying Law. Like the family tradition, said my Dad. I explained everything to her about my family. It must have been very hard for you, leaving your family and losing your fianc. I am very sorry to hear that, my dear, she added. Yes, Madam because of that reason I decided to live here! I didnt remember how I felt, but now I have already found a new mother. I couldnt know why she was always smiling, even though her children seldom come to visit her. How she could live alone like that. It must be hard for an old lady like her. *** By my window, I saw her at the garden again, this time she gave me a bundle of flowers to fill my vase. She took care of everything by herself, with help from Adam, who I finally met. He was really a nice kid. I once asked Madam Razen how come she could be so energetic and young looking all the time. Its because I have the activities in the garden, these flowers help me to recover my heart. I believe GOD loves me that much. I know that children are brought to you just to bring good things. I already took care of them. My obligation was done, time to let them live their own life. Even though my children rarely come, I still have this garden to be taking care of" she explained. She refused to go to the old folks home. She decided to stay here accompanied by Adam. Whenever I saw Madam Razen, my mind flew back to my lovely Mother. I must have made my Mom sad because I left her just like that, to pursue my egoistic dreams. I realized that I needed to talk to my mother again. Madam Razen had given me that one good advice. But then that day came when I heard about the death of Madam Razen. I was cold and shaken with tears running down my cheek. My heart sped up and slowed down. My teeth were chattering and my mouth was dry. I felt so shocked. I couldnt believe the news. It was a big loss for me and Adam, we both felt we had lost a mother figure and it was not an easy thing to accept. She was a kind and a loving person. Even on her Will it was written that she gave the house to Adam, and she wanted me to take care of her

Garden Of Smiles. *** I was outside, sitting on a wooden bench in front of my house. Once again I returned to the old habits. I used to sit there and look at the rose garden across. It was almost raining outside, like my heart was. The feeling left behind by my second Mom. My eyes were blurry and wet. I knew that there was a part of me she took with her. I could feel disappointed in this life, but GOD had given me His blessings, and my chance to know Madam Razen was a turning point for me. Her garden reminded me to always smile and feel grateful all the time. Madam Razen helped me to take care of my problems with my parents. And made me understand more the meaning of a family. Suddenly, my hand reached for the phone. Hello, Mom? my voice became husky. There was silence. SassSaraaahh? replied a voice so far far away. *** February 18th, 2008 Dedicated to my Mother and My Friends at Math 01, UNJ