Luxurious Rose

Jodelyn Mae S. Cangrejo

Samuel and Rose are childhood best friends. Samuel is born an artist like his father and
Rose would idolize his drawing skills and both of them would hang out a lot. On fourth grade, the
whole class of Samuel and Rose had a trip in an art gallery. A painting of Mona Lisa caught Rose’s
attention. She was amazed of how amazing it was so she walked near it.
“What’s wrong?” were you amazed how it’s made?” Samuel asked as he followed her.
“Yes, I wonder what it feels when someone painted a portrait of you like this one.” Rose
replied with eyes filled with enthusiasm.
Samuel saw in her eyes that she look like someone who wants to be drawn so he smiled
and said “Don’t worry, you have me. When I grow up I’m going to draw a huge portrait of you
that’s gonna’ cost more than a luxury, that’s a promise!”
“Silly you!” Rose replied and laughed. A teacher caught them so she took a picture of them
and was later developed and was given to them as a remembrance.
On 6th Grade, Rose transferred schools but before she left, Samuel gave Rose a necklace
that has a Red Rose Pendant on it that would serve as a remembrance for their friendship. The
necklace suits her beauty as she waved goodbye. Ever since Rose transferred, Samuel was left
lonely. On the following days of being alone, he realized that he needs Rose because he is only
happy when he’s with her. Samuel’s heart thought of the things the both of them had made
together. He realized that the love and need he’s feeling to Rose is more than being a friend. He
fell in love to his sweet, funny and happy best friend.
On college years, Rose returned and she already has a talent on her own which is playing
the violin and she became a girl full of sense and maturity. Samuel was very happy, he wanted to
welcome her but he couldn’t come near to Rose because she’s being surrounded by people who
idolize her in playing the violin on the school’s opening ceremony that made everyone amazed.
One morning, Samuel found Rose drinking coffee on Starbucks early in the morning but
the once sweet, happy and childish best friend she had was already changed. They had a long
conversation and later, Samuel decided to admit his feelings.
“I would like to tell you somethings, will it be okay?” Samuel asked with a confusing smile.
“Of course, what would it be? She assured.
Samuel smiled and held Rose’s hands. “I’ve been longing to admit this since the day you
left and I don’t want to waste another chance, Will you be my girl? I promise to make you happy
for the rest of your life. I will paint pictures of you all day and my art will express the depths of
my love.”
Rose removed her hand from the table and she replied after laughing. “Are you serious?!
Don’t be funny! You’ve been a nice and kind best friend but I can’t believe that you still remain
childish! Will your paintings give me a life of luxury? Can your art put food on the table?! I can’t
survive on love alone!” Rose exclaimed and walked away.
Samuel was heartbroken. He was looking at Rose as she spoke those words and he noticed
that the necklace he gave to Rose was replaced with a necklace with luxurious diamonds so he
looked down, hid his tears and remained silent because he knew he couldn’t make that promise.
Samuel hoped that she would change her mind but she never did.
On Rose’s 26th birthday, she got married into an educated man from an upper-class family.
Samuel was devastated so he continued to paint in loneliness and obscurity.
After a decade, the world discovered the boy’s art. People were marveled at the beauty of
his work. The once penniless painter had more money than he could ever spend. But deep down
he still carries the pain Rose made him feel. He painted day by day because all he wanted was to
paint and ever since Rose rejected him it was the only thing that brought him happiness. His dreams
of being loved by a girl for who he is was shattered long ago.
One day, he encountered his childhood best friend/love. His repressed emotions rushed
back and his heart pounded so hard that he could hear it.
“Hey, you said you’ll paint pictures of me all day, was it true?” Rose asked and Samuel
nodded. “I made a mistake, I should have chosen you.” Rose added.
“You made a sensible decision. There is no guarantee that art will put food on the table.
Stay with your husband. He provides for you and treats you well.” Samuel said then walked away.
That was the last time she’ll ever see him. As the painter’s fame grew, he withdrew more
and more from the public. Eventually, he stayed in his studio all day and all night and never came
out. All he did was paint and the world gobbled up his work.
In his 67th year of painting, he passed away on a rainy day with the brush and a picture of
him and Rose in his hand and a gun by his side. Arthritis plagued him and made painting hard, but
he managed to create one last work before killing himself and it was displayed in an Art Gallery.
The news of the painter’s death spread so everyone rushed to the art gallery to see the painter’s
final work.
One of the attendees was the former childhood best friend which was now distinguished as
an elderly woman. She saw the painting and was shocked. The last painting was a portrait of the
girl in her youth. Samuel’s suicide note was displayed next to the painting that’s read:
“Don’t mourn for me. I died long ago. I loved her so much, but she had too much sense
and maturity to love a painter. I would have gladly given up all my money and fame for a girl
who would love me as much as I loved her.”
She cried as she saw a butterfly flapping it’s wings heading to a picture of them on their
childhood beside the suicide note that made her remember the promise he made that someday he
will draw a huge portrait of her. He titled his last work “Luxurious Rose”.