Fragrant Herb of Love

Written by L. Salvador

Under the shade of Java Plum tree is where the lovebirds Malvar and
Rosa meet and exchange stories. A well made of bricks can be
seen beside this tree. The opening of the well is almost as even
with the ground. It is not allowed for children to stand or play along the
side of it.

One day, in the month of April, the Java Plum borne a lot of fruits and
it caught Malvar’s eyes. The black skin of the ripened ones are
shining. And they are huge too! Malvar climbed up the tree to get a
fruit so he can give one to Rosa when she arrived. There are many
ripened ones at the end of small branches. Being insistent on getting
those java plums, Malvar took a misstep on a weak branch,
and fell straight in the well. He passed out. And so, despite the
shallow water in well, he drowned.

Not long after, Rosa arrived. Way back then, Malvar always arrives
ahead of time, but now, why isn’t he still at their meeting spot? She
noticed the java plums scattered on the ground. It looks freshly
plucked from the tree. She looked up but saw no one up there.

“Alright, I’ll pick these up,” said Rosa to herself. “These are juicy and
sweet.”

She first got a leaf from banana tree. So, whenever her hands become
full, she puts the java plums on banana leaf. There are java plums that
fell near the well. So, Rosa came close to itand when she bends
towards, she noticed a person at the bottom of the well.

“Oh my God!” she cried, “It’s Malvar! My Malvar!” Rosa passed out.
And worst case happened, Rosa fell in the well too.

The night came and they still are not back home, so their
friends and families searched for Rosa and Malvar. The next
day, their bodies were discovered and there, in the well, were they
buried. They filled the well with soil.
A year has passed, a plant grew on the surface of the well. It has no
flowers, but the leaves have a very delightful aroma.

“It’s Malvar and Rosa,” said the people who knew about them and
their death, “they were reincarnated as a plant.”

And they called it Malvarosa. Its fragrant leaves are put together with
roses that are hanged in young women’s clothing.