The winds hit the outer shell of the old house; the raindrops pitter-pattered on the windows. The sky was turning grey as thunder was heard in the distance. Flocks of birds scattered the sky fleeing for cover as the raindrops started to get heavy. The animals went home.
The door of the old house opened as a young girl hurried inside. Her body soaked from the rain, hair plastered around her round face. Pulling her hair to the side, her fingers twisted to remove the water from their hiding place. A deep sigh was released as she tried to wipe as much water off her skin. With her face now dry, she took a look around the hall.
Tables, chairs, stands, lamps, book shelves, nothing out of the ordinary took it's place in the hall and the rooms off to the sides. As she moved slowly down the area, step by step, she ran her fingers along every object to her right. Stopping suddenly, she checked her fingers. Dust.
Wiping the dust on her skirt she moved forward. At the end of the hall there was a door. It was slightly cracked with a dim light shining through. She ventured forward, her left hand reaching out for the knob. Her fingers grasped it, with a light pull, the door opened fully at her will. Her eyes scanned the room.
"Nothing," she whispered.
Her voice floated through the stale air. Taking a step inside the room, she placed her hands on her hips. A flash of lightning and the sudden roar of thunder startled her. Jumping and then crouching down to the floor, she covered her ears until the sound disappeared.
Opening one eye, the girl slowly got back up and straightened herself.
"That was...fun," she huffed.
Walking around the room, she glanced at what took up space on the floors. Boxes, piles of boxes were in the corner. Her fingers ripped the top box open. Inside were books. Pulling the box to the floor, she took each book out and laid them around her. After the box was empty, she tossed it aside and started on another box.
After taking apart a few of the boxes, she was on the last box. When she opened, her eyes were shocked. Lying perfectly inside was a porcelain doll; straight dark hair, eyes closed, and a lavender dress to fit the image.
"Wow," she said as she took the doll out of its box. "So beautiful." Her fingers carefully felt the doll, making sure nothing was broken. "I wonder who you belonged to..."
"What are you doing here?" a voice bellowed.
The girl turned quickly around, her almost dried hair flying behind her.
"I...it was raining, I had nowhere else to-"
"Then why here?" the old man asked her, cutting her explanation short.
She fell silent, sitting on her knees, with the doll in her hands leaning on her lap. "Sorry."
"You are a trespasser; do you know what the law says about trespassing?"
Her face fell. She had entered a household that she didn't belong to without permission. She had disturbed the possessions in the house.
The old man wobbled into the room, grunting he pulled a sheet off of a chair and placed himself on it. Rubbing his knees, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Much better," his rough voice silently admitted as he closed his eyes. His breathing was heavy. After a few seconds, the old man's wrinkly face relaxed. His eyes opened back up. Staring at the girl holding the doll, he shook his head. "What are you doing in this room?"
"I really didn't mean to disturb you, I just wanted to get out of the rain, and this house's door wasn't locked. So I decided to come in. I didn't know someone lived here still," she explained, her voice rushing the words out of mouth.
The old man started chuckling. His relaxed face and his coarse chuckle moved his old body back and forth. "I see," he said. "Sorry for alarming you." He nodded at her. "Just was startled to find someone in my old house." Taking a look around the room, a small smile came to his face. "It's been a while since I came here." Holding out his hand, he asked, "Can I see the doll?"
Nodding the girl obeyed the old man's request. He turned the doll around, looking at the face. Tears filled his old eyes and they closed.
"Is that doll yours?" the girl asked.
"No. It was someone else's."
"Who's?"
"The one woman I will ever love, even now."
"Where is she?"
"Gone."
"Oh," she said silently. She didn't speak anything for a while. Looking at the stuff she had removed out of the boxes, her eyes fell on a picture. It was two young people. A girl wearing glasses and her brown hair tied in two braids, her smile was big as she held onto a porcelain doll, next to her, hugging the girl was a young man. His dark hair was cut in a stylish fashion, his blue eyes shone happily as he stared into the picture. "Was this the owner?" she asked lifted the picture off the floor.
The man took the picture in his hand, staring at the past, he let out a sigh. "Yes."
"She was really beautiful," the girl said. "What was her name?"
A smile spread across his face. "Crystal." His fingers fluttered over the picture as if it was taking the past. "She was an amazing girl."
"What was she like?" the girl asked as she moved closer to see if the man would let her know about the girl and her doll.
"She was childish, stubborn, overly cheerful, laughed too much, enjoyed taking pictures a little more than normal people. Her love of books always sent her into her own worlds it was entertaining, she was easy to treat and make fun of," he listed.
The girl made a face. "You make her sound like some little girl, was she your sister? Is that why you loved her so much?"
"Loved? I still love her," he said. "No, she wasn't my sister. I was an only child. She was my wife, friend, and family." His face fell as he turned the photo upside down. "She also had way too many male friends."
The girl laughed. "Did you give her the doll?" she nodded at the doll.
The man nodded. "Of course, it was a gift for her."
"She must have loved it."
"She loved everything."
The girl stood up, and stretched. "Well she must have loved you the best. I should get going, the rain stopped and I have school tomorrow," she said. "Sorry for intruding in your house," she yelled as she hurried away.
Chuckling under his breath, "She reminds me so much of Crystal."
Later that night, the old man stood in the living room, staring at the pictures of the past. A smile came to his face as the memories of the house over filled him with a warm comfort.
***
"Hey!" a happy voice cried out. The girl hurried up the porch steps and stood at the door waiting. "You're so slow. Hurry up."
The man she was yelling at smiled and hurried to her side. "Well maybe you shouldn't run away," he joked. "I shouldn't have to be chasing after you. You just want to leave me behind is all."
"What? No way! Why would I want to do that?" the girl cried. Her face fell. "Don't think that way Ace, I love you. I'll always be by your side."
Ace laughed and hugged her. "Silly," he said. They stood at the door, embraced in each other. After a few minutes, he let go of her. "You're going to have to do most of the unpacking, I have to go to the office and make sure everything got there okay."
She nodded. "Okay."
"Crystal," he said in a serious voice.
"Yes?"
"Be careful. You are always getting hurt. And I'm going to be at the office, so I can't protect you if something happens."
"Oh, nothing will happen. Just make sure you get your work done and taken care of, I'll be fine." She smiled happily at Ace. "What do you want for dinner?"
"Surprise me," he said as he gave her a kiss and left her.
Crystal stood at the door waving good-bye. As soon as Ace left, she walked inside. The smell of a new house filled her nostrils. "Okay, time to get things done!" she said happily as she started pulling boxes open and placing things all around her.
Hours flew by, and the sun started going down. She looked down at her watch. "He should be getting here soon. I should start making something to eat." Hurrying to the kitchen, she started pulling the small amount of groceries to put something together.
Thirty minutes later, the door opened and Ace walked in. "Smells good," he said as he walked to Crystal.
Crystal laughed, and turned to him. "Here," she said holding out the spoon. "Try it." Ace leaned over and blew on it, then ate what was on the spoon. "What do you think?"
"Yummy, what is it?" he asked as he got himself comfortable.
"It's a filipino dish, I forgot what my mom called it, but it's healthy for you and easy to make," she smiled as she turned back to the stove. "It'll make you strong for whatever comes out way."
"I'm already strong."
"I know. But to keep you strong."
Crystal turned off the stove, and got out two bowls and filled it with the dish. "Eat up."
The two of them ate the meal at the small table, talking about dreams they had for the house, and what they will achieve now that they are settled. As the night drew longer, they grew tired, and slept together on the mattress that laid on the floor without a frame.
"I'll help you finish up tomorrow, it's bed time," Ace said as he held onto Crystal tightly.
As each day passed, the two had adventures: ups and downs. Their life held happiness and sadness.
A year went by and they were happy together.
Ace sat at his work desk, putting the finishing touches on the papers before filing them. Glancing at that time, he knew he had to get going. He promised Crystal that he would return home early with a surprise. Leaving his work place, he drove along the road until he parked in front of an antique shop. Looking at the window, he smiled as what he wanted was still there. Paying and giving his thanks to the owner, he left for home.
Crystal was in the room at the end of the hall, sitting on the floor with books all around her. Her hands held an old book. It was so old that if a person held it the wrong way, the book my fall apart. But this didn't stop Crystal. She enjoyed the old books, believing the look gave more to the story.
"You made a mess," Ace's voice broke into her head, causing Crystal to look up. "Books all over the place." He shook his head with a smile on his face. "You can't get the surprise if this room looks like this."
Crystal's mouth fell open. "I didn't expect you to be home at this hour. I...surprise? What surprise?" she asked as she jumped over to him. "What is it? Hm?" she happily grabbed his arm.
"You won't know, ever."
"Aw!" she said make a face. "Why not? You said though. Tell me. What is it?"
Putting his forehead to hers, he smiled. "Let's clean up first." The two of them started putting the books back to their homes. After they were done, Ace pulled Crystal into him. "Good girl. No you deserve it."
"You make me feel like a pet," she stick out her tongue. "What is it?" she smiled.
"Ta-dah," Ace said as he showed her a colorfully wrapped box.
"What is it?" she asked again.
"Open it."
"Can't you tell me?" she asked as she opened the box. Her eyes brightened as she saw what was inside. "No way!" she exclaimed as she pulled the doll out and hugged it. "Where did you find this?"
"It was at a small store, I just happened to pass by it, and I thought it would be perfect for you."
"I love it, thank you," Crystal smiled and kissed his cheek. "I love you."
Ace smiled. "You're welcome."
Crystal ran out of the room and came back with her blue camera. "I want a picture of us!" she said setting it up to be timed as the stood before it. Standing next to Ace, and hugging the doll, she felt as if this was the second perfect day she had.
As the click sounded and the flash took their pictures, she gave a kiss to Ace.
***
Thunder disturbed the old man. His tired eyes opened up, he was in a daze.
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