80 - Memories

"Anemone! Did I come too late?"

She lifted her head and looked towards the voice. It was a boy who smiled down at her. His black hair blew softly in the breeze. His crescent eyes glowed golden at her. She felt her mouth moved in response. "Cayden, you should know you can't be late to meetings."

Cayden straightened to scratch the back of his head in guilt. "Sorry, sister. Father kept me late with my studies. I'll make sure not to be late again."

She sighed and stood up, brushing the dirt off. She had been napping under a tree, waiting for him. Strange... She couldn't remember what she had dreamed about. Was it important? She shook her head and walked towards the garden.

"We're going to celebrate mother's birthday tonight. We should hurry before it gets dark," she reminded him. A sound of someone falling was heard. She turned to see Cayden had tripped. She frowned at him. "Really, Cayden?"

Cayden looked at her pitifully. "Sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going."

Anemone sighed and took his hand. "Let's just hurry, okay?" She walked forward, not seeing her brother's cheeks pinkened. They soon arrived at the meadow of flowers. She let go her brother's hand and started picking some flowers. "We must pick the best. Mother deserves the best."

Cayden nodded enthusiastically and also looked around. "What kind of flowers are we putting in the bouquet?"

"Mother likes red anemones. They will look good with gold roses," she explained. Cayden brightened at her words. It sounded really pretty.

"Red anemones to represent sister! Roses also represent mother!" he exclaimed.

"No," she corrected him. "Roses like mother but gold to represent you. We should look for some purple flowers too. Do you know what would be good in the bouquet?"

Cayden pondered and then pointed to another row of flowers. "Those freesias are a good shade to complement the others. We can also add white daisies too, can we?"

Anemone nodded and started filling her basket. "You can pick those two then. Let's hurry, okay?" He nodded in confirmation and carefully selected the flowers. Soon, the basket filled with flowers. They hurried back to their home. A maid greeted them and led them towards the dining hall.

Their parents were talking at the end of the table. Mother was laughing at what father had said. Her mother had braided her crimson hair into a bun. White roses were weaved in each strand. Her mother looked beautiful in a spring green dress. They both ran up to her, hugging her slim figure.

"My! Did you two bring me a gift?" their mother asked, laughing happily.

"Yes, mother! Do you like them? Cayden and I both picked these flowers for you. Happy birthday, mother!" Anemone explained and kissed her mother's cheek. Cayden kissed the other cheek and echoed happy birthday.

"Thank you! You two are both the greatest blessings I can ever have. I love you two so much!" She hugged them both tightly. "My two greatest treasures."

"Mother!" Anemone laughed and pulled away. "You're going to make it hard to breathe!"

Her mother smiled sadly. "Anemone, it's time for you to go back. You can't celebrate my birthday today."

Anemone was speechless. "Mother?"

"You have to go back. Cayden needs you. You have to keep the promise you made to us." Anemone was hugged again. Her father had also came to hug her. Anemone was scared. What was happening?

"Mother... Father..."

Her mother pushed her away. "Go back. You must go back." With the push, she started falling backwards. The dining hall melted away with the floor crumbling below her. Anemone screamed in fright.