1 Terrors of Romance Series I

Chapter 1

It was 6 o'clock in the morning when my doorbell rang. I rushed to the door with the enthusiasm and hope of seeing my friend Victor who used to pass by every morning to drop some fresh flowers for me. He would give me flowers and say to me, 'Pretty flowers for my pretty friend.' He would say that with a bold smile on his face, showing his white teeth. I wouldn't say a word after that, but I'd give him a good-bye hug. 

As I opened the door, I found no one. I walked outside with my shoulders down to find out if I could see someone nearby. No one was there. There was silence like all mornings.

I went back to my house with a bit of confusion, but I suddenly convince myself that no one has knocked. When I reached my front door stoop, I found the white envelope. I picked it wondering who must have put it there and when? After picking that envelop, I got inside and locked the door immediately. Then I sat beside the window so that I could immediately glance out should I hear something. I sat there for hours not hearing a sound then I decided to open the white envelop that I picked on the stoop. Inside there was a piece of paper written in bold, "forget about him."

"Forget about who?" I thought. I rushed to my bedroom to fetch my phone so that I can call Victor to found out if he's all right. I took my phone and went back to where I was sitting. I browsed my phone to call Victor, by the way, he was on speed dial.

I got an unexpected reply, "The number you've dialed does not exist." That response frightened me. After that, I didn't know what to do or think.

Gradually, I thought of my neighbor- Sophia. I called her and asked her to come to my house as soon as possible. Fortunately, she was not working on Tuesdays. After a few minutes, the doorbell rang. It was my lovely neighbor, Sophia.

"What's wrong Noxolo, you sounded anxious over the phone?" Asked Sophia as she dragged the chair to seat beside me.

"It's Victor," I replied with tears in my eyes. "He didn't show up this morning. Look, I tried to call him but- I couldn't reach him because recently his number does not exist. On top of that, I found this note." I pulled the note in my pocket and gave it to Sophia.

Sophia stared at that note for a while without saying a word. Gradually, she held my hand tight and said, "This is not seeming good at all. It might be possible that Victor is in danger. I honestly don't know what to think."

"I'm terrified. I don't want to lie. Who do you think might be capable of such a thing?"

"It could be some old jealous ex-girlfriend or someone who hates you."

"Come on Sophia, Victor and I..."

"I know what you're about to say. Noxolo, to tell you the truth it's hard to believe that you and Victor are just friends. I mean he brings you flowers every morning. Don't you think that's genuine and exceptional love for friendship?"

I glanced at Sophia with a smile on my face. I knew she was right about everything, but I see Victor as a friend. Sophia and I thought long and harder about Victor's situation and finally decided to forget about Victor for my safety. It wasn't an easy decision at all.

The evening of that day was odd, knowing that I've lost a friend. A friend who didn't come empty-handed in my life, but he was carrying lots and lots of tremendous love, everlasting support, and the lamp of hope that has been dazzling my life since we met.

I couldn't even watch my favorite tv show that evening. I just went straight to bed. The minute I got in my bed; the power turned off. At first, I thought it's a load shading, but the streetlights were on, and radio sound from Nikole party was still cracking the roof. So, I thought it could be a problem with the main switch.

I quickly got off my bed and went upstairs to check the main switch. The minute I got in the room that has the main switch, the power came back. When I turned on my way out, there were flowers and a note in front of me. The Gardenia white flowers like the ones Victor used to bring for me. I took the flowers and read the note that was specifically like Victor's words, 'pretty flowers for my pretty friend.'

I felt a relaxation because to me it appeared like a prank, well the terrifying one though. "Okay, you can come out! Well played, I guess. I know it's you, Victor." I said that with a smile while smelling the pretty flowers. While I was still amazed by what I've seen, I heard the voice from nowhere saying, 'Forget about him.' That confused me even more as I was trying to think the mastermind behind the whole thing that has happened.

I wasn't sure about what to think, but there is something that I knew for sure. The rain of thorns was about to come.

Two weeks passed not perceiving anything unfamiliar. That was an immeasurable relief I needed for the longest time, and I wish it could last a little bit longer. For that period which I call the times of refreshment, I decided to call my mom who was not living far from Brooklyn (PTA). It was twenty minutes' drive.

My mom's phone rang for a while, but finally, she answered. "Hello, my baby, I am sorry for taking so long to answer." She sighed and continued talking. "I'm in Durban. Your grandmother is very unwell. I've been here for months now. I'm sorry for not informing you."

"It's okay mom. I wanted to find out if you are okay." I replied with disappointment." I didn't proceed to tell her what I wanted because I thought it might stress her. Besides, it was not that bad anymore.

I spent that day chilling outside admiring the beauty of the Brooklyn suburb. Something that I haven't done for a while. I sat in my balcony till the sunset. That was great.

The moment I got in my study which is right next to the balcony, there was a note on the carpet. I picked it with my shaking hand. 'Tomorrow, it shall be resumed. It would be 100 times more.' I felt horrified and fell after that.

I don't remember what happened after that incident. I woke up on my bed in the middle of the night. I literally couldn't feel my head. I was extremely dizzy. I thought It would be better to continue lying on my bed. That was the only thing I could do, sleep probably waiting for death to set me free. I don't know when I fell asleep, and when the pains dissipated.

The next morning, I was awake by the lovely fragrance of Gardenia, red rose, and Lilac flowers. There was also a piece of music playing, 'I will always love you by Whitney Houston.' I got off my bed and followed the flowers on the floor that led me to my guest room. As soon as I got there, I found someone who was sitting on the couch facing outside. I came closer to the person suspiciously.

"Hi, may I help you?" There was silence. I touch his shoulder in such a way of pulling. What I felt, it frightened me. The person was too cold and hard as a rock. I quickly rushed to stand in front of him. He was neither blinking nor moving. When I looked closer, in his chest there was a note. 'Neither of us can have him.' That dead person on the couch was Victor. I never felt the pain like that one. It felt like something was grinding my heart.