[Code Orange]

A girl sighed as she stared at the starry night sky from her window

 It's just another Sunday but it was a bit different

She took her journal and flipped the pages until finally stopping at a blank page

She held her pen and started writing

"What is memories?

Now that’s a tough question. There is no clear definition of those like how you define medical terms. Some simple, smallest things may ignite your past chapters even when they died long ago. In my case it’s an orange.

Let me start by telling you a short recap of my story. Basically, I used to have a close friend with brightest smile ever. No, I’m not lying! He was very friendly and smiled a lot, he gave a very warm feeling and I guess it charmed me. I’m sure women are all attracted to his warmth. We used to text until very late at night-I must admit I was a bit infatuated too.

But here’s a fun fact for you all- nothing lasts forever. We both got really busy and drifted apart-he became cold and he always looked exhausted. I was worried, but one can’t do anything when ignored. I was confused where we went wrong. Did I offend him somehow? But there’s no way for me to confirm. He was very busy with his work and projects while I was also losing sleep over my job and education assignments. Before long, it faded.

It did, really

Then I started to remember those happy times, sometimes it made me angry other times it made me confused and sad. Alas, all emotions do fade away (or maybe I should say get buried). I was caught up with my job, goals and stuff. I started befriending new people too. We have met a few times after that but I couldn’t speak to him, he seemed to avoid me too. Sometimes I wonder what I did to lose such great friend.

Until yesterday

I met him in a temple as we were chanting prayers and he still avoided my gaze as usual despite sitting behind me. I’d really given up by that point, really. As we were chanting prayers, we heard loud vibrating but couldn’t find the source. I checked my phones, both not on vibrate mode. I stared at the man sitting in front of me and he helped me search. We searched but saw no phone, and we chuckled. Then I heard his voice from behind, “Above. Above, check above dispenser”. He sounded displeased so I did not bother looking at him- I mean, why was he so annoying to me?

We had to come forward one by one to kneel in front of Buddha statue and bow three times. As it was end of year, we had to thank for all blessings received that year and apologize for our sins. After we finished, the priestess would give us some food from altar to be eaten as blessing. My gaze was set on some delicious-looking steamed buns but nobody really gets to choose these things. There were lots of oranges; green and orange (Orange colored… Ugh, Is orange named orange because it is orange colored or is orange color named so because it is the same as oranges? And how come there is no word that rhymes with orange? Oranges are such a mystery!)

The priestess handed me an orange-colored orange (I’m tired just by typing this) ,chosen among the green oranges. I’m not a fan of eating orange to be honest but it’s fine. I walked back carrying my cute orange and saw him. It was his turn, he came forward calmly and prayed. I cussed mentally, Dear priestess, don’t you dare give him steamed bun or anything tastier than mine! He was given...

An orange orange, 

among green ones

Yes, another orange…orange (this is tiring)

What a coincidence, I thought to myself. Is this because of my envy about food—Nonono, better not, I inwardly muttered. I placed the orange on my head and tried to balance it to distract myself. The prayer session lasted much faster than I expected and we headed downstairs to have vegetarian lunch provided by the temple. I kept coincidentally met him but we really had nothing to talk about.

Then as he was going to head home, he dropped his orange-right in front of me.

His mom laughed, ”You’ve dropped the orange five times”

He sighed and laughed, “I think this orange doesn’t like being with me. You should keep it, mom”

I laughed , I couldn’t help it. That orange joke was funny! “Pfftt, orange not liking you. Hahahahahahah”. 

He chuckled again and spoke in a calm voice, ”You know… Some oranges are meant to be yours while others not. We can’t force those oranges”. He then left, he was avoiding my gaze all the way but I was certain he was talking to me. AND HE SMILED, not glared at me! THAT was surprising. I’m not gonna lie, it made me feel… Happy.

That feeling of eating bread with marmalade, sweet and sour.

(Yes, I know Strawberry jam tastes like that too but since we were discussing orange… Let me use marmalade!)

But wait…

So, that orange wise sayings… We both got same oranges right?

Is he trying to say that I can’t force him to befriend me or is it the other way around? Is he sending me a message to give up or is he expressing apology in an orange way? Then again, it was HIS orange that fell and rejected him so…He's regretting?  But maybe he didn’t mean anything and I’m over-analyzing these oranges.

Umm…

Maybe…Just…

But…

…

I give up! Whatever it is, at least we talked again. I smiled and thought to myself, let some mysteries remain unsolved. For now I will refer to it as…

[Code Orange]  "

The girl smiled and closed her journal,then went to sleep.

 I'm sure I will dream about oranges

P.S : Thank you for inspiring this story with orange quote, my friend. It gave me info to imagine and write this short story!